African History, Silk & Sea Roads

• Notes on African history, Islam, The Silk Road, The Sea Roads, China, The Mongol Empire, & The Rimlands

African History

• The Sahara Desert's historical environment significantly shaped settlement patterns and cultures in North Africa.
• Rock paintings serve as prehistoric art, offering insights into early human life and spiritual beliefs.
• Axum was an ancient kingdom in Ethiopia/Eritrea, noted for obelisks and early adoption of Christianity.
• Israel’s Ark of the Covenant has ties to the legend of Ethiopian kingship and significance in Jewish and Christian traditions.
• Coptic Christians in Egypt are known for unique traditions and theological developments.
• The Sahara Desert has influenced the climate, culture, and trade routes of North Africa.
• Berbers are indigenous North African peoples traditionally known for nomadic lifestyles and trade.
• Bantu people in Sub-Saharan Africa share linguistic and cultural similarities and spread agriculture through migrations.
• Swahili is a Bantu language with Arabic influences, also denoting the coastal trading culture in East Africa.
• African Pantheism is a belief system that perceives a singular divine spirit present in all aspects of the universe.
• Ethiopia was a prominent ancient kingdom known for its Christianity, trade, and cultural influences.
• East Africa trade cities like Kilwa and Mombasa facilitated trade across the Indian Ocean.
• Ghana was an ancient West African kingdom known as the "Land of Gold" due to its gold wealth and trade networks.
• Mali was a powerful West African empire known for its wealth, culture, and the city of Timbuktu.
• Timbuktu served as a significant center for trade, education, and Islam within the Mali Empire.
• Mansa Musa, as ruler of the Mali Empire, was known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and promotion of Islam and education.

Islam & Sand Roads

• Arabs are a cultural and linguistic group predominantly found in the Arabian Peninsula.
• Bedouins are nomadic Arab tribes traditionally associated with desert life.
• The Kaaba is a sacred shrine in Mecca, central to Islamic worship and pilgrimage in Islam.
• Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam.
• Muhammad is the Prophet and founder of Islam, whose revelations form the basis of the Qur'an.
• The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam, containing the revelations received by Muhammad.
• Hadith is a collection of sayings and actions of Muhammad, used as guidance for Islamic practice.
• Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad in the 7th century CE, centered around the Five Pillars.
• The Five Pillars of Islam include the declaration of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset.
• Shari’a is Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and Hadith, covering personal and governance aspects.
• Islamic Government refers to systems of governance in Islamic states, influenced by religious principles.
• A Caliph is the leader of the Muslim community and successor to Muhammad.
• Jihad means "struggle" or "striving" and can refer to spiritual struggles or warfare for the defense of Islam.
• Abu Bakr was the first Caliph after Muhammad’s death and a close companion of the Prophet.
• The Umayyads were the first great Muslim dynasty and expanded the Islamic empire.
• The Abbasids succeeded the Umayyads and were noted for cultural and scientific advancements.
• Moors in Spain were Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages known for cultural and scholarship contributions.

The Silk Road

• The Kushan Peoples played a key role in trade and the spread of Buddhism in Central Asia.
• Fa Xian was a Chinese Buddhist monk who traveled to India and documented his journey and Buddhism's state.
• The Mauryas were an ancient Indian dynasty that established one of the largest empires in ancient India.
• The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting East and West, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange.
• The Gupta Dynasty represents a classical age in Indian history, known for achievements in arts, science, and philosophy.
• Buddhism transformed adapting to different cultures as it spread across Asia.
• Theravada Buddhism emphasizes on individual enlightenment, while Mahayana focuses on universal salvation.
• Indigenous beliefs were incorporated into Hinduism during the decline of Buddhism.
• The decline of Buddhism in India involved factors including the rise of Hinduism.
• Mahmud of Ghazni was a Turkish ruler known for his invasions of India and patronage of culture.
• Muslim Rule in India: The influence of Islamic empires such as the Delhi Sultanate affected Indian culture and society.
• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion arising in the Punjab region of India, founded by Guru Nanak.

