This document defines key vocabulary terms related to African culture and history such as extended family, matrilineal, oral history, clan, sultan, Swahili, plateau, griot, and Timbuktu. It then summarizes that the Bantu migration shaped many African cultures, slave trades influenced cultures through captives, and Africans developed rich cultures that influenced others. It notes Africa's land area and rainforests and that West African empires grew rich from trade while East African kingdoms became trade centers of new ideas. Traditional African religions provided a guide for living together.
2. Vocabulary
Extended Family-families made up of several
generations
Matrilineal-tracing descendent through mother
rather than fathers
Oral history-stories passed down from generation to
generation
Clan-a group of people descended from the same
ancestor
3. Cont. Vocabulary
Sultan-a leader
Swahili-comes from an Arabic word meaning “People
of the Coast.”
Plateau-area of high flat land
Griot-storytellers
Dhow-sails powered sailboats
Timbuktu-trading city
4. Life in Medieval Africa
The Bantu migration helped shape many cultures in
Africa south of the Sahara
African slave trades changed greatly when Muslims
and Europeans began talking captives from the
continent
Enslaved Africans developed rich cultures that
influenced many other cultures
Such as our own
5. The Rise of Africa Civilization
Africa has vast and land scope
West Africa Empires grew rich from trading salt and
gold
Africa rain forest blocked invaders and provided
recourses
East Africa kingdoms became centers of trade and
new ideas
6. Africa Government and religion
The grown of west Africa empires led to the
growth of centralized government ruled by kings
Traditional Africa religions shared certain believe
and provided a guide for living together
Islam played an important role in medieval Africa,
but long-held Africa belief and customs still
remained strong
7. Important People
Augustine of Hippo-Generally considered the greatest thinker
of Christian Antiquity, Augustine fused classical philosophy with Christian
doctrine in numerous writings that were to prove exceedingly influential to
medieval thought.
Occupations
Bishop
Religious Leader
Saint
Writer
8. Gaiseric
In 435 Gaiseric made a treaty that allowed the Vandals to keep control of
Mauritania and part of Numidia and made them foederati of Rome. 4
years later he broke the treaty by capturing Carthage.
Occupations
King
Military Leader
9. Pope Gelasius 1
Helping to establish the Papacy as the foremost authority in
western ecclesiastical affairs. He was the first pope to be
titled “Vicar Of Christ” and he is credited with putting an
end to the Rome pagan festival.
Occupations
Pope
Saint
