afs 240 - module 4 lecture - part 1

Module 4 – Part 1 : 

Module 4 – Part 1 Atlantis The Ancient Kingdoms

West Africa’s Vegetation Zones : 

West Africa’s Vegetation Zones West Africa has three main types of Vegetation Zones (region, or area, that has certain types of plants). The three vegetation zones are: Rain Forest Desert (in North Africa this desert is named the Sahara). Savannah (grasslands).

Rainforests : 

Rainforests Rainforests have dense (a lot) of vegetation (plants) and heavy rainfall. Many animals live in the deep jungles of the rainforest, like panthers, snakes, many types of birds, and monkeys.

Desert : 

Desert The vegetation zone of North Africa is mostly desert. This desert is known as the Sahara. It is one of the most famous deserts in the world, because of the trade routes that pass through the Sahara.

Savannah : 

Savannah The savannah of West Africa is grassland that contain a variety of animals. In the savannah there is little vegetation because it rains here only a few times out of the year. In the savannah you could see many types of animals, like Lions, zebras, Hippos (in the water), gazelles, and Cheetahs.

Trade : 

Trade Trade was very important in West Africa. Many things were traded like, grain, cattle (cows), spices and crops, but the most important items traded from West Africa in the Middle Ages (500-1200 A.D.) were GOLD and SALT!!!

Sudanic(Lower & Sub-Saharan) Civilizations : 

Sudanic(Lower & Sub-Saharan) Civilizations Niger river civilizations (3 - 16th Century CE) last great independent states of Africa 1st rising same time as decline of Rome Middle Ages in Europe 1,000 BCE = trade b/w farming communities of West Africa horse drawn carriages in Sahara 300 BCE Iron age begins North - West African Trade Nok culture flourishes 4th C. = Camel introduced making trans-Saharan journey easier

Almoravids and Fulani : 

Almoravids and Fulani Zealous militants known as Almoravids Began an overt conversion campaign in 1030’s Taking Awdaghast, then Kumbi in 1076 Forcibly converted Soninke in Ghana Fulbe (Fulani) along Senegal became Islamic Fulani remained important carrier of Islam Some groups in West Africa resisted Islamization Mossi kingdoms in Volta region at Wagadugu around 1050 and Yatenga around 1170

Area Controlled by the Almoravids : 

Area Controlled by the Almoravids

Ancient Ghana : 

Ancient Ghana 500 CE = Soninke people found Wagadu 7th C. = Islam sweeps through Middle East & North Africa 8th C. =Muslim - West African (Sudan) trade Ghana becomes major link in gold trade 10th - 11th C. = Ghana reaches zenith King = Tunka Manin & others Capital at Kumbi Saleh Securing of Trade Routes reportedly as many as 200,000 warriors Governors & Provinces based on descent lines but loyal to the King 1st economic monopoly system 11th C. = invasions from the North 12th C. = Bambuk Goldfields become exhausted

Mali : 

Mali 12th C. = Gold trade shifts from Ghana to Malinke territory 1240 = Sundiata Keita (Malinke) defeats enemies & unifies Malian territory 1241-1270 = Reign of Sundiata develops sophisticated political organization Professional military Unparalled security of trade routes 1312 - 1337 = Reign of Mansa Musa 1324-26 = pilgrimage to Mecca Islamic influences in architecture, society & culture 1337 - 1360 = Reign of Mansa Suleyman last King of Mali 1430s = Tuareg raiders capture Walata & Timbuktu decline of Mali complete

Sankore and Timbuctou : 

Sankore and Timbuctou

Songhai : 

Songhai Gao founded in 7th C. by Songhay people (Sorko & Gabibi) 10th C. = Songhay state on Niger & Islamic adopted Mali conquers Gao in 13th C. 15th C. = recapture of Gao & control of Mali 1493 = Askia Muhammad becomes ruler of Songhay Economic & Political genius & military leader Empire reaches highest level of development incorporates former Ghana, Mali & Hausaland (east) 1497 = Askia Muhammad's pilgrimage to Mecca 1528 = Askia Muhammad dies Sons vie for power, state instable 1591 = Morrocan invaders - state declines

Slide 15: 

Obuasi Gold Mine Asante Region, Ghana

Kanem Borno : 

Kanem Borno "1000 Years of Splendor" Centered around Lake Chad 1st settled by "Sao" 4,000 years ago Present Day Kotoko & Kanuri founded city of Kanem Zaghawa = Black nomads = begin rule in 9th C. AD Islamic Influence strong Sefuwa people incorporate Borno (13 C.) 17th C. Kanuri people emerge 1846 = end of Kingships & Dynasties 1960 = Borno becomes province of Nigeria

Asante Empire : 

Asante Empire Akan settle in Volta River Valley (1,000 BCE) 14th C. = trade with Savanna states 15th C. = Goldfields exploited 16th C. = expansion northward 1650 = Conquered by Denkyira 1690 = Osei Tutu unifies Asante with Golden Stool 1701 = Asante defeat Denkyira 18th C = development of Asante empire 1817 = Treaty w/British 1824 = Defeat of British 1826 = Defeat of Asante by British 1874 = British sack Kumase 1900s = Yaa Asantewaa War 1957 = Ghana achieves independence

Slide 18: 

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II 16th, Asantehene of Ghana, 1999

Senegambia : 

Senegambia Encompasses modern day Senegal, Gambia, Upper Guinea, & Sierra Leone 12th Century Ethnic Groupings Wolof, Serer & Fulani "Right of Fire" 1200 CE = Mande-speaking horse warriors invade and form broader political organization 14th C. = Jolof becomes dominant Wolof state under Mam-Pate 1440s = Portuguese ships land; West Africa & Europe direct trade begins 1650 = Transatlantic Slave trade begins 1787 = "Sierra Leone Company" formed 1792 = "Freetown" settlement established 1960-61 = Independence

Civilizations of Ile-Ife : 

Civilizations of Ile-Ife "Birthplace of humankind" West African Forestlands Yorubaland 11th & 15th C. derived from Ife Oyo empire derived from Ile-Ife 1650 - 1750 Hausaland beginning mid-14th C. between Borno & Songhay

Forest States13th – 19th Century : 

Peopling Edo, Aya, Igbo,Yoruba, Fon, Hausa, etc. Dahomey Oyo Benin Forest States13th – 19th Century

Slide 24: 

1886 Pre-Berlin Conference After 1886