The Great Migrations of Africa - Essay Example

Question One The Great Zimbabwe civilizations were one of the most impressive civilizations during the Medieval period (Manu, 2004). Many European travelers were very surprised to discover and hear about the impressive African civilization existing in the interior of southern Africa. Still, they did not officially travel there until 1871, when Carl Mauch, a German geologist, first set foot there. Mauch initially held the generalized view that the Africans could not have built the impressive monuments about them, made of granite stone (Manu, 2004). Therefore, Mauch had a vision; he theorized that the Great Zimbabwe monuments had been actually made by Biblical characters visiting from the north. He stated: "I do not think that I am far wrong if I suppose that the ruin on the hill is a copy of Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah and the building in the plain a copy of the palace where the Queen of Sheba lived during her visit to Solomon." Mauch further stated that a "civilized [read: white] nation must once have lived there." To us nowadays, this seems very far-fetched and the concept of the indigenous people actually building the monuments seems far more likely, but this was not true of most European assumptions during the late 1800s (Manu, 2004). The civilization actually existed around 1100-1450 AD, which was actually when the civilization was at the height of its power (Manu, 2004). There are still modern day settlers in the region, made up of mostly shone-speaking farmers. The civilization is located in south central Africa, which is considered current Zimbabwe, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. The actual site itself sits on a high plateau, over 1000 m (Manu, 2004). This civilization is important for a variety of reasons. First, this site, which includes the Great Enclosure wall, has its very impressive monuments which are only beaten out with impressiveness by the Egyptian pyramids (Manu, 2004). Furthermore, an extensive trading network formed through this region, and during the Medieval period, this was very important. The main focus of trade was on gold, copper, tin, cattle, and cowrie shells. This area was also important politically. For around 350 years, the civilization would be ruled by powerful rulers. The civilization was probably made up of around 18,000 inhabitants (Manu, 2004). In 350 AD Shona-speaking farmers settled in the region. They had migrated into the area to avoid the annoying tsetse flies, which can cause the deaths of not only people, but cattle as well through the disease known as sleeping sickness (Manu, 2004). The flies did not make appearances at such high altitudes, so the farmers were able to farm their cattle. At the end of the 11th century, the civilization began to develop (Manu, 2004). Intensified trading activities helped the civilization to expand. However, the civilization was not to last forever. It was abandoned around 1450 AD for reasons still unknown to historians today (Manu, 2004). There has been much speculation about this. It is known that the people left and started the northern kingdom of Monomotapa, as well as other states. Some historians have speculated that the fall could have been attributed to the population depleting land sources, over-farming, or perhaps a drastic weather change that could have hurt the trade market. Still, further research in this area is needed (Manu, 2004). Question Two The Bantu people began to migrate from the Congo or Niger Delta Basin. Their migration is so impressive because it is actually one of the largest ever seen in history. This incredible movement started at around 1000 AD and continued through 1800 AD (Nalubwama, 2009). However, historians are still unsure of why the movements happened in the first place. Therefore, there has been much speculation and theory for how and why this began. One theory given reflected on the concept that overpopulation may have inspired some groups of people to move into a different area, looking for areas and land to farm. Another theory states that the move could have had something to do with fighting within the actual developed communities, or from neighboring areas (Nalubwama, 2009). Both of these concepts seem relatively possible, although there is no firm proof for either theory. (Nalubwama, 2009). This migration would still have a very deep impact in human history. The Bantu actually introduced several items into areas that they migrated to (Nalubwama, 2009) They were farmers, and believed in using crops like millet and sorghum(Nalubwama, 2009). They could have also introduced iron smelting and iron tools. (Nalubwama, 2009). Therefore, while not much is known about these peoples, the migration itself was a unique item in human history, and needs to be examined from that perspective. History needs to show respect for this movement and the peoples involved(Nalubwama, 2009. The movement itself changed the landscape of Africa forever, because these people spread into various areas, taking their culture and technology with them. The use of this culture and technology would then be introduced into the other cultures which they interacted with(Nalubwama, 2009). So, with this migration, several interesting ideas spread throughout Africa(Nalubwama, 2009). If this migration had not occurred, it could be speculated that the technology transformations of other cultures in Africa during this time may not have happened until