03.02 Big Picture Africa Assessment

Aksum

Axum (Askum) is located due north of Ethiopia, and the origins of Axum are from ethnic African people. Axumite kings developed their own currency and were known to use coins past the tertiary century CE. They too used their own language known every bit Ge'ez. All official records were maintained in this linguistic communication. The Axumite masons were very famous for building churches, palaces, and tombs. The Axumite kingdom reached the peak of its power in the sixth century AD. However during that time, the Islamic kingdoms nearby invaded Axum and it affected the trade in the Red Bounding main. Axum trading was one of the greatest in the ancient earth, and their merchandises of merchandise included ivory, aureate, and many spices. Later on the Muslims' invasion, Axum was cut off of trading appurtenances and in turn, the economy complanate. Earlier the fourth century CE, the local people were mostly indigenous pagans. Obelisks of Axum were made out of stone. They were tombs beautifully carved, and is 1 of the about important landmarks of Axum. The Kingdom of Axum was important because the maritime trade in the Carmine Body of water between Ancient India and the Roman Empire in addition to their naval power. The obelisks are also cultural landmarks that they are in need to be protected and preserved, currently there are over three hundred structures build around modernistic Axum.

Lamu Old Town

Lamu Old Town is located in East Africa and is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement. Built in coral rock and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms which are enriched past frail features such as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. The various structures that are included around the town stand to represent the culture fusion of Swahili, Arabic, Persian, Indian, and European building styles. Since the 19th century, Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals and has thus become a meaning middle for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures. The architecture of Lamu has enabled locally available materials and resource usage that is still practical to date. Because of the town's historical structures, the citizens of Lamu have managed to maintain historic period-quondam traditions which rein enforce a sense of belonging and social unity. These factors are expressed by the layout of the town which includes ancient social spaces such as town squares and body of water front meeting areas. The boondocks has, and continues to exist a significant center for education in Islamic and Swahili culture, thus the reason information technology should exist protected.

The Tombs of Buganda Kings enclose a site reaching every bit many as 26.8 hectares of the Kasubi hillside, which lies with in Kampla Metropolis. The tombs are a major spirital heart for the Baganda (citizens of Buganda), where traditional and cultural practices that have been preserved are embraced. The Kasubi tombs are one of the more religious worshiping places in the kingdom, and rituals are frequently performed there. Information technology is the burial basis for the previous four kings, and is a religious center for the royal family, a place where the Kabaka and his new representatives practice very important rituals that are related to the Buganda culture. The site stands as a representative of a identify where communication links with the spiritual world are maintained. At the top of the hill, is the main tomb building, which is locally referred to every bit the "Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga" which is the primary attribute and the chief piece of the establishment. The tomb building has been in existence since the 13th century and the latest building was the old identify of the Kabakas of Baganda and was created in 1882 and converted into the royal burial footing in 1884. Currently, there are four royal tombs that prevarication with in the tiptop of the building. The main tomb building, which is circular and surrounded by a dome, represents an architectural achievement that was created with the use of material composed of wooden poles, spear grass, reeds, and wattle. Its unusual edifice calibration and insane details stand as proof of the creativity of the Bagnada and equally a masterpiece of form and craftsmanship. The principal significance of the site lies within its values of beliefs, spirituality, and identity of the Baganda people. The site keeps the civilisation that once consumed the Baganda communtity live and serves as an of import historical and cutural symbol for East Africa every bit a whole.