AP World History Unit 1.5

Developments In Africa

Ibn Battuta's Observations

• Ibn Battuta: Scholar from Morocco, traveled widely in Africa and Asia in the 14th century.

• Cultural Practices: Describes a traditional custom among Mali poets where they pay homage to the sultan, emphasizing the blend of African and Islamic traditions.

• Islam in Africa: Although many societies adopted Islam, they preserved many of their pre-Islamic traditions. Some regions resisted Islam and fortified themselves against its spread.

Political Structures in Inland Africa

• Bantu Migration: The migrations of Bantu-speaking peoples spread agriculture and shaped political relationships.

• Decentralized Governance: Unlike centralized Asian or European states, Sub-Saharan Africa organized into kin-based networks.

  • Each network was led by a chief who mediated conflicts and connected neighboring villages.

  • Community Governance: Problems solved through consensus among groups of chiefs rather than a single leader.

Early State-Building and Trade in Africa

• Population Growth: Led to difficulties in managing kin-based networks and increased competition and conflicts.

• Hausa Kingdoms: Formed before 1000 AD, comprising seven loosely connected states.

  • Specialization in agriculture (e.g., cotton) and trade through the trans-Saharan trade network.

  • Lacked central authority, leaving them vulnerable to outside domination.

Political Structures of West and East Africa

• Trade Benefits: The spread of trade led to wealth and political power, facilitating cultural diversity.

• Major Kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia emerged as significant political entities.

Ghana

• Located between the Sahara and tropical rainforests; reached peak influence between the 8th and 11th centuries.

• Centralized government controlled trade of gold and ivory in exchange for essential goods.

Mali

• Emerged after Ghana's decline in the 12th century, major trading power under ruler Sundiata.

• Used trade connections to flourish; Mansa Musa's notable pilgrimage to Mecca emphasized the region's wealth.

Zimbabwe

• East African kingdom known for stone architecture, particularly the Great Zimbabwe, a significant trading link with coastal city-states.

• Economy based on agriculture, grazing, and extensive trade in gold, eventually declined due to overgrazing.

Ethiopia

• Originated as the kingdom of Axum, prospered from trade with India, Arabia, and the Roman Empire.

• By the 12th century, a distinct Christian kingdom developed, constructing large rock churches, maintaining unique traditions.

Social Structures of Sub-Saharan Africa

• Community Organization: Kinship, age, and gender defined societal roles.

  • Kinship: Essential for social identity.

  • Age: Labor divided among age groups; elders provided guidance.

  • Gender Roles: Men dominated specialized trades, while women focused on agriculture and domestic responsibilities.

Slavery in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Historical Context: Slavery existed in various forms; imprisonment, debt, and warfare could lead to enslavement.

• Types of Slavery:

  • Chattel Slavery: Property ownership of slaves, prevalent in the Americas.

  • Domestic Slavery: Labor in households, common in ancient Greece and Rome.

  • Debt Bondage: Agreements for slavery to repay debts, existing in East Africa and beyond.

• Zanj Rebellion: Notable revolt by enslaved Africans in the Middle Eastern sugar plantations, marking significant resistance against slavery.

Cultural Life in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Art and Music: Central to cultural life, serving both social functions and religious practices.

  • Griots and Griottes: Oral historians serving as memory keepers and storytellers for communities, wielding power through narratives.

• Distinct Art Forms: Visual arts reflected spirituality and were important for community identity.

  • Metalworking and sculptures were noteworthy, influenced by cultural exchanges.

Key Terms by Theme

• Society: Kin-based networks, Swahili, Zanj Rebellion

• Economy: Trade, trans-Saharan trade, Indian Ocean trade, Indian Ocean slave trade

• Technology: Great Zimbabwe

• Government: Ghana, Mali, Hausa Kingdoms, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia

Impacts of Developments in Africa

1. Cultural Exchange: The blend of African and Islamic traditions led to rich cultural diversity, showcased through art, music, and oral histories.

2. Political Structures: The decentralized governance in Sub-Saharan Africa allowed for community-based problem solving, contrasting with more centralized systems in other regions.

3. Economic Growth: Trade, facilitated by major kingdoms like Ghana and Mali, stimulated economic prosperity and political power.

4. Social Organization: Kinship and age significantly defined social roles, influencing community governance and societal norms.

5. Resistance to Slavery: Events like the Zanj Rebellion marked important resistance against oppression and sparked discussions about human rights.

Key Definitions

• Cultural Exchange: The sharing and blending of cultural practices and ideas among different communities or societies.

• Decentralized Governance: A system of government where power and decision-making are distributed among multiple leaders or groups rather than a centralized authority.

• Economy: The system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a particular area.

• Kinship: A social structure based on family relationships that dictates social identity and roles within a community.

• Zanj Rebellion: A significant uprising by enslaved Africans against their oppressors in the Middle East, particularly in the sugar plantations.