Africa and the External World | History Form Two
Early contacts with the Middle East and Far East
Contacts with the
Middle East and Far East began as early as 200BC. Early foreigners to visit the
African coast were people from Asia including countries like Syria, Arabia, India,
Burma, Thailand, China and Spice Islands. Availability of goods such as ivory,
gold, animal skins and slaves was one of the motives which attracted the
traders to visit the East African Coast.
Social and Economic motives of contacts between Africa, the middle east and far east
1. Availability of goods
such
as ivory, gold, animal skins and slaves which had attracted the traders.
2. The discovery of the
power of wind
and its patterns i.e. the Monsoon which helped to drive their vessels across
the Indian Ocean to East Africa (South West Monsoon, November, to April) and
back to their home lands (North East Monsoon, May to October).
3. Development of marine
technology. They
could contract large dhows which enabled them to carry huge quality of goods.
4. Acceptance by the
local people
along the coast. They expected to benefit in the trading relationship.
5. Constant warfare in the Middle East
especially Persia made Arabs flee to East Africa their survival depended on
trade.
6. The desire to spread
Islam. Traders desired to spread their Islamic religion
that why they made contacts with Africa.
7. Interest to explore
the world.
People from the Middle and Far East, wanted to travel and learn many things
they did not know in the world.
The Major Commodities which were exchanged during the Contact between Africa, Middle East and Far East in early trade
Commodities (export) from Eastern Africa
Ivory, Slaves,
Copper, Cum Copal, Rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells and beeswax
Imports to East Africa
From India-Cotton
clothes, beads and iron implements
From Maldives
Islands-Cowries shells which were used as money and also as ornaments
From China -Silk
clothes, porcelain
From Arab and Persia
-Swords, daggers (weapons), glassware and Persian rugs.
From East Indies
(Malaysia or Spice Islands) - Spices
From Burma and
Thailand - Stone ware i.e. pots and jars
Social effects of contacts between Africa, Middle and Far East
1. Rise of coastal city
states
City state established trade as the basic activities. The coastal city
states were: Kilwa, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Sofala, Lamu, Malindi, Pate and
Zanzibar.
2. Growth and spread of
Kiswahili
Kiswahili language coined many vocabularies from Arabic language. It was
spread in the interior by traders.
3. Development of Arabic
Architecture
In construction of larger building, Arabic architecture were applied. The
building included palaces such as: The Great Mosque which was built by
Al-Hassan ibn Suleiman II at Kilwa about 1320.
4. Introduction of
Arabic culture
Arabic culture such as dressing of Kanzu, bangles and necklaces were
introduced and destroyed African culture which existed before the beginning of
the external contacts.
Economic effects of contacts between Africa and the Middle and Far East
1. It exposed the East
African Coastal area to the outside World
The outside world then, exploited products and raw materials in Africa.
2. Unequal exchange
Traders from Asia exchanged less valuable goods with goods of higher
value such as slaves, ivory and gold.
3. Technological
stagnation
Imported goods retarded the markets of African products that were
produced by African handicrafts and industries.
4. Introduction of
coconuts and cloves
Coconut and cloves were introduced in Zanzibar and other coastal areas.
5. Land alienation
African land were taken by the Arabs. Africans became landless.
6. Slave trade
Africans were taken as slaves to Asia as domestic servants and soldiers
during slave trade.
Contacts with Europe
The Portuguese
The contact between
Africans and Portuguese dates back as far as 15th Century:
The Portuguese led by
Vasco da Gama reached the East coast in 1498.They were the first Western
Europeans to enter the Coast from the South.
The Portuguese
managed to reach this region in their attempt to explore a sea route to India
around the continent of Africa.
Their search for a
sea route was supported by Prince Henry the navigator, the son of King John of
Portugal.
The Commodities which were exchanged during the Contact
The important
commodities involved during the contact included, copper, gold, silver, spices and
ivory from Africa and invaluable goods from Europe such as wines alcohol,
mirrors, glassware etc.
Motives of the Contacts between Africa and the Portuguese
Economic Motives
1. Need to exploit
valuable resources believed to exist in Africa such as gold, silver and ivory.
2. To create a
Portuguese empire in the African coasts.
3. To find a sea route
to India and Far East (famous for Spices) and this was in response the closure
of the land routes to Asia by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
4. Need to monopolise
Indian Ocean trade which for a long period was dominated by Arabs, Chinese,
Indonesians and Indians merchants. The trade was profitable.
