ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL AFRICA
I.
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN HISTORY
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
TODAY SOME 40 NATIONS OF MODERN AFRICA
2.
ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL AFRICA HAD VARIOUS POLITICAL STRUCTURES
a.
SMALL VILLAGES
b.
CITY-STATES
c.
KINGDOMS
3.
AFRICAN HISTORY STILL NOT COMPLETELY RECONSTRUCTED - WHY?
a.
INDEPENDENCE FROM EUROPEAN COLONIAL POWERS CAME ONLY IN
LAST 30-50 YEARS
b.
NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR SCHOLARS TO RESEARCH & WRITE IT
c.
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN 1960'S PRECIPITATED MUCH OF HISTORICAL
RECONSTRUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY
d.
AFRICANS TRANSMITTED THEIR HISTORY ORALLY FOR CENTURIES
(1)
UNTIL ISLAM FAITH SPREAD CA 11TH C NO WRITTEN LANGUAGE
e.
DEROGATORY IMAGE OF AFRICANS & BLACK PEOPLE FROM CLASSICAL
TIMES
(1)
GREEKS, ROMANS, JEWS, CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS
(2)
WHAT YOU DENIGRATE YOU DO NOT WRITE ABOUT
4.
KEEP IN MIND VASTNESS & DIVERSITY OF AFRICA TODAY & YESTERDAY
B.
HISTORICAL DISTORTIONS ABOUT AFRICAN PEOPLE
1.
QUOTES FROM HISTORICAL SOURCES READ BY PEOPLE UP TO TODAY &
BELIEVED
2.
FAMOUS GREEK HISTORIAN HERODOTUS 5TH C. B.C.
a.
IN ATTEMPTING TO EXPLAIN AFRICAN CULTURE SO DIFFERENT FROM HIS
3.
HE SOWED SEEDS OF RACIAL PREJUDICE
(1)
SHAPED BLACK-WHITE IMAGES FOR CENTURIES
a.
HE FREQUENTLY REFERRED TO AFRICANS AS BARBARIANS
b.
& CHARACTERIZED PEOPLE OF LIBYA
(1)
THEIR SPEECH RESEMBLES SHRIEKING OF BAT RATHER THAN
LANGUAGE OF MEN
4.
1ST CENTURY A.D. ROMAN, PLINY THE ELDER REMARKED
a.
AFRICANS BY REPORT HAVE NO HEADS BUT MOUTH AND EYES BOTH IN
THEIR BREAST...AND CRAWLED INSTEAD OF WALKED
5.
3RD C. GEOGRAPHER SOLINUS WROTE BOOK ENTITLED COLLECTION OF
WONDERFUL THINGS
a.
DESCRIBED AETHYOP [ETHIOPIA] & [THE] FILTHY FASHION OF PEOPLE OF
THAT COUNTRY, OF THEIR MONSTROUS SHAPE, OF THE DRAGONS AND
OTHER WILD BEASTS OF WONDERFUL NATURE THERE
6.
CHRISTIAN ERA USHERED IN ANOTHER DIMENSION
7.
BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION OF NOAH'S CURSE OF HAM IS CONTINUATION OF
DENIGRATING VIEW OF AFRICANS
8.
BIBLE DID NOT APPLY ANY RACIAL LABEL
9.
BUT IDEA OF RACE LATER BECAME ATTACHED TO DESCENDANTS OF HAM
10.
COLLECTION OF JEWISH ORAL TRADITIONS IN BABYLONIAN TALMUD
a.
FROM 2ND TO 6TH C. A.D.
b.
SAYS DESCENDANTS OF HAM CURSED BY BEING BLACK
11.
THIS BELIEF RECEIVED EVEN GREATER ELABORATION DURING MIDDLE AGES
a.
WHEN, ACCORDING TO 1 SOURCE, NOAH'S CURSE EXPLAINED
b.
IT MUST BE CANAAN, YOUR FIRSTBORN, WHOM THEY
ENSLAVE...CANAAN'S CHILDREN SHALL BE BORN UGLY AND
BLACK...YOUR GRANDCHILDREN'S HAIR SHALL BE TWISTED INTO
KINKS...[THEIR LIPS] SHALL SWELL. MEN OF THIS RACE ARE CALLED
2
C.
NEGROES; THEIR FOREFATHER CANAAN COMMANDED THEM TO LOVE
THEFT AND FORNICATION, TO BE BANDED TOGETHER IN HATRED OF
THEIR MASTERS & NEVER TO TELL THE TRUTH
12.
PRINCIPAL STEREOTYPES ASSOCIATED WITH BLACKS EVEN TODAY SHOWS UP
a.
THIEVES, FORNICATORS & LIARS
13.
FROM EARLIEST CHRISTIAN CENTURIES DEVIL ALWAYS PORTRAYED AS BLACK
a.
