Warm-Up C2Vanacar: A large group of people traveling together,

usually with a lot of gear

Smeoqu: a building for Muslim prayer

Siheti: A Muslim who believes that only a descendent of Mohammed can be a caliph

ReligionSpread of Islam • Islam spread to West Africa

peacefully.• Trade was always linked closely

with Islam, and many converted because of it.

• Islam became a religion of the elite (rulers, rich and educated) and cities.

How did Islam spread to West Africa?

Where did Islam primarily spread in West Africa?

ReligionAcceptance of Islam • There are 5 reasons why Islam

was accepted by many in West Africa:

1. Islam’s teachings were simple2. Associated with literacy

(religion of the book)3. Associated with trade (money)4. Associated with power5. A sense of belonging

(community beyond village)

What are the five reasons many West Africans accepted Islam?

ReligionInfluence of Islam • Most rural farmers and herders

continued to follow local African religions, and were tolerated.

• Islam had a huge impact on trade, government, education and architecture in the major cities – especially Timbuktu.

• Timbuktu became a leading center of Islamic learning with many mosques; and a famous university and library.

What in West Africa did Islam influence?

What was important about Timbuktu?

ReligionMansa Musa • An example of both Islam’s

influence and West Africa’s wealth is the famous Hajj made by Mansa Musa

How is Mansa Musa an example of the influence Islam had on West Africa?

ReligionMansa Musa • Mansa Musa was a famous Mali

king who travelled to Mecca to fulfill his Muslim faith.

• Throughout the journey Mansa Musa gave away gold freely (alms), so freely people were shocked by how much he had.

Why did Mansa Musa give away gold?

Review Questions

1. How did Islam spread to West Africa?2. Where did Islam primarily spread in West Africa?3. What are the five reasons many West Africans

accepted Islam?4. What in West Africa did Islam influence?5. What was important about Timbuktu?6. How is Mansa Musa an example of the influence

Islam had on West Africa?7. Why did Mansa Musa give away gold?