African History: Geography, Demographics, Ethno-Linguistic Groups, Ancient Civilizations, and Early Slave Trade

A series of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on African history, including geography, demographics, languages, ancient civilizations, and the slave trade.

What is Africa widely recognized as due to archaeological and genetic evidence indicating the origin of anatomically modern humans?

Mother of Mankind

What river is central to the geography of ancient Egypt?

The River Nile

Which language group is known for its significant Arabic influence and serves as a lingua franca in East and Central Africa?

Swahili (from the Bantu language group)

What innovation allowed the Bantu-speaking peoples to expand into new territories?

The adoption of ironworking and advanced agricultural practices

How many languages does Africa allegedly house, representing a third of the world's total languages?

Approximately 3,000 languages

What system is characterized by urbanization, complex political systems, and specialized labor, marking an advanced stage of social development?

Civilization

What was the primary economic basis for Mansa Musa's wealth during his rule over the Mali Empire?

Gold mines and control over trans-Saharan trade routes

What led to the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization around 323 BCE?

Conquest by Alexander the Great and repeated foreign invasions

What was the Oyo Kingdom predominantly composed of?

The Yoruba people

Which kingdom is known for being one of the largest and most powerful pre-colonial kingdoms in East Africa?

The Buganda Kingdom

What significant role did the Buganda Kingdom play during European colonization?

It became a protectorate within British Uganda while managing to retain some autonomy.

What advanced archaeological feature demonstrates the technological capabilities of the Great Zimbabwe civilization?

Constructed massive stone walls using dry-stone masonry without mortar.

What is the historical significance of the term 'sclavus' in relation to slavery?

It originated from Medieval Latin and referred to Slavic peoples who were enslaved.

What was the estimated number of Africans sold during the transatlantic slave trade?

10 to 12 million Africans

Who were primarily utilized as laborers and domestic servants across various African societies?

Slaves.