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ANCIENT AFRICAN HISTORY

ANCIENT AFRICAN HISTORY

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ANCIENT AFRICAN HISTORY

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  1. ANCIENT AFRICAN HISTORY "History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of human geography. The role of history is to tell a people what they have been, and where they have been, what they are and where they are. The most important role that history plays is that it has the function of telling a people where they still must go and what they still must be." Dr. John Henrik Clarke, African Historian

  2. Great Golden Ages of West Africa8th - 18th Century The golden ages of these African western empires emerged asSahelian Kingdomsof the savanna. The Sahel (shore or coast) is a dry hot area with fertile areas and grasslands. Several north west African kingdoms developed from this area. The power and wealth of these empires stemmed from their control over the Trans – Sahara trade routes, which had a profound influence on these civilizations. This trade gave birth to the rise of these great empires. Three powerful Sudanese empire/states known as the Great Western Empires emerged as the political entities of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. Their economies revolved around: * agriculture * manufacturing * international trade Bennett says that trade and commerce flourished in these great cities and intellectual life was brisk and refreshing.

  3. GHANA • 1ST of three great western empires of the medieval Sudan (700-1200ACE) • It begins with the Berbers around 300 ACE • Founders called SONINKES a group of tribes w/ common ancestry who spoke the MANDE language • Originally called WAGADUGU (Ouagadou) • Ghana means “ruler or king”in Mande • Soninke’s fame as “Warrior Kings” spread over N Africa • Known as richest monarchs whose source was TRADE • Other titles – Kaya Magha means “King of Gold”

  4. Communal Government • King assisted by the People’s Council • The ruler was considered: 1) Patriarch, father of the Soninke people 2) Commander & Chief of Army 3) Head of state religion 4) Chief dispenser of justice 5) Supreme overseer of the Nation Tenkamenin (1065 ACE) - One of Ghana’s Greatest Kings was known for his administrative justice & for never denying an audience to his people to hear their complaints.

  5. KINSHIP • Matrilineal society (Mother Right) • Each tribe made from a number of clans (Sisse, Drame, Sylla & Kante) Sisse = Ruling class-governors, political officers Kante = Artisans – mental workings, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, silversmiths

  6. Soninkes Power * 2 sources: - Iron tools/weapons - Inexhastible supply of gold Ghana 1st sahelian kingdom to annex other kingdoms who paid tribute to them. They evolved into a great empire.

  7. Ghana’s Prosperity • Occurs during 10th& 11th century • 3 main reasons: • Had an efficient army to discourage invaders & keep internal peace • Rich in natural resources & land that produced ample crops (i.e. cotton, millet, sorghum) • Chief source of wealth was TRADE which produced power and wealth for all 3 empires from control over the Trans-Sahara TRADE based on 2 main exports – Gold & Salt • Levied taxes as a source of revenue to the state

  8. Agriculture & Trade a vital part of Ghana’s economy • It had a mixed economy that brought various commodities into the country & large varities of food products. - Agriculture - Iron smelting - Stonemasonry - Carpentry - Pottery - Goldsmithing - Clothing manufacturing • Export Products: Gold, kola nuts, war captives • Import Products: Metal artifacts, cotton, utensils, salt, cloth, high grade leather goods (famous Morocco leather from W. Africa)

  9. Efficient Government & Military • Organized & maintained peace & prosperity throughout the land • Imperial Might based upon 3 things 1)200,000 man army & 40,000 Bowmen 2) Control of Trans-Sahara trade & revenue from it 3) Good political administration KUMBI – Capital city & major commercial center where latest developments in science & culture passed.

  10. Dumb Barter System“Silent Trade” This system was used to conduct trading of all persons at all points of the Trans-Sahara trade routes. Religion Ghana never converted to Islam as a state religion, yet allowed Muslims to settle in the cities and were also encouraged to be special advisors & administrators to the royal court. Most of the people followed traditional tribal religious practices.

