Taylor's+Civilizations+of+Africa+Museum

Society Description:
An African group called the Bantu began migrating from their home about 4,000 years ago. No one knows exactly why they decided to move. Over many years, every generation of the Bantu moved farther away from their homeland, probably in search of better farmland and grazing areas. The Bantu also adapted to many different environments as they traveled. They learned how to plant new crops and raise different kinds of animals. Many times, Bantu people moved into places that were already inhabited. When this happened, the older cultures usually adapted to Bantu culture. Sometimes, the Bantu introduced crops such as yams to the people. Other times, they forced the people already living there to leave their homes. The Bantu had a great knowledge of metalworking, which helped them clear land and be more successful in hunting and warfare. The Bantu migrations continued for a very long time, with new generations moving whenever an are became to crowded. They eventually settled through Central and South Africa. Salt and gold were the most important goods in West African trades. Many kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Ghana, were based on them. By A.D. 400, Ghana had taken control of trade routes across the Sahara Desert. By A.D. 800, Ghana was a major trading kingdom. Around A.D. 1,000, though, Ghana began to weaken, and broke into small, independent states by the 1200’s. The powerful kingdom of Mali rose under the leadership of Sundiata. By the time he died, Mali had grown rich from trade. In 1312, Mansa Musa took control. About 50 years after Mansa Musa died, Mali lost power. Songhai was the leading kingdom of West Africa in the 1400’s. Songhai’s leaders controlled trade routes, but began fighting among themselves and lost power in just 100 years. There were two important African rain forest kingdoms, Ile-Ife and Benin. Ile-Ife was famous for its sculptures, but many other artifacts have been lost. Benin became a center of art too, and its leaders hired skilled artists to make objects from bronze, brass, ivory, and copper. The city of Aksum in East Africa controlled a trading port on the Red Sea. During the 300’s, King Ezana of Aksum learned about Christianity. He made Christianity the official religion of his kingdom. Aksum soon lost power to Muslims hoping to gain control of trade routes, though. The city-state of Kilwa from inland regions of Africa and by sea. Contact with Arab merchants resulted in a new language called Swahili. Many Africans use Swahili today for business. Great Zimbabwe was another African city that grew powerful through trade. The Bantu speaking people there are ancestors of today’s Shona people. The had powerful and rich leaders who controlled the gold trade, but it fell by 1500. However, its ruins still stand today, and the city is a source of pride for the present day nation of Zimbabwe.

Artifact from African Society:
This artifact is a mask from 19th century Benin in Nigeria. It is the commemorative head of a king, and emphasizes the importance of art in the kingdom of Benin. Symbols of royal power and sacrifice such as an elephant trunk, a leopard and a mythical fish are found at the base of this mask.

Click here to see more details on an ancient Benin mask!

Current Event in Africa:
Benin, a kingdom in Africa mentioned in the book that still stands today, held its presidential election on March 13. The current president, Boni Yayi, claims he won with 55.8% of the vote. However, Yayi's opposition, Adrien Houngbedji, said that there was voting fraud in the northern part of the country. Houngbedji's supporters began protest demonstations and blocked the doors of the electoral commission in Contonou, objecting to Yayi's claims that he won the election. The official results are expected to arrive March 17th or 18th. Houngbedji has said that he would face Yayi in a runoff election, which is an election in which only the two candidates with the highest percentages of votes can participate in a second election. Until the results of this election, and possibly a runoff election come in, however, the people of Benin will have to wait to see who their next president is.

Click here to see a current event relating to Benin's recent presidential elections!

== Adrien Houngbedji==