ONLY MORE RECENT TIMES DEVIL IN RED OUTFIT
14.
ONCE EUROPEANS BEGAN TO EXPLORE AFRICA IN 15TH C & BEYOND
a.
THEY TURNED TO WRITINGS OF ANCIENTS
b.
& ADOPTED THEIR PREJUDICES AS WELL
c.
NEGATIVE IDEAS CONTINUED TO BE WRITTEN & CIRCULATED BEYOND
15TH C. TOO
15.
FRENCH PHILOSOPHER MONTESQUIEU IN 1748
a.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO SUPPOSE THESE CREATURES TO BE MEN,
BECAUSE ALLOWING THEM TO BE MEN, A SUSPICION WOULD FOLLOW
THAT WE OURSELVES ARE NOT CHRISTIANS
16.
HUGH MURRAY, POPULAR GEOGRAPHER OF EARLY 19TH C. DESCRIBED
CONTINENT AS AREA OF MYSTERY WITH WILD & STRANGE ASPECTS OF MAN &
NATURE
a.
AFRICA INHABITED BY STRANGE MEN WHERE MONSTERS DWELT &
STRING THINGS HAPPENED; CREATURES LESS THAN MEN SURVIVED IN AN
ORDER LESS THAN CIVILIZED
17.
ONCE BLACK SLAVERY INSTITUTIONALIZED IN AMERICA
a.
IT NEEDED TO JUSTIFY BLACK INFERIORITY
b.
WITH MYTHS THAT AFRICANS HAD NO HISTORY & NO WRITTEN
LANGUAGE
18.
WHEN WE NOW BEGAN TO RECONSTRUCT HISTORY OF AFRICA
19.
ALL CENTURIES OF NEGATIVE VIEWPOINTS OF BLACKS HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT
a.
& SLOWLY PEALED AWAY TO REVEAL WHAT AFRICANS REALLY LIKE
20.
& WHAT THEIR LIFE LIKE BEFORE COLONIZATION BY EUROPEANS
GEOGRAPHY OF AFRICA
1.
HAS PLAYED SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ITS HISTORY
2.
COLOSSAL SIZE OF AFRICAN CONTINENT
a.
5000 MILES FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
b.
& NEARLY 5000 MILES FROM EAST TO WEST
3.
AFRICA NEARLY 4 TIMES CONTINENTAL U.S.
4.
UNTIL ABOUT 4000 YRS AGO SAHARA DESERT WELL WATERED PRAIRIE
a.
WITH MOUNTAINS FULL OF TIMBER
b.
FISH & GAME PLENTIFUL
5.
SAHARA'S DRYING UP HELPS TO EXPLAIN WHY AFRICAN HISTORY AFTER ABOUT
2000 B.C. GOES IN 2 DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
6.
SAHARA & KALAHARI DESERTS NOT ONLY OBSTACLE TO CONTACT WITH
OUTSIDE WORLD
7.
AFRICA'S COASTLINE IS UNBROKEN BY BAYS, GULFS OR INLAND SEAS
8.
CONSEQUENTLY COASTLINE IS SHORTER THAN EUROPE'S THOUGH AFRICA HAS
THRICE AREA
9.
LACK OF ANYTHING CORRESPONDING TO MEDITERRANEAN, BALTIC OR BLACK
SEA MEANS AFRICA'S INTERIOR IS RELATIVELY CLOSED TO OUTSIDE WORLD
10.
OTHER EFFECTIVE BARRIERS ARE THOUSAND-MILE LONG SANDBARS ALONG
EAST & WEST COASTS
11.
WHICH MAKE LANDING IN A SMALL BOAT VERY DIFFICULT
12.
ALSO FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES - RAPIDS & WATERFALLS OF RIVERS
a.
AGAIN NO EASY ACCESS TO INTERIOR OR CONTINENT
13.
PLUS TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS - 7% OF AFRICA
3
D.
II.
14.
MEANS THAT INTERACTION AMONG VARIOUS REGIONS RESTRICTED
15.
AS WELL AS INTERACTION FROM OUTSIDE
DEADLY DISEASES
1.
IF GEOGRAPHY ISN'T ENOUGH TO INHIBIT COMMUNICATION AFRICA HAS A
NUMBER OF INDIGENOUS DEADLY DISEASES
2.
PROBABLY MOST WELL-KNOWN SLEEPING SICKNESS
a.
SPREAD BY TSETSE FLY
b.
INFECTS LARGE AREAS TROPICAL AFRICA
c.
ALSO INFECTS LIVESTOCK
d.
FORCING PEOPLE IN THOSE REGIONS HISTORICALLY TO RELY ON HUMAN
RATHER THAN ANIMAL POWER
3.
MALARIA THROUGHOUT COASTAL REGIONS
4.
& ONCHOCERCIASIS OR RIVER BLINDNESS ALSO DEVASTATING
5.
