NEXT Kuba ceremonial mask, Congo. African Civilizations, 1500 B.C.A.D. 700 African cultures adapt to harsh environments, spread through major migrations, and establish powerful kingdoms. NEXT African Civilizations, 1500 B.C.A.D. 700 SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 Diverse Societies in Africa CASE STUDY: Migration The Kingdom of Aksum Map NEXT Section 1 Diverse Societies in Africa African peoples develop diverse societies as they adapt to varied environments. NEXT A Land of Geographic Contrasts Diverse Societies in Africa Geography of Africa Large continent but coastline has few ports, harbors, or inlets Challenging Environments Africa has many deserts, including huge Sahara The southern edge of the expanding Sahara is called the Sahel Rainforests found near central part of continent Welcoming Lands Northern coast and southern tip of Africa have Mediterranean climates Savannas, or grasslands, cover almost half of Africa SECTION 1 Image Sahara Desert in northern Africa. East African savanna scattered with acacia and baobab trees. NEXT Early Humans Adapt to Their Environments SECTION 1 Nomadic Lifestyle Earliest people are nomadic hunter-gatherers Herders drive animals to find water, graze pastures Transition to a Settled Lifestyle Agriculture probably develops by 6000 B.C. As the Sahara dried up, farmers move to West Africa or Nile Valley Agriculture allows permanent settlement, governments to develop Image Masai herdsman with cattle herd in East Africa. NEXT Early Societies in Africa SECTION 1 Societies Organized by Family Groups Extended families made up of several generations Families with common ancestors form groups known as clans Local Religions Early religions usually include elements of animismbelief in spirits Keeping a History Few African societies have written languages History, literature, culture passed on by storytellers called griots Cultures in West Africa are advanced long before outsiders arrive NEXT West African Iron Age SECTION 1 Learning About the Past Artifacts reveal how people lived in the past Evidence of sub-Saharan cultures producing iron around 500 B.C. The Nok Culture NokWest Africas earliest known culture made iron tools, weapons Djenn-Djeno From 600200 B.C., cities begin to develop near rivers, oases Djenn-DjenoAfricas oldest known city (250 B.C. ), discovered in 1977 Bustling trade center; linked West African towns, camel trade routes Image NEXT Relocation of large numbers of Bantu-speaking people brings cultural diffusion and change to southern Africa. Section 2 Migration CASE STUDY: Bantu-Speaking Peoples NEXT People on the Move Migration Migrationpermanent move to new place; a pattern in human culture Causes of Migration Push-pull factorsConditions that push people out of an area or pull them in SECTION 2 Effects of Migration Brings diverse cultures into contact; changes life in the new land Tracing Migration Through Language One way to trace migration is to study how languages spread Africa has many complex language families Chart CASE STUDY: Bantu-Speaking Peoples NEXT Massive Migrations Bantu-speaking Peoples Bantu-speaking peoplesearly Africans who spread culture and language Originally lived in savanna south of Sahara; now southeastern Nigeria The word Bantu means the people SECTION 2 Migration Begins Bantu speakers migrate south and east starting about 3000 B.C. Live by slash-and-burn farming, nomadic herding Share skills, learn new customs, adapt to environment Continued... Map Image NEXT Causes of Migration Bantu speakers move to find farmland, flee growing Sahara Need iron ore resources and hardwood forests for iron smelting Within 1,500 years they reach southern tip of Africa continued Massive Migrations SECTION 2 Effects of the Migration Bantu speakers drive out some inhabitants; intermix with others Bantu migrations produce a great variety of cultures Language helps unify the continent Image Section 3 The Kingdom of Aksum The kingdom of Aksum becomes an international trading power and adopts Christianity. NEXT The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum The Kingdom of Aksum Aksums Geography Aksumkingdom replaces Kush in East Africa; blend of Africans, Arabs Located on Horn of Africa, modern day Ethiopia and Eritrea Trading kingdom linking Africa and Indian Ocean trade routes SECTION 3 Continued... The Origins of Aksum Land first mentioned in Greek guidebook in A.D. 100 Rulers take control of areas around Blue Nile and Red Sea Dynasty of Aksum rules until 1975; ends with death of Haile Selassie Map Image NEXT Aksum Controls International Trade Aksum is hub for caravan routes to Egypt and Mero Adulis, chief port, has access to Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean continued The Rise of the Kingdom of Aksum A Strong Ruler Expands the Kingdom King Ezanastrong ruler of Aksum from A.D. 325 to 360 He conquers part of Arabian peninsula, now Yemen In 350 conquers Kushites and burns Mero to ground SECTION 3 NEXT An International Culture Develops Aksum Culture Blended cultural traditions of Arab peoples and Kushites Adulis population: Egyptian, Arabian, Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian Greek is international language; Aksumites trade gold to Rome Aksumite Religion Believe in one god, Mahrem, and that king descended from him Are animistsworship spirits of nature and ancestors Exposed to Christianity by traders SECTION 3 Continued... NEXT Aksum Becomes Christian Young King Ezana educated by Christian man from Syria As ruler, Ezana declares Christianity as kingdoms official religion Aksum, now part of Ethiopia, still home to millions of Christians continued An International Culture Develops Aksumite Innovations Written language, minted coins, irrigation canals and dams Aksumites invent terrace farming due to hilly location Terracessteplike ridges constructed on mountain slopes SECTION 3 Image Pillars of Aksum, capital of Ethiopian kingdom (A.D. 1st-8th centuries). NEXT The Fall of Aksum Islam Aksum kingdom lasts 800 years; witnesses rise of Islam religion Followers of prophet Muhammad conquer all of Arabia by 632 SECTION 3 Islamic Invaders Between A.D. 632 and 710, Islamic invaders leave Aksum alone In A.D. 710, they attack port city of Adulis, causing Aksums decline Aksum Isolated As Islam spreads, Aksum rulers move capital to northern Ethiopia Isolation, soil erosion, deforestation cause loss of remaining power