African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

1
Chapter 8

• African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

2
The Introduction of Islam

• Islam was first introduced to Northern Africa
  from its roots in the Middle East. Civilizations
  were obviously changed by Islam but still
  retained their individuality. Islamization (the
  spread of Islam) also linked Muslim Africa to
  the outside world through trade, religion and
  politics. The spread of Islam revealed the power
  of religion and its commercial and sometimes
  military attributes.

3
African Societies Diversity and Similarities

• Some African societies had rulers who exercised
  control through a hierarchy, but others were
  stateless societies, which were organized around
  kinship ties and lacking in political
  concentrations. Secret societies settled disputes
  between different tribal groups. The need to
  withstand external pressure, mobilize for wars,
  organize large building projects , and create
  stable conditions all contributed to the
  formation of states in Sub-Saharan Africa.

4
Common Elements in African Societies

• African tribal peoples believed in the power of
  natural forces and the role of rituals and
  worship- often in the forms of drumming dancing,
  divination, and sacrifice- played a major role in
  their actions. From an economic standpoint,
  participation in international trade increased
  with the Islamic world and often through Arab
  traders.

5
The Arrival of Islam in North Africa

• Between 640 and 700 BCE the followers of
  Muhammad, and by 670 CE the Muslims ruled
  Tunisia, (or what the Romans Infriqiya.) The
  message of Islam found fertile ground among the
  populations of Northern Africa and conversion
  took place rapidly. The belief that all Muslims
  were made equal attracted many Africans, but
  degrees of practice differed between local
  groups.

6
The Christian Kingdoms

• Christianity arrived before Islam in Africa
  around and was concentrated in Ethiopia, Nubia
  and Egypt. The Christians of Egypt (Copts) were
  able to maintain their own faith despite the
  arrival of Arabs and Muslims. The Ethiopian
  Christian state maintained its devotion to
  Christianity and isolated itself while facing
  pressure from Muslim neighbors.

7
Kingdoms of the Grasslands and Sudanic States

• The Sahel, the extensive grassland belt at the
  southern edge of the Sahara became a point of
  exchange and trade.
• Sudanic states had a council of elders and had a
  territorial core area in which people were of the
  same ethnic or language background. Ghana, Mali
  and Songhay were Sudanic states.

8
Vocab Quiz!

• Juula- malinke merchants
• Sundiata- Lion Prince great of Mali
• Griots- professional oral historians and advisors
  to kings
• Ibn Batuta- famous Arab traveler

9
The Songhay Kingdom

• As the power of Mali began to wane, Songhay
  emerged as a successor state. A capital was
  established at Gao and many of the leaders were
  Muslim. Songhay remained the dominant power until
  1591 when a Muslim army defeated the empire.

10
Political and Social Life in the Sudanic States

• Slavery was a major practice in the Sudanic
  states. Slavery was viewed as a stage in the
  process of conversion from pagan to Muslim. But
  in reality, slavery did not guarantee freedom nor
  equality.

11
The Swahili Coast

• Islamicized ports on the eastern coast of Africa
  was the result of the exchange of ethics and
  beliefs that made maritime trade easier.
  Islamization was to some extent class-based.
  Whereas merchants and rulers tended to be Muslim,
  the majority of the population maintained their
  own religion.

12
Yoruba and Benin Tribes

• Two significant tribes that made great
  achievements in distinctive language and art.
  (pottery, copper and stone statues, portraits.)

13
Central African Kingdoms

• The Bantu confederation of Kongo had a strong
  agricultural base and developed skills in
  craftsmanship. Another Bantu confederation
  farther east gave rise to the Great Zimbabwe
  structure.