Societies & Empires in East & South Africa

1. Societies & Empires in East & South Africa East Africa Region South African Region

2. Kush Empire • Kush (Nubians) => S of Egypt, beyond 1st cataract • Long controlled by Egypt • Source of many products, slaves • 1000 BC – Egypt in decline from “People of the Sea” & Libyan invasion • Kush gains independence and attack Egypt to “liberate” it • 751 BC – King Piankhi led army down Nile • Captured Egyptian throne • Became 25th Dynasty • 671 BC – Assyrians invade, conquer Egypt; Kush retreat up Nile

3. Kush Empire – Meroe • Golden Age of Meroe (Mehr-oh-ee)(650 BC-350 AD) • Despite loss of Egypt experienced Golden Age • Lots of rain – great agriculture • Vast amounts of iron ore – Meroe’s ironworkers became most talented in Africa • Trade Center for Nile, Red Sea • Strong leaders kept nation safe (Queen Candace vs. Alexander the Great) • Decline of Meroe • Poor leadership led to decline • Rise of Askum (Ax-oom) – defeat Meroe in 350 AD Pyramids around Meroe

4. Kingdom of Askum • Background – SE of Kush • First kings traced back to Solomon & Queen of Sheba • Began conquering neighbors, establishing their kingdom • Control of Trade • Traded from Nile to Red Sea to Med to Indian Ocean • Hub of trade for luxuries • Maintained strong navy – Askum considered world power • King Ezana (325-360 AD) • Converted to Christianity • Expanded empire by invading Kush • Askum considered a world power Askum gold coins, 3d C. AD Askum, at greatest extent

5. Aksum • Culture of Aksumites • Variety of languages spoken • Spread of Christianity after Ezana converted, made it state religion • Architecture – used stone to create great palaces, obelisks • Farming - terraced fields • Developed written language and coinage Obelisk of Aksum Typical Aksum Architecture (church pictured)

6. Fall of Aksum • Islam on rise, creating caliphate • 710 – Islamic invaders capture all Red Sea ports, blocking Aksum from trade routes • Christian Aksum was surrounded by the Islamic Empire • Isolated geographically, culturally, Aksum was no longer a world power Glass goblets of Aksum, c. 30 AD Aksum trade routes (red lines)

7. Great Zimbabwe (1100-1450) • Rainfall was great for farming, grazing • Trade routes linked inland to coastal cities • Leaders taxed all trade going through region • Demanded tribute from surrounding areas • Became center of economics, politics in South • Mysterious decline by 1450s

8. Stateless Societies • Hunter gatherers • Much of Southern Africa • Small lineage (family) groups of 50 or fewer • Generally nomadic, moving to a new area when resources ran out • Men hunt, women gather food • Traded with settled people for needed tools • Led by elder male, BUT each group free to make own decisions Hunter gatherer camp, c. 1800 (S. African Museum display)

9. Stateless Societies of Central Africa • System of Gov’t based on LINEAGE GROUPS • LG were descendants from a common ancestor • Power shared among all families so no one had too much power over others • No centralized system of power • Ibo, Tiv, & Nuer were related lineage groups from C Africa • Nuer = 250,000 people without a formal ruler • Lived in area of South Sudan / West Ethiopia • All resolve disputed by elders from different lineage groups • Able to defend selves against Europeans during 17th, 18th C Nuer riding upon his Dinka slave (circa 1930)