The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 7 Trading States of East Africa
The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 7 Trading States of East Africa
Learning Objectives
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Explain how religion influenced the development of Axum and Ethiopia.
Understand how trade affected the city-states in East Africa.
Describe the economy of Great Zimbabwe.
The Muslim World and Africa (730 B.C.–A.D. 1500)
Lesson 7 Trading States of East Africa
Key Terms
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Axum
Adulis
Ethiopia,
Lalibela
Swahili.
Great Zimbabwe.
Axum
After 100 B.C., the kingdom of Axum
expanded across the northern Ethiopian
highlands. By about A.D. 1, Axum had
gained control of the Red Sea coast in
present-day Eritrea. By controlling the Red
Sea trade with Rome and Persia, Axum grew
rich.
Axum
• An Ideal Location for Trade
• Christianity Takes Hold
• Islam Spreads
Axum
Analyze Maps Axum’s location allowed the kingdom to become a hub of trade in East Africa. Based on
the map, why did Axum become a favorite center for maritime traders?
Axum
This antique crown with Christian symbols was found in Axum, which for much of its history was a
center of Christianity in Africa.
Ethiopia
Though Axum’s political and economic power faded, its cultural and religious influence
did not disappear. This legacy survived among the peoples of the interior uplands, in
what is today northern Ethiopia. Although Axum’s empire was only a portion of the
present-day nation, when referring to their kingdom as a whole, the Axumite kings
frequently used Ethiopia, a term the Greeks used for the region.
Ethiopia
• A Distinctive Culture
• Judaism in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
A portrait of King Lalibela, ruler of Ethiopia in the early 1200s
City-States of East Africa
While Axum declined, a string of commercial cities—including Kilwa,
Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Sofala—gradually arose along the East African
coast. Since ancient times, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Indian traders had
visited this region. In the 700s, Arab traders began visiting this region more
frequently, and Arab and Persian merchants set up Muslim trading centers
beginning in the 900s. Port cities, as well as offshore islands such as Lamu and
Zanzibar, were ideally located for trade with Asia. As a result, Asian traders and
immigrants from as far away as Indonesia soon added to the rich cultural mix.
City-States of East Africa
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Trade in the Indian Ocean – Monsoon winds, slave trade
Trade Influences Swahili – Combination of Bantu and Arabic
The Travels of Ibn Battuta - Battuta was born in Tangier to a Berber family of the
Muslim faith. After completing his education at the age of 21, Battuta made the
hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are expected to make if they are
able. His trek became one of the greatest journeys of medieval times. The 30year sojourn took Battuta to Southwest Asia, West Africa, Southern Russia,
India, and China. Along the way, he gained fame and wealth and met kings,
sheiks, and holy men. He wrote a book called the Rihlah, or Travels
City-States of East Africa
Analyze Maps In 1325, a Moroccan named Ibn Battuta began one of the greatest trips of medieval
times, visiting Asia, parts of Europe, and the Middle East. In which general direction did Ibn Battuta
travel from the Caspian Sea to Delhi?
City-States of East Africa
Traders from Europe, Asia, and the interior of Africa descended on East Africa to trade enslaved
people and ivory, gold, and other goods.
City-States of East Africa
Trade brought great wealth and different cultural influences to the region. The Great Mosque in Kilwa
reflects the prosperity and the spread of Islam that trade brought to the area.
Great Zimbabwe
To the south and inland from the coastal city-states, massive stone ruins sprawl across
rocky hilltops near the great bend in the Limpopo River. The looming walls, large palace,
and cone-shaped towers were once part of the powerful and prosperous capital of a
great inland empire. Today, these impressive ruins are known as Great Zimbabwe. The
word Zimbabwe means “stone houses”.
Great Zimbabwe
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An Inland Trading Center – porcelain from China and beads from India uncovered
Zimbabwe Declines – not sure why - possibly civil war and dwindling trade,
Portuguese looking for gold, drought and famine, or a combination of two or more
Great Zimbabwe
Apply Concepts The Great Enclosure, a portion of which is shown here, is one of the two major ruins of
Great Zimbabwe. Why would the ruler of Great Zimbabwe build such a tremendous structure?
Quiz: Axum
Control of the Red Sea trade with Rome and Persia helped Axum become
A. a rich kingdom and introduced it to new ideas such as Christianity, which became the
official religion.
B. a rich kingdom and introduced it to new ideas such as Islam, which became the
official religion.
C. a vast empire that controlled the gold and salt trade and introduced it to new ideas
such as Christianity, which became the official religion.
D. a vast empire that controlled the gold and salt trade and introduced it to new ideas
such as Islam, which became the official religion.
Quiz: Ethiopia
The kingdoms of Ethiopia and Axum were both shaped by
A.
B.
C.
D.
their extensive trade networks.
their Christian faith.
their geographic isolation.
their Muslim faith.
Quiz: City-States of East Africa
How did trade affect the culture of East African city-states?
A. Trade caused East Africa’s city-states to become more culturally isolated from one
another.
B. Trade brought less and less cultural diffusion to the city-states as time wore on.
C. Trade forced many city-states to adopt strict policies to inhibit the spread of religion
and absorption of languages.
D. Trade attracted people from many regions to the city-states, bringing more cultural
diffusion.
Quiz: Great Zimbabwe
What factor(s) might have led to the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
A.
B.
C.
D.
wars with its neighbors
civil war and dwindling trade
invaders from North Africa
dwindling stockpiles of gold