HOBBITS LIVED IN AFRICA

Scientist established the extinct “hobbits” are not an early form of modern man, as it was first thought, but another species.

The bones of Homo floresiensis were found in 2003 on the Indonesian island of Flores where it was named after.

A bone study by the Australian National University discovered Homo floresiensis were related to Homo habilis. Homo habilis is an older ancestor of man and lived in Africa 1.75 million years ago.

They were only 3ft 6in tall and resembled hobbits.

Team member Dr Debbie Argue said: “Homo floresiensis was likely a sister species of Homo habilis.”

It is believed that Hobbits lived on Flores until, as recently as, 54,000 years ago and it is after modern humans arrived.

There was even the suggestion they could be linked to myths of the ebu gogo or “hungry grannies”. A hairy 3ft humanoids roaming the forests into the 20th century stealing food and snatching children.

It is even thought that in remoted areas there could still be humans living who developed from Homo floresiensis.

DAVID LIVINGSTONE (1813 - 1873)

David Livingstone was a British missionary and explorer. He achieved more than any other Westerner to change the opinion towards Africa.

In 1841 Mr Livingstone was sent to Bechuanaland which is today Botswana by the London Missionary Society. He was determined to open up Africa to the Western World even if he would perish.

For 15 years David Livingstone travelled across Africa. He was preaching Christianity and at the same time mapped the territories.

By 1842 he travelled farther north into the continent than any other European.

In 1855 he reported the Victoria Fall and his last journey was in search of the source of the Nile. This took him deep into Africa.

In 1865 David Livingstone was reported missing and it caused great anxiety. Henry Stanley was sent by the New York Herald to Africa in search of Dr Livingstone. When he finally found him Henry Stanley said the famous words which went into history "Dr Livingstone, I presume."

He found the ailing explorer at Ujiji near Lake Tanganjika after six years searching for him.
Dr Livingstone survived attacked by lions and local people he finally succumbed to fever. His guides found him kneeling besides the bed as if in prayers. It was at his camp at Chitambo and it is today Zambia.

HAILE SELASSIE EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA AND RASTAFARIAN

           
      
HAILE SELASSIE

Haile .

In 1916 he became Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen and heir to the throne after leading a revolution against the ruler Lij Eysu.

In 1928 he was crowned King and in 1930 Emperor. His constitution limited the power of parliament. However, the constitution failed and Haile Selassie fled to Britain.

From 1935 till 1941 were the Abyssinian War and the occupation by the Italian troops.

In 1941 Haile Selassie regained power with the support of Britain.

In 1974 he was deposed by a committee of left-wing army officers because of social problems in the country which Haile Selassie lost control over.

The Rastafarian religion's belief is that Haile Selassie was the Messiah. Rastafarians are found in Black Africa, Jamaica, USA, Canada and Britain.

Rasta means pride and 'Lion of Judah' was one of Haile Selassie's titles. The lion is part of the emblem for Rastafarians and is symbolic for pride and courage. The thick dreadlocks represent the lion's mane therefore the lion is mentioned many times in songs and poems.

The Rastafarian came from Jamaica from illiterate, dispossessed lower classes in 1930. These people were very poor and had no hope to improve their living standard for themselves and their children. Marcus Garvey started preaching that black people should return to their native Africa. He is regarded as the founder of the Rastafarian's movement.

A major reason for the acceptance of the teaching, amongst other stricken groups, is the concentration on spiritual contentment, hope and deliverance from oppression. However, their belief has no set congregation, no paid clergy and no single clear doctrine of all their beliefs. Therefore, there are variations in beliefs and practice.

Nevertheless, there are six fundamental beliefs:

1) Haile Selassie is the returning Messiah and the living god. -- He was adopted by the Rastafarians as a god and they called him Jah. It is Selassie's name Ras (Prince) and Tafari where Selassie came from, the house of Tafari which gave the religion the name.

2) They also believe that black people are the reincarnation of the ancient Israelites who were exiled to Jamaica. -- To them the word 'Israelite' means the same an Ethiopian. They follow the ways of the Israelites. No cutting, or shaving and have mainly a vegetarian diet. They believe that they were punished by God for their sins into slavery and exiled to Jamaica. Now they believe that God has forgiven them and they should return to Ethiopia but are held back by treachery.