Social Motives of the Contacts between Africa and the Portuguese
1. Religious
Portuguese wanted to
spread Christianity in Africa and prevent further spread of Islam in Africa.
2. The
role of Prince Henry the Navigator
The King of Portugal,
Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored and encouraged the Pioneer Voyages.
3. Exploration
At the end of 13th
Century Western Europe had experienced the period of learning new knowledge and
discoveries. This made people start to explore unknown land and sailing
unmapped areas.
Social Impacts of the Contacts between the Portuguese and Africa
1. Introduction
of new crops in Africa
New crops such as
maize and cassava were introduced. Those crops became staple food for many
people in Africa.
2. Introduction
of Portuguese words in Kiswahili language
Words introduced were
such as: meza, leso, gereza and mvinyo.
3. Decline
of Coastal City states
Example of Coastal
City States declined were: Mombasa, Kilwa and Gedi.
4. Insecurity
and loss of properties
This was due to the
frequent conquest resistances and wars.
5. Spread
of Christianity into parts of Africa
The Portuguese spread Christianity through a large part of Africa.
Economic Impacts of the Contacts between the Portuguese and Africa
1. The
decline of Indian Ocean trade
This was because of
diversion of major trade routes through the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The
exposure of Africa to international trade
Africa became known
to Europe and America due to explorations made by the Portuguese.
3. The
decline of gold production in Mwenemutapa (Zimbabwe)
The decline occurred after
development of the conflict between Africa miners and the Portuguese.
4. Tourist
attraction
Building of forts
such as Fort Jesus in Mombasa attracts tourists in Kenya and generates income
for the country.
Reasons for the fall of the Portuguese Rule in East Africa
- Resistances
Coast resistance was
conducted by feudal lords and traders who wanted to protect their political and
economic interests. Many coastal city states which had been under the Arabs
resisted against Portuguese occupation.
- Portuguese
weakness
Portugal was a small
country without enough capital and competent personnel to administer overseas
business.
- Tropical disease
The Portuguese
suffered from tropical diseases like malaria and harsh climatic conditions.
This made the area become unfavorable for the Portuguese settlements.
- Portuguese were
few
The Portuguese were
overpowered by Swahili and Arabs.
- Attacks by the
Zimba and the Segeju
These two ethnic
groups moved around in search for a homeland for themselves. The Zimba moved up
from the lower Zambezi river and killed the people the met on their way. In
1587 they attacked Kilwa and killed many people including the Portuguese to the
extent that Portuguese called them cannibals.
- Support from the
Turkish Sultanate
Coastal Arabs and
Swahili received military supports from the Turkish and Oman Arabs from the Middle
East. In 1585 Amir Ali Bey a Turkish sailor and fighter was sent from the Red
sea down the coast by the Turkish Sultan to plunder the Portuguese property at
the coast.
Finally, the
Portuguese rule over East Africa ended in 1698 when Portuguese witnessed the
fall of Fort Jesus in Mombasa which was their headquarters and one of the
strongest Portuguese garrisons.
Impact of the fall of Portuguese rule in East Africa
1. Shift in the control
of trade
It gave room to Oman Arabs to control the Indian Ocean trade.
2. The Sultan shifted
his capital
Sultan Said Seyyid shifted his capital to Zanzibar.
3. Consolidation and
spread of Islam
With the Christian Portuguese gone, the Arab seized the opportunity to
consolidate their religion on the coastal cities by building mosques and teach
Islam.
4. Portuguese building
were left in ruins
Over time these ruins have ended up becoming historical sites. An example
is the historical site of Fort Jesus Mombasa in Kenya. It is now a tourist
attraction point in East Africa.
Dutch settlement at the cap
The Dutch came from
Holland (Netherlands) and settled at the Cape in Table Bay in April, 1652 under
the leadership of Jan Van Riebeeck.
Sometimes the Dutch
are called Boers, a term which refers to Dutch farmers.
When they settled at
the Cape, they called themselves by the name of Afrikaners that meant the
whites of Africa and over the years developed a language known as Afrikaans.
Dutch owned a trading
company known as United Dutch East India Company (UDEIC). The company had been
doing trade with India and other parts of Asia. At the Cape they traded with
the Khoi Khoi exchanging tobacco and alcohol for cattle after arriving.
