Transcript Chapter 11

Chapter 11
Kingdoms & Trading States of Africa
730 B.C. – A.D. 1591

Chapter Focus:
How did trade &
geography influence
the development of
the kingdoms and
trading states of
Africa?*
Geography

Africa is the worlds
second largest continent

Wide range of climates,
vegetation, and terrains
– Played a major role in
development
– Provided numerous
cultures
African Geography

Africa is home to the
worlds largest desert….
– Sahara*
 2500 B.C. – climate
change*
– desertification:
fertile land
becomes desert*
 Forced people to
migrate*
– Spread of ideas &
skills (cultural
diffusion!!)*
Geography

Most of Africa’s population lives in areas known as:
– Savannas – grassy plains*
 More temperate
 Easier to grow vegetation
– Settled farmers & nomadic herders*
Geography

Migration and Trade were often difficult in Africa due to:
– Cataracts/ Waterfalls
– Extreme heat
– Rough Terrain (desert, rain forests, & high plateaus)
Trading

Trading in Africa was made easier by the use of Camels*
– “Ships of the Desert”*
– Carried heavy loads, required less water


Great Rift Valley – flat passageway into Africa
Seas – overseas trade routes
– Ex.) Mediterranean & Red Sea
Farming

As farming increased in Africa around the year A.D. 100
– Farming skills improved and created “surpluses”
– Surpluses led to increased trading
Trading

Items traded included:
– Cotton, nuts, clothing,
slaves
– Two products
dominated the Sahara
trade:*
 Gold (West Africa)
and Salt (Sahara)*
– Salt served many
purposes:
preserved health in
hot climate &
preserved food
~ Some areas traded a
pound of gold for a
pound of salt
Communication

West African tribes spoke a
variety of languages that
stemmed from Bantu – root
language
– Migrate into South Africa –
spread Bantu culture

Swahili (Arabic word meaning
“of the coast”) – language &
culture that formed as a result
of international trade between
East Africa, the Middle East, &
Asia*
African Society



Basic unit of society Family
Nuclear Family Consists of parents and
children living and
working together (small
society)*
Extended Family –
parents, children,
grandparents, aunts,
uncles, cousins…
African Society

Each family belongs to a lineage – groups that
claim a common ancestor*

Heritage was either…
– Patrilineal – traced through the father’s side*
OR
– Matrilineal – traced through the mother’s side*