Sea Roads

• Burmese and Thai Migrants influenced Southeast Asian culture and society through migration.
• States of SE Asia are divided into geographic regions which demonstrates socio-economic impacts.
• The Spice Road refers to trade routes for transporting spices and other goods across Asia.
• Majapahit/Java was an influential empire in Southeast Asia known for its trade and cultural richness.
• Chinese Influence significantly impacted Chinese culture and governance on Southeast Asia.
• Indian Influence resulted in cultural and religious impacts on Southeast Asian societies.
• Angkor, Angkor Wat was the capital of the Khmer Empire, noted for its monumental temples and architecture.
• Diverse religious beliefs in Southeast Asia, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.

China

• The Han Dynasty was a significant dynasty in Chinese history known for cultural and technological advancements.
• State Confucianism is the philosophy of Confucianism adopted as the state ideology during various dynasties.
• The Civil Service Exam was a competitive examination system for recruiting officials in the Chinese bureaucracy.
• Pax Sinica denotes a period of peace and stability, allowing for economic and cultural development in China.
• The Song Dynasty was known for economic prosperity and cultural achievements, including advancements in technology and art.
• Women in China's roles and status in traditional Chinese society were influenced by Confucian values.
• Foot Binding was a cultural practice in China that involved tightly binding women's feet to alter their shape and size.
• The Sui Dynasty was a short-lived dynasty that unified China and initiated the construction of the Grand Canal.
• Chang’an was an ancient capital city of several Chinese dynasties, a major cultural and economic center.
• The Grand Canal is an extensive waterway system that facilitated trade and transportation in China.
• The Tang Dynasty represents a golden age in Chinese culture, commerce, and governance.
• Advancements in art, literature, and philosophy marked the "Flowering of Culture" during the Tang and Song dynasties.
• Buddhism was adopted and adapted in Chinese society, influencing culture and philosophy in China.
• Empress Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history, noted for her political acumen and support of Buddhism.

The Mongol Empire

• Pastoral People's lifestyles, economies, and social structures depend on herding and livestock.
• The Xiongnu were an ancient nomadic confederation that engaged with Han China in military and trade.
• Berbers in N. Africa played a role in the cultural and economic landscape of North Africa.
• Genghis Khan was the founder of the Mongol Empire, known for his military genius and expansive conquests.
• Khanates are the divisions of the Mongol Empire that were governed by different leaders after Genghis Khan’s death.
• Khubilai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan who ruled over China and promoted trade and cultural interchange.
• Khanbaliq was the capital city established by the Mongols in China, known today as Beijing.
• Mongol Rule in China impacted Chinese society, governance, and culture.
• The Yuan Dynasty was established by the Mongols in China, marked by significant cultural exchanges and administrative changes.
• Marco Polo was a Venetian traveler who documented his experiences in the Mongol Empire, contributing to European knowledge of Asia.
• The Black Death swept through Europe and Asia in the 14th century, partly transmitted along trade routes established during the Mongol Empire.
• Silk Road Travel experienced patterns and challenges of trade and travel along the Silk Road during the Mongol Empire.

The Rimlands

• The Ainu and other early peoples were the first inhabitants of Japan before significant foreign influence.
• Shotoku Taishi was a key figure promoting Buddhism and centralized governance in the early history of Japan.
• The Chinese Model influenced the adoption of Chinese culture, governance, and philosophies during Japan's early history.
• The Seventeen-Article Constitution emphasizes the importance of Confucianism and centralized authority in early Japan.
• Bakufu is a term for the military government in Japan during the feudal period, often associated with the shogunate.
• A Shogun was the military leader and ruler of Japan, wielding power over the emperor.
• The Shogunate System is a political structure whereby shoguns held power in Japan, leading to feudal control.
• Kamikaze, meaning "divine winds", protected Japan from Mongol invasions during the 13th century.
• Feudalism: Land was exchanged for loyalty and military service which demonstrates the social and political system in Japan.
• Women in SE Asia (Vietnam) have roles and status in Vietnamese society, often differing from surrounding cultures.
• The Climate and Geography of Japan influenced its development.
• Agriculture in Japan: Farming practices and crops shaped Japanese society and economy.
• Shinto is the indigenous spirituality of Japan, centered around kami (spirits) and rituals.
• Zen is a form of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and direct realization
• Satori is the Zen term for enlightenment or awakening, representing a moment of insight into life and reality.
• Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry characterized by its structure of 17 syllables (5-7-5).