Motives of the Dutch settlement at the Cape
1.
Good service station
The Cape had good
harbour where the Dutch East Indian Company ships could stop for refueling and
servicing on their way to India.
2.
Good weather
The Dutch wanted to
settle at the Cape because the area had temperate climatic to support similar
to that in Europe.
3.
Fertile soil
The Cape had fertile
soil which could produce vegetables and fruit for the ships which sailed to
India.
4.
Good resting station
for sailors and travelers
The Dutch saw that
the Cape was a good resting place for sailors and travelers from Europe on
their way to India.
5.
Security
The cape was a good
location for the Dutch to station their troops which would be on guard to
protect their ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
6.
Gate way to the
interior of Africa
The Dutch settled at
the Cape because they thought it was a doorway into the interior of Africa
which was believed to be rich in minerals and other resources.
Effects of the Dutch settlement at the Cape
1.
Enslavement of
Africans
The Dutch East India
Company provided slaves from West Africa and West India to provide labour for
their plantations and livestock. Boers had established large plantations where
they kept animals and grew crops like potatoes, watermelon, pumpkins, pineapple
and cucumbers.
2.
Displacement of
African people
Africans were forced
to move from their normal productive areas to unproductive areas. Hence the
Dutch displaced the native Africans from the fertile areas and took their
livestock by force.
3.
Social segregation
The Dutch thought
themselves superior to Africans, they exploited and mistreated Africans as they
were regarded as stupid, uncivilized and faithless thus, laying the foundation
of racial segregation.
4.
Expansion of
Europeans settlement
Dutch activities led
other Europeans like British and French to come to South Africa. However, the
Dutch population grew dramatically, for example in 1652 Van Riebeeck arrived at
the Cape with a few people, by 1662 the Dutch community had grown to 120 people
and in 1685 the population increased to 150 Dutch families.
5.
The increase of
warfare
There were frequent
wars between the Africans and the Dutch because the Dutch wanted to rule the
Africans and take their land while the Africans demanded freedom. 1779 to 1781,
1789 to 1793 and 1799 to 1803 there were Kaffir wars between the Dutch and the
Xhosa.
6.
Introduction of a new
culture
The Dutch introduced
a new culture to the Africans and ignored the indigenous culture. For example
the new language known as Afrikaans based on the Dutch language and some words
from other languages like Portuguese and Khoikhoi languages was born.
How Africans reacted to the Dutch invasion of their land
Africans did not sit back and watch their land and cattle being taken by
the Boers. Africans waged war against the Dutch invasion of their land. Some
examples of the Africans war against the Boers were:
1. The Kaffir wars or
war of dispossession
This was the war waged by the Xhosa from 1779 when the Boers extended
their settlement to the Great Fish River. In total the Xhosa fought a minimum
of seven wars between 1779 and 1846. The wars aimed at preventing the Boers
from further occupation of the Xhosa land. The first three such wars were
fought in 1779, 1789 and 1803.
The fourth war known as Ndhalambi broke out in 1812, the fifth was known
as Makanda and it was fought in 1819 and the sixth was led by Macomo and Tyali
in 1834. The seventh war occurred in 1846 due to the plight of locusts and poor
harvest in the Xhosa land.
2. The Battle of Vegkop
of 1836
This was a war which was started by the Ndebele under Mzilikazi. They
fought against the Boers in the Orange Free State when the Dutch were moving
Northwards from the Cape. Unfortunately, the Ndebele were defeated because
their weapons were crude and their warriors lacked skills to combat the well
trained and equipped Dutch soldiers.
3. Battle of the Blood
of 1837
This war was waged by the Zulu under Dingane against the Boers settlers
in Natal. Although they killed Piet Retief, the leader of the Boers in Natal in
1837, in the end they were defeated.
On 1838 Zulu fought against Pretorius, a commandant General in Natal. The
Zulu were defeated again and their land was taken by the Dutch.
Slave Trade in the Indian Ocean Sea Board and Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Slave trade refers to
the selling and buying of human beings as commodities. Africa experienced two
types of slave trade.
1. The Indian Ocean
slave trade which was conducted by Asians.
2. The Trans Atlantic
Ocean slave trade conducted by European merchants.
