BELL WORKWrite down the following African terms and trytranslate think about a similar term that you have already learned this year.

1. Vanacar - A large group of people travelingtogether, usually with a lot of gear2. Siheti - A Muslim who believes that only a descendent of Mohammed can be a caliph3. Smeoqu - A building for Muslim prayer

OBJECTIVE & STANDARD• I can compare early African religions

and the later shift to Islam.• I can summarize how Islam changed

Africa via a POWTIDE writing prompt.

7.18 Compare the indigenous religious practices observed by early Africans before and after contact with Islam and Christianity.

EconomicsTrade Begins • This long-distance trade stretched

from the Bambuk-Bure and Akan goldfields in the South to Morocco in the North.

THINK IT OUT!How do you think trade changed interactions between West and North Africans?

EconomicsThe Growth of Cities • West Africa and North Africa

began to trade with each other.• Cities like Kumbi-Saleh and

Timbuktu became major centers of trade in the West Africa.

• Silent Barter was often used in these cities to protect the identities of some of the traders.

RE-THINK!

Why did cities begin to develop in West Africa?

What is the purpose of silent barter?

EconomicsThe Growth of Kingdoms • The 3 kingdoms of Ghana, Mali,

and the Songhai taxed this trade, and it is where they received most of their wealth and power.

• Their economy was also supported by a surplus of grain produced by the peasant farmers (majority of the people).

RE-THINK:How do taxes help to fund a kingdom or government?

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.

RE-THINKBased on what we know about Islam, how could the Shariah be a useful text to Africans?

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)

ASSESSMENT:

Using POWTIDE, write a paragraph that summarizes why Islam was easily and widely accepted in West Africa.

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.

• We learn more about Mansa Musa tomorrow!

Explain to your elbow partner:

Why did Mansa Musa give away gold?

Review QuestionsAnswer in your composition book:

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?