WHILE AFRICANS TODAY HAVE OVERCOME THESE DISEASES SOMEWHAT IN
ORDER TO SURVIVE
a.
CENTURIES AGO TREMENDOUS PROBLEM
ANCIENT EASTERN AFRICAN KINGDOMS & HISTORY
A.
KINGDOM OF KUSH
1.
NUBIANS OF KUSH USUALLY ALWAYS LIVED IN SHADOW OF THEIR MORE
POWERFUL NEIGHBORS - EGYPTIANS
2.
EGYPTIANS DENIGRATED NUBIANS AS INFERIOR
a.
PHARAOH WORE SANDALS DECORATED ON SOLES WITH IMAGES OF
NUBIANS & SYRIANS TO REMIND HIMSELF HE HAD CRUSHED THEM
UNDERFOOT
3.
AS EARLY AS 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.E. INDEPENDENT KINGDOM OF KUSH AROSE
a.
JUST ABOVE 3RD CATARACT OF NILE
b.
CAPITAL KERMA
c.
THIS EARLY KINGDOM REACHED ZENITH C. 1700-1500 B.C.E.
4.
NEW KUSHITE EMPIRE = NAPATAN EMPIRE
5.
JUST BELOW 4TH NILE CATARACT
6.
THEN LATER CAPITAL AT MEROE
7.
EGYPT'S RULERS HAD GROWN WEAK & KINGDOM SPLIT IN TWO
8.
DYNASTY OF NUBIAN KINGS RULED
a.
AIDED & ABETTED BY EGYPTIAN PRIESTS
9.
THIS NEW KUSHITE EMPIRE FROM 10TH C.B.C.E. UNTIL 4TH C. A.C.E.
10.
ALWAYS THOUGH CULTURE HEAVILY EGYPTIANIZED
11.
RULERS SAW THEMSELVES AS EGYPTIAN
12.
BURIED THEIR ROYALTY EMBALMED IN PYRAMIDS
13.
IN 8TH C. B.C.E. THEY RULED CONQUERED EGYPT FOR ABOUT CENTURY
a.
25TH DYNASTY
14.
CONQUERED BY ASSYRIANS AROUND MID 7TH C. B.C.E.
B.
MEROITIC EMPIRE
1.
HEYDAY MID 3RD C. B.C.E. TO 1ST C. C.E.
2.
DEVELOPED TREMENDOUS IRON-SMELTING INDUSTRY
3.
THIS TECHNOLOGY SPREAD ALL OVER AFRICA
4.
POTTERY
a.
TURNED ON WHEEL BY MALES FOR SALE
b.
MADE BY HAND BY WOMEN FOR PERSONAL USE
C.
KINGDOM OF AXUM OR AKSUM
1.
LOCATED IN ETHIOPIA
2.
CONVERTED IN EARLY 4TH C. TO CHRISTIANITY
a.
UNDER KING EZANA CA. 320-350
b.
CONSTRUCTED PYRAMIDS & OBELISKS TO EMULATE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS
3.
ETHIOPIAN CHURCH OFFSHOOT OF COPTIC CHURCH IN EGYPT
4
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
COPTICS BELIEVED IN SINGLE DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST
ETHIOPIAN KING AT AXUM HEAD OF CHURCH TOO
DURING MUSLIM CONQUESTS IN 7TH & 8TH C.
a.
PROTECTED BY ITS IMPASSABLE MOUNTAINS
b.
BUT MUSLIM ADVANCES LEFT IT CUT OFF FROM REST OF CHRISTIAN
WORLD
AKSUM'S POWER ALSO ECONOMIC
a.
LOCATED WELL FOR CONTROLLING TRADE BETWEEN AFRICAN INTERIOR
& REST OF WORLD
b.
ESPECIALLY IVORY, ELEPHANTS, OBSIDIAN, SLAVES, GOLD DUST, ETC.
BY 3RD C. A.C.E. AKSUM 1 OF MOST IMPRESSIVE STATES OF ITS AGE
WORK ATTRIBUTED TO PROPHET MANI FROM PERSIAN CA. 216-277 A.C.E.
a.
DESCRIBES AKSUM AS 1 OF 4 GREATEST EMPIRES IN WORLD
III.
WEST AFRICAN MEDIEVAL KINGDOMS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
100 MILLION PLUS BLACK AFRICANS WHO TODAY INHABIT STATES OF WEST
AFRICA HEIRS OF GLORIOUS PAST
2.
TODAY WEST AFRICA HAS MORE THAN DOZEN NATIONS
3.
LONG AGO SEVERAL MIGHTY EMPIRES
4.
THEIR HISTORY SPANNED MORE THAN 1000 YRS
5.
& IN THEIR CULTURE & POWER THESE AFRICAN EMPIRES RIVALED
CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN STATES
6.
AMONG LARGEST
a.
