African Civilization
Much is known about African civilizations north of the Sahara Desert and along the Mediterranean coast-Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco; less is known about those south of the Sahara. Why? With the absence of written sources, and Western historians deliberation of using traditional oral accounts in African history played a significant part in Africa's forgotten past. Historical documentation provided by the work of archaeologists is augmented at best, since the tropical climate of sub-Sahara Africa destroyed many artifacts. Even when extensive remains have been found, as is the case with the ancient civilization of Zimbabwe (formerly colony of Britain known as Rhodesia) is difficult to decipher their meaning or importance. Equally problematical are the accounts of outside observers. Most were Islamic or European in origin, and they are sometimes biased, thus creating unfortunate stereotypes about sub-Saharan Africa. This said, it is also a fact that such sources, however fragmentary and problematic, must be used, since there are few others available, since it is impossible to make simple generalizations about a continent as diverse as Africa before 1500.The African empires were very advanced for their times, despi
As early as the eighth century, the geographer al-Fazari, living in Baghdad, made reference to ancient Ghana's wealth in gold. African or black inferiority as a concept reached its high point when it became intellectualized by philosophers of the Enlightenment. Many things were transferred from different areas of Africa due to trade, such as religion, weapons. Ina footnote to his essay entitled "Of National Character," which appeared in his Essay and Treatises (1768), the influential Scottish philosopher David Hume wrote: I am apt to suspect the Negroes . They were very civilized people with strong religious beliefs; they learned off other cultures applying there ideas to their own daily life creating a tranquil civilization that could easily be compared to the Europeans. In the tenth century, Ibn Hawqal declared that the ruler of Ghana was "the richest king on the face of the earth by reason of the wealth and treasure of gold. te what many western historians wish you to believe. Once again, stereotypes of African civilizations are reinforced by assuming that "primitive, "local religion were automatically replaced by "more advanced" religions such as Islam and Christianity. The Ghana Empire taxed traders that came through, taxes and gold was Ghana's main economy. Domestication of millet and sorghum, ironworking technology, and a hunting and fishing economy along the Niger River helped make for a thriving local economy. In essence Seligman described ancient and modern Egyptians as Eastern Hamites. The coming of Islam to this area is also significant for historians in that it helps bring the Savannah into the written historical record giving us an additional source beyond archaeological, oral, and linguistic evidence with which to reconstruct the history of the region. The trade systems of the empires were far advanced, the trade market went throughout Africa and had many traders come from many lands, mainly from Arab states.
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Acceptance Essays
