Written Assignment 3 1. Comparison and Contrast of Early Social Systems of Egypt, Aksum, and the Inland Niger Delta

Written Assignment 3 1. Comparison and Contrast of Early Social Systems of Egypt, Aksum, and the Inland Niger Delta

Similarities
The method of the ruling was hierarchical in Egypt, Aksum, and the inland Niger Delta
civilizations. For instance. In Egypt, the pyramid-like system of rule placed the gods at the top of
the pyramid (Connah, 2001). The gods were supreme rulers of the universe. The priests and the
nobles were just below the gods in the pecking order, and they ruled the government. The
soldiers, scribes, artisans, slaves, and servants were below the government rulers. In Aksum
civilization, Kings were in the topmost part of the hierarchy. Below the kings in the hierarchical
order were nobles who acted as King's assistants in ruling the land (Connah, 2001). Other
members of society occupied the lowest part of the hierarchy. The social system was also similar

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in the Inland Niger Delta, where the kings and nobles ruled the government, and other people
were servants. They occupied the lower level of the hierarchy. 
Egyptian civilization was mainly rooted in science, art, architecture. The Great Pyramid
and the Sphinx in Giza were examples of the appreciated and honored architectures in the Egypt
civilization. Their concentration in art and science contributed to good health and perfect
planning since they were able to discover the treatment for injures and architectural plans that
contributed to the building of pyramids and arts appreciated worldwide (Connah, 2001). In the
Aksum civilization, agriculture, trade were the primary source of economic activity that
contributed to the kingdom's stability and peace in society. The kingdoms depended on
agricultural products such as wheat, barley, cattle, camels, and sheep formed the affluence in the
political hierarchy. The gold trade led to class differences witnessed in this kingdom as gold
traders were perceived as people on the top ranking (Connah, 2001). Inland Niger Delta
civilization depended on farming to create stability in their kingdom and social hierarchy. 
Differences
Possible transmission and transference of cultures across the two civilizations
Trade was the primary factor that led to the transmission of culture among the three
civilizations. Egyptians perceive the Aksumis and Inland Niger delta occupants as sources of
luxurious items, slaves, and agricultural commodities. The situation led to improved agriculture
and trade in Egyptian civilization (Connah, 2001). Ivory, Emerald, gold, tortoise shells were
examples of commodities exported to Egypt by Aksumis. The situation led to the adoption of art
skills from Egyptians. Inland Niger delta adopted architectural skills from Egyptians to shape
their farming blades. 
3. An influx of People, Culture and norms in Africa in 16th and 17th Century

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Arab slave traders, Portuguese, the Netherlands, English Merchants, and French colonies
were the significant people who explored Africa, promoted novel cultures and influenced
African people's lifestyle and social system. Trade and exploration of the African resources were
the major factors that created a motive towards the influx of the mentioned cultures into Africa. 
Arab slave traders
Arabs were mainly interested in slaves and the exposure of the Muslim religion to
Africans. Since religion was spreading and exposing the Africans to different religions such as
Muslims contributed to supremacy among the explorers, Arabs spread of Muslim faith was an
ideology towards cementing their stance in the African continent (Pakenham, 2015). Timbuktu
formed an integral Islamic territory. The acquisition of the Islamic culture contributed to an
understanding of the Muslim doctrines and the vast spread of Islamic culture in African
countries, mainly in the coastal parts such as Mozambique.  
Portuguese
Portuguese exploration changed the belief in religion from the traditional worshiping of
gods to Christianity. It also contributed to the slave trade, a case that created class divisions,
transitioned African culture to the European way of life that involved belief in hell, and the
abolition of chieftaincy in countries such as Mozambique, Senegal, and Cape Verde (Pakenham,
2015). The Portuguese explorers' primary intension was to spread Christianity, obtain and
discover islands, and created the perceived sophisticated ruling system that involved adherence
to set laws and organized political structures. 
English Merchants and French colonies and the Netherlands
All these cultures promoted the slave trade, a situation that led to class division, tension,
and an art of war in the scramble for Africa. The slave