Mari's+African+Exhibit

** AFRICAN PENDANT **
This is an African pendant from Nigeria. These pendants were worn on the hips. They often had human or animal figures on them. In Benin art the oba is often seen being supported by two attendants like in this pendant.

** AFRICAN CIVILIZATION **
The Bantu people lived in the Sub-Saharan desert. They migrated towards South Africa. The Bantu people traveled in clans ( a group of families who traced their roots to the same ancestors). They probably migrated to find better farmland and better grazing. In many places the Bantu people had to change the way they lived because the environment was so different. They learned to raise different crops and animals. The Bantu people carried the knowledge of metalworking with them and passed it on to other civilizations that they encountered.

In the Kingdoms of the savanna, there was a lot of trade. Mainly the trade was in Ghana. They traded mainly salt and gold, and their wealth was based on these to items. After a while, Ghana became controlled by Mali. Mali then took over the salt and gold trade. Mali also made Islam the official religion when Mansu Musa was in power. Then, Songhai became the leading kingdom. They took over the salt and gold trade. Their wealth grew from conquering the trading city of Tombouctou. Songhai began to lose power in less than only 100 years. The people of Songhai were fighting with each other and the kingdom grew weak.

At the same time that the kingdoms of the savanna developed, kingdoms of the forest also developed. The two main kingdoms of the forests were the Ile Ife and Benin. Both of these cities were located in present-day Nigeria. Ile Ife had become a powerful trading center. the leaders of this kingdom were called onis. We know very little about this city because a modern town is located on top of the ancient city. Also the rain has washed away all of the mud buildings, the trees have covered old sites, and dampness has rusted iron and rotted fabrics and wood. The main thing that has survived are sculptures. In Benin workers mined copper, iron, and gold. Benin's leaders were called obas. The obas sold slaves to African traders. many slaves were forced to work for rich families on the savanna. Benin ruled the trade routes along the rives to the north and south and became very rich. Benin was also a center of art. They made art from bronze, brass, ivory, and copper.

CURRENT EVENTS
[]