Background

Greetings, dear students, to an exciting project that takes you on a fascinating journey through ancient African kingdoms: Kush, Axum, and Ghana. These kingdoms, which flourished at different periods between 1070 BCE and 1235 CE, occupy a unique position in historical studies, each significantly contributing to the rich tapestry of human history.

The kingdom of Kush, spanning from 1070 BCE to 350 CE, was an ancient civilization located south of Egypt in the area that is now Sudan. It was renowned for its plentiful gold mines and warrior queens. The Axumite Empire, which lasted from 100 CE to 940 CE, was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world at the time, known for its ingenious architecture and writing systems. Finally, the kingdom of Ghana, emerging around 300 CE and lasting until 1235 CE, was famously known as the “land of gold” due to its wealth and influence on the global economy of the time.

Studying these ancient kingdoms is essential for understanding both African and global history. Unfortunately, these civilizations are often neglected in traditional school curricula, resulting in a distorted and incomplete understanding of world history. Moreover, exploring these kingdoms provides valuable insights into trade, politics, religion, and culture in distinct periods and regions, challenging many persisting stereotypes about Africa.

Furthermore, studying ancient African history allows us to see a more complete picture of our humanity and our shared story. Africa, after all, is the cradle of humankind, and it is essential that we understand its ancient civilizations in order to fully grasp our journey as a species.

To aid you in your exploration of this topic, here are some credible sources for your reference:

1. "Africa: A History Denied" by Basil Davidson is an excellent introduction to African history, including the study of the kingdoms of Kush, Axum, and Ghana.

2. The Encyclopedia Britannica has detailed and well-researched articles on each of these kingdoms, which can be found at the following links:

   • Kush
   • Axum
   • Ghana

3. The YouTube Channel "African History" offers several videos on the topic, including one dedicated to each of these kingdoms. The links to the videos are:

   • Kush
   • Axum
   • Ghana

Enjoy exploring these vital chapters of our shared history!

Project: "Journey Through Ancient African Kingdoms: Kush, Axum, and Ghana"

Project Goal

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of the civilizations of Kush, Axum, and Ghana by exploring their histories, cultures, economies, and geopolitical relationships. Throughout the project, students will research, discuss, and present their findings, working in groups of 3 to 5 members.

Detailed Project Description

Teams will be encouraged to explore questions such as:

• What were the key characteristics of each of the kingdoms?
• What was daily life like in the civilizations of Kush, Axum, and Ghana?
• What were some of the notable achievements of these kingdoms?
• How did these kingdoms influence and were influenced by other civilizations of the time?

Students will have the opportunity to apply and enhance various skills, including research, critical analysis, teamwork, and communication.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Poster materials (poster board, colored markers, etc.)
• Video recording device (smartphones are acceptable)

Step-by-Step Project Guidelines

1. Group formation: Each group should consist of 3 to 5 students. Once the groups are formed, each group should select which of the three kingdoms (Kush, Axum, or Ghana) they would like to research.

2. Research: Students will research their chosen kingdom using the sources provided in the introduction of this project and any other credible sources they can find. Research should include, but is not limited to, the kingdom's geography, economy, politics, culture, significant contributions and influences, and eventual decline.

3. Poster: After their research, students will create a poster that visually represents their findings. The poster should be creative, colorful, and informative, with clear sections for each of the topics they researched.

4. Video presentation: In addition to the poster, students will create a 10-minute video presentation discussing their findings. The presentation should be well-organized, with each group member contributing equally.

5. Written report: To conclude the project, students will write a report that follows this report format containing the following sections:

   • Introduction: Students should provide context about the kingdom studied, its relevance and place in the ancient world, and the aim of this project.
   • Development: Students should elaborate on the content behind the project's central themes, explaining the activities in detail, indicating the methodology used, and finally presenting and discussing the results.
   • Conclusion: Students should wrap up their work by revisiting their main points, explicitly stating what they have learned, and providing any conclusions drawn from the project.
   • Bibliography: Students should list the sources they consulted to complete the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The final deliverables for this project are the poster, the video presentation, and the written report. Students should submit all three components by the end of the project week, along with a self-assessment of each team member's participation.

Through these activities, students will have the chance to engage with the content in a deep and meaningful way, while also honing vital skills like teamwork, time management, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.