2. Located southeast of Nubia
Axum Spoke a unique language
called Geez (blending of
African and Jewish cultures)
Traded with Asia and
Europe
Ivory, gold, slaves, animal
skins, cotton, spices,
stones
Converted to Christianity
Problems with Muslims
from North Africa
3. Ethiopia
Expanded from Axum- same location
Christian
Practice some Jewish holidays b/c
Ethiopian kings descended from King
Solomon (a Jew from the Bible)
Ethiopian book called The Glory of the
Kings
King Lalibela-
Built 11 awesome churches carved from
ground level down into the rock
Also spoke the ancient Geez Language
4. Trade shapes Swahili
New culture
Blend of East African and
Arabic
Cultures/Languages
Swahili means “of the
coast”
5. Great Zimbabwe
Located on Limpopo River
Means “stone houses”
Beads from India and porcelain
from China were found in
Zimbabwe showing that
Zimbabwe traded with the far
east
Skilled in jewelry making and
cloth weaving
Decline
Population too large?
Traders from Portugal in search
of gold?