Main peoples involved:
Arab traders,
European merchants, African chiefs e.g. Mirambo and Nyungu ya Mawe, The
Nyamwezi, The Kamba, The Yao, Baganda, Banyoro and Khartoumers.
Reasons for the Expansion of Slave Trade in the Indian Ocean Seaboard from the 18th Century
1. Great
demands for slaves as soldiers and domestic servants in the Muslim nations of
Arabia
Thus the slaves had
to come from non-Muslim regions like the interior of East Africa. There were
major slave markets in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo, Pemba, Kilwa, Mikindani and Mombasa.
2. Slaves
were needed as porters
Slave ferried goods
such as ivory and gold from the interior of Africa to the coast, especially to
the American, Indian and British traders who took part in it.
3. High
demand for slave labour in French sugar plantations in Mauritius and Reunion
Island
Initially the French
depended slaves from Mozambique but by the 1770’s the demand exceeded supply as
a result the French came further North to East Africa in search of slaves.
4.
Demand for labour in
clove plantation in Zanzibar
Slave were needed to
provide cheap labour in the cloves and coconut plantations.
5.
Demand for slave
labour in the Portuguese coffee plantations in Brazil
The demand encouraged
development of slave trade across the Indian Ocean.
6. Demand for slaves to
work in mines and plantations in North America.
Techniques used to get slaves
1. Selling
of domestic slaves
The local chief sold
domestic slaves in exchange for goods like beads, guns and glass. For example, Mirambo
and Isike of Nyamwezi, Nyungu ya Mawe of the Kimbu, Machemba of the Yao, Kabaka
Mutesa of Buganda and Mkwawa of the Hehe.
2. Selling
of criminals, debtors, tax offenders and social misfits
Local chiefs were
selling criminals for example, to the Arab slave traders.
3. Selling
of Prisoners of war
Prisoners of war
could be sold off especially after inter-community wars.
4. Kidnapping
and ambush
For example, porters
were sometimes kidnapped, transported and sold off to the Arab traders. About
ambush, Africans were captured through ambushes during hunting, travelling and
gardening.
5. Raiding
villages
Raiding of villages
would begin at night with gun shots and people would scatter consequently
leading to their capture.
6. Buying
from slave markets
Slaves were acquired
from the main slave trade market in Zanzibar.
Social effects of slave trade on Africa
1. Introduction
of new foods
The food introduced
through trade routes such foods were maize, pawpaw, rice and groundnuts both at
the coast and in the interior.
2. Spread
of Swahili language
This was spread in
land and is now being widely spoken in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Eastern
Congo.
3. Spread
of Islamic religion
Islam as a religion
was introduced by the Arabs and it spread, especially in Yao land and in
Buganda land.
4. Growth
of towns
There was growth of
towns such as Tabora and Ujiji.
5. Depopulation of Africans
The people who would
have great leaders and empire builders were killed. It is estimated that over
15 to 30 millions of people were sold into slavery while millions died in the
process being transported.
6. Diseases broke out among the slaves
For example the
Spaniards introduced syphilis which spread to other traders.
Economic effects of slave trade on Africa
1. The increase of farming plantations
Farming plantations increased in some areas, for example, there was an
increase of slave in Zanzibar where they worked in cloves plantations.
2. Disruption of economic activities
This is because the young and able craftsmen, traders and farmers were
carried off, causing economic stagnation as the economic workforce depleted.
3. There was a decline in production of traditional goods
Traditional goods such as coffee, beans, bark cloth and iron which
greatly hindered the cash economy.
4. The trade routes became permanent routes and inland roads
This led to growth of communication network.
The Psychological Effects of Slavery on Victims
-
Damage
of slave's self-worth
-
Sufferings
due to difficult work
-
Separation
of families and homes
-
Fear
due to unsure about their future, survival and food.
Triangular slave trade
Triangular slave trade also known as Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was trade
which was conducted across the Atlantic Ocean and that involved the three
continents of Europe, Africa and the Americas. It’s called triangular slave
trade because the main destination and the routes of the trade formed a
triangle.
The driving commodity of this trade was: slaves, gold, ivory and palm
oil.
At the beginning of this trade, West Africa were the victims, but later
it spread to other parts of Africa such as Central Africa region.
The trade took place from the 15th up to the 19th
Century A.D.
European participants of this trade were Spain and Portugal during 15th
Century. By the 17th Century, those countries were followed by:
Britain, Denmark, Holland and France.
Merchants from Europe bought guns, clothes, drinks and beads to be
exchanged for slaves, gold, ivory and palm oil in West Africa and some parts of
Central Africa.
Many slaves were obtained between the area of modern Ghana and the
Cameroon. This place was known as slave cost. Some slaves were also obtained
from Angola and Congo.
Origins of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade
Origins of Trans-Atlantic Slave trade in the 15th Century was
linked to:
1. The
rise of capitalism
This mode of
production depended on exploitation of one man by another. Capitalism emerged
in Europe after the decline of feudalism in Europe especially the first stage
of capitalism mercantilism where slaves became part of the commodities to be
traded to accumulate wealth.
2. Discovery
of marine technology
The invention of gun
powder, ship building, compass direction, and motor engine acted as a pushing
force for the rise of slave trade, it facilitated the transportation of the
commodities and slave dealers.
3. The
discovery of the New world
The discovery of the
New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 opened a new chapter as far as slave
trade was concerned it brought high demand of cheap labour to work in the new
plantations in the Caribbean islands.
4. The
inability of indigenous people to provide cheap labour
Diseases such as
smallpox eliminated the natives completely. Native Americans were very
reluctant to provide labour and most of them had been affected with plagues and
war and they were very few in numbers. So Africans were the best alternative,
therefore the rise of triangular slave trade.
5. Climatic
conditions
Climatic conditions of
the New World meant that Africans could easily live there since they were used
to tropical climates and had immunity of tropical diseases more than people
from Europe and Asia. They were able to withstand diseases and conditions of
the New World.
6. The expensiveness of White slaves
Before the mid of
17th century the European mercantilists depended on criminal convicts, contract
laborers and refugees from Europe who proved to be expensive and undependable
compared to Africans who were not paid anything apart from their basic needs
for survival and were slaves for life.
Impact of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa
Social impacts of
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa
Depopulation
Current estimates are
that about 12 million to 12.8 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic
over a span of 400 years.
Separation of families
Some abandoned their
homes due to insecurity, some died while trying to escape and some were taken
away as slaves.
Fear
Fear was due to
frequent wars, raids and ambushes.
Intermarriage
Intermarriage
occurred between the foreigners and indigenous people.
Political Impacts of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa
Decline of states
Some states declined
because they were weakened when their subjects were captured and sold as slaves.
For example, slave trade led to the fall of Congo and Ngongo Kingdom in Central
Africa.
The rise of states
Some strong states
arose due to accumulation of wealth from slave trade. For example, Benin and
Oyo developed because they exchanged slave for clothes, guns and beads which
were used to protect the state.
Economic impacts of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on Africa
- Destruction of
African subsistence economy
- Land alienation
- Decline of
production
- Decline of
handicraft industries
- Accumulation of
wealth by local rulers
Revision Questions
1. Choose the most
correct answer and write the letter in the space provided:
i. Many slaves from
East Africa Interior were taken to:
A. Zanzibar,
Mauritius and Reunion Island B.
Zanzibar
C. Saud Arabia D. Brazil
ii. The following
West African regions had kings who participated in the slave trade:
A. Sudanic zone B. Saharan zone
C. Forest region D. Niger Delta region
iii. The European
countries which participated in Trans-Atlantic trade included:
A. Russia, Austria,
Belgium, Italy and Sweden
B. Spain, Portugal,
Britain, Holland and France
C. Norway, Hungary,
Czechoslovakia and Latvia
D. Estonia, Poland,
France, Spain and Portugal
iv. The slave who
were taken to America and Caribbean Island provided their labour in:
A. Industries which
produced commodities
B. Planters
government
C. Domestic
activities
D. Agricultural
plantations and mines
v. The major European
commodities which were exchanged for slave along the West African Coast
Included:
A. Ivory, gold, iron
and rhinoceros horns
B. Blankets, shirts,
bedsheets and copper.
C. Animal skins, bark
clothes, spices and perfumes
D. Guns, clothes,
soft drinks and beads.
2. Answer the following
short answer questions:
i. Define slave
trade.
ii. List four reasons
which led to the development of Triangular slave trade.
iii. Mention four
methods used to capture slaves.
iv. Give five effects
of slave trade in African societies.
v. Brief explain why
was the slave trade along the West African Coast knows as Triangular trade?
