African BeginningsThe debut title in the acclaimed From African Beginnings series explores the complex and fascinating history of Africa's most ancient--and advanced--civilizations. Coretta Scott King Award winner James Haskins and Kathleen Benson take readers back in time to visit the kingdoms of Kush, whose black pharaohs ruled Egypt for nearly a century; Ghana, where between A.D. 450 and 1230 more gold was traded than anywhere else in the world; and many others. Lush illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honor artist Floyd Cooper evoke the richly layered heritage of the African continent and its people and how they made a powerful impact on world history. Look for the companion books, "Bound for America" and "Building a new Land," in your local library. |
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Afonso AFRICAN BEGINNING African history African slave agricultural Arab travelers Askia Muhammad Atlantic Axum became began Benin bronze BOUND FOR AMERICA build camels cattle CENTURY A.D. civilization continent copper Egyptians develop empire of Mali Ethiopia Europe European slave trade European traders farming fertile fifteenth flourish Floyd Cooper Grain Coast HASKINS & KATHLEEN homelands important Indian Ocean iron technology Islam James Haskins Jenne Jenne-jeno Kangaba KATHLEEN BENSON PAINTINGS kingdom of Ghana KINGDOM of Kush kings rule Egypt Kongo rulers Koumbi Sala Kushite kings ruled Mandinka manikongo Mansa Musa Meroe music and dance Muslim ruler Sonni natural resources Niger River Nigeria Nile NUMBERS PAINTINGS BY FLOYD pepper Pharaoh Khufu Cheops Portuguese armies defeat Portuguese traders present-day region retained their spirit Rozwi slavery Songhay Soninkes SOUTH OF NUBIA southern Taghaza thousand thrived Timbuktu tombs trade routes traders begin trading center traditions traveled south West African kingdom western Africa World Yoruba Zimbabwe