Chapter 3 Part 2

Nubia and the Bantu Migrations

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Development of African Agriculture

Sahara desert originally highly fertile region Western Sudan region nomadic herders, ca. 9000

B.C.E. Domestication of cattle ca. 7500 B.C.E. Later, cultivation of sorghum, yams, increasingly

diverse Widespread desiccation of the Sahara ca. 5000

B.C.E.

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The Gift of the Nile

Gradual, predictable flooding

Alluvial deposits support productive agricultural society

“Gift of the Nile”

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Early Agriculture in Nile Valley

10,000 B.C.E. migrants from Red Sea hills (northern Ethiopia) Introduce collection of wild grains, language roots of

Coptic 5000 B.C.E. Sudanic cultivators, herders migrate

to Nile River valley Adaptation to seasonal flooding of Nile through

construction of dikes, waterways Villages dot Nile by 4000 B.C.E.

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Impact on Political Organization

As in Mesopotamia, a need for formal organization of public affairs

Need to maintain order and organize community projects

Egypt: simple, local irrigation projects Rural rather than heavily urban development Trade networks develop

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Egyptian Relations with Nubia

Competition over Nile trade Military conflict between 3100 and 2600 B.C.E. Drove Nubians to the south

Established kingdom of Kush, ca. 2500 B.C.E. Trade, cultural influences continue despite

military conflict

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Economic Specialization

Bronze metallurgy introduced late, with Hyksos invasion

Development of iron early, ca. 900 B.C.E. Trade along Nile River

More difficult in Nubia due to cataracts Sea trade in Mediterranean

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Bantu Migrations, 3000-1000 B.C.E.

Bantu: “people” Migration throughout sub-Saharan regions

Population pressures Over 500 variations of original Bantu language

90 million speakers By 1000 B.C.E., occupied most of Africa south of

the equator

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Bantu Migrations, 2000 B.C.E.-1000 C.E.

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Bantu Religions

Evidence of early monotheism Deistic views as well

Prayers to intercessors, e.g. ancestor spirits Great variations among populations

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