unit 1: origins of african diaspora

bantu

first complex African society

population growth and technological/agricultural advances sparked a large migration from 1500 BCE-500 BCE

influence spreads all over southern, west and east Africa

thousands of language still spoken today

aksumite

(present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia) emerged in eastern Africa around 100 BCE

developed its own currency and script (Ge’ez)

the first African society to adopt Christianity under the leadership of King Ezana

advanced monetary system, exemplified by the coin of King Ezana, dating back to around 340-400 CE

Nok

(present-day Nigeria), one of the earliest iron-working societies of West Africa, emerged around 500 BCE

known for their terracotta sculptures, pottery, and stone instruments

most ancient extant evidence of a complex, settled society in sub-Saharan Africa

Nubia/Kush

emerged along the Nile River around 3000 BCE

was the source of Egypt's gold and luxury trade items, which created conflict between the two societies

defeated Egypt around 750 BCE and established the 25th dynasty of the Black Pharaohs, who ruled Egypt for a century

currency

international recognition and trade

exposure to new ideas

legitimizes an empire

important for historical records

catalan atlas

details the wealth and influence of mansa musa and the mali empire

sahara desert

hot with no rain, drastic tepmerature variations, little vegetation
sparse population, mostly nomads

savana grasslands

Not many trees because there's less water, monsoon climates(6 months rain/ 6 months dry)

Not many people because of the weather but a dense populations of animals

niger river

a river in west africa, near mali and songhai empires

congo river

a major river in central africa

kola nuts and yams

crops that were valuable in tropical climate zones and used as a large trade resource

west and central africa

population grew in these regions due to trade with portuguese and new crop and agricultural innovations

bantu migration

100 BCE - 500 BCE
brought new agricultural practicies and helped increase the food supply

from cameroon and nigerian through sub-saharan africa

ge’ez

a developed currency and written language

king ezana

ruled Aksum
adopted Christianity on his own terms through strong trade relationship with roman empire

ethopian orthodox church

one of the oldest christian institutions, with roots tracing back to the 4th century
very important to this country’s religions and cultural identity

preserved unique christian traditions, including its own language (Ge’ez) and ancient practices

sudanic empires

ghan, mali, songhai
located in west african in the sahel region south of the sahara

control of trans-saharan trade routes and access to valuable resources like gold and salt made this region prime for growth

griots

a storyteller of african history and traditions

cosmology

The scientific study of the origin, evolution, structure, and the eventual fate of the universe.

voodoo

a religion that combines elements of the Roman Catholic Rituals, with the traditional African magical and religious customs
found in the Caribbean (most practiced in Haiti) and the southern US.
a form resistance against the French empire.

great zimbabwe

1100 C.E. - 1500 C.E.

Based on cattle husbandry, crop cultivation, and trading gold on the coast of Indian Ocean.

swahili coast

Eastern edge of Africa from Somalia in north to Mozambique in the south. 

Traded with the Arabian Peninsula, China, India, and Cambodia.

was broken up into competing city-states that shared two major cultural aspects which were religion and language

kingdom of kongo

West Central Africa

came into contact with europeans on 1483
traded ivory, salt, coper and textiles with the europeans

king nzinga mbemba

left a complex legacy as ruler. He is remembered for his efforts to modernize his kingdom through adoption of Christianity and European customer, as well as his attempts to regulate the slave trade and protect his people from exploitation by Protuguese traders. 

christianity

conversion to this strengthened the trade with portugal
Sent youth to adopt the Portuguese

sao tome

A place where slaves were held before crossing the Atlantic.

extended kinship

A connection between two parties (often friendly in nature) that extends to multiple generations of individuals. 
led to the creation of long standing political alliances between kingdoms in Africa.

queen mother idia

kingdom of Benin - present day Nigeria

She is an iconic symbol of black female leadership.

Her ivory face mask was adopted as the symbol of FESTAC.

queen njinga

Ndongo

rose to power in Ndongo after her brother's passing, was known as a warrior queen who put her country over her own needs and always did what she needed to do to protect her people.

She set up a foundation for women and can continues to inspire women all over the world. Her impact helped women step into fields only men were allowed to enter.

Lisbon, Portugal

west africans were there for Trade (slaves and other goods); diplomatic, educational, and religious reasons

they played a range of roles (domestic labor, boatmen, guards, entertainers, vendors, and knights)