Islam in AfricaCh 8

I. Introduction Africa is a very fragmented

No concentration of power Stateless societies (tribal)

Diverse languages, religion and geography Sub-Saharan society had periods of isolation

Africa was a symbol of wealth Gold, diamonds and land

I. Introduction Trade with Sub-Sahara was difficult until 100

AD when camels were brought along

II. Arrival of Islam

North Africa had contact with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Vandals Christianity had spread to Ethiopia and Nubia

(Coptics) Islam spread to 640-700 AD across Northern

Africa 670 AD conquered Tunisia Romans called Africa Ifriqiya (Arab for North

East) Maghrib for North West

Used Africa as a stepping stone into Spain

II. Arrival of Islam Islam had brought temporary unity with

conversion Almoravids 1100 AD & Almohadis 1130 AD

Reformist group that waged jihad Led to spread south of the Sahara

Attractiveness of Islam Equality

Broke down on local level

II. Arrival of Islam Spread to Sub-Sahara initially through trade

Sahel- divided Sahara and Sub-Sahara/ trade region

Ghana became prominent taxing gold and salt trade

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Sudan States Patriarchal rule (elders)

Rulers are sacred Collect taxes and military support

Territory based on linguistic and ethnic divisions Ghana, Mali and Songhay Rulers were one of the few who converted to

Islam

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Mali Between Niger and Senegal River Malinke people Symbol for Islam in sub-Sahara Merchants were called Juula Borders expanded by Sundiata

Lion Prince Mansa Stories told by griots Divided clans into classes (warriors, religious and

laborers)

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Ibn Batuta Arab who traveled around Africa writing of the

cultures he observed Mansa Kankan Musa (1312-1337

Pilgrimage to Mecca Showed the wealth of Africa Built the mosque in Jenne

Port City like Timbuktu

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Songhay Kingdom Middle region of Niger Valley Capital in Gao Farming, herding and fishing society Became an empire under Sunni Ali (1464-1492)

Expanded territory into Mali Muslim leader of pagan region Succeeded by military leaders askia

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Muhammad the Great Expanded borders to cover central Sudan

Muslim rulers had a hard time dealing with the peoples failure to follow Shari law

Lasted until 16th century Defeated by Moroccan army

muskets

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Hasua people Nigeria

Kano and Katsina Muslim leaders and pagan people Traded salt, grains and clothes

III. Grassland Kingdoms

Sudan politics Rulers took title of emir or caliph

Surrounded by Muslim advisors Matrilineal which went against Sharia law Slave trade exploded with invasion of Islam

Muslims viewed slavery as a way to prepare pagans for conversion

IV. East Coast Referred to in Arabic as Zenj Swahili

Bantu and Arabic Trade cities

Mogadishu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Pate and Zanzibar Border Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea

Followed pattern of Islamic rulers Blended cultures

Oman and Persians 13th century is Islamic expansion

V. Central & West Africa

Central Africa Agricultural society Sometimes united under a single ruler to solve

conflicts Oral traditions

Very artistic Nok

Central Nigeria Spoke Yoruba Lifelike terra-cotta and bronze sculptures

V. Central & West Africa

Yoruba Language spoken in the central states Highly urbanized region City-states ruled by regional kings Ruled by alafin

Benin Large city-state Ruled by Oba

V. Central & West Africa Kongo

Formed around the Congo River Skilled in weaving, blacksmithing and carving Harvested salt from the coast

Traded shells as currency Shona

Zimbabwe- Stone settlement with walls (Great Zimbabwe) Worshipped a god symbolized by an eagle

Confederation of farmers and herders- developed trade Later ruled by a king called Mwene Mutapa Broke up due to interior strife but stayed wealthy