3) White people are inferior to black people. -- The is a teaching from Garvey and refers to his work 'African Fundamentalism'. The idea originated from the days of slaves and slaves trade. However, it meant that not all white people are evil and have to be judge individual.

4) Ethiopia is the land of their destiny, while Jamaica is an inferno of exploitation and repression. -- They believe that they belong to Ethiopia. Since the vast majority come from the deprived areas, they feel that Jamaica has nothing for them. Therefore, they don't want anything to do with Jamaica and only waiting for repatriation to their promised land.

5) The divine Emperor is making arrangements for all Rastafarians to return to Ethiopia. -- They spent their life waiting and hoping for the call to return. In 1966 when Selassi came to Jamaica it was believed that he came to finalize the repatriation. After nothing happened the younger Rastafarians realizing that it will not be and the new independent Jamaica is developing as the land of the Rastafarians.

6) Blacks shall one day rule the world. -- This idea comes from Daniel 2:31-42. They look back to ancient history to support their faith. They also looking back to the time before the European arrive in Africa, as a golden age. Rastafarians believe that whites destroy themselves through war.

Music was always part of the African culture and the Rastafarian movement. They could express their feelings and the dream of returning to Africa. A very famous singer Robert Nesta Marley born in 6 February 1945 brought to the world reggae music. He sang for about 10 years before he became world famous with his album 'Natty Dream' in 1975. His songs were about social injustice but also sang songs about the Rasta god Jah Rastafari. Unfortunately, he was only 36 years old when he died of cancer in 1981. Nowadays, he is regarded as a prophet by his followers.

BOB MARLEY

AFRICA, WHERE HUMANS ORIGINATED FROM

By archaeological proves the birth place of the human race lies in southern and eastern Africa.  There is no doubt and archaeologists are still discovering finds from as far back as 4million and 1.5 million years ago.  At first the ape like creature slowly developed into behaviours and appearances of human beings.  They only spread into Europe and Asia after one million years.

The climate of Africa was ideal to the earliest human’s way of life. Conditions were also ideal to preserve their bones and tools.  Most important archaeological sites are Hadar in Ethiopia; Koobi Fora in Kenya; Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania and Sterkfontein in South Africa. It is not known whether the first human lived in these parts but these sites gave so far the most evidence.

The earliest skeletons found are usually in a very fragmented state. Therefore, it is impossible to guess any physical difference could have been, even within a small population.  They also show a great avariation.  However, experts do agree on one thing that there were two types.

Australopithecus (southern ape) which seems to become extinct because there were no further finds so far.

Homo (man) from which all the races seemed to have developed from.  The first species Homo habilis (handy man) and it thought it was living around 2 million years ago.  They were the first creatures showing evidence of having stone tools. It is not known what they used them for.  Experts were also trying to find out whether these creatures were reaching a stage of social behaviour like food sharing. 

Homo habilis developed into Homo erectus (upright man). It was the hominid to move further from Africa.  Tools also became more useful in Africa as well as in the rest of the world. The tools slowly developed into smaller ones and it is assumed they were attached to handles like arrows and barbs. It is also thought that the bow and arrow was first invented in Africa.  These microliths were used in around 20,000 years ago but had been used already in the extreme south  80,000 years ago.

The microliths were made by people like the modern man.  Homo sapiens sapiens and it is still not known, in spite of great many finds, where and when the came from.  However, the oldest fossil, so far, was discovered in South Africa.  Dating back to about 100,000 years ago.  Genetic evidence established that these could be the oldest skeletons of fully modern people

When people became more responsive to climate changes they spread further.  Between 10,000 and 6,000 BC the Sahara desert was a wet region with lakes and rivers. Before that the Sahara was a dry area as well.  The semi-permanent communities settle there and lived on great supplies of fish and started farming. It was there were the ground was laid for the following African cultures.

