Central Africa

Central Africa

French: Afrique centrale; Spanish: África central; Portuguese: África Central is a subregion of the African continent. It includes many countries, and people may define it in different ways.

One common way to think about it comes from the United Nations, which calls this area Middle Africa. This group of countries includes Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Some nearby countries like Burundi and Rwanda are sometimes thought of as part of Central Africa, but they are often grouped with East Africa.

These countries work together in groups such as the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Some of them also share a special money system called the Central African CFA franc, which helps them trade with each other.

Another group, the African Development Bank, thinks of Central Africa as a smaller set of seven countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. This shows that the exact list can change depending on who is describing the area.

List of Central African countries

Here are the countries that make up Central Africa:

• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• Republic of the Congo
• São Tomé and Príncipe

Background

The Central African Federation (1953–1963), also called the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was made up of what are now the nations of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa covers dioceses in Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, while the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian has synods in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These states are now typically considered part of East or Southern Africa.

Geography

The Congo River basin has been important for the people of Central Africa. It has helped connect different groups and has been a key part of the region's history and ecology.

History

Main article: History of Central Africa

Further information: Archaeology of Central Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa § Central Africa

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric Central Africa

Archeological finds in Central Africa show that people lived there over 100,000 years ago. There is evidence of iron being used in the Central African Republic long ago. Large walled settlements have been found in Northeast Nigeria, dating to very old times.

Better farming and trade helped societies grow more complex, leading to early civilizations in West Africa such as Sao, Kanem, Bornu, Shilluk, Baguirmi, and Wadai.

Around old times, people from Bantu groups reached the Great Lakes Region in Central Africa. Bantu people also moved south to what is now Angola.

Ancient history

Sao civilization

Main article: Sao civilization

The West African Sao civilization thrived from old times in northern Central Africa. The Sao lived by the Chari River south of Lake Chad in areas that later became part of Cameroon and Chad. They were the first people known to have left clear signs of their presence in what is now Cameroon. Sao artifacts show they were skilled workers in bronze, copper, and iron. They made many kinds of items. The biggest Sao discoveries have been made south of Lake Chad.

Kanem Empire

Main article: Kanem Empire

The West-Central African kingdom of Kanem–Bornu Empire was centered around Lake Chad Basin. It was called the Kanem Empire from old times. At its peak, it covered much of Chad and parts of other lands. We know most about its history from the Royal Chronicle found in old times. Kanem began north and east of Lake Chad. The Kanem empire declined and was defeated by Bilala invaders in later times.

Bornu Empire

Main article: Bornu Empire

The Kanuri people of West Africa moved to the west and south of Lake Chad and created the Bornu Empire. Bornu had smaller states under it, like the Damagaram in the west.

Shilluk Kingdom

Main article: Shilluk Kingdom

The Shilluk Kingdom was in South Sudan from the 15th century, along the western bank of the White Nile. The kingdom was founded by its first ruler. In later times, the Shilluk Kingdom weakened after attacks and rule by others.

Baguirmi Kingdom

Main article: Baguirmi Kingdom

The Kingdom of Baguirmi was an independent state in what is now Chad. Later, the Bornu Empire took over and made Baguirmi a state that paid tribute.

Wadai Empire

Main article: Wadai Empire

The Wadai Empire began in Chad in later times. In old times, a group rebelled and set up a new leadership. Wadai became independent and attacked its neighbors.

Lunda Empire

Main article: Lunda Empire

Further information: List of rulers of the Lunda Empire

After people from the Bantu Migration moved from Western Africa, Bantu kingdoms and empires formed in southern Central Africa. In the 1450s, a person united all Lunda people. Their son grew the kingdom. The Lunda connected Central Africa to trade. The Lunda kingdom ended in later times when it was invaded.

Kongo Kingdom

Main article: Kingdom of Kongo

Further information: List of rulers of Kongo

By the 15th century CE, the farming Bakongo people were united as the Kingdom of Kongo. They were very organized and good at working with metal. Later, new crops were brought to the area by traders.

By the 16th century, the ruler governed a large area. In 1506, a new ruler began. Later, attacks destroyed parts of the kingdom. In the late 1660s, a battle led to the kingdom breaking into smaller groups.

Kongo got people from the Kingdom of Ndongo in wars. Ndongo also traded with others. Leaders created another state, led by a queen who resisted others. Trading caused big problems, with states starting wars.

Modern history

Further information: Decolonisation of Africa, Postcolonial Africa § Central Africa, and Neocolonialism

See also: Neocolonialism § Françafrique, Central African CFA franc, and Status of forces agreement

During a meeting in 1884–85, European countries divided up Africa. The countries in the area gained independence between 1956 and 1962. In the 21st century, some groups that do not recognize governments have started operating in Central Africa.

Over the 2010s, a group grew stronger in some areas, leading to ongoing issues in Cameroon.

Economy

People in Central Africa make a living by farming, herding animals, and fishing. In some parts, many people do not have much money and sometimes don’t have enough food. In the south, people grow crops when it rains, and in other areas, they farm near lakes and rivers. Some people move with their animals to find good grass during the rainy season and then move back when it gets dry.

Fishing is very important, especially around Lake Chad, where it provides food and jobs for many people. Fishers usually have rights to certain areas where they can fish, and others need permission to use those spots. Oil is also a big part of the economy in some countries like Chad, making up a large part of their total money made in a year.

Demographics

Further information: Demographics of Africa, List of African countries by population, and List of ethnic groups of Africa § Central Africa

After a big movement of people called the Bantu Migration, Central Africa is mostly home to Native African or Bantu peoples. Many people there speak Bantu languages, such as the Mongo, Kongo, and Luba. There are also many Nilo-Saharan and Niger-Congo Ubangian communities. In the northwest, the Kanuri are a big group. Many Ubangian speakers, like the Gbaya, Banda, and Zande, live in northern Central Africa.

Important groups in Central Africa include the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Economic Community of Central African States.

Most people in Central Africa practice Christianity or traditional faiths. In Chad, most people follow Islam. Islam is also common in Cameroon. Smaller Muslim groups exist in other countries too.

Because of shared history and movements of people, the cultures in Central Africa share many similarities. These come from common origins as Nilo-Saharan or Bantu peoples and include music, dance, art, and rituals.

Some major Native African ethnic groups in Central Africa are:

Culture

Central Africa has a rich and diverse culture. The area has many unique traditions in clothing, food, music, and religion.

The region’s culture includes special clothes, tasty dishes, lively music, and various beliefs. You can learn more about these traditions in the links provided.

Architecture

Further information in the sections of Architecture of Africa:

• Ancient Central African Architecture
• Medieval Central African Architecture

Science and technology

Further information in the sections of History of science and technology in Africa:

• Mathematics
• Textiles
• Communication systems
• By country