What is the history (as far back as the beginning of time) of Africa and its glo

Question: What is the history (as far back as the beginning of time) of Africa and its global trading networks!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

whoa, good question, is this homework!?

Unfortunately, a lot of history concerning Africa has been overwritten by Europeans!. I have done a little reading on the subject, and I know that the Ashanti tribe from north central Africa moved north and conquered all of the northern part, and since at that time trade with eastern Europe was confined to the northeastern part of the continent, it opened trade to all of the northern region!. the Ashanti then headed toward the southwest and fought the Mandika and integrated the two societies!. Trade flowed from the western coast to eastern Europe and after the Moors headed to Italy and conquer Sicily, trade with western Europe started!. that was the beganing of the end, as he Eastern Europe countries soon began raiding the western parts of Africa and taking slaves!. Slavery was a part of African Cultures, however there Idea of slavery was far different than Europeans Ideas!. African slaves had land, and also could marry into the slaveholders tribe, and at anytime could purchase their freedom!. they were not stripped of their tribal languages nor did they do work that was considered demeaning to their position as male or head of a household!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

LOL!. From the beginning of time!? Would you like that in 50 words or less!?
Come on!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well assuming you mean just sub-Saharan Africa (Not Egypt, Carthage and the rest of the med' coast, and not Moroco) Africa's global trading networks go back a long way!. Ethiopia had strong links with the later Roman Empire and Byzantium aswell as the Arabian Peninsula, parts of which it occupied before the coming of Islam!. Further down the east coast places like Zanzibar traded with Arabia and therefore the med' aswell as with India, early traders taking advantage of the "trade winds"!. West African Kingdoms such as Mali traded across the Sahara becoming very rich and founding great city's like Timbuktu (spelling)!. As for the center and far South I'm not sure although pottery fragments have been found in the Congo River even though the natives did not have or make pottery by the time western explorers fist contacted them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com