IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA UNIVERSITY LAPAI,

NIGER STATE

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND ARTS

COURSE CODE: 312

COURSE TITTLE: EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA SINCE 1000AD.

NAME: KUDENUPO MOSES GBENGA

MATRIC: U20/FEA/HIS/1092

GROUP A PRESENTATION

QUESTION: DESCRIBE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF

EAST AFRICA 1000AD.

SUBMIT TO DR. BABA YAYAH.

NTRODUCTION

Before 1000 AD, the environment of East Africa was characterized by a diverse range of
landscapes. East Africa was a vibrant and diverse region with a rich tapestry of cultures and
societies. The environment was characterized by lush tropical forests, fertile grasslands, and
expansive savannas teeming with wildlife. The Great Rift Valley, a geological marvel that
stretches from the Red Sea to Mozambique, provided a dramatic backdrop to the landscape.

East Africa, which includes countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi,
has a rich and diverse history that predates 1000 AD. During this time, the region was home to
various ancient civilizations and cultures, each with its own unique history and contributions.

The people of East Africa before 1000 AD were a mix of hunter-gatherer societies, pastoralists,
and agricultural communities. The Bantu-speaking peoples dominated much of the region, with
their advanced agricultural techniques and ironworking skills. They lived in small villages and
practiced subsistence farming, growing crops such as millet, sorghum, and yams.

THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE 1000AD.

Before 1000 AD, the environment of East Africa played a crucial role in shaping the lives and
activities of its inhabitants. The region's diverse geography, climate, and natural resources
influenced the cultural, social, economic, and political practices of the people who lived there.

Geographically, East Africa is characterized by a variety of landscapes, including coastal plains,

savannas, highlands, and tropical forests. The region is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the
east, the Red Sea to the north, and the Great Rift Valley to the west. These diverse

Alshishani Faks, "Iron Smelting in Sudan: Experimental Archaeology at The Royal City of Meroe". Journal of Field Archaeology.
Experimental Archaeology at The Royal City of Meroe, vol 43. Colum 399-441 (June 2018).
environments provided a range of habitats for different communities, allowing for a mix of
agricultural, pastoralist, and trading societies to thrive.

The coastal areas of East Africa, known as the Swahili coast, were particularly important closely
to 1000AD. The region's proximity to the Indian Ocean facilitated trade with the Arabian
Peninsula, Persia, India, and beyond. The coastal cities were centers of commerce, culture, and
learning, where goods, ideas, and people from different parts of the world converged.

Inland, the landscape of East Africa was dominated by savannas, grasslands, and forests. These
areas were home to pastoralist communities who relied on cattle, sheep, and goats for their
livelihoods. The pastoralists moved seasonally in search of water and grazing land, forming
complex social and economic networks based on kinship ties and shared resources.

The Great Rift Valley, which runs through East Africa, was another important environmental
feature before 1000 AD. The valley's fertile soils and temperate climate supported agriculture,
allowing communities to grow crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, and bananas. Agriculture
played a key role in the region's economy, providing food security and surplus crops for trade. 2

The natural resources of East Africa also influenced the activities of its people before 1000AD.
The region was rich in minerals such as gold, copper, iron, and salt, which were mined and
traded both locally and internationally. Ivory, obtained from elephants in the region's forests
and savannas, was a highly prized commodity that was sought after by traders from across the
Indian Ocean.

THE PEOPLE OR INHABITANTS OF EAST AFRICA BEFORE 1000AD.

Before 1000 AD, the people of East Africa were diverse and comprised of various ethnic groups,
each with their own unique languages, cultures, and traditions. The region was home to hunter-
gatherer communities, pastoralists, farmers, and traders, all of whom interacted and exchanged
goods and ideas with one another.
2
Childs Terry, "Technological history and culture in western Tanzania". In Schmidt, Peter. (ed.). The Culture and Technology of
African Iron Production. (Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Press.1996). Colum 277-320.
One of the earliest known civilizations in East Africa was the Bantu people, who migrated to the
region from the west between 1000 and 500 BC. The Bantu brought with them their agricultural
knowledge, ironworking skills, and rich cultural traditions, which had a profound impact on the
development of the region.

Another important group in East Africa before 1000 AD were the Cushitic peoples, who
originated from the Horn of Africa and migrated southward into the region. They established
several powerful kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Kilwa, which became a major trading hub
and played a crucial role in the regional and international trade networks.

The Swahili, which were located along the coast of East Africa, also emerged during this period.
These cities, such as Kilwa, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, became important centers for trade and
commerce, connecting East Africa with the Middle East, India, and China.

Hunter-gatherer communities, such as the San people in southern Africa, lived off the land by
hunting wild game, gathering fruits and nuts, and fishing in rivers and lakes. These communities
had a deep knowledge of their environment and relied on their skills to survive in the diverse
landscapes of East Africa.

.3

East Africa is home to a variety of languages, including Bantu languages, Cushitic languages, and
Nilotic languages. These languages have evolved over time and have been influenced by various
factors, such as trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

Before 1000 AD, the Bantu languages were the dominant linguistic group in East Africa. The
Bantu people migrated to the region from the west and brought with them their languages,
cultures, and agricultural practices. Some of the major Bantu languages spoken in East Africa
before 1000 AD include Swahili, Zulu, Shona, and Kikuyu.

3
Schmidt Peter, SIn Worger, scott Ambler, Chinnua Achebe, (eds.).'" A Companion to Afrcience in Africa: A history of ingenuity
and invention in African iron technology". (ican History. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell. 2019).pp. 267–288.
Religion played a central role in the lives of the people of East Africa in 1000 AD. Islam had
spread along the coast and into the interior, influencing the culture, politics, and economy of
the region. The Swahili city-states were centers of Islamic learning and scholarship, and
mosques and madrasas dotted the landscape.

Socially, East African society was organized into various clans, tribes, and city-states, each with
its own social hierarchy and political structure. The Swahili city-states were ruled by sultans and
councils of elders, who oversaw trade, diplomacy, and governance. Inland, pastoralist societies
were organized around kinship ties and shared resources, with chiefs and elders playing
important roles in decision-making.4

CONCLUSION
The people of East Africa before 1000 AD were diverse, dynamic, and interconnected, with a
rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that reflected the region's complex history
and geography. Their interactions with one another and with external traders and travelers
contributed to the development of vibrant and thriving societies in the region. Also, life, and
the people were engaged in a wide range of activities that sustained their communities and
enriched their lives.
4
Avery, Donald; Schmidt, Peter "Preheating: Practice or illusion". The Culture and Technology of African Iron Production.
( Gainesville: University of Florida Press. 1996). Colum 267–276.
5

5
Schmidt, Peter; Avery, Donald "More Evidence for an Advanced Prehistoric Iron Technology in Africa". (J ournal of Field
Archaeology. 1983). Vol. 10 (4)colum 421–434.