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