GHANA, KANEM-BORNUM, MALI, SONGHAI, HAUSA STATES
B.
EARLY HISTORY
1.
UP UNTIL ABOUT 500 B.C. PEOPLE SOUTH OF SAHARA LIVED IN STONE AGE
SIMPLICITY
a.
FEW IN NUMBERS & ALWAYS ON MOVE FOR FOOD
2.
THEN DISCOVERY OF HOW TO WORK & MINE IRON
3.
CHANGED TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR
a.
FARMING & HUNTING
b.
LARGER & MORE DEPENDABLE FOOD SUPPLIES
c.
INCREASED POPULATION
d.
& MORE COMPLEX SOCIETIES DEVELOPED
4.
LONG BEFORE FIRST MAJOR EMPIRE - GHANA
a.
PEOPLE LIVING NEAR NIGER & BENUE RIVERS
(1)
NOW NORTHERN NIGERIA & MIDDLE MALI
5.
DISPLAYED UNUSUAL CRAFTSMANSHIP & TALENT FOR ART
6.
THEY FASHIONED POTTERY, FIGURINES & LIFE-SIZE HEADS FROM TERRA COTTA
7.
THROUGH BARTER THESE ART OBJECTS CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT SUDANIC
AREA OF WEST AFRICA
8.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS REFER TO THIS ERA AS PERIOD OF NOK CULTURE
a.
BECAUSE IN VILLAGE OF NOK IN 1931 WHERE THESE TERRA COTTA PIECES
FIRST UNEARTHED
9.
NOT KNOWN EXACTLY WHEN THIS CULTURE BEGAN BUT
a.
C 500 B.C. - 200 A.D. DATES GENERALLY GIVEN
b.
MAY BE PART OF UNBROKEN ARTISTIC TRADITION SPANNING 2000 YRS
10.
BY ABOUT 9TH C. DEFINITE STATE STRUCTURES WITH MILITARY &
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
a.
AS WELL AS REVENUES TO SUPPORT THEM
IV.
GHANA: THE LAND OF GOLD 4-11TH CENTURIES
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
ORIGINS OF OLD GHANA ARE LOST IN MISTS OF TIME & SCHOLARLY DISPUTE
5
2.
B.
BUT AS EARLY AS 800 WHILE CHARLEMAGNE BEING CROWNED EMPEROR OF
HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE
a.
& MOST OF EUROPE JUST SURVIVING IN SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
3.
GHANA ALREADY DESCRIBED BY ARAB CHRONICLERS AS "LAND OF GOLD"
a.
AREA HAD 1 OF BEST GOLD PRODUCING AREAS OF AFRICA
4.
THEN SOMETIME C. 1000 WALLS OF CITIES BEGAN TO GO UP IN WEST AFRICA
5.
GHANA SET PATTERN OF WEALTH & POWER BUILT ON TRADE THAT ITS
SUCCESSORS WOULD FOLLOW
6.
FROM NORTH AFRICAN COAST CAME CAMEL CARAVANS ACROSS DESERT
7.
ARAB & BERBER MERCHANTS BROUGHT CLOTH, BRASS, GLASS & BLOCKS OF
SALT
a.
SALT MOST ESSENTIAL TO LIFE IN TROPICS
b.
SALT EXTRACTED BY BERBERS OF CENTRAL SAHARA FROM PITS DUG IN
SALINE EARTH
c.
WATER POURED INTO PITS LEACHED OUT SALT & WHEN EVAPORATED
SALT REMAINED
d.
& CUT INTO BLOCKS FOR TRANSPORTING
e.
ALSO BECAME UNIT OF CURRENCY
f.
AT TIMES SALT EXCHANGED EQUALLY FOR GOLD
8.
FROM SOUTH GHANAIAN TRADERS BROUGHT BACK AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS,
SLAVES & GOLD
9.
BOTH AFRICAN & ARAB PROFITED FROM EXCHANGE
10.
KINGS OF GHANA COLLECTED HEAVY CUSTOMS DUTIES ON ALL GOLD & SALT
PASSING THROUGH GHANA
11.
SO GREAT WAS NORTHWARD FLOW OF GOLD & GOLD OBJECTS THAT MEDIEVAL
ARAB TRAVELERS & HISTORIANS THOUGHT KING OF GHANA MUST BE RICHEST
RULER IN WORLD
12.
SONINKE KINGS OF GHANA CAME TO RULE AREA OF UPPER NIGER & SENEGAL
RIVERS
13.
IN 11TH C. SPANISH BORN ARAB HISTORIAN AL-BAKRI REPORTED THAT KING OF
GHANA COMMANDED ARMY OF 200,000 INCLUDING MORE THAN 40,000 ARCHERS
14.
CAPITAL NEAR MODERN CITY OF WALATA
15.
CAPITAL COMPRISED 2 SEPARATE TOWNS
a.