  11. Decline of Ghana 3 reasons for it’s decline: 1) Envy of neighbors peripheral raids 2) Almoravids (Berbers) declared Jihad on Ghana 1075 ACE 3) Internal strife foreign invasion. Looses commercial & military power after 1100 ACE

  12. Rise of Mali

  13. Mali • 2nd great sahelian kingdom(1200-1500 ACE) by absorbing Ghana & expanding westward • Mali means “Where the Emperor Resides” in Mande of the Mandinka • Started by the Keita Family which ruled nearly 13 centuries as one of the longest dynasties in world history • Raised from small Mandingo state of Kangba • Came to fame under 2 leaders

  14. Historic Malian Leaders 1st - Sundiata Kieta • Ruled 1230-1255 ACE • Expanded Mali westward to the Atlantic Ocean • Its height included 3 independent confederations & 12 provinces • Population 8 million • He is an important figure in W. Sudenese religion • Practiced Islamic & indigenous faith

  15. Sundiata’s Achievements • Had quick decisive victories over enemies • Organized the state to administer civil authorities • Gave women powerful positions • Took control over Trans-Sahara trade • Set-up Niani as capital city & key trading/financial center • Focused on agriculture-transformed soldiers into farmers • Became known as one of the richest farming areas • Introduced cultivation & weaving of cotton into region

  16. Mansa (Emporer or Sultan) 2nd – Mansa Musa • Ruled 1312-1337 ACE • Expanded Mali into one of the world’s largest empires • Devout Muslim – built magnificent mosques • Best known for pilgrimage to Mecca 1324ACE w/60,000 people, train of 100 elephants, 80 camels & more than 2 tons (24,000lbs.) of gold

  17. Mansa Musa’s Achievements • Returned from Mecca w/ black scholars, architects & other skilled men • Built University of Sankore at Timbuktu – became one of the major cultural centers • Built vast libraries & Madrasas (Islamic Universities) Timbuktu became a meeting place of the finest poets, scholars, and artists of Africa & the Middle East. • Even after the decline of Mali Timbuktu remains the major Islamic center of sub-Sahara Africa

  18. 1375 ACE Charles V of France had the Catalan Map (Atlas) w/ Mansa Musa “Rex Mali” in its center

  19. Decline of Mali • Death of Mansa Musa →↓ of influence & independence of subject states • Devastating drought hampers economy → internal strife & foreign invasion • 1430ACE Tuareg Berbers seize control giving rise to Songhay

  20. Songhay • 3rd great sahelian kingdom • Slowly takes over empire of Mali & Kanem-Boru • Rises fully under Sunni dynasty with 2 great leaders (Sunni Ali Ber & Mamadu Toure)

  21. Historic Leaders of Songhay 1st – Sunni Ali Ber Ber=the Great • Ruled 1464 – 1492 ACE reigned 28 yrs. • Built Songhay from a small western state • Had full-time professional soldiers w/ horse & camel cavalry w/men in armor • He built a navy of war canoes which sailed the Niger • His military conquered major cities of Mali • Songhay converted the nation to Islam

  22. 1492 • 3 Significant Events Occur: 1) Death of Sunni Ali Ber 2) Columbus finds America 3) The last of the Moors are expelled from Spain

  23. Last Great Ruler of Songhay 2nd Mamadu Toure • Ruled 1493-1529 ACE • Ascended to thrown under the name of Askia Muhammad, “Askia the Great” • Askia means “General” • Considered their most gifted king • A distinguished general, administrator & devout Muslim

  24. Askia’s Achievements • Built an effective army from POW’s & ex-slaves • Established the Askia dynasty • Expand empire 2,000 miles long by 1,000 miles wide • Homogenized culture throughout Songhay • Revived commercial prosperity of Timbuktu & its fame as an intellectual center • Emissaries worldwide studied in its libraries & w/its scholars • 1497 Pilgrimage to Mecca w/ 300,000 pieces of gold • Promoted education reforms & advancement in science • Created expert banking systems & institutions, & laws regulating business of the empire

  25. Decline of Songhay • Its continued expanded size → its downfall • Its massive army 35,000 soldiers, archers & cavalry couldn’t keep order • By 1612 the cities fell into general disarray

  26. Things to Remember • Economic life of these states revolved around agriculture, manufacturing & international trade • Rulers held power through good administration & maintenance of large armies • “The Blacks” said to be those who most detest injustice. • Jenne & Timbuktu known throughout the Muslim world as centers of culture & learning • African women of these cities considered the most beautiful & shown more respect then the men (matrilineal societies). Women not bashful or veiled • Power & wealth came from control of the Trans-Sahara based primarily on gold & salt

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