Changes
There were constant changes in Sub - Saharan Africa from 8000 B.C.E. to 1750 C.E. Politically, Sub-Saharan Africa did not any form of government before the Classical period. Then, the subcontinent was experiencing the Bantu migration, and the people were in a constant migration. During the late Classical era and the Post-Classical era, there were some small size of governments based on kinship in small communities. They were mostly along the cost line, and the rest of the subcontinent was still going through the migration. By the 13th century, large kingdoms and empires like Mali empire and Great Zimbabwe appeared in West Africa and along the Swahili coast. From 15th century, Europeans arrived in the region, and they colonized the subcontinent until 19th or 20th century. Economically, people in the subcontinent did not conduct any business until the Post-Classical era. Before then, they were hunters, and gatherers, and some sufficient societies practiced agriculture. Because the societies were all small and the communication and transportation were limited, no big size trade was conducted. In the Post-Classical era, many merchants came to Sub-Saharan Africa for the gold trade, and the slave trade. The kingdoms in West Africa and the states along the Swahili cost profited much from the business. When the Europeans arrived, the range of the trade was widened, but because all the important business was conducted by the White Europeans, Africans hardly gained any from it, and they lost much of the population due to the slave trade. Technologically, Sub-Saharan Africa did not develop much because of the natural barrier, the Saharan desert, between the region and other parts of the world. Therefore, the people only had the basic tools made from bronze or metals. Sub-Saharan African people experienced religious changes when the Arabian merchants and European conquerors came during the Post-Classical and early modern era. People often mixed the beliefs of
Continuity
The societies in the region were patriarchal. However, unlike other parts of the world, They respected females more because they gave births and created new lives. Still the males were dominant in the societies, and they made important decisions. When Islam was introduced, the females were more restricted and the males became valuable when all the males were taken to America during the slave trade.
The other thing that continued throughout the history is the religion. The Sub-Saharan Africans always believed their traditional beliefs such as Animism. Even when Islam and Christianity were introduced, Animism was continuously practiced.
The other thing that continued throughout the history is the religion. The Sub-Saharan Africans always believed their traditional beliefs such as Animism. Even when Islam and Christianity were introduced, Animism was continuously practiced.
Lectures on the African history
Once a week, the professor of muggle studies will give you a lecture on the Sub-Saharan African history. She will talk about from 8000B.C.E to 1750C.E. If she is happy, she will be a guide and give you a tour around the museum. It's a great way to know better about African history, and it's free!
Please check the schedule at the front desk (It's usually in the Wednesday afternoon)
Please check the schedule at the front desk (It's usually in the Wednesday afternoon)