much later. Therefore, the arrival of the Bantus with their technology to various regions benefitted Africa and its cultures. (Nalubwama, 2009). Question 3 In order to take a look at the roles of Cushtic and Nilotic people, it is important to look at their background and cultural influences Mulria, 2008). It appears that the Cushites could be connected to the Niolitcs because they all lived in the area of Khartooumw while the period of the middle stone age was ocuring. This took place in an area called Nubia at the time (Mulria, 2008) The Cushites would have some profound interactions with the Egyptians and from Libya centuries later. This resulted in the dispersion of their peoples into sourthern areas of Africa. This occurred around the 15th century AD Mulria, 2008). These movements also affected the Bito clan. This group would form interlacustrine kingdoms in this area Mulria, 2008). The Cushites, therefore, appear to have had more interaction with outside cultures during this time than the Nilotic people, and this would change their culture forever Mulria, 2008). They were able to interact and learn from the outside cultures, picking up more technologies while sharing their own technologies with other cultures. This, along with their migrations, allowed them to grow and spread as a people. Egypt and Nubia started to have initial contact around the end of 400 AD Mulria, 2008). At this time, Egypt was in an upheaval, the usual kind that occurred when a dynasty was overthrow, as its First Dynasty had just conquered upper Nubia Mulria, 2008). Egyptian culture was thus brought into Custic culture. Nubia then started to supply Egypt with materials needed for building, as well as slaves Mulria, 2008). This interaction with Egypt would further change the culture, and it would be something that the Nilotic peoples did not have at this time. The Lityans also spawned a new type of civilization in Nubia because Egypt, at that time, started to weaken after the Sixth dynasty failed. Thus, many Egyptians traveled back to Nubia Mulria, 2008). The 11th Dynasty would eventually regain Egypt's strength, but it was forced to make sure that its presence was known with a series of forts Mulria, 2008). This also affected the Nubians themselves. Many of them were acting as mercenaries and fighting the Hyksos, or invaders of Egypt. They thus became more and more taken in with Egyptian culture, and this caused a great revision to their own culture. When Egypt decided to finally conquer Nubia, it set up two different management movements at Wawat and at Kush Mulria, 2008). The Niolotes are people that are of an ethnic group that exist mainly in southern parts of Africa. They speak Niolitic languages and have clusters of several ethnic groups within their own groupings. The term was formed to make sure that Niolotes could be distinguished from the Bantus, their Northern neighbors. Their languages, therefore, posed an issue between the two cultures because they had different dialects. Furthermore, the Nioletes have chosen to live in Southern Sudan, so their territory has had its own differentiation and climatic differences when compared with the Cushites. Question 4 Bantu and Nilotes have often been mistaken as one in the same, but historians have distinguished that the two are very different peoples with very different aspects and understandings of both their traditions, and their farming. As mentioned above, these two communities, Bantu and Nilotes, have many differences about their cultures (Nilotes, n.d.). First, there is the obvious difference of language and dialect. While this seems initially like a simple difference, it actually reaches out to create many other cultural differences. Language is a boundary in and of itself, and it also reflects on the cultures of the peoples. Their different dialects have thus estranged the two cultures a bit, keeping each other at a distance(Nilotes, n.d.). Location is also a factor. Although these peoples have been traditionally neighbors, the Bantus occupy the Northern area while the Niolotes took the Southern area of Sudan. Again, while this seems like a simple difference at first glance, it actually creates further cultural estrangement between the two. This is because the agriculture and weather conditions can be different, again affecting overall cultural development. Since the peoples do not share a common language, they often do not always share similar concepts or ideas when it comes to farming (Nilotes, n.d.). The two cultures certainly have the opportunity to become closer and help each other, but for the most part, they have demonstrated that they are very different peoples with very different notions. This has always kept them at a distance, although they have, at points in history, strived to better understand each other. Whether they will be able to accomplish a better understanding of each other is yet to be seen (Nilotes, n.d.). References Apman, Manu. 2004, May. The Great Zimbabwe. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from: http://www.manuampim.com/ZIMBABWE.html Mulria, Peter. 2008. Uganda: Many Barriers Will Come Down As History Unfolds. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200803270068.html Nalubwama, Esther. 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from: http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/bantu.html Nilotes. N.d. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from http://www.amazines.com/Nilotes_related.html Read More