The terrain of East Africa was hilly and rugged, which caused the farmers of the Aksum Kingdom to use terrace farming. However, fertile land for Swahili Coast.Major cities:Adulis: Major seaport/capitol of the Kingdom of Aksum.Zanzibar: Major trading city along Swahili Coast.Kilwa: Another major port city. Also, a center of gold trade.

Impact of region:The people of the Aksum Kingdom and Swahili Coast depended on the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea for trading goods.

Diffusion of ideas and goods:Ideas and goods spread throughout East Africa due to the many trade routes and port cities along the coast.

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100 – 940 CE.

Origins:

The Aksum Kingdom was founded by Sabaeans who came from South Arabia.

Lasted from 100 CE to 940 CE.

Geography:

Located South of Kush.

Aksum was established along the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. As a result, it became a major trading region.

Adulis:

Major sea port. Also the capitol of Aksum.

Traded with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India, and the Roman Empire.

Technology:

Built dams, aqueducts and had advanced knowledge about building with stone instead of mud bricks.

First to mint own coins in East Africa

Economy:

Played a huge part in the trade network between India and the Mediterranean area.

Aksum's access to the Nile River and the Red Sea enabled trading opportunities with Indian, African and Arabian Seas.

As a result of Aksum's big part in the trade along the coast, they were a huge influence over sea trade in the Red Sea.

Major Trading Routes/Systems:

Trading system between the Roman Empire and India – exported ivory, gold and emeralds.

Trading route from Egypt to India – used monsoon winds to cross.

Caravan routes to Egypt (Known as Nile corridor) – connected Africa to Egypt.

Silk Road.

Politics/Government:

Monarchy government.

Adopted a feudal system to help govern distribution of farm land.

Had one king that controlled nobles. The nobles would pay the king tribute through the ruling of the lower classes.

Conquered various kingdoms on the Arabian Peninsula across the Red Sea.

Most memorable was the invasion of the Kingdom of Kush.

By destroying Kush, Aksum now controlled many important trade routes not to mention vital, fertile soil.

Religion:

Aksum's religion was originally a poleistic religion. They believed in gods that controlled nature.

In the 4th century, King Ezana converted the entire empire to Christianity.

Resistance at first, but gradually accepted the new religion.

Culture:

Had many legends.

Most famous legend is the Solomonic dynasty and the Ark.

Aksumites believed that the Queen of Sheba was from Ethiopia. She went to Jerusalem to visit King Solomon. They had a child named Menelik. Later, Menelik returned to Jerusalem and took the Ark of Covenant back to Ethiopia. Thus, it is said that the line of Aksum kings were descendents of Solomon.

Adulis carried many different cultures such as Egyptian, Kushite, Sudanic, Arabic, Middle Eastern, and Indian.

Highly influenced by South Arabia culture-wise.

Only East African empire to have a written language, Ge'ez.

Artwork portrayed Middle Eastern deities.

Built pillars 60 – 100 ft. tall. Scattered throughout the Aksum Kingdom.

Also built huge Christian temples.

Farmers used terrace farming. (Flattened areas of land to expand farming land.)

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Most memorable ruler of Aksum.

His tutor, Frumentius, converted Ezana to Christianity. Also baptized him.

Converted the entire Kingdom to Christianity, replacing their polytheistic beliefs.

Both Ezana and Frumentius were responsible for the drastic increase of Christians in Aksum.

Aksum reached its height under Ezana's rule.

Very successful with military campaigns.

Ezana conquered many kingdoms running along the Red Sea such as the Kingdom of Kush and Meroe.

Built beautiful structures called obelisks (steles) dedicated to himself.

Also responsible for finding the Ark of the Covenant which he handed over to the Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion.

Aksum thrived until the diffusion of Muslims caused a conflict.

War occurred between Aksumites and Muslims. Resulted in the Muslims triumphing. King Ezana's Stele in

Aksum

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Trading/Exports:

Main exports: Grain, wheat, cattle, sheep, camels, ivory, tortoise shells, rhinoceros' horns, gold, iron and salt.

With India and Mediterannean: Ivory tusks, tortoise shells, gold, emerald, and silk.

With Sudan: Ivory tusks.

With South Asia: Spices.

With Rome: Gold and Iron.

Trading/Imports:

From Egypt: Cloth and glass.

Indian: Steel and cloth.

Decline of the Aksum Kingdom:

Soil exhaustion from farming over the years.

