Written Assignment 3 Answer two of the three questions that follow. 1. Compare and contrast early social systems of Egypt, Aksum, and the inland Niger Delta. Offer ideas on the possible transmission/transference of culture among these civilizations. 2. Long-distance trade routes and the development of centralized states in the Sahel are directly related. Describe this relationship and the resulting development of forced labor systems. 3. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the continent experienced the entrance of several external peoples, cultures, and influences. Describe this influx. Identify major groups; cultural ideas, norms, and intentions of these groups; and how the groups influenced indigenous activity.

Question 1: Compare and contrast early social systems of Egypt, Aksum, and the inland Niger Delta. Offer ideas on the possible transmission/transference of culture among these civilizations.

Early Social Systems:

1. Egypt:

   • Government and Structure: Ancient Egypt was a centralized state with a strong bureaucratic system and a theocratic monarchy. The Pharaoh was considered a divine ruler, and the social hierarchy was rigid, with priests, nobles, and officials below the Pharaoh, followed by soldiers, scribes, merchants, artisans, and farmers.
   • Economy: The economy was based on agriculture, facilitated by the Nile River, which provided fertile land for crops. Trade was also significant, with Egypt trading gold, papyrus, linen, and grain.
   • Religion: Religion played a central role in Egyptian society, with a pantheon of gods and elaborate rituals and temples.

2. Aksum:

   • Government and Structure: Aksum was a kingdom in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. It had a monarchy that controlled a centralized state with a sophisticated administration.
   • Economy: Aksum was a major trading empire, known for its involvement in the Red Sea trade network, connecting Africa with India and the Mediterranean. The economy was based on agriculture, trade, and the minting of coins.
   • Religion: Initially polytheistic, Aksum adopted Christianity in the 4th century, which became a central aspect of its identity and influenced its culture and architecture.

3. Inland Niger Delta:

   • Government and Structure: The inland Niger Delta, home to early civilizations like the Mali Empire, had more decentralized political structures compared to Egypt and Aksum. Leadership often consisted of kings or chiefs who governed various city-states or regions.
   • Economy: The economy was heavily based on agriculture, fishing, and trade. The region was part of significant trans-Saharan trade routes, trading gold, salt, and other goods.
   • Religion: The religious landscape was diverse, including indigenous beliefs and later, the spread of Islam, which played a crucial role in shaping the region's cultural and educational development.

Transmission/Transference of Culture:

Cultural transmission among these civilizations likely occurred through trade, conquest, and migration. Trade routes connecting Egypt with sub-Saharan Africa facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. For instance, the spread of ironworking from Meroe (in modern Sudan) might have influenced both Aksum and the Niger Delta. Additionally, the adoption of Christianity by Aksum and Islam by the Mali Empire shows how religious ideas spread along trade routes, influencing local cultures and social systems.