Because much of African history is a mystery, early explorers often assumed that it was a dangerous dark unknown place filled with savage uncivilized peoples. What they failed to recognize was that the reason for little information about ancient Africa can be blamed on a very strong oral tradition. Ancient Africans relied on the passing of traditions, stories and rituals by word of mouth. There is little history written down. Much of African history has finally been reveiled by archeologists today, much is forever lost beneath the hot sandy desert floor. What we have found out is that evidence of African life is found 1000 years earlier than expected by most people. We also know that aging back to around 250 b.c.e. there is evidence of trade routes and even the use of iron technology.
Unfortunately, the people of this region were mostly cut off from the rest of the world. This is also why much of its history is forgotten about. Some factors that attribute to this are; the desert is vast, dry and hard to cross not to mention the few rivers available are extremely hard to navigate as well. Many African people were afraid to venture into the ocean or sea which made getting to this region pretty much impossible.
Even though it was difficult to get to this part of Africa, trade was still prevalent starting in the 7Th century c.e. Africa was a large resource for gold in exchange for salt and other resources.
The first group to caravan across the Sahara were the Berbers from North Africa. They brought with them there strict Islamic faith and attempted to convert many people in the area to there faith. Even though most rejected the religion there were some merchants who adopted the faith. Most sub-Saharan African believed that many gods existed in nature and refused to adopt Islam.
As we continue to learn more about this "dark continent", we unleashed many mysteries of Africa's great past. It is interesting that in attempt for Europeans to learn about this great country they ended up destroying much of the valid resources needed for evidence. It is interesting also that only a few years ago did people truly start to recognize Africa's great history.
Resources:
http://www.mrdowling.com/609-testr.htm
Lecture notes and in class documentary
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This was very informative! What struck me the most about your post was how Africa was mysteriously "cut off" from the rest of the world. Their gold trade was one of the only connections to other places.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, in class we learned that some of the European men didn't even believe that black people could have built such ruins as the ones built in Zimbabwe, but they most certainly did.
It really makes me sad how much of history is lost forever now, and much of it is our own fault. It frustrates me how people destroyed ruins attempting to prove their own theories.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is horrible that pride usually gets in the way of historical sites and symbols!
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