Daily Life of Ancient Africa

Although the immense wealth of the ancient African monarchs is what we typically read about, the average person’s daily life was very different. In ancient Africa, the majority of the population lived in extreme poverty and had a long life of hard labor.

Regular Jobs

The farmers

Ancient Africans were primarily farmers. They worked the land for a large portion of the day, raising crops including yams, sorghum, barley, and wheat. Some individuals cared for herds of sheep and cattle or fished for meals.

Tradesmen –

Africa’s ancient economy depended heavily on traders. They used camel caravans to transport products across the Sahara Desert. Some traders prospered and rose to prominent positions in society.

Artisans –

Blacksmiths, weavers, tailors, jewelers, and tool makers were among the artisans. Some ancient African tribes believed that craftspeople have magical abilities.

The Warriors

Large ancient African civilizations like the Mali and Songhai civilizations valued their warriors. Professional warriors protected the peace and upheld the emperor’s authority. When there were significant wars, farmers were compelled to enlist and participate in combat.

Servants –

Slaves were prevalent in ancient Africa as well. During battle, slaves were frequently taken captive from rival tribes or were born into the condition. Criminals were occasionally sentenced to slavery as a form of punishment.

Housing Types

The majority of people in ancient Africa resided in thatched huts with clay and straw walls. These houses typically featured a single room and were round in shape. King and royal residences were frequently constructed of stone and wood.

What did they eat?

People ate a variety of cuisines depending on where they lived in Africa. A significant staple crop made up the majority of the food in each region. The fish, meat, and vegetables they could raise or hunt for where they lived would then be added to this crop as a supplement. Farmers raised staple foods such as wheat, yams, maize, and rice.

How did they dress?

The inhabitants of ancient Africa didn’t dress in many clothing because the continent is so hot. They frequently moved around naked. However, they occasionally wore tunics or loincloths for formal gatherings and rituals. Africans started to dress more as Islam gained dominance there as a major religion. Animal skins, fur, cotton, and in some places, tree bark were also used to make garments as common materials.

Ancient Africans also donned jewelry and cosmetics. Depending on the region, different materials, such as gold, seashells, feathers, and jewels, were used to make jewelry.

Interesting Details about Ancient African Daily Life

In West Africa, yams were used to prepare the staple dish “fufu.” To add flavor, fufu was wrapped into a ball and dipped into soup.

Around the age of twelve, kids were frequently regarded as adults.

African storytellers and musicians are referred to as “griots.”

Girls typically get married at 12 or 13. The spouse was picked by their fathers.

The horonnu, a prestigious social caste of the Mali Empire, included the farmers. Farmers took part in local politics as well as military service.