Africa's Great Civilizations

I first saw this documentary on Channel 11 a few weeks ago. This series explores many of the great civilizations and empires of ancient, medieval---and even contemporary---Africa. Dr. Gates begins by discussing the archaeological evidence for the oldest human remains to be found in Africa, and therefore, the world. He then discusses Egypt and ancient Nubia (in present-day Sudan and South Sudan). We then learn about another ancient Sudanese kingdom of Kush. We also learn about the Nok Civilization. Next, Prof. Gates discusses the Bantu Migration, when the Bantu People spread across Africa and the subsequent rise of the Meroe Empire, a breakaway civilization from Kush founded by Bantu speaking people. We also learn about the ancient empire of Meroe. Next, we learn about the Kingdom of Axum (which encompassed Sudan, Ethiopia, and parts of Egypt). We also learn about the civilizations of Dama in East Africa as well as the Saba/Sheba civilization, which encompassed parts of both the Middle East and East Africa. Next, Prof. Gates discusses the arrival of Christianity in Africa, North Africa in particular---including the fact that the first Christian monasteries by St. Anthony, first amongst---presumably---the Coptic Christians of Egypt, and then amongst other Christian communities in other parts of the world. Next Prof. Gates discusses the spread of Islam in Africa as well as the Muslim conquest of Spain and France. We then learn about the spread of Islam in Africa and the rise initially of the Almoravid sect, and then the Almoravid Dynasty, both a dynasty and sect whose interpretation of Islam was so extreme that it would probably make contemporary extremists blush. Not only does this documentary discuss the conquests of the Almoravids, but also their architectural accomplishments. Next, we learn about the Almohads, another Muslim empire whose interpretation of Islam was even more extreme than the Almoravids, but whose accomplishments were just as amazing. Next, we learn about the Mali Empire of West Africa. Next, Prof. Gates discusses the Ife Empire of Nigeria. Next, we learn about the civilizations of Benin, the Swahili people and their various city-states. We also learn about Great Zimbabwe, as well as the ancient Christian kingdom of Abyssinia (in present-day Ethiopia). This series also discusses the Kingdom of Kongo (of the BaKongo people of Congo (Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola), the African Slave Trade, and the rise of the Kingdom of Sokoto and Gobir kingdoms in West Africa. This documentary also talks about Futa Toro, a breakaway state from the Sokoto empire, as well as the kingdoms of Messina and Tokolur in West Africa. This program also talks about the rise of the Zulu Empire under their most powerful ruler, King Shaka (1787-1828). This documentary also talks about the Luba Empire (in Zambia) and the Lunda Empire (in Angola). It ends with a discussion of how colonialism transformed Africa and how Africa became increasingly industrialized. While it is well known nowadays that humanity originated in Africa, I found it interesting and surprising that even after our ancestors walked out of Africa, most of those people were what we would call Neanderthals, while anatomically modern humans also appeared for the first time in Africa. I also thought that it was interesting that in ancient times, the Sahara was actually not a desert, but was actually lush and fertile and only dried up later. That is interesting to me because I have been to the Sahara. My Mom and I actually went there when she and I went to Egypt over Christmas break in 2008. Counter to the claims of one reviewer, this program does, in fact, discuss ancient Egypt. I found it surprising that during the time of the ancient African kingdom of Kush (in present-day Sudan), human sacrifice was practiced---much like in ancient Sumeria, during the Shang Dynasty of China, and during the time of the Aztec, the Maya, and other civilizations of Mesoamerica. I also found it interesting that after the Egyptians conquered Nubia, the Nubians, rather than abandoning their own indigenous religion, incorporated the ancient Egyptian deities into their own original pantheon. When Prof. Gates was discussing the Nok Civilization, I thought it was interesting that “Nok” was not the actual name of the culture, but rather, the name of the village where archaeologists first discovered the evidence that it had existed. I was amazed to learn that the Kingdom of Meroe, under their powerful queen, Amani Renas, actually repelled the ancient Romans and prevented them from taking over sub-Saharan Africa. It was also interesting that the ancient Sabaean religion had also spread to East Africa from present-day Yemen. I was surprised to learn that the coins minted during the time of King Izana, the first Christian king of the empire of Axum. I also was surprised to learn that the Kebra Nagast was the national epic poem of Ethiopia because it is also the holy book of the