ONE FOR MUSLIM RESIDENTS & MERCHANTS
b.
& ANOTHER WHERE KING'S PALACE LOCATED
INTRODUCTION OF ISLAM RELIGION
1.
TOWARD END OF 11TH C GHANA KING TOGETHER WITH MANY OF HIS NOBLES &
LEADING MERCHANTS ADOPTED ISLAM RELIGION
2.
HISTORIANS SAY THIS CONVERSION PROMPTED BY REASONS MORE MATERIAL
THAN SPIRITUAL
3.
CEMENTED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BLACK AFRICANS & ARABIAN TRADERS
4.
ALSO ISLAMIC CULTURE PROVIDED USEFUL MODELS FOR ADMINISTERING
REALM
5.
ISLAM'S HERITAGE LIKE TRADITIONAL AFRICA INCLUDED EXTENDED FAMILY &
PLURAL MARRIAGES
6.
MAGIC & DIVINATION TOLERATED
7.
ISLAM PRESENTED WAY OF LIFE WITHOUT PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON
ABSTRACT, COMPLICATED THEOLOGY
8.
ISLAM PRIMARILY URBAN FAITH FOR AFRICANS
a.
RULERS, MERCHANTS & TOWNSPEOPLE BECAME MOSLEMS
9.
COUNTRY FOLK REMAINED LOYAL TO THEIR TRADITIONAL GODS & BELIEFS
a.
WHAT MODERN SCHOLARS CALL ANIMISM
10.
EXCEPT FOR NORTHERN AFRICA ISLAM DID NOT REALLY EMBRACE MASSES
UNTIL 19TH C.
a.
YOUR TEXT SAYS 18TH C.
6
C.
V.
11.
BY WHICH TIME ISLAM FAITH HAD ACQUIRED MANY LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS
DOWNFALL OF KINGDOM OF GHANA
1.
IN END APPARENTLY EXCESSIVE AMBITION OF KINGS
2.
& SLOW SOUTHWARD ADVANCE OF SAHARA BROUGHT GHANA DOWN
3.
ALMORAVIDS FROM NO. AFRICA OVERWHELMED OLD GHANA
4.
SOUTHWARD CREEP OF SAHARA COMPLETED WHAT ALMORAVID HAD BEGUN
5.
BLACK POWER RETREATED FARTHER TO SOUTH
MALI: WHERE THE KING DWELLS 13-14TH CENTURIES
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
ALMORAVID NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO RULE LONG
2.
POWER VACUUM DEVELOPED
3.
& MANDINKE PEOPLE EMERGED VICTORIOUS BY EARLY 13TH C.
4.
THEY BECAME BUILDERS & RULERS OF EVEN LARGER REALM THAN OLD GHANA
5.
MALI IS ARAB CORRUPTION OF SOUTHERN MANDE WORD MEANING SIMPLY
a.
WHERE THE KING DWELLS
6.
THEY REVITALIZED TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE IN GOLD & SALT
7.
GREW RICHER THAN EVEN OLD GHANA HAD BEEN
8.
MALI REACHED ITS HIGHEST POINT IN 14TH C. UNDER ITS MOST FAMOUS RULER
a.
MANSA (KING) MUSA
B.
MANSA MUSA CA. 1307-1332
1.
ENLARGED TERRITORY OF KINGDOM
2.
GREAT BUILDER
a.
IMPORTING SPANISH ARAB ARCHITECT WHO RAISED BRICK MOSQUES &
STONE PALACE FOR KING IN TIMBUKTU
3.
MANSA MUSA CELEBRATED NOT ONLY IN ARAB LANDS TO NORTH
a.
BUT AS FAR AWAY AS EUROPE
4.
WHERE MALI APPEARED ON 14TH C. MAP
a.
ALSO PICTURE OF MANSA MUSA IN RICH ROBES,
b.
HOLDING UP A HUGE GOLD NUGGET IN ONE HAND
5.
IBN BATTUTA
a.
FAMOUS 14TH C. TRAVELER FROM MOROCCO
b.
VISITED MALI AROUND MIDDLE OF 14TH C.
c.
HAD KEEN EYE FOR SMALLEST DETAILS
d.
HIS TRAVELS SPANNED ALMOST 30 YRS
e.
INCLUDED VISITS TO CHINA, CEYLON, TURKEY, & MECCA
f.
HE IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HE SAW IN TIMBUKTU
6.
HE RECEIVED GOOD MEDICAL ATTENTION WHEN HE FELL ILL
7.
& HAD RESPECTFUL WORDS FOR SCHOLARS HE MET
8.
HE ALSO STRUCK BY STRONG SENSE OF JUSTICE
9.
& RIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF IT
a.
ROADS OF MALI BEING SAFE FOR TRAVELERS AS THEY WERE IN FEW
OTHER PARTS OF WORLD
10.
