Africa and the Spread of Islam
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Transcript of Africa and the Spread of Islam
Africa and the Spread of IslamChapter 8
African Societies
Stateless – organized around kinship or other obligations
Bantu = base on most African language
Religion Animism Veneration of ancestors
Economics North Africa =
Mediterranean trade Sub-Saharan = varied;
mostly agrarian
Trade conducted by professional merchants
North Africa and Islam
640-700: Invasions Unified under Abbasid Berbers (desert people)
formed own states Almoravids and Almohadis – launched jihads to purify
Appeal: method of unity and egalitarian
Christian Kingdoms
Nubia and Egypt Copts borrowed from
Byzantine Spread up Nile to Nubia
(Kush) Independent kingdom
until 13th century
Ethiopia (Axum) Limited outside
influence due to geography
King Lalibela built 11 churches
Remained independent
The Grasslands and Ghana
Sahel: southern edge of Sahara = trading posts
Subject to attack and droughtGhana profited from taxing salt and gold
trade10th c. – rulers converted to Islam
Mali
13th c. Malinke people broke from Ghana
Islam used by kings to justify power
Agrarian + trade Juula (merchants)
formed partnerships and expanded through west Africa
Sundiata, the Lion Prince of Mali
Grouped the people by clans 16 military clans 5 religious duty clans 4 specialist clans; ex.
blacksmiths and griots (oral historians)
Garrisons provided safe travel and trade
Successor Mansa Musa traveled to Mecca
Outside influence grew
Life in the Mali Cosmopolitan court life “Port” cities grew (Timbuktu)
off of Niger River Libraries, universities and
mosques flourished Book trade was most
lucrative Still mostly agrarian
Many small farms Geography made it difficult Polygamy helped with labor
supply
The Songhay Kingdom
Middle area of Niger valley
“Masters of the soil” Gold trade from west
Africa thrived
Politics and Society in Sudan
Unified states = structure for different groups to coexist
One ruling family Islam provided common core of beliefs and law Animism/paganism still important Women enjoyed social freedom; some matrilineal
societies as well Extensive slave trade; slavery = one step in
conversion to Islam
The Swahili Coast – East Africa
“Zanj” (Arabic name) Many Bantu-speaking
herders and trading ports and fishing villages
Refugees from Oman settled Very diverse communities Swahili combined Bantu
with Arabic Muslim ruling famlies Extensive trade and wealth
A Hybrid Culture 13th c – Growth of Islam in East
Africa Mosques built in trading ports Rulers and merchants Muslim;
townspeople retained traditional beliefs
Swahili became dominant Maternal (property) and paternal
lines used for lineage for rulers 1500s: Portuguese influence
introduced but minimal Mozambique Fort Jesus, Mombasa
Central Nigeria: Yoruba and Benin
Yoruba = language Terracotta and bronze
art Small city-states Oyo – king controlled
“princes” with tribute
Edo people in Benin Strong emphasis on
image of king and royal lineage
Central African Kingdoms
Rainforest region Congo River Basin Kinship based societies Katanga: Divine kinship
and kingship – ensured crops’ success
Kongo Late 15th century Strong agriculture = strong
artisan class Traditional division of labor
between men and women Family-based villages Hereditary kingship but local
chieftains were not Confederation under
“manikongo” (king) Iron and art important
Great Zimbabwe and Mwene Mutapa
Bantu confederation Shona-speaking herders
and farmers Between Zambezi and
Limpopo Rivers “Zimbabwe”: Stone houses
built for rulers The bird of God = link with
spirits Mwene Mutapa became
king Expanded kingdom Increased trade with
coast, Portugal and India Control of gold fields
was critical Survived into late 19th c.
Impact of Islam on Africa
While Islam spread to large areas of Africa, it was infused with African culture.
Many African cultures remained independent.Late 15th century European explorers found
well-developed kingdoms and empires – especially those that were Muslim.
Africa was already a center of trade for salt, ivory, slaves and gold.