1.5 Developments in Africa Flashcards
Kin-based networks in Sub-Saharan Africa
Instead of having centralized governments under one ruler like in Europe or Asian, Sub-Saharan kin based networks were self-governance by families. A chief male led the network and mediated conflicts and dealt with neighboring groups. Groups of villages became districts, and a group of chiefs would work out how to deal with the district’s problems.
Hausa Kingdoms
Before 1000, people of the Hausa ethnic group formed seven city-states in what is now Nigeria.
Trans-Saharan Trade
A network of trade routes across the Sahara Desert. This area was landlocked, therefore all outside contact was important to this region. Since they were unable to trade by sea, they traded through the desert.
Zanj Rebellion
In the Mesopotamia area, between 869-883 enslaved east Africans and Arabs were able to overthrow their captors and capture and hold the city of Basra for 10 years.
Indian Ocean slave trade
A strong demand for enslaved workers in the Middle East resulted in in the trade of captive East Africans to plantations.
Indian Ocean trade
Trade between East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia.
Great Zimbabwe
A massive wall of stone (30 x 15 ft) surrounded the royal Zimbabwe city. The cicty was destroyed by overgrazing but the wall still stands.
Swahili
A language developed by traders in East Africa by blending Bantu and Arabic.
Mali
A West African country founded Sundiata, a Muslim ruler
Zimbabwe
The most powerful East African county between the 12th and 15th centuries.
Griots or Griottes
African singers and storytellers that passed down oral traditions.
Ghana
A West African country located bween the Sahara desert and the tropical rainforests of the West African coast.
Ethiopia
A Christian kingdom in Eastern Africa