ANCIENT EMPIRES IN AFRICA

It is a general belief that empires in Africa, apart from the Egyptian, didn't exist. The main reason for this luck of earlier knowledge is the unknown continent of Africa or the dark continent as it was called. Till the middle of 16th century Africa was hardly visited by Europeans which resulted into this assumption.

For European to visit Africa was only possible by ship and land at one of their natural harbours. These existed only along the Red Sea and some on the east coast. Africa did not have many natural harbours south of the Sahara therefore trade was established across the land. Along the trade routes settlements were built and slowly kingdoms developed. These kingdoms were not known to Europeans because their explorers did not reach them.

There were three ancient kingdoms of West Africa = Ghana, Mali and Songhay - which were based on the trade of goods at that time. The area was rich on gold and slaves. Gold was found and traded from Ashante and Senegal. Slaves were traded from states further south and then taken by Arab traders across the Sahara.

                   AFRICA'S EMPIRES BEFORE THE COLONIZATION

The Arab people are legendary for trade and crossed the Sahara in large groups called caravans. They were the main reason for establishing different cultures and African empires. Most of the empires vanished completely but only one survived till the 20th century - the Ethiopian empire.

The Arabian people also were shipping goods along the coasts of East Africa and the Red Sea. Their style of ships are called dhows were also going down the Nile.

Caravans crossing the Sahara encouraged towns like Timbuktu, Gao and Walata being built and were their resting places. These major centres were then growing in to African kingdoms.

Crossing the Sahara was not only difficult and dangerous because of the very high temperature, sandstorms and starvation but also of the Tuaregs. They attacked the caravans for their precious goods of gold, ivory, gum, spices, salt and slaves.

These trade routes brought Christianity and then later on Islam. Islam spread right across Africa. Islam also brought a rich tradition of art and learning. Knowledge was encouraged in the universities of the Mali and Songhay empires.

The goods were sold in Mediterranean countries and the Near East. On their return journeys they brought back the vital salt and woollen and other luxurious goods from Europe. These riches brought a life style not known before. By the end of the Middles Ages the Christian Europe and the Muslim Middle East were thriving because of the African Gold.

The kingdom of Benin started at the 14th century and was at its glory in the 15th century. The City of Benin had walls 40km long. The people became famous for their art. A beautiful ivory mask was discovered which was made for one of the kings of Benin.

Two kings became famous for their splendour and their kingdoms. They were Mansa Mus of Mali and Sonni Ali of Songhay. Their name carried through Islam and Christendom. Their walled cities Timbuktu and Jenne had a very lively trade of all nations. The universities became famous and attracted scholars and poets from all over the world.

Mansa Musa, the king of Mali was so wealthy he gave away so much gold on the way of a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 it effected the economy in Cairo.

The kings and emperors ruled both by military force and keeping on the right side of the local leaders. These were the royal judges and royal bureaucracies for taxes and control of trade. The kings and emperors were aware that these local leaders were the backbone of their prosperity.

The empire of Knem-Borno grew alongside Lake Chad in the Middle of Africa. It prospered because of the eastern trade route. It started in the 11th century but reached their peak in the 16th century under the rule of King Idris.

South of Africa the kingdom of Zimbabwe flourished between 13th and 15th century. Their riches came from their gold mines and trading with Arabs along their coast and through the port of Sofala.

EVIDENCE OF EARLIEST MANKIND

Evidence shows that Mankind crossed on the Southern Dip from Africa
about 125,000 years ago

Scientists, Archaeologists and historical evidence believe and show that mankind evolved in Africa about 2 million years ago. However, there is a lot of assumption from the few archaeological finds.

This is a period from the beginning of humans in Africa to the end of the recent Ice Age which was about 10,000 years ago.

It is assumed that by 8000 BC a few million people were living in small communities across the continent. A glimpse into prehistoric Africa gave the knowledge that they used stone and bone tools when hunting animals and gathering plants. It did not leave us with a better picture how these people really lived.

There never was an Ice Age in Africa like on the rest of the world. It still had an influence on the climate. 

The Sahara had rainfall before it was barren. The rainfall created lakes, forest and grasses. This encouraged elephants, lions and other animals to move there. Prehistoric rock paintings and carvings were found showing evidence of these animals existed there. The earliest rock paintings show only animals and hunting scenes. Later pictures, around 6000 BC, show herding agriculture in the region.

