Ancient African Societies
Emerging along the Nile in 3150 BCE, this ancient society developed the writing system of hieroglyphics.
What is Egypt?
This Sudanic Empire had an army strength of 200,000 (40,000 of which were archers) and adapted the use of horses and camels.
What is Ghana?
Great Zimbabwe became in important symbol for this movement in the 1960s and 70s.
What is the African Nationalist Movement?
The Kingdom of Kongo was located in this region of Africa.
What is West Central Africa?
When Kongo adopted Christianity this syncretic form of the religion emerged, incorporating elements of Christianity with local aesthetic and cultural traditions.
What is African Catholicism?
In 750 BCE this ancient society defeated Egypt and established the 25th dynasty of the Black Pharaohs.
What is Nubia/Kush?
Sundiata Keita emerged as the new ruler of this Sudanic Empire in 1235. Under his rule this empire expanded to include Timbuktu and the salt mines of Taghaza.
What is Mali?
During the 15th century this country wanted to control spice trades, so they disrupted networks, sacked cities, and imposed a colonial presence along the Swahili Coast.
What is Portugal?
In 1491 King Nzinga a Nkuwu(Joao l) and his son, Nzinga Mbemba(Alfonso l) converted the Kingdom of Kongo to this religion, which strengthened the kingdoms trade relationship with Portugal.
What is Roman Catholicism?
African kingdoms increased their wealth and power through this trade, which was a common hierarchical feature of West African society during the late 15th century.
What is the slave trade?
This ancient society was one of the earliest iron working societies in West Africa and was also well known for its terracotta sculptures.
What is Nok?
Commerce across the Sahara brought traders, scholars, and administrators from North Africa who introduced and facilitated the spread of this religion throughout West Africa.
What is Islam?
This type of weather allowed for a reliable trade network across the Indian Ocean.
What are Monsoon winds?
As a result of developing a political relationship with Portugal, the Kingdom of Kongo soon was forced to supply Portugal with enslaved laborers in exchange for this kind of help from them.
What is military assistance?
Trade between Portugal and West Africa increased the presence of these people in West Africa.
Who are Europeans?
This ancient society served as an intermediary between the Mediterranean and India, as well as controlled trade through the Red Sea.
What is Aksum?
During his reign(1312-1337) this ruler embarked on a Hajj to Mecca, he traveled in a caravan with 1,200 servants, 80 camels, and 2 tons of gold.
Who is Mansa Musa?
The Great Zimbabwe buildings were categorized into these three areas, one for the ruler and their family, one for members of the royal family, and one for regular citizens
What is the Hill Ruin, the Great Enclosure, and the Valley Complex?
Kongo and the region of West Central Africa around it becomes the largest source of enslaved people for this wide scale slave trade.
What is the Transatlantic Slave Trade?
African elites, like ambassadors and the children of rulers would travel to port cities in this area for diplomatic, educational, and religious reasons.
What is the Mediterranean?
Aksum was the first African society to adopt Christianity willingly, through its strong trade relationship with the Roman Empire. It did so under the reign of this king.
Who is King Ezana?
The last and largest of the Sudanic Empires, conquered much of Mali under Sonni Ali, before being conquered by Morocco in 1591.
What is Songhai?
The name for Great Zimbabwe comes from this word that means "Big house of stone".
What is madzimbabwe?
This type of conflict lead to the dependency on Portugal for weapons and military assistance.
What are civil wars?
In the mid 15th century the Portuguese colonized these two islands in the Atlantic and established cotton, indigo, and sugar plantations that used the labor of enslaved Africans.
What are Cabo Verde and Sao Tome