3. http://www.yousaytoo.com/gallery_image/pics/94/92/8/555794/original/remot
The terrain of East Africa was hilly and e_image_14447_0.jpg
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.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1JuuMk4daDs/Sn85MJ7W3BI/AAAAAAAAAME/xX9fD5YWhds/s400/09proto2-600.jpg

4. 100 – 940 CE.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. http://www.bonzasheila.com/art/archives/jun09/images/29.%20de%20Heere,
%20Lucas%20-
Adulis carried many different cultures such %20Solomon%20And%20The%20Queen%20Of%20Sheba.jpg
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.)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Ethiopic_genesis.jpg/220px-Ethiopic_genesis.jpg

8. http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/africa/images/axum02.jpg
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

9. Trading/Exports:
Main exports: Grain, wheat, cattle, sheep,
camels, ivory, tortoise shells, rhinoceros'
horns, gold, iron and salt.
With India and Mediterannean: Ivory tusks, http://www.aspireauctions.com/auctions/2005MAY/thumbs/9528-01.jpg
tortoise shells, gold, emerald, and silk.
With Sudan: Ivory tusks. http://rlv.zcache.com/tortoise_shell_close_up_magnet-
p147934991594742797z85qu_400.jpg
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:
http://www.hownwhat.com/wp-
content/uploads/2011/06/buy-ghana-
Soil exhaustion from farming over the years.
gold.jpg
Slowly, couldn't produce enough food to
support population.
Spread of Muslims conflicted with Christianity. http://marilyn
mollsnorwex.
Muslims burned the port of Adulis, com/wp-
disconnecting trade. content/uplo
ads/wpsc/pro
duct_images
/window_clot
h_purple2_1.
http://www.relaxingpleasures.com/wp- jpg
content/uploads/2011/08/Give-Her-Affordable-
Created-Emerald-Jewelry-Fit-for-a-Queen.jpg

10. 850-1500 CE

11. Origins:
http://lanadipati.republika.pl/africaswahilicoast.jpg
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 Technology:
of a major trade route.
Wealthy had houses with coral
Said to have the most purest form of the Swahili plaster. Stays cool no matter
language here. the weather.
Kilwa: Had draining systems,
flushing toilets.
One of the most famous, important trading posts of
the Swahili Coast. Built aqueducts for fresh
water.
Intricate designs on doors.

12. 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.

13. 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. http://newsblaze.com/pix/2010/0430/pix/islamic_veil_4.230.jpg
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.
http://www.urdusky.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/quran.jpg

14. 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.” http://s1.hubimg.com/u/4923856_f520.jpg
http://www.joelscoins.com/images/tanzset.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/09/98/29/great-mosque-manama.jpg

15. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pavVNeF_p-A/Tjse_f671PI/AAAAAAAAABk/AxDcD3Tkt88/s1600/allah2.jpg
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.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/images/monsoons03.jpg
http://amazingrust.com/experiments/how_to/Images/Iron_Lump.jpg

16. 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.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=swahili+coast+map&start=33&num=10&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1440&bih=809
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