State Building in Africa (1200-1450)

Introduction

• Focus on state building in Sub-Saharan Africa during 1200-1450.
• Highlights on Swahili civilization, Great Zimbabwe, Hausa Kingdoms, and Ethiopia.

Swahili Civilization

• Location: East coast of Africa, emerging in the 8th century.
• Structure: Collection of independent city-states.
• Trade:
  • Strategic location facilitated Indian Ocean trade.
  • Key goods: gold, ivory, timber, and enslaved people.
  • Imported goods from African interior farmers and pastoralists.
• Religion:
  • Islam became dominant due to influence from Muslim merchants.
  • Conversion among Swahili elite connected them to the broader economy of Dar al-Islam.
  • Swahili language: Hybrid of Bantu and Arabic.
• Governance:
  • Each city-state ruled by its king.
  • Fierce competition due to trade focus.
• Comparison with Song China:
  • Both expanded wealth through trade.
  • Hierarchical societies; China's was centralized, Swahili states were not.

Great Zimbabwe

• Location: Further inland but engaged in Indian Ocean trade through coastal ports.
• Economy:
  • Exported gold.
  • Relied on farming and cattle herding.
• Architecture:
  • Constructed large structures, second only to Egyptian pyramids.
  • Capital city was a seat of power.

West African States

• Empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai (to be discussed in more detail later).
• Hausa Kingdoms:
  • Collection of independent city-states.
  • Engaged in Trans-Saharan Trade Network.
  • Similarities with Swahili states: urbanized, commercialized, ruled by kings.
  • Conversion to Islam to facilitate trade.

General Influence of Islam

• Influential African states adopted Islam to organize societies and facilitate trade with Dar al-Islam.
• Exception: Ethiopia

Ethiopia

• Religion: Predominantly Christian.
• Architecture: Massive stone churches commissioned by rulers.
• Trade: Grew wealthy through Mediterranean and Indian Ocean trade, notably trading salt.
• Governance: Centralized power with a king and stratified class hierarchy.

Conclusion

• Notable diversity in political and religious structures across African states during this period.
• Further learning resources available for deeper understanding of the topics.