Societal Comparison: Ethiopia and Nubia

Ethiopia and Nubia were strong African civilizations.  During the post-classical period, they developed a lot. Religion played a large role in Ethiopian and Nubian history.  Ethiopia and Nubia were strong Christian Kingdoms, had different economic methods, and treated women differently than most other civilizations at that time.

Ethiopia and Nubia were known as the Christian Kingdoms.  Both places practiced the Christian religion. Christianity stumbled into Ethiopia through Axum. Ethiopia was one of the most important of the Christian Kingdoms.  When penetration was attempted by the Muslims, Ethiopia allied with the Portuguese.  Nubia was also home to many powerful Christian Kingdoms.  The Christian Kingdoms resisted Arab conquest and conversion to Islam for several hundred years.  Nubia and Ethiopia were definitely strong Christian kingdoms.

The economy of Ethiopia and Nubia is also similar.  Ethiopia did a lot of trading with the Mediterranean world. Ethiopia came in contact with many Jewish merchants. Nubia didn’t do much trading at first, but after some relocation, Nubian trade became more active. Nubia focused more on agriculture.  Nubia also produced iron. Some copper exports were found from both Ethiopia and Nubia. Economic diversity was huge in Africa, but both places participated in trade.

In Ethiopia and Nubia, women were not as suppressed as they were in other civilizations.  Of course women were not as valued as men, but they were treated decently. Women could not own land, but in some cases they could inherit it. Women in Nubia would actually take part in agriculture when men to town to find work.  However, men and women did work together.  Slavery more affected women in Ethiopia and Nubia than men.  Anyone could be a slave, but the demand for women and children slaves was higher, so women were affected by it. The status of women during this time period was better than most in Ethiopia and Nubia.

Ethiopia and Nubia were similar and different.  Cultural diversity was huge in Africa, but both places had things in common.  Both places were strong Christian Kingdoms and resisted Islam conversion for quite some time.  However, their economic strategies differed.  Both Ethiopia and Nubia were important African civilizations.