As discussed earlier, the ancient African was surrounded by many influential geographical features. Their social organisation and ways of life, including where they settled, the type of buildings put up, their mode of dressing, their food and even their occupations, were influenced by their geographical features. What is the name of your community or town? Why did your great-grandparents settle there? Was it the presence of water or food? Was it for security purposes or for fertile land?
Just as some of these factors influenced our great-grandparents to settle in our hometowns, so did the geographical features and ecosystems of Africa influence and shape ancient African societies.
Let us now take time to discuss how these geographical features influenced them:
Promotion of Agriculture
The rich forests and valleys provided the ancient African with fertile lands for farming. For example, the Nile River Valley provided fertile land for agriculture. Ancient Egyptian civilisation flourished along the Nile due to its ability to support agriculture and sustain settlements. Similarly, the Niger River Valley in West Africa supported civilisations like the Mali and Songhai Empires due to its fertile soils and access to water. The rich biodiversity of Africa supported the domestication of plants and animals that led to the development of agricultural societies. Again, crops like sorghum, millet, and yams were domesticated in various regions of Africa leading to the growth of societies.
Promotion of Trade.
The large deserts and coastlines promoted trade among Africans. Since there were different natural resources in ancient Africa, there was the need for the exchange of goods and services. The coastlines and the deserts provided access routes for the people to transport goods like slaves, textiles, gold, ivory, and salt from the north to sub-Saharan and from sub-Saharan to the north.
The coastlines also promoted maritime trade and interaction with other civilisations, such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. For instance, the Swahili Coast served as a vital link connecting Africa to Indian Ocean Trade. Coastal cities like Kilwa succeeded through trade and cultural exchange.
Migration
The ancient African societies experienced a lot of climate change. This led to movement from their original homes to their present settlements. Thus, climatic changes like lengthy periods of drought and rainfall influenced ancient African settlement patterns.
Human Settlements
Geographical features provided a safe and comfortable environment for human settlements. The Great Rift Valley was ideal for human settlement due to it fertile soils, water resources, and diverse ecosystems for farming, fishing, pastoralism, and trade. Areas like the Nile Delta offered rich soil for agriculture, which supported larger populations and led to the growth of settlements. The rivers and lakes provided fresh water for drinking, farming, and fishing which were essential for sustaining life. Mountainous regions like the Ethiopian Highlands, for instance, provided shelter to the Axum people and later served as a centre for the spread of Christianity.
Provision of Security
Another area where geographical features shaped the lives of ancient Africans was in the provision of security. The mountains and plateaus provided natural barriers that protected the ancient communities against invasions from enemies. The cooler climate in the highlands also protected the people against diseases like malaria since mosquitoes do not thrive in cold climate. This eventually promoted healthy living conditions which contributed to the security of the ancient communities.
Provision of Biodiversity and Natural Resources
Africa’s diverse ecosystems provided valuable resources for ancient societies, including timber, minerals, and wildlife. The presence of mineral resources like gold and iron ore led to the development of mining and trade, which attracted people to settle nearby. Again, the exploitation of these resources often shaped economic and political systems, as seen in the gold trade of the ancient Kingdom of Ghana or the ivory trade in East Africa.