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Themes in African History

The development of agriculture marked the beginning of African civilization. For centuries, humans in Africa relied on hunting and gathering but as populations grew, people developed agriculture around 12,000 years ago by domesticating crops like millet, sorghum, yams and beans. This led to steady food supplies and growing populations and settlements. Ancient Egypt relied on agriculture along the Nile River, developing irrigation systems that resulted in food surpluses and advanced societies. West African empires like Ghana also grew based on agricultural surpluses that supported trade, governments, and armies. Agriculture continues to be important for African civilizations by enabling urbanization, trade and industrialization over 3000 years of practice.

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185 views2 pages

Themes in African History

The development of agriculture marked the beginning of African civilization. For centuries, humans in Africa relied on hunting and gathering but as populations grew, people developed agriculture around 12,000 years ago by domesticating crops like millet, sorghum, yams and beans. This led to steady food supplies and growing populations and settlements. Ancient Egypt relied on agriculture along the Nile River, developing irrigation systems that resulted in food surpluses and advanced societies. West African empires like Ghana also grew based on agricultural surpluses that supported trade, governments, and armies. Agriculture continues to be important for African civilizations by enabling urbanization, trade and industrialization over 3000 years of practice.

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Mount Kenya university

School of education

Unit name. Themes in African history

Unit code bhu 1108

Cat 1

The development of agriculture marked the beginning of African civilization.Discuss.(15mks)

The Development of Agriculture Marked the Beginning of African Civilization


Agriculture played a significant role in the origin and development of African civilization. For centuries,
human societies in Africa have relied on hunting and gathering activities to meet their food
requirements. However, as the population grew, people had to find other ways of obtaining food,
leading to the development of agriculture. This essay explores how the development of agriculture
marked the beginning of African civilization.

Origins of Agriculture in Africa


The origins of agriculture in Africa can be traced back to the Neolithic period, which started around
12,000 years ago. During this period, people shifted from hunting and gathering to farming and animal
husbandry. They domesticated crops like millet, sorghum, yams, and beans, which were well-suited to
African environments. As a result, agriculture provided a steady supply of food, which led to the growth
of human populations and the establishment of settlements.

Agricultural Revolution in Ancient Egypt


Ancient Egypt is one of the oldest African civilizations that relied on agriculture as its primary source of
food. The cultivation of crops like wheat and barley, using the Nile River for irrigation, led to an
agricultural revolution. The Egyptians built an extensive system of canals and dams, which allowed them
to control the flow of water and irrigate their crops. This, in turn, led to surpluses in food production,
allowing the people to pursue other activities like trade, art, and science.

Agriculture and the Rise of West African Empires


The development of agriculture also played a crucial role in the rise of West African empires. For
example, the Ghana Empire, which spanned from the 6th to the 13th century CE, was built on
agricultural surpluses. The empire controlled the trans-Saharan trade routes and used the wealth
generated from trade to invest in agriculture. The surplus food production allowed for the creation of a
complex centralized government, specialized labor, and an army. The empire's fall was due to changes in
trade routes and the spread of Islam in the region.
Agriculture, Urbanization, and Industrialization
As African societies grew and evolved, agriculture continued to be a critical driver of civilization. The
growth of cities, trade routes, and industrialization would not have been possible without the
development of agriculture. Regions like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia have a rich history of agriculture
and horticulture, with practices dating back over 3000 years. Agricultural innovation has led to the
development of high-yielding crop varieties and livestock breeds that are well-suited for African
environments.

Conclusion
The development of agriculture marked the beginning of African civilization. It enabled people to settle
down, build communities, and sustain their populations. Over time, agriculture played a key role in the
rise and fall of African empires, the growth of trade, commerce, and industrialization. The success of
African societies has been intertwined through history with the success of agriculture, which remains
central to the lives of African people today.

References

Beswick, J. (2018). Becoming West African: farming and food in the Ghana empire. Oxford Research
Encyclopedia of African History,1-24.

Clark, J. D., &Brandt, S. A. (Eds.). (1984). From hunters to farmers: The causes and consequences of food
production in Africa. Univ of California Press.

Mann, C. C. (2011). 1493: Uncovering the new world Columbus created. Knopf.

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