Rastafarian religion of Ethiopia and Jamaica, whose followers actually worship Haile Selassie as a god. I was also amazed to learn that---presumably---before they came to the New World, most Europeans got their gold from Africa, presumably by trading with the great sub-Saharan African empires of their time, Ancient Ghana in particular, which, it should be noted, is not just in the country of Ghana, but which encompassed present-day Mali and Mauritania. It was especially cool when Prof. Gates discussed the Almohad Empire and the city of Fez, Morocco, because when I was in college, studying for my Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic World Studies, I actually spent a summer studying Arabic in Fez at a place called the American Language Institute of Fez (ALIF), and when that one professor described the atmosphere of what today is called the Medina of Fez---a term used ever since the colonial era to describe the original part of the city built by the various Muslim dynasties (as distinct from “La Ville Nouvelle” the New City, the modern section)---and talked about the merchants with the donkey carts, I remember having to duck into doorways to get out of the way of various merchants who were selling their wares when they would call out, “Balak!” which in the Fez dialect of Moroccan Arabic, means ‘Watch out!’ I also remember touring the famous mosque and university called the Masjid Qayrouine, the most important mosque in Morocco. I was also amazed to learn that King Mansa Musa (1280-1337) is regarded as the richest man who had ever lived. I thought it was interesting how similar the buildings of the Great Zimbabwe civilization looked a lot like Macchu Picchu in Peru. I was surprised to learn that when Prince Cosimo de’ Medici was being tutored in history as a child, one of the major kingdoms of the world that had been listed by his teachers as one of the great civilizations of the era was, in fact, the Kingdom of Kongo (encompassing the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo (Brazzaville), and Angola). It was also interesting to learn that of all of the Africans shipped to the United States, 24% came from either Congo (Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Angola. Next, we learn about the Kingdom of Dahomey in Benin. I thought it was interesting that women fought in the armies of the Kingdom of Dahomey. In fact, there is a famous book by the British orientalist, explorer, linguist, translator, interpreter, scholar, soldier, poet, ad politician, Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) where he recounts his own experiences in the Kingdom of Dahomey and how he did, in fact, encounter the female warriors of the army of the Kingdom of Dahomey. In case you want to look for it, it is called “A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahome.” I also thought it was interesting that women fought in the “Ibutho” (royal Zulu army).There is, however one mistake in this documentary. Prof. Gates incorrectly states that when the prophet Muhammad and his followers were fleeing persecution in Arabia, they supposedly sought refuge in Axum. They did NOT go to Axum. They went to Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). Prof. Gates also makes the mistake of claiming that Ethiopia was supposedly never colonized. This is incorrect. Sure, Ethiopia might not have been conquered by any other ANCIENT empire, but Ethiopia WAS colonized first by the Italians, and then by the British. This is why English and Italian join Amharic as one of the three official languages of Ethiopia. Regardimg the figurines known as Nkisis (also called Nkondis) used by the BaKongo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo (Brazzaville) and Angola, while it is true that they were probably used to symbolize the authority of the kings of the Kingdom of Kongo during the colonial era, the real purpose of the Nkondi, before, during and after colonialism, was to symbolically indicate that a conflict had been resolved or that a promise had been made or fulfilled. When a BaKongo person would resolve a conflict or keep a promise to someone, he or she would hammer a nail into the Nkondi. I learned this in an interesting video in the Africa exhibit in Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History. That video, by the way, is actually hosted by a friend of mine, a man called Paolo Bombe, who used to own a store in Chicago which sold African artifacts. If you ever go to Chicago, you should go to the Field Museum and go to the Africa exhibit. It is one of my favorite exhibits. The point, though, is, that this was NOT the purpose of the Nkondi (unless, of course, other sub-groups of the BaKongo people used it for different purposes---I am really not sure). To conclude, I would highly recommend this documentary to anyone interested in Africa, or anyone interested history, religion, anthropology, or any other major social science in general. It is probably one of the most fascinating documentary series I have ever watched.

