Answer to Question #129909 in History for Marno Plank

Question

Briefly discuss the effect of climate on the precolonial communities of southern africa

Answer 1

Climatic changes have had a significant impact in restructuring the precolonial communities found in Southern African. In the Limpopo Valley, climate greatly contributed to the development and shaping of the social complexity of these communities. The warm and wet climate in the Southern Africa, enabled precolonial communities to cultivate food crops and rear cattle. The precolonial farmers were able to produce adequate food to take them through to the next season. This enabled them build semi-permanent shelters to settle down permanently in areas where the climatic conditions favored growth of crops. At a times, prolonged drought would occur forcing communities to migrate and perform special rituals to appease the ancestors. The communities believed that drought was a sign of bad omen to them. They had to offer sacrifices to the gods to lift the curse and bring rain. Regular rainfall and flooding encouraged agricultural activities a long River Shashe and Limpopo, which are located at the junction of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Favorable climatic conditions lead to the growth and expansion of communities, while unfavorable conditions saw a drop in population size.