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Medieval Africa. Mali & Axum. Influence of Geography. Sahara – the largest desert in the world Only of many geographic features that have played a major role in the development of Africa Tropical rain forest runs along the equator
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Medieval Africa Mali & Axum
Influence of Geography • Sahara – the largest desert in the world • Only of many geographic features that have played a major role in the development of Africa • Tropical rain forest runs along the equator • The Savannas – grass land - moving north and south of this band are the continents largest and most populated regions • Cataracts – rivers with water falls • Geographic features of Africa – barriers or highways to easy movement of people goods and ideas
Resources Spur Trade • Africa’s mineral wealth has spurred trade across the continent: • Salt • Gold • Iron • Copper • Trade expanded greatly by the advent of a new form of transportation: • AD 200 “Ships of the desert”
Bantu • 2500 B.C. Desertification • Migration of farmers 1000BCE-1000CE • Bantu language • Spread culture (farming, ironworking and domestication of animals) to southern Africa
Outside Influences Affect North Africa • Early civilizations had strong ties to the regions across the Mediterranean and Red Sea • Phoenicia build Carthage • A great North African power • Founded by Phoenician traders as a port on the Mediterranean • Phoenicia came to dominate western Mediterranean trade • 800 BC – 146 BC forged an empire that stretched from present-day Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco to southern Europe • Eventually led to a series of wars against Rome – called the Punic Wars
Trade in the Sahara 800-1600 AD • Villages near rivers and Lake Chad produce a surplus • Surplus – produce more than they needed • Trade routes linking savanna to forest lands in south then across Sahara
West Africa • Caravans crossed Sahara trading: • Leather goods • Kola Nuts • Cotton Cloth • Slaves
North Africa • Arabs and Berbers traded: • Silk • Metal • Beads • Horses • Slaves
2 Commodities • Gold and Salt dominated Saharan trade • Gold widely available in: • Ghana • Nigeria • Senegal • 500-1600 – eight tons of gold removed from these areas
Salt • Important in diet • Preservative • Sahara abundant in salt
Ghana • Niger and Senegal Rivers • Soninke People • Kumbi Saleh Capital • Islam became an influence
Muslim Influence in Ghana • Muslim merchants brought with them their Islamic faith • King employed Muslims as counselors and officials • Incorporated Muslim military technology • As well as ideas about government, written language, coinage, and business methods • Slow to converts
Mali • Sundiata- 1235Ce • Mandinka People • Founded Mali “Where the king dwells.” • Mansa Musa 1312 • Greatest Ruler • Converts to Islam 1324 Hajj • Promotes Islamic education • Brings back scholars, architects, and teachers • University at Timbuktu
EAST AFRICA - Axum • Modern day Ethiopia to Eritrea • 100 B.C.E to 1 C.E. • Trade with Rome and Persia • From Red Sea port of Adulis • Capital of Empire • Triangular trade with Africa, India, Mediterranean World • 350 CE King Ezana • Adulis Capital
Markets of Adulis: • Iron • Spices • Precious Stones • Cotton
Axum converts to Christianity in 300 C.E. • King Ezanza makes Christianity the official religion • Eventually –isolated from Europe • Empire weakens – civil wars
Ethiopia • King Lalibela early 1200s • Building of 11 remarkable churches • Carved from Mountains • Holy Lands • Jewish tradition • Queen Sheba