MANSA MUSA MUSLIM
11.
& HIS MOST FAMOUS EVENT - PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA
12.
TRAVELED IN ROYAL STATE ACROSS AFRICA TO CAIRO & MECCA
13.
ACCOMPANIED BY MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE
a.
100 CAMELS LOADED WITH 300 LBS OF GOLD EACH
14.
NO COURT OFFICIAL IN MECCA LEFT WITHOUT GIFT OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF
GOLD
15.
KING'S FOLLOWERS SWARMED THROUGH MARKETS & BAZAARS BUYING
EVERYTHING THAT CAUGHT THEIR EYE
a.
SILK, CLOTHES, HORSES, SADDLES, DANCING GIRLS
16.
SO MUCH GOLD INJECTED INTO CITY
a.
DEPRESSED ECONOMY FOR SEVERAL YEARS
7
VI.
SONGHAI KINGDOM 1054-1591
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
BY MID 1400'S GROWING SONGHAI KINGDOM HAD LARGELY SUPPLANTED MALI
2.
EMPIRE REACHED ITS ZENITH UNDER MUHAMMAD THE GREAT 1493-1528
3.
LIKE HIS PREDECESSORS MUHAMMAD FAILED TO SOLVE PROBLEM OF
SUCCESSION & INTERNAL RIVALRIES
4.
THREATENED BY MOROCCAN MILITARY ATTACKS IN LATE 1500'S
5.
& WEAKENED BY INTERNAL RIVALRIES
6.
UNIFIED SONGHAI KINGDOM COLLAPSED
7.
RULERS FROM COASTAL & FOREST REGIONS GRADUALLY EXTENDED THEIR
AUTHORITY OVER TRADE ROUTES
8.
WITH ARRIVAL OF WESTERN EXPLORERS FROM EUROPE, SLAVE TRADERS &
MERCHANTS
9.
HEYDAY OF WEST AFRICAN MEDIEVAL KINGDOMS GONE
B.
TIMBUKTU
1.
GREAT FAME OF CITY OF TIMBUKTU DURING SONGHAI KINGDOM
2.
IN 15TH C. EUROPEANS BEGAN TO HEAR TRAVELERS' STORIES ABOUT
SOPHISTICATION & AFFLUENCE OF TIMBUKTU
a.
INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL OF WESTERN SUDAN
3.
EARLIEST FULL ACCOUNT OF TIMBUKTU CAME FROM TRAVELER-HISTORIAN LEO
AFRICANUS
a.
MOOR FROM SPAIN WHO IN 16TH C. DESCRIBED MARVELS OF CITY
4.
TALES OF CITY'S 3 UNIVERSITIES
5.
LIBRARIES IN TIMBUKTU LEGENDARY
6.
BOOK TRADE PROVIDED BETTER SOURCE OF PROFIT THAN ANY OTHER KIND OF
COMMERCE
7.
TIMBUKTU TANTALIZED IMAGINATION OF EUROPEANS UNTIL 1828 WHEN
FRENCH ADVENTURER MADE PILGRIMAGE TO TIMBUKTU & WROTE ABOUT HIS
ADVENTURES
8.
BUT BY THEN ONCE-SPLENDID METROPOLIS NO MORE
C.
KANEM-BORNU ( 700-1700) & HAUSA CITY-STATES CA. 900-1600
1.
WEST AFRICA QUEEN AMINA RULED CA. 1536-1573
a.
SOME SAY KINGDOM OF SONGHAI IN MID-NIGER
b.
OTHERS SAY SHE RULER OF ZAZZUA -PROVIDENCE OF NIGERIA NOW
KNOWN AS ZARIA
c.
ORAL ACCOUNTS RELATE OF LIFE & DEEDS OF THIS RULER
d.
FAMOUS WOMAN WARRIOR
e.
WAGED SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST NEIGHBORING TERRITORIES
f.
EXTENDING HER EMPIRE AS FAR AS ATLANTIC COAST
g.
SHE FOUNDED CITIES, RECEIVED TRIBUTES FROM MIGHTY TRIBAL CHIEFS
h.
& IS REPUTED TO HAVE INTRODUCED KOLA NUT TO THIS PART OF AFRICA
i.
KOLA NUT CONTAINED CAFFEINE
j.
& ONE OF FEW STIMULANTS ALLOWED BY ISLAM FAITH
k.
KOLA NUT ALSO CONTAINS MILD NARCOTIC STIMULANT
l.
HAD BOTH MEDICINAL & CEREMONIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN WEST AFRICA
m.
IT WAS UNIVERSAL EXPRESSION OF GOOD WILL
n.
ITS IMPORTANCE REFLECTED IN ITS WIDESPREAD TRADE ACROSS WEST
AFRICA
o.
& EVEN ACROSS SAHARA TO NORTH AFRICA
D.
WEST AFRICAN FOREST KINGDOMS
1.
