African History and Societies Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering topics on African ancient societies, Sudanic empires, trade networks, religious syncretism, and global African history.

Bantu Expansion

A major migration from 1600 BCE to 600 CE driven by population growth and agricultural innovations like iron tools and new crops, resulting in over 600 new languages and more than 400 distinct ethnic groups.

Aksum

An ancient empire located in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia connected to Red Sea trade networks, which developed its own currency and written language and became the first African society to adopt Christianity.

Nok

An ancient society in present-day Nigeria recognized as one of the earliest ironworking societies and best known for its pottery.

Nubia

An ancient society along the Nile River that served as a source of Egypt's gold and luxury trade items and eventually defeated Egypt in conflict.

John Russwurm

A 19th-century abolitionist who wrote 'On the Egyptians, as Africans' in 1827 to counter racist stereotypes about African history.

Ghana Empire

A Sudanic empire that reached its height of power from the 7th to 13th centuries, renowned for its gold mines and strategic trade locations.

Mali Empire

A West African empire (13th to 17th centuries) ruled by Mansa Musa that became a renowned center for trade, learning, and Islamic culture.

Songhai Empire

A West African empire (15th to 16th centuries) that fell after an invasion by the King of Morocco, who sought control over its gold and salt mines using superior weaponry.

Mansa Musa

Ruler of the Mali Empire who began a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 distributing gold, attracting international interest and investing in Timbuktu's mosques and universities.

Catalan Atlas

A 1375 map illustrating West Africa, its trade routes, key monuments, and buildings resembling mosques.

Griots

Prestigious West African historians, storytellers, and musicians who preserve community history, traditions, and records of births, deaths, and marriages.

Cosmologies

Beliefs about the nature of the universe.

Religious Syncretism

The blending of different religious beliefs and practices, such as combining Islam or Christianity with indigenous African spiritual practices.

Great Zimbabwe

The capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe that flourished from the 12th to 16th century, built by the Shona people, and best known for its defensive stone architecture and long-distance trade.

Great Enclosure

A prominent stone structure at Great Zimbabwe that served as a site for both religious and administrative activities.

Swahili Coast

A coastal region stretching from modern-day Somalia to Mozambique, linked between the 11th and 16th centuries by the Swahili language and Islam.

João I

The 16th-century ruler of the Kingdom of the Kongo who converted to Christianity, opening economic and diplomatic doors to trade with Portugal.

Queen Idia of Benin

Mother of King Esigie in the late 15th century who was awarded Queen status for assisting in re-establishing Benin's military strength, later becoming an iconic symbol of Black women's leadership in 1977.

Cabo Verde and São Tomé e Príncipe

Atlantic islands colonized by Portugal in the 16th century that established cotton, indigo, and sugar plantations using enslaved African labor, serving as a model for slave labor-based economies in the Americas.

Egypt

Deeply religious, had writing systems (hieroglyphics), pyramids

Archeological Research in 1940s

Uncovered Nok society history which helped strengthen Africans political claims for independence from European colonialism

Libyan Independence

1951

Ghanan Independence

1957

Nigerian Independence

1960

Kenyan Independence

1963

Zimbabwean Independence

1965

Moroccan and Tunisian Independence

1956

Adopted Islam

Mali and Songhai

Adopted Christianity

Aksum and Kongo

How many enslaved people where Christian when they arrived in the Americas?

¼ came from Christian societies

How many people where Muslim when they arrived in the Americas

¼ came from Muslim societies

Louisiana Voodoo

Example of how respect of ancestors, healing practices, singing, and dancing survived African diaspora

Swahili Coast Trading

Brought Portuguese to major city-states which they invaded, established settlements in 16th century, and controlled Indian Ocean trade

16th Lisboa Population

20% were African or of African descent

African Elites

Many traveled to port cities for diplomatic, educational, or religious reasons

Roles of Free and Enslaved Africans in Europe

Served in domestic roles, guards, entertainers, vendors, or merchants

1500 Portuguese - Colonized Atlantic Islands

50,000 enslaved Africans had been forced from Africa and sent to labor on Portuguese - colonized islands and Europe

Portuguese Plantations

These plantations became the model for slave labor based economies in the Americas

Queen Njinga of Ndongo-Matamba

Through her strategic alliances and military leadership she was able to conquer other nations and kick the Portuguese out of her country