Chapter 18 Sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction

Sahel

  • Grassland belt at southern edge of Sahara Desert

SUDANIC STATES

  • Patriarchal
  • Common language / ethnicity
  • Rulers were sacred
  • Islamic conversion (only leadership and elites)
  • Revolved around agriculture
  • 80% of villagers were farmers
  • Crops - rice, millet, sorghums, wheat
  • Polygamy was (and is) heavily practiced

Women in Sudanic States

  • Did NOT universally accept the wearing of veils
  • Did NOT need chaperones
  • Could socialize with men outside of their immediate family
  • African royal families did not adopt many of the Islamic social codes practiced in other parts of the world in regards to women
  • Sub-Saharan Islam was strongly influenced by African notions of social equality

Mali

  • Malinke people
  • Rulers were Islamic
  • Loyalty / obedience to king
  • Trading society
  • Port towns: Timbuktu / Jenne
  • Books were lucrative

Sundiata (Sunjata)

  • "Lion King"
  • Griots - oral historians
  • Mansa (emperor)
  • Many regional and ethnic differences in this area
  • Safe

Mansa Kankan Musa

  • Ruled from 1312-1337
  • Pilgrimage to Mecca
  • Brought world's attention to Mali
  • Brought teachers, architects, and writers back to Mali

URBAN LIFE

  • Cities of western Sudan became trade centers
  • Foreign merchant communities
  • Timbuktu had roughly 50,000 people
  • Scholarly centers

Swahili States

OVERVIEW

  • Collection of city-states along the East African coast
  • Key players in regional trade and cultural exchange

CULTURAL ORIGINS

  • Emerged from interactions between Bantu-speaking peoples and Arab traders
  • Blend of African, Arab, Persian, and Portuguese influences
  • Swahili language reflects cultural diversity (elements from Arabic, Persian, and local languages)

Trade and Economic Prosperity

  • Trade as the lifeblood of the Swahili States
  • Key exports: gold, ivory, slaves
  • Key imports: textiles, spices, other goods
  • Wealth led to impressive architecture (Coral stone mosques and palaces)
  • Cosmopolitan cities fostering cultural exchange (ideas, art, religion)

Role of Islam

  • Significant influence on legal and social structures
Optional Resources - Africa

The Ancient and Medieval African Kingdoms

Watch from 13:00 to the end