SEE TEXT
VII.
SOCIETY IN WEST AFRICA
A.
STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY
8
B.
C.
D.
1.
KINGS REGARDED BY THEIR SUBJECTS AS SPOKESMEN FOR DIVINE POWER
2.
THEY LIVED IN VIRTUAL SECLUSION
3.
NO ONE ALLOWED TO SEE THEM EAT OR DRINK
4.
THEY HELD AUDIENCES FROM BEHIND CURTAIN
5.
AFTER KING DIED HIS CORPSE EMBALMED
6.
HIS BURIAL ACCOMPANIED BY RITUAL SACRIFICE OF HUMAN VICTIMS
7.
KINGDOMS ADMINISTERED BY HIERARCHY OF PRIESTS, NOBLES & OFFICIALS
8.
BASICALLY FEUDAL KINGDOMS AS IN EUROPE
9.
VASSAL STATES FORCED TO PAY TRIBUTE
10.
& TO PROVIDE "VOLUNTEERS" FOR ARMY UPON DEMAND
11.
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE PASTORALISTS OR FARMERS
12.
& GREW CROPS OF VEGETABLES, SORGHUM, & WHEAT
13.
KEPT HERDS OF HORSES, CAMELS, CATTLE, SHEEP & GOATS
14.
LIVED IN HOUSES BUILT OF MUD OR REEDS
15.
NIGER & OTHER RIVERS PROVIDED FISH
WOMEN IN ANCIENT AFRICA
1.
ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC TRAVELLER IBN BATTUTA
2.
MALI IN 14TH C. MATRILINEAR SYSTEM
3.
MEN SHOW NO SIGNS WHATSOEVER OF JEALOUSY; NONE OF THEM CALCULATE
THEIR DESCENT FROM THEIR FATHER, BUT RATHER FROM THEIR MOTHER'S
BROTHER. THE HEIRS OF A MAN ARE THE SONS OF HIS SISTER AND NOT HIS OWN
SONS
4.
BATTUTA WENT ON TO STATE THAT AT TIMBUKTU
a.
WOMEN TREATED WITH MORE RESPECT THAN MEN
5.
BUT INFLUENCE OF ISLAM ON AFRICA HAD NEGATIVE EFFECT ON LIFE OF
WOMEN
a.
BECAUSE IT LENT AURA OF SANCTITY TO PATRILINEAR TRADITIONS
6.
ISLAM STRENGTHENED POWER & AUTHORITY OF RULING DYNASTIES &
EMERGING EARLY-FEUDAL ARISTOCRACY
7.
IN MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES INHABITANTS RETAINED MEMORIES BEFORE
ADVENT OF MUSLIM CULTURE OF FAMOUS FEMALE
a.
RULERS
b.
WARRIORS
c.
CO-REGENTS
d.
QUEEN MOTHERS
8.
MORE INFORMATION ON WOMEN IN HISTORY 252 & ON HISTORY DEPARTMENT
WEB SITE
SLAVERY
1.
RICH ELITES & RULERS HELD SLAVES
2.
BUT IN CONTRAST TO SLAVERY ELSEWHERE
3.
NUMBERS HELD SMALL & SLAVES CONSIDERED AS HUMANS NOT MERELY AS
PROPERTY
4.
GREAT MARKET FOR SELLING SLAVES TO NORTH AFRICA & OTHER PLACES
AROUND MEDITERRANEAN
5.
PERSON MIGHT BE ENSLAVED BECAUSE HE COULD NOT PAY HIS DEBTS OR
BECAUSE HE HAD COMMITTED A CRIME
a.
OR HE MIGHT BE CAPTURED IN WAR
6.
OVER CENTURIES ARAB SLAVE TRADERS FROM NORTH HAD TAKEN HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS OF BLACKS FROM CENTRAL AFRICA
7.
THEY SOLD THEM IN NORTH AFRICA & IN ARABIAN AREAS
8.
THEN WE ALL KNOW SEQUEL TO THIS
9.
EUROPEANS & AMERICANS OUTDID ARABS FROM 16 C ON.
ARTS & EDUCATION
1.
BOTH MANSA MUSA & MUHAMMAD BROUGHT MUSLIM SCHOLARS FROM MECCA
TO ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION
9
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGES TO MECCA FACILITATED ASSIMILATION & SPREAD OF
ARTS & SCIENCES THROUGHOUT AFRICA
MUSLIM IDEAS THEN PERCOLATED DOWN TO AFRICAN KINGDOMS
MANY ARABIC WORDS & EXPRESSIONS
& ISLAMIC PRACTICES STILL COMMON AMONG MANY CONTEMPORARY WEST
AFRICAN SOCIETIES
a.
