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Africa and the Spread of Islam

Africa and the Spread of Islam. Chapter 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

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Africa and the Spread of Islam

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  1. Africa and the Spread of Islam Chapter 8

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. The Grasslands and Ghana • Sahel: southern edge of Sahara = trading posts • Subject to attack and drought • Ghana profited from taxing salt and gold trade • 10th c. – rulers converted to Islam

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. The Songhay Kingdom • Middle area of Niger valley • “Masters of the soil” • Gold trade from west Africa thrived

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Central African Kingdoms • Rainforest region • Congo River Basin • Kinship based societies • Katanga: Divine kinship and kingship– ensured crops’ success

  15. 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

  16. Great Zimbabwe and MweneMutapa • 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 • MweneMutapa became king • Expanded kingdom • Increased trade with coast, Portugal and India • Control of gold fields was critical • Survived into late 19th c.

  17. 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.

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