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Chapter 8: African Civilizations. 1500 B.C. – A.D. 700. Geography: Climate Regions of Africa. Desert : arid (hot and dry) region where precipitation is too low to sustain much vegetation. Sahelian : a transition zone between the arid Sahara desert and the savanna region of Africa.
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Chapter 8: African Civilizations 1500 B.C. – A.D. 700
Geography: Climate Regions of Africa • Desert: arid (hot and dry) region where precipitation is too low to sustain much vegetation.
Sahelian: a transition zone between the arid Sahara desert and the savanna region of Africa.
Savanna: A grassland area that features trees that are somewhat spaced apart allowing for an open canopy.
Tropical Rainforest: region that experiences high average temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall.
Mediterranean: This climate is characterized by warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters.
Africa Mediterranean
Early Africans • It is believed that the first humans appeared in the Great Rift Valley region of Africa.
Early Africans believed in one creator God but also believed in Animism which is the belief that spirits are present in animals, plants, and other forces of nature. • Some believed these spirits took the form of the souls of their ancestors(e.g. Great Grandpa’s soul is in that tree) • Traditions were passed on through stories told by storytellers called griots.
The first known culture of Africa was called the Nok (modern day Nigeria). • They were the first people known to smelt iron to make iron tools and weapons.
The Bantu Migrations • The Bantu speaking people were nomadic herders and farmers. • They were actually separate groups that shared a common language.
The Bantu speaking people survived by cultivating farmland using the method of slash and burn and by allowing their livestock to graze on the land.
Anthropologists believe when the land was no longer useful they migrated Southward spreading their culture including ironworking ability and their language along the way. • As a result most native African languages spoken today can be traced back to the Bantu language.
The Kingdom of Aksum • Located on and around the horn of Africa • Location near maritime and overland trade routes leads to wealth from trade. • This also leads to a diverse culture.
They were monotheists believing in the God Mahrem but were also Animist. • People convert to Christianity after their ruler Ezana does. • Developed a written language. • They terracedthe mountains to farm and dug canals and dams for irrigation. • Built cisterns(holding tanks to store water).
The Fall of Aksum • The kingdom of Axumlasted about 800 years. • Islamic invaders had spared Axum because they had once protected the religion’s founder Mohammad.
As Islamic invaders finally closed in they became isolatedas Christianssurrounded by Muslims. • They were forced to abandontheir land and move to what is modern day Northern Ethiopia. • Here depleting forests and soil erosion led to their decline as a world power.