AS IN OTHER CULTURES
RULING ARISTOCRACY PATRONIZED ARTS
AFRICAN ARTISTS EXCELLED IN SCULPTURE, LEATHER WORK
MANY BRILLIANT EXAMPLES OF THEIR CRAFT IN
a.
STONE, WOOD & BRONZE REMAIN
& IFE & BENIN, FOREST PEOPLES EXPERT ARTISANS
MANY BENIN BRONZES UTILIZING LOST-WAX METHOD STILL EXIST
VIII.
MEDIEVAL KINGDOMS IN EAST AFRICA
A.
SWAHILI CITY-STATES IN EAST AFRICA 1000-1500
1.
SEE TEXT
B.
KILWA CITY-STATE
1.
MAJOR PORT FOR TRADE TO EAST & EUROPE
C.
ZAGWE DYNASTY
D.
ETHIOPIA
1.
CHRISTIAN KINGDOM OF ETHIOPIA 850-1550 A.D.
2.
ETHIOPIA UNDERWENT REVIVAL IN 9TH C.
3.
REVIVAL OF RED SEA TRADE PROMPTED BY GROWTH OF INDEPENDENT FATIMID
RULED EGYPT
4.
ETHIOPIA EXPORTED GOLD TO EGYPT & PROBABLY SOME IVORY
5.
REGION IMPORTANT SOURCE OF PRECIOUS RESINS
a.
FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH
6.
1 OF MOST PROFITABLE OF ETHIOPIA'S EXPORTS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN
CAPTIVES, PARTICULARLY WOMEN
a.
FOR SALE AS CONCUBINES & HOUSEHOLD SERVANTS TO MUSLIMS OF
YEMEN, SOUTHWESTERN ARABIA
7.
THESE CAPTIVES PROBABLY TAKEN IN WARFARE
8.
UNDER ZAGWE DYNASTY IN 12TH & 13TH C. REOPENED LINKS BETWEEN
ETHIOPIAN CHURCH & HOLY LAND OF PALESTINE
9.
ETHIOPIANS SAW THEMSELVES AS OUTPOST OF CHRISTIANITY
10.
SORT OF CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD
11.
SURROUNDED BY PAGANS AND MUSLIMS
12.
IN THEIR RITUALS AND BELIEFS THEY DEVELOPED CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH
OLD TESTAMENT
13.
BELIEVED THEMSELVES TRUE DESCENDANTS OF ANCIENT ISRAEL
a.
& WANTED TO BUILD NEW JERUSALEM IN ETHIOPIA
14.
MONASTIC TRADITION REMAINED VERY STRONG
15.
IN 13TH C. MONKS IN REGION OF CAPITAL ADEFA BEGAN BUILDING MOST
REMARKABLE SERIES OF CHURCHES
a.
DURING REIGN OF LALIBELA CA. 1185-1225
b.
CUT OUT OF SOLID ROCK
c.
40 FOOT TRENCH DUG TO BUILD CHURCH ILLUSTRATED IN BOOK & SLIDE
16.
& REMAIN UNIQUE TO THIS DAY
a.
TESTAMENT TO STRENGTH OF ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH
17.
11 CHURCHES HAVE BEEN FOUND CARVED OUT OF MOUNTAINS
IX.
MEDIEVAL KINGDOMS IN SOUTH AFRICA
A.
GREAT ZIMBABWE - APEX 1290-1450
1.
GREAT CIVILIZATION THAT UP TO RECENT DATE CONSIDERED IMPOSSIBLE FOR
10
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
AFRICANS TO HAVE PRODUCED
THOUGHT ANCIENT PHOENICIANS (WHITES) PRODUCED IT
a.
OR LATER WHITES
b.
USED AS WAY FOR WHITE BOERS TO SAY THEY THERE BEFORE BLACKS &
TO CONTINUE TO CONTROL SOUTH AFRICA
EXCAVATED RELATIVELY LATE AS SACRED AREA FOR SOUTHERN AFRICANS
THEN ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN LOOTING OF PLACE
NOW KNOW IT CONSTRUCTED & CONTROLLED BY BLACK AFRICANS
IN SOUTHEAST AFRICA CERTAIN SIMILARITIES TO SITUATION IN SUDAN
SOUTHEAST AFRICA ALSO FAMOUS FOR ITS GOLD EXPORTS
MONOMOTAPA EMPIRE IN INTERIOR & KILWA CITY-STATE ON COAST SUPPORTED
BY TRADE
MONOMOTAPA INCLUDED MUCH OF ZIMBABWE & MOZAMBIQUE
& CONTROLLED SOURCES OF GOLD & ROUTES TO COAST
MONARCHS OF MONOMOTAPA RAISED GREAT TEMPLE OF ZIMBABWE
JUST AS SUDANIC KINGDOMS RAVAGED BY BERBER INVADERS FROM NORTH
MONOMOTAPA & KILWA DESTROYED BY PORTUGUESE INTRUDERS FROM
OVERSEAS