Slowly, couldn't produce enough food to support population.

Spread of Muslims conflicted with Christianity.

Muslims burned the port of Adulis, disconnecting trade.

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850-1500 CE

Origins:

Bantu immigration traveled to East Africa and merged with the local population already living there,

Afterwords, Arabic and Persians joined this wide mix of languages.

Interaction between the different languages caused a need to create a common language known as Swahili, which means “living on the coast.” This language was mixed with Bantu and Arabic

Geography:

Fertile land, very useful for agricultural farming.

Used monsoon winds to travel a cross large bodies of water.

Established along the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Zanzibar:

Largest settlement in East Africa. Also one key port of a major trade route.

Said to have the most purest form of the Swahili language here.

Kilwa:

One of the most famous, important trading posts of the Swahili Coast.

Technology:

Wealthy had houses with coral plaster. Stays cool no matter the weather.

Had draining systems, flushing toilets.

Built aqueducts for fresh water.

Intricate designs on doors.

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Economy:

Merchants in port cities acted as “middle men.” This term means that they traded with locals living inland in which they cannot reach the water themselves. Therefore, they profited through charging them.

Most valuable natural resource was gold.

Ports had friendly rivalry, so no conquests occurred.

Rulers gained wealth through taxing goods that passed their region.

Main things traded: Ivory and slaves.

Fishing out of the ocean.

Major Trading/Routes:

Middle men for central, south and east Africa.

Trade route through Tanzania. Goods brought to Arabic, Indian and Portuguese traders.

Zanzibar: Major area for selling slaves.

Textiles brought in by Arabic countries.

Politics/Government:

Rulers focused on being the middle men. More businesslike than controlling.

Divided into city states. Each governed by a noble. Nobles were selected by nobility and qualifications.

Government's goal as a whole was to retain control and order while promoting the coastal trading.

Women could govern.

Could categorize as Aristocracy.

Mainly governed by Muslim families.

Religion:

Life style revolved around Muslim beliefs.

Study the Qu'ran and learn Arabic language in school.

Monotheistic religion; Worship Allah. Prophet; Muhammad.

Favored over Christianity because it didn't control every aspect of their lives.

Culture:

Indian Ocean connected Africa with China, Persia, Arabia and India.

Sailors used monsoon winds to travel across the ocean.

Swahili culture was influenced widely through all the trading from different regions.

Arabic and Persian traders occasionally settled in the port cities of East Africa. Ended up marrying local women, therefore diffusing diverse cultures and heritages.

Swahili Coast adopted Muslim as their religion. Buildings to worship Allah were built (Mosques).

People prayed in Arabic.

Men wore long robes while women covered their hair as Muslims would.

Seaborne immigrants introduced the coastal region to bananas and coconuts.

Farmers and fishers worked with iron and practiced pottery.

Women wear black dresses called buibui. They also cover their heads with a black cloth called hijabu.

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First ruler of Kilwa.

Member of the Mahdali Dynasty.

Ruled during a prosperous time for Kilwa.

Began minting their own coins under his rule.

Rebuilt the Great Mosque. Making it the largest mosque to worship Allah in Africa,

Also built the Palace of Husuni Kubwa.

He traveled to the court of Sultan where he depicted Sultan's great generosity. Soon afterwards, he was given the name, “Father of Gifts.”

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Trading/Exports:

Main exports: Ebony, gold, ivory and sandalwood.

With Persia: Silk.

Trading/Imports:

From Zimbabwe: Gold and Iron.

From India: Textiles.

From Tanzania: Ivory.

From Asia: Textiles, Jewelry, porcelain and spices.

From Perisa: Ivory, gold, iron, slaves, and exotic animals.

Due to its convenient location in the south, Indian ships would be able to sail and return in one single monsoon season.

Kilwa flourished immensely through international trading. However, it wasn't alone.

City states/ports were connected by a commerce also by caravan trade routes.

Due to Islamic growth, it provided a unified feeling of trust throughout the ports.

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Swahili Coast Decline:

When the Portuguese arrived on the Swahili Coast, the entire coast was thrown off course.

Kilwa was no longer the dominant city.

Instead, the attention had turned to Malindi and Mombasa.

Unfortunately, the Portuguese raided Kilwa and Mombasa in intention to control all the trading.

Even though the Portuguese could never control the trading on the northern coast, the Swahili Coast's glory days were over.

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