These new inhabitants still had their hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

However, as the lakes and rivers started forming, their way of life also started to change. They started to fish and developed fish-hooks as well as harpoons. Since their food came from more or less around the same place they started to build huts.

AGRICULTURE

Around 8000 years ago inhabitants in the Sahara and Nile Valley started to domesticate wild animals. They succeeded with cows and soon went with their herd from place to place. At the same time of this development agriculture began. They cultivated crops and were influenced by Mesopotamia, today's Iraq.

It spread along the river Nile from Egypt to Ethiopia. In this region there was mainly barley and wheat. It is assumed that they learned farming from the Egyptians.

They grew native African crops like millet, sorghum and rice. In the south and west they grew cereals, yams, bananas and oil palm fruits.

SAHARA RETURNS TO DESERT

Around 3500 BC the dessert returned to Sahara and the people moved south and east.

By 2000 BC, it appears, they were herders and went from pasture to pasture in the region of modern Kenya.

However, it took another 3000 years till they reached the far south of Africa. The slow progress was due to thick woodlands in the south. Another cause was the tsetse fly in this area which causes a serious cattle disease called nagana.

Even agriculture was not developed there till about 1500 years ago.

Some of the ancient tribes moved north when the Sahara turned into a desert. Tribes headed as far as the Mediterranean coast. Other tribes moved from oases to oases in the Sahara. Most of these people spoke Berber and eventually were known as Berbers.

By around 1000 BC a regular trading route was established through the Sahara. They carried goods from the north and west of the continent. At first they used to use horse-drawn chariots to transport their goods. However, as the desert climate became more established camels from Arabia were used.

From around 4000 BC a great civilization developed in the north-east, the ancient Egyptians. All along the mighty river Nile the Egyptians established themselves and goods were transported all the way to Nubia.

A Kingdom of Kush established itself in about 2000 BC but the Egyptians conquered those 500 years later.

In 759 BC, the King Kashta defeated the Egyptians and for another 100 years Kushite pharaohs ruled Egypt. The next two kings Piankhy and Shabaka pushed further north and their powerful kingdom reached the Mediterranean coast.

A great change came when the Assyrian Armies marched into Egypt from the Middle East. They conquered several regions of the Kushites. 

The Kushites moved back to the south to their original homeland. The capital was Napata.  In the 5th century BC they even moved further south to the new capital Meroe. From there they established a flourishing culture with farming and iron-working. They established trade routes to Africa, Middle East India and China. Their culture had its peak around 300 BC but went into decline in 200 AD.

In 320 AD Kush was conquered by Axum, a Christian trading kingdom whose homeland was Ethiopia.

Over the next hundreds of years the people used stones, bones and wood to make their tools. However, around 4000 BC, the Egyptians started to use the first metal which was copper. After another 1000 years they discovered to melt in tin with the copper and produced bronze. Maybe some West Africans also used copper but most of the other tribes went from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

IRON AGE

The Hittites of Anatolia - today's Turkey - and Syrians discovered how to melt iron in 1500 BC.

However, this did not spread across to North Africa till several hundreds years later. Eventually the knowledge spread down the Nile to Egypt and then to Meroe. 

The other route came through the Sahara to the west and it came there by 5th century BC.

The first culture which mastered iron-works was the Nok. They made not only iron tools but sculptured heads made form terracotta. It was a successful culture till including the early AD.

The Bantu-speaking tribes lived in West Africa. They made iron tools from the 5th century BC till 5th AD. To begin with they were farmers and their agricultural skills spread at the same time. These iron tools enabled them to cut through impenetrable forests. Therefore, the people in the south were able to learn a different life style. Until such time they were hunters/gatherers.

By 1000 AD across whole Africa the people were making tools from melted iron and farming. There were also small villages and town being built and complex societies emerged.

Only in the south-west the tribes were still hunting and gathering.

In the north, through the Arab invasions in the 7th century AD the trans-Sahara trade was established and constantly increasing.

After that the great African empires of the Middle Ages emerged.

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