Africa and the Spread of IslamChapter 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

Trade conducted by professional merchants

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

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

The Grasslands and Ghana

Sahel: southern edge of Sahara = trading posts

Subject to attack and droughtGhana profited from taxing salt and gold

trade10th c. – rulers converted to Islam

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

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

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

The Songhay Kingdom

Middle area of Niger valley

“Masters of the soil” Gold trade from west

Africa thrived

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

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

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

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

Central African Kingdoms

Rainforest region Congo River Basin Kinship based societies Katanga: Divine kinship

and kingship – ensured crops’ success

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

Great Zimbabwe and Mwene Mutapa

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 Mwene Mutapa became

king Expanded kingdom Increased trade with

coast, Portugal and India Control of gold fields

was critical Survived into late 19th c.

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.