This PBS presentation is a must have for any dvd collection. Whether you are a teacher, student , parent or history buff THIS IS DEFINITELY AN EYE OPENER. Dr. Gates, who narrates and takes you too the different areas shown in the presentation states CLEARLY he had misconceptions or misinformation about many aspects of the role Africa has played in world development.Dr Gates takes you on an astounding journey through history - specifically AFRICA - the deep roots of the beginning of civilization and mankind's journey from the past to the present. Many things we take for granted due to our lack of knowledge and understanding, is brought to light by this PBS presentation The viewer will be amazed at the wealth of information and knowledge contained here we never really learned in school.The photography is incredible. The artifacts showed, the dig sites, the scholars and all participants in producing this program did outstanding work. Also, please remember, portions of the proceeds of purchasing presentations such as this one goes to help PBS continue its programming, in addition to those who donate and support PBS endeavors.

Growing up most of us had no clue about African history. I was told they were primitive people with no art or written language. I never believed it was true and thank you Dr Gates for showing us the real story.

Awsome! We couldn’t tear ourselves away from the screen! These videos should be mandatory viewing in all middle school history classes, especially in urban areas, so that our children can learn their true history.

Henry Louis Gates does it again!!! This is a phenomenal series highlighting cultures we do not learn about in history classes because they teach us about astonishing cultures that pre-date white Christianity.Open your mind and enjoy the journey along the path of human history.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. has done an absolutely fabulous job in creating this superb documentary about Africa's ancient civilizations! I loved every single minute of it! What an education! If you grew up in the so-called 'Western World' you have probably been fed a bunch of lies about the so-called 'dark' continent, and about how backward and ignorant Black People are. First of all, ALL humans originated from Africa. Secondly, many very successful civilizations rose and fell in Africa, way before murdering, thieving white people showed up and did their dastardly deeds, not just in Africa but throughout the entire planet! Thirdly, in spite of being brutally enslaved, exploited and cheated, it was the sweat & blood of millions of Black people that allowed the White cheaters to get rich. Let us never forget that Europe, from AD 476 thru AD 1492, was worse than Syria is today, rife with murder, mayhem, poverty, war and disease. How wonderful to finally realize that Africans and their civilizations were absolutely fantastic, superb, rich, cultured, superior and capable of awesome achievements, at a time when most Europeans were in diapers, stabbing each other in the back and behaving worse than uncultured savages! Thank you Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., for a wonderful and historically accurate portrayal of the truth about Africa! Each and every single person of color should watch this superb documentary, especially each and every single person in Africa. You can rise up again guys. Don't ever forget this truth. And the White cheaters are falling........ and falling fast......... as Asia whips their behinds..... Just remember, it is CHINA that is rebuilding the world right now, while sicko Whites wallow in divorce, drugs, debt, decadence and deception........ and the entire world knows it! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Dr. Gates!

A good review with a history that we know little about. Not as much early information regarding the interior and southern parts as there is in Egypt and countries south of Egypt but this may be a products of who kept written records or who was written about in those early years. Still, there is some very good information about all countries throughout the continent in the last millennia and a great deal of information that I was unaware of regarding the advanced civilizations that had developed throughout the continent before European contact and surprising developments regarding the commercial relationships that developed with both the east and west by nations that established complex trade relationships with African, European and Asian countries. Well worth the purchase price for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about a continent whose history has been largely governed by a European viewpoint.

Excellent documentary ! I recommend it to everyone, for it reveals through the latest discoveries in archeology, ethnology and natural history, the complexity and the longevity of human presence on earth. But it also gives a humbling lesson to all in these dark times of bigotry and racism : we are all of the same animal species, sapiens. And thus we are all equally united by blood and soul as brothers and sisters.

Good information

Very well done. Excellent presentation. Would recommend it to anyone who has a thirst for History.

Very good. Just what I wanted. Very interesting and informative.