Lecture Notes: Ancient and Medieval Africa

Introduction

• Focus on sub-Saharan Africa, not the Mediterranean regions.
• Limited written records; rely on archaeology and oral traditions.
• Oral traditions more reliable in Africa compared to the Americas due to lack of demographic collapse.

Geography of Africa

• Africa is the second largest continent and very diverse geographically.
• Mercator projection distorts Africa's size, making it appear 40% smaller.
• Key geographical regions:
  • Sahara Desert (north and south)
  • Dry plateaus
  • Savannah
  • Rainforest (Central Africa)
  • Mountains in the south (Ethiopia, Kenya)
• Environment highly impacts historical events due to extreme climates.

Environmental Challenges

• Tsetse fly in Central Africa disrupts livestock farming.
• Sahara is mostly uninhabitable.
• Rainforests difficult to farm, even today.
• Coastal areas connected to global trade routes, especially in East Africa.

Early African Societies

• Paleolithic and Neolithic Africa
  • Africa is the cradle of humanity.
  • Adoption of agriculture varied by region; Ethiopia adopted early, Congo later.
• Western and Eastern Africa adopted agriculture early due to favorable conditions.
• Central and Southern Africa slower due to challenging farming conditions.

Bantu Migrations

• Bantu-speaking peoples migrated across Africa, spreading iron technology and language.
• Migration went from West Africa to the Great Lakes region and further south.

Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe

• Founded around 1220, dominated through agriculture, mining, and trade.
• Engaged in Indian Ocean trade, trading gold and ivory.
• Declined around 1450 possibly due to climate collapse.

Trade Centers and Influence

• Kilwa Kisiwani
  • Key trade hub in the Indian Ocean world.
  • Founded by Swahili-speaking Africans, later bought by a Persian and converted to Islam.
  • Dominated by the Kilwa Sultanate.

Trans-Saharan Trade

• Trade between North Africa and the Sahel focused on gold and salt.
• Caravans facilitated by advanced scouts who provided water supplies.
• Trade routes spread Islam and cultural exchanges.

Mali Empire

• Founded by Sundiata Keita after defeating the Soso Empire.
• Dominated gold trade, very wealthy.
• Mansa Musa's Hajj spread immense wealth globally.

Timbuktu

• Became a major cultural and trade center under the Mali Empire.
• Known for its university and book trade.
• Europeans did not reach Timbuktu until 1826.

Conclusion

• The lecture provided insights into the role of trade in spreading technology and cultural ideas in Africa.
• Highlighted the difficulties in studying medieval Africa due to lack of written records.