Early modern era (1450 - 1750)
By the 15th century, Bantu migration was complete, and the continent was inhabited by different groups of people who spoke different languages, believed different religions, and followed different customs. In the west, Mali empire had lost their power, the kingdom of Axum in the East was in decline, and so was the states in Swahili coast. However, new kingdoms and empires appeared: Songhay empire overtook Mali empire, the kingdom of Kongo flourished, and the kingdom of Benin near modern day Nigeria was established and experienced its golden age.
In mid-15th century, Portuguese traveled to Sub- Saharan Africa, and initiated the European influence in the region. In the next 100 to 200 years, Europeans not only introduced new crops (including potatoes and tomatoes from America) and technology (including firearms), but they also conducted the slave trade which suppressed the development of African society. The slave trade changed both African and global demography: Sub-Sahara Africa was heavily depopulated, and the population of America consisted of more Africans than Native Americans. When the Europeans came to the region, they brought not only the tangible objects, but also brought their belief: Christianity. By this time, Islam (brought by Arabian merchants about two centuries ago), especially Fulani (a sect of Islam that strictly follow its original doctrines) co-existed with local beliefs such as Animism. When Christianity was introduced, although some people including the king of Kongo, Alfonso I, adopted European Roman Catholicism, majority of the commoners mixed Christian beliefs with their indigenous beliefs.
By the 18th century, most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa was occupied Europeans conquerors (as you can see from the map). Because of their geographic barrier, the Saharan desert, the subcontinent could not interact with the advanced societies in Europe, thus, they did not have the weapons as Europeans conquerors did and was defeated by them. The kingdoms in the subcontinent were all destroyed, and the cultural heritages of Africa was thus disappeared except a small quantity that the slaves cherished in their minds.
As already mentioned, because of the European suppress on indigenous people, there was little technological or art development by the natives in the era. The artifacts from the early modern era are usually made of clay, wood, or ivory. Some were made of metals but the prized ones were the ivories. They are pots and horns that are used in the daily lives. Some were influenced by Christian religion and European culture. Of course, there are only a small quantities of artifacts left in the world compare to other parts of the world. However, we, the wizards used our magic to steal the artifacts from the muggles and exhibited in our castle, so the students can learn about muggle history.
To see the artifacts in the museum, please click the words below:
Gallery
If you want to see the artifacts from the early modern era specifically, please click the words below:
Early modern era, Gallery
Hope you will enjoy our exhibits in our museum at Hogwarts!
In mid-15th century, Portuguese traveled to Sub- Saharan Africa, and initiated the European influence in the region. In the next 100 to 200 years, Europeans not only introduced new crops (including potatoes and tomatoes from America) and technology (including firearms), but they also conducted the slave trade which suppressed the development of African society. The slave trade changed both African and global demography: Sub-Sahara Africa was heavily depopulated, and the population of America consisted of more Africans than Native Americans. When the Europeans came to the region, they brought not only the tangible objects, but also brought their belief: Christianity. By this time, Islam (brought by Arabian merchants about two centuries ago), especially Fulani (a sect of Islam that strictly follow its original doctrines) co-existed with local beliefs such as Animism. When Christianity was introduced, although some people including the king of Kongo, Alfonso I, adopted European Roman Catholicism, majority of the commoners mixed Christian beliefs with their indigenous beliefs.
By the 18th century, most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa was occupied Europeans conquerors (as you can see from the map). Because of their geographic barrier, the Saharan desert, the subcontinent could not interact with the advanced societies in Europe, thus, they did not have the weapons as Europeans conquerors did and was defeated by them. The kingdoms in the subcontinent were all destroyed, and the cultural heritages of Africa was thus disappeared except a small quantity that the slaves cherished in their minds.
As already mentioned, because of the European suppress on indigenous people, there was little technological or art development by the natives in the era. The artifacts from the early modern era are usually made of clay, wood, or ivory. Some were made of metals but the prized ones were the ivories. They are pots and horns that are used in the daily lives. Some were influenced by Christian religion and European culture. Of course, there are only a small quantities of artifacts left in the world compare to other parts of the world. However, we, the wizards used our magic to steal the artifacts from the muggles and exhibited in our castle, so the students can learn about muggle history.
To see the artifacts in the museum, please click the words below:
Gallery
If you want to see the artifacts from the early modern era specifically, please click the words below:
Early modern era, Gallery
Hope you will enjoy our exhibits in our museum at Hogwarts!