SSWH6 Describe the diverse characteristics of early African societies before 1500 CE/AD. b. Describe the trading networks and distribution of resources by examining transsaharan trade in gold, salt, slaves; include the Swahili trading cities.
Trans-Saharan Gold Salt Trade SOCIAL/ POLITICAL: Trade between Mediterranean and subsaharan Africa was quite limited until the cultural diffusion of camel around 3rd century CE Was and continues to be ideal for merchants in the Sahara Able to travel up to 60 miles a day with 500 lbs. of cargo and can go up to 10 days without water North African Berbers perfected the camel war saddles, originally created by Arabs Made caravans safe and profitable and allowed for slow diffusion of Islam into region ECONOMIC: Had 3 basic consumption centers: 1. Forest regions between the Niger and Senegal Rivers exported gold,, slaves, kola nuts, and palm oil to the north 2. In return they purchased salt which was essential for life in the tropical climate Salt was mined in Sahara Desert, near Taghaza 3. Metal ware, pottery, and glass were manufactured along the Mediterranean coast was purchased with gold from the Niger River region and flowed south to the communities in and below desert Much of this trade was controlled by middlemen in the Sahel region, which led to growth of major trading cities like Timbuktu
Swahili Coast ECONOMIC: Highly important for international trade during Medieval era Predictable seasonal monsoon winds combined with maritime navigation technology, like arab dhow and lateen sails, developed by Arabs, made open ocean navigation safe and profitable Arab merchants of the Indian Ocean Maritime system visited ports in Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Zanzibar While visiting East African ports, merchants purchased ivory, gold, ebony, slaves, and exotic animal products, and sold silk, cotton cloth, porcelain, metal ware, glass, and spices Because Indian merchants depended on seasonal winds, they generally spent several months in each port of call Extended stays led to many merchants to marry local women creating a unique culture in the region that blends West African and Arab customs Swahili is an example of the cultural diffusion with its root being in languages of Bantu and Arabic
SSWH6 Describe the diverse characteristics of early African societies before 1500 CE/AD. c. Understand the blending of traditional African beliefs with new ideas from Islam and Christianity and their impact on early African societies
RELIGION Indigenous Religions: Most religious systems in sub-saharan Africa focused on animism, the belief that divine spirits resided in elements of natural world like flora, fauna, and natural geography Many believed that shamans or witches could harness these powers for good and evil As Islam spread to North, West, and Eastern Swahili coast and Christianity spread to Egypt and Ethiopia these traditions were sometimes replaced and sometimes blended with new faith systems Brought major changes to much of Africa, like the introduction of written language, the establishment of new educational systems like the madras and monasteries, and new moral codes like Sharia law However, many native traditions endured In West and East Africa the belief in and practice of magic continued despite the objection of Orthodox Muslims Evident in the Malinke epic of Sundiata in which Sundiata and his adversary use magic in battle despite both being Muslim These regions also saw the modification of many Muslim traditions related to the seclusion and veiling of women did not take hold in West Africa despite their conversion to Islam Traditional customs that allowed women to move freely in public places endured well after region s conversion to Islam Adaptation also occurred as Christianity spread to Egypt and Ethiopia Egyptian Coptic Christian belief in the spiritual significance of the Nile