Sub-Saharan Africa Flashcards
Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa (Start with just regions)
Sahel - Hot, semi-arid, Kingdom of Ghana, Empire of Mali, Empire of Songhai
Tropical savanna - Tropical forests, woodland & grassland, Kenya & Tanzania
Congo Basin - W. Africa coast, very heavy rain & rainforests
Ethiopian Highlands - N. of Rift Valley, cool climate, ideal for agriculture, Kingdom of Axum, Medieval Ethiopia
Horn of Africa - E. Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, hot & dry, projects East
Kalahari Desert - Botswana & Namibia, S. dry belt, comparable to Sahara
Cape Region - S. Africa, comparable to Mediterranean climate
Kingdom of Axum
1st Ethiopian state written about, reached peak under King Ezana, converted to Christianity
Conquered Nubian city Meroe, spread Christianity
had trade w/ europe and india
Medieval Ethiopia
ruled by jewish, fem ruler Yodit
yodit overthrown by Christian Zagwe Dynasty, then Solomonic Dynasty
Kingdom of Ghana
W. Sahel
camel grew trade, started Kingdom of Ghana, capital at Kumbi Saleh
reached height 800-1000, target b/c of prosperity for Almoravids, Muslim dynasty
Empire of Mali
absorbed Ghana, established by Mandinka, natives converted to Islam
1st literate culture
under Mansa Musa, built Timbuktu, center of learning
Empire of Songhai
gained independence from Mali w/ capital at Gao, then Sonni Ali conquered Mali
continued as trading empire
Tropical W. Africa
Metallurgical states grew from Yoruba farming
Yoruba kingdom, Ife-Ife, known for bronze artwork, lifelike busts of kings
E. African Coast
Swahili culture appeared, mix of Bantu natives & Middle Eastern traders
900-1200, coastal city-states appeared, Lamu, Mombasa, Kilwa, Zanzibar
prosperous trading
S. Africa
Mapungubwe, 1st proto-city in S. Africa, based on gold mining
succeeded by Great Zimbabwe, gold trading
Axum decline
Over-extended in conquests + drought
