Life on the Margins of IslamChapter 8172-191
Africa & the Spread of Islam
Consider reading relevant info “Beyond Classical Civs” on pg. 101-103
Bantu
Background (circa 600 CE)Bantu Sedentary tribal group
– Population pressure
↳ Migration Spread:
– Agriculture– Language
Impact:– States arise, specialization, trade possible…
Diversity & Similarity
Common in Africa– Governed by family & obligation– No tax, bureaucracy, army
Disadvantage:• Organizing public projects
Stateless Societies
Common Elements
Bantu-based language
Animistic religion– Creator deity– Personified natural forces– Witchcraft– Ancestors
Economies– Increasing settled ag & specialized trade
N Africa: Arrival of Islam
Long part of Mediterranean world
Islam quickly spread– Berbers
N. Af splintered as Abbasid weakened– Puritanical movements
NE Africa: Christian Societies
Three persistent societies preceded Islam
– Egyptian Copts
– Nubia/Kush
– Ethiopia/Axum
W Africa: Grassland Kingdoms
Merchants brought Islam from N. Af
Strategically located b/t gold-rich forests on coast & salt-rich deserts & markets to north
300: Ghana Empire
QuestionDefine: Sudan
Sahel
Savanna
Sudanic States
Commonly:– Ruled by patriarch from prominent clan
– “Empires”
– Rulers use Islam to justify authority despite few conversions among masses
Mali Empire
1200: Replaced Ghana– Agricultural w/ influential gold-salt trade– Griots– Specialized clans
Sundiata:
Mansa Musa:
City Dwellers & Villagers Cities
– Cosmopolitan commercial centers Villages
– Center of population & family– Small farms
Songhay & Hausa Songhay
– 1460s: Replaced Mali– .Strong provincial gov → expansion
Hausa
Political & Social Life
Consistently blended:
– Tradition = • Clans• Animism• Women
– Islamic influence = • Rulers political/religious authority• Merchants • Slave trade
E Africa: Swahili Coast
to Arabia
to S Asia
to SE Asia
Islam further brings Af into fold w/ Indian Ocean trade
Coastal Trading Ports
1200s: City-states develop
– Traded ivory, gold, slaves from interior for foreign silk & porcelain
– EX: Kilwa
Mixture of Cultures
Islamization was class-based– Rulers– Merchants– Peasants maintains traditions
Blending of cultures common– Swahili– Tracing lineage
C Africa: Forest & Plains
C. African Forests
Strategically located to profit from trade– Source of goods traded in E & W Africa– No direct contact with Muslims
Kongo & Great Zimbabwe
Kongo– Agricultural but valued artisans– Highly divided gender roles– Governed via confederation
Great Zimbabwe (Mwene Mutapa)– Complex stone structures– Controlled gold reserves bound for E coast
Global Connections
Never fully isolated but Islam further integrates Africa into networks
Some parts advance independently
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