Ancient AfricaUnit 2

Mr. HardyRMS IB Middle School

2012-2013

Common traits between African Groups

• Hunter- gatherers before Agricultural Revolution• Clans- groups of (extended) families whom live

together, tribe like• Animism- spirits are present in the nature

around you (plants, animals, dead ancestors)• Subsistence Farming- growing crops for personal

use, not for market sale• No written language– Specialized storytellers- Griots

Kush

• Based around Nile River–Pre- Egyptian peoples

• Descendants of Nubia• Created iron weapons• Strong trading nation–Animal skins, ivory, ebony, etc.

• Conquered Egypt 750 B.C.- King Kashta• Declined because of the rise of Axum

Axum/ Aksum 100 – 940 A.D.

• Located in current day Ethiopia (Eastern Africa)• Rich because of location along the trading routes to

India and Mediterranean• 330 A.D. conversion to Christianity, later to Islam

(both brought in by trade)• Language- Ge’ez– Only ancient African kingdom known to have a writing system• Agriculture- terrace farming– Step- like ridges used to cultivate crops

Ghana830-1240

• Located in western Africa• “1st Great Traders of West Africa”– Began the gold and salt trade

• Well trained army to protect cities and trade routes

• Government- King was religious, economic, and political leader

• RICH!– Resources of gold, silver, and iron

Mali

• Rise- Defeated Ghana, 1240• Located in western Africa• Continued the gold and salt trade• Government- rulers of each region sent money

to Mali’s king for protection• Mansa Musa- Golden Age King– Brought Islam to Mali– Established Islamic learning center city- Timbuktu

Songhai 1458 - 1591• Rise- Conquered Empire

of Mali• Islamic trading kingdom• Continued gold and salt

trade• Largest African Empire!• Decline- 1591 defeated

by Moroccan force with superior weapons. (Gunpowder Empire)

African Fable• After reading your assigned African fable,

discuss as a group the “lesson” or creation story that you find was taught through the book.

• Now… Create a fable (story) that centers around a lesson that your group finds to be important to teach others.– Your fable/story should be a modern adaptation/

version of the African fable your group read.• Your story must be presented to the class in the

form of a skit(must include script!).

Reflection and Ticket Out the Door!

• Complete a reflection on today’s material on the Empires of Africa in your interactive notebook!

• When you are done with your reflection, pack up and complete the Ticket Out the Door question!