The History Of Africa.

New Africa is rising, claiming the title of the youngest median population in the world, with an average age of around 20 years old, compared to other continents that sit at over 30. It is also the second largest continent globally, and yet it has been often overlooked in history. Africa is home to over three thousand ethnic groups and over two thousand languages, deserving more recognition and exploration. We encourage you to view this video as a stepping stone to delve into more advanced topics.

Fossils scattered throughout the African landscape provide researchers with vital information. They serve as a means to trace back our human lineage to over 7 million years ago. Our own species, Homo sapiens, began to emerge a mere 350,000 years ago, embarking on a migration known as the "out of Africa" migration approximately 50,000 years ago, spreading humans across the globe.

The Sahara, once lush and green, experienced a drying period that began around 5000 BCE, intensifying due to a shift in the Earth's axis around 3500 BCE. Eventually, it transformed into the desert we see today. This environmental change compelled early humans to abandon the Sahara and settle in the Nile Valley. Prior to the development of agriculture, hunter-gatherers started domesticating animals such as cattle, donkeys, and goats.

The Nile Valley would eventually become Egypt, one of the few regions in the world to independently develop a writing system. Around 3100 BCE, Egypt witnessed the rise of its first pharaoh, marking the beginning of one of the longest-lasting civilizations in history. Egypt would later fall under the rule of the Achaemenid Empire of the Persians. However, in 322 BCE, Alexander the Great, hailed as a liberator, not only conquered Egypt but the entire Persian Empire as well. Following Alexander's death, Egypt came under the rule of the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty.

During this period, another North African power rose to prominence—the Carthaginians, based in Carthage. Originally settled by Phoenician settlers from Tyre, they would come to be known as Punics. These Mediterranean traders rivaled the might of Rome, leading to their eventual downfall as Rome utterly destroyed the Carthaginian civilization.

Later, under the Roman Empire, the region became known as the province of Africa Proconsularis. Notably, Septimius Severus, who was of half-Punic descent, became the first Roman emperor of African origin. The first century CE witnessed the spread of Christianity in Africa, particularly in regions close to Judea like Egypt, Nubia, and the Aksumite Empire.

In the 600s, Islam swept through North Africa. The Berbers, living west of Egypt, embraced the new faith, and it began to spread southwards through trade routes in West Africa. It is believed that the Mande-speaking peoples in West Africa independently discovered agriculture and established numerous urban centers like Dhar Tichitt and Walata. To the east, the city of Jenne-Jeno was settled around 300 BCE and grew to become one of the most important urban centers in sub-Saharan Africa, located in present-day Nigeria.

Around 1500 BCE, the Nok culture thrived, creating impressive terracotta figures of humans and animals. Unlike Europe, Africa did not have a period comparable to the Middle Ages. However, from the 800s to 1700s, relative stability existed in various regions. The San people, also known as the Bushmen, lived decentralized hunter-gatherer lifestyles in Southern Africa. In Central Africa, Bantu speakers expanded throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. Among them, the Swahili people established trading towns along the eastern coast.

West Africa, particularly the Sahel region, witnessed the rise of prominent kingdoms and empires. These African powers amassed wealth through trading routes across the Sahara. In addition to the older Ghana Empire and Kanem-Bornu Empire, the Mali Empire gained significant fame due to the wealth accumulated by Mansa Musa. After the Mali Empire fragmented, Sunni Ali took control and founded the Songhai Empire in the 1400s, which became the largest empire in Africa. Islam became the official religion of the Songhai Empire.

In North Africa, tribal confederacies from Arabia migrated westward into Berber lands, resulting in a fusion of cultures as the Berbers became Arabized. Slavery was already present in Africa, with the trans-Saharan slave trade, the Swahili coast trade, and the Barbary Coast. However, between the 15th and 19th centuries, slavery reached new heights with the Atlantic slave trade. Europeans forcibly transported up to 12 million Africans to the Americas as slave labor. In the 1800s, with the decline of the slave trade and the presence of Royal Navy patrols along the coast, West Africa shifted towards more legitimate markets. The Ashanti Empire and the Kingdom of Dahomey, which played significant roles in the slave trade, focused on timber, gold, palm oil, and other commodities.

In the late 19th century, European powers turned their attention to Africa, engaging in the Scramble for Africa. This period saw the colonization and partitioning of the continent by European nations, resulting in the establishment of colonial rule over African territories. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 formalized the division of Africa among European powers, disregarding the existing ethnic, cultural, and political boundaries.

Colonialism had a profound impact on Africa, both positive and negative. On one hand, it brought new infrastructure, education, and modern systems of governance. On the other hand, colonial rule exploited African resources, disrupted local economies and societies, and imposed cultural assimilation. Nationalist movements began to emerge in the early 20th century, seeking independence and self-determination.

Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957, followed by a wave of decolonization across the continent. Prominent leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, and Julius Nyerere led their respective countries to independence. However, the process was not without challenges, as many newly independent nations faced political instability, ethnic tensions, and economic struggles.

Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Africa experienced various political developments and social changes. The struggle against apartheid in South Africa led to its dismantling in the early 1990s and the eventual election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president in 1994. Civil wars and conflicts erupted in several countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sudan, resulting in significant humanitarian crises.

In recent years, Africa has made significant progress in various areas. Economic growth has been notable in countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, among others. The telecommunications sector has seen tremendous advancements, with mobile phone usage expanding rapidly across the continent. The African Union, established in 2002, aims to promote unity, cooperation, and development among African nations.

Nevertheless, Africa still faces numerous challenges. Poverty, inequality, corruption, and political instability persist in many countries. Healthcare systems struggle to provide adequate services, and diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Ebola have taken a toll on the population. Climate change poses additional threats, with desertification, droughts, and extreme weather events affecting vulnerable communities.

Despite these challenges, Africa's potential is undeniable. It is a continent rich in resources, cultural diversity, and human capital. There is growing recognition of Africa's importance on the global stage, with increasing investments and partnerships focused on sustainable development. African countries are striving to strengthen governance, promote economic diversification, and invest in education and healthcare.

In conclusion, Africa's history is complex and diverse, encompassing ancient civilizations, colonialism, independence struggles, and ongoing efforts for development. The continent's future holds great promise, and it is crucial for the international community to support sustainable growth and empower African nations to overcome challenges and unlock their full potential.