Africa
Early Africa
Trade opened Africa to the rest of the world. Traded with Asia, Europe, Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Wealth and power came from trade and agriculture. Trade routes also spread ideas. Christianity and Islam spread into Africa. Christianity impacted North Africa, mostly Ethiopia during the first 6 centuries. Islam spread through North Africa during the 8th and 9th centuries. This brought ideas about medicine, science, mathematics and philosophy. 3 Great West African Empires 600 - 1600 CE Ghana Mali Songhai Ghana First great African empire 600 CE Rich Traded iron to make tools & weapons, gold, salt to make food last longer, ivory and slaves. Well trained army 1200 CE empire weakened by Berber Muslim invasions. Mali King Sudiata Conquered parts of Ghana, 1240 CE Agriculture, cattle, gold, ivory & salt Conqued the cities of Gao & Timbuktu Mansa Musa Doubled the size of empire. Niani, capital city & commercial center Became a Muslim Allowed religious freedom 1324 - Musa went on a haj (religious pilgrimage) He gained knowledge from other Muslims. Timbuktu became a learning center for West Africa. Diversity caused division and regions started to brake away. 2 Great East African Empires Nubia East Africa Modern-day Sudan 2000 BCE Gold, textiles, silver, ivory & incenses Destroyed by Ethiopia in 350 CE Ethiopia East Africa 300 - 350 CE One of the oldest Christian countries in the world. Traded on the Red Sea. Conquered parts of Arabian Peninsula 3 Major Ethiopian Dynasties Aksumite Zagwe Solomonic Zara Yakob Solomonic Leader Enforced Christianity Strong military |
Websites
Africa http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/ African History for Kids http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/history/index.htm Mr. Donn's Africa http://www.africa.mrdonn.org/ BBC Benin Bronze http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ primaryhistory/worldhistory/benin_bronze/ PBS Kids Africa http://www.pbs.org/wonders/ Kids/kids.htm Kids Geo.com http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/ African Voices http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/ Wonders of Africa http://www.pbs.org/wonders/ Africa Monopoly http://library.thinkquest.org/J002335/ African Folktales http://www.wartgames.com/themes /africa/stories.html Hear a Udu Drum http://www.ninestones.com/ potdrum.html National Museum of African Art http://africa.si.edu/voice.html African Masks http://www.artyfactory.com /africanmasks/ Why Wear a Mask http://www.nmafa.si.edu/ exhibits/playful/introindex.html PBS African Masks http://pbskids.org/africa /mask/index.html Magical Faces of Africa http://www.culturekiosque. com/art/exhibiti/masks.htm African Spirits http://www.nmafa.si.edu/ exhibits/spirits/index.htm Discovering Mudclothes http://www.mnh.si.edu/ africanvoices/mudcloth/index_flash.html |