Vocab
Terraces
Steplike ridges constructed on mountain slopes
Define “Egyptianized” and give an example.
Influenced by the Egyptians
Burials, art, sculpture
Where does the name "Nok" come from?
“Nok” named after the town where artifacts were found
(Unknown as to what the ancient name of the culture actually was)
What types of knowledge was shared as the Bantu people migrated?
Iron-smelting
Pottery-making
Farming skills
How did the “King of Kings” work?
Suggests the tribes under Aksumite control were permitted to continue having their own rulers who would report to the Aksumite king
Lexicostatistics
The study of linguistics
What significant religious temple is located in the city of Napata and who built it?
The Temple of Amun
Built by Thutmose III
Due to where Djenne-Djenno was located, how were they able to trade?
Through the Niger river, the Sahara desert, and Sudan savannah region
Where are the Bantu people originally from?
The savannah and rain forest regions around the Niger River in southern West Africa
How did Aksum’s location and interaction with other regions affect its development?
Region occupied by agrarian communities since the Stone Age who created network of trade with Egypt and down the East African coast.
Trade expanded as the kingdom expanded (or vice versa).
Deffufa
A fortified religious center created from mud brick
Who and what is a "Candace?"
Queens of Meroé known as “Candaces”
Might mean “Queen Mother”
List two things we have and two things we don’t have for the old city of Djenné-Djenno.
Have: Archeology that shows size of settlements, some type of centralization, specialized workshops
Don't Have: Absence of writing system, political systems, government/rulership
Where did the Bantu-Speaking peoples migrate to (and in what order)?
First Migration: 2000 BCE, Small group began to migrate into Central Africa then to East Africa
Second Migration: 1000 BCE, Bantu peoples from West Africa and East Africa migrated farther south
Third Migration: 500 CE, Bantu peoples moved further south
What impact did Ezana’s decision to become a Christian have on the kingdom of Aksum?
A Christian man educated Ezana as he grew up
When Ezana became ruler, he converted to Christianity and established it as the kingdom’s official religion
Terracotta
Clay that has been fired; typically brownish-red earthenware
Identify and describe Kerma pottery.
Identifiable by black tops, red-brown base and have metallic appearance
List the three similarities and three differences between Nok terracotta sculptures and Djenne-Djenno terracotta sculptures.
Similarities
Differences
List the causes of the migrations.
Exhaustion of local resources, Overpopulation, Famine, Epidemics, Increased competition for local resources, Warfare, Climate change, Spirit of adventure
Identify and describe Aksumite pottery.
Simple red and black terracotta pottery (cups, bowls, jugs)
Decorated with geometric designs (most common: Christian cross)
Sahara
Sahel
Savannah
Largest desert in north Africa
Land at southern edge of Sahara Desert
Grassy plane
Describe the changes that occur over time with Kushite burials.
Earlier burials: Kings buried on beds placed on stone platforms and placed in tombs under pyramids
Later burials: Mummification, coffins, sarcophagi, shabti figures
Describe the significance of the “West African Iron Age”.
The Nok culture is the first West African people known to smelt iron (earliest iron-smelting technology in sub-Saharan Africa). They went straight from Stone Age to the Iron Age (skipped the Bronze Age).
List the effects of the migrations.
Spread of: Bantu and Bantu-related languages, Iron-smelting technology, Pottery techniques, Agricultural tools and techniques, Certain foods
Increase in people living in villages: Created distinct regional societies, kingships
Retreat of some indigenous peoples to more remote areas: Resisted wave of Bantu culture
How did Aksum’s history of trade help the expansion of Christianity?
Christianity possibly introduced through trade with the Roman Empire.
When Ezana became ruler, he converted to Christianity and established it as the kingdom’s official religion.
Monasteries spread Christianity throughout the region.