Ch.

8: African Civilizations
and the Spread of Islam

African Societies
Stateless societies
Pros
No taxes
Easy to settle disputes

Cons
Difficult to wage war
Difficult to organize
building projects and
trade

Common Elements in
Societies
Language
Bantu

Thought
Religion intertwined
with society
Ancestors as gods

Religion
Animistic
Creator deity
Witchcraft

Islam in
North
Africa
Part of Mediterranean
world
Muslims spread
across region from
640 700 by
conquest and
conversion
Appeal to people
Ideas of equality

Appeal to rulers
Political/religious ruler
gave more power
Members of umma
equal

Expansion of Islam in North

Africa

Christian Kingdoms
Egypt

Nubia
Coptic Christianity
Influenced by Byzantines

Ethiopia

Axum
Pocket of Christians
Fortified towns
King Lalibela: 11
churches

The Grasslands and Sudanic States

Islam spread by
trade
Camel caravans
cross Sahara
Link north Africa to
central African
states

Sudanic States
Ghana
Trade gold for salt and dates

Mali
Sundiata
Mansa Musa
Pilgrimage to Mecca

Songhay
Sunni Ali a great military
leader
Expanded empire

Influence of Islam
Syncretism of Islam
with pagan
religions
Rulers convert to
Islam
Power religious and
political leader
Rulers sacred
and separate
from subjects

Trade Routes in West Africa

Islam adopted
by traders
and rulers
Umma
Power

Rise of Cities
Jenne and Timbuktu
Trade centers
Books the most
lucrative

Resemble north
African cities
Islamic scholars and
theologians study at
Sankore mosque

The Swahili
Coast
Bantu herders
in the
north and farmers in
the south mixed with
residents
Contact with Indian
Ocean brought other
peoples
Trading ports
developed
Residents from the
Persian Gulf and Oman

Swahili language: mix

of Bantu and Arabic

Swahili Trade
Mogadishu,
Mombasa, Malindi,
Kilwa, and Zanzibar
ruled by Muslim
families
Exports: gold, ivory,
iron, slaves, and
exotic animals
Imports: silk from
Persia and porcelain
from China
Active coastal trade

Islamic Influence
Spread of Islam into
India and S.E. Asia
influences east
African coast
Ummah promotes
bond of trust
Ruling families and
merchants convert
Most of population
remain polytheistic

Inland