1.5 - developments in Africa

What was the impact of the Bantu Migration?

Spread language, agriculture, and ironworking across Africa, aiding development.

How were early African societies governed?

Local chiefs ruled clans which merged into districts, forming larger empires.

What hindered the spread of Islam in parts of Africa?

Environmental challenges and diseases like malaria and yellow fever hindered spread.

Why did African wealth increase during trade with Europe and the Middle East?

Trade increased gold demand, boosting African economies.

How did Islam affect women's roles in parts of Africa?

Matrilineal respect led to fewer restrictions for women with Islam's arrival.

What were the Hausa Kingdoms?

Loosely tied kin-based city-states in Nigeria with no central authority, Kano was strongest.

What was the Hausa trade network like? What did they lack that made them susceptible to __? What did they do to mitigate it?

Traded salt, leather, grain with Ghana & tran-saharan trade; lacked coast, vulnerable to external threats. Focused on militia to help with that

What led to the decline of the Hausa Kingdoms?

Internal conflict, invasions, and Sunni caliphate led to collapse and Islam's spread.

What made the Ghana Empire wealthy?

Grew rich from gold and ivory trade with Muslims; fell to Berber invasions.

Who were the Berbers?

Camel-herding Muslim nomads who conquered Ghana due to its weak Islamic commitment.

What was the Mali Empire?

Successor to Ghana, Islamic, rich in gold; centered around Niger Basin and Timbuktu.

Who was Sundiata?

Founder of Mali, spread Islam for trade; his story preserved via griotes.

What role did griotes play in Mali?

Oral historians and advisors, kept political history and traditions alive in Mali.

Who was Mansa Musa?

Mali ruler whose pilgrimage to Mecca displayed wealth and devalued gold.

What was the Sankore Mosque?

Islamic learning center in Timbuktu showing West Africa’s Islamic and trade influence.

What was Great Zimbabwe known for?

Stone city-state that taxed gold, traded via Indian Ocean, declined from overgrazing.

What was Zimbabwe's economy based on?

Agriculture, cattle, gold, ivory, copper; traded with Arabs through coastal ports.

What were the Swahili city-states?

Indian Ocean trade middlemen; multiethnic coastal city-states with port at Zanzibar.

What was Ethiopia's religious history?

Christian kingdom; Solomonic Dynasty resisted Islamic conquest with Portuguese help.

What was unique about Ethiopian Christianity?

Isolated form mixing spirit worship, ancestral veneration with Christian traditions.

How was society structured in sub-Saharan Africa?

Organized by kin, age, gender; men specialized, women farmed, youth labored.

What was African slavery like?

Hereditary, wealth symbol

Who were the Zanj?

East African slaves who revolted in Mesopotamia, ruled Basra for 10 years.

What was the Zanj Rebellion?

Major East African slave revolt in Mesopotamia (Islamic world); rare successful uprising.

What were the Benin Bronzes?

Detailed iron and bronze art that gained European respect centuries later.