Islam in Africa Ch 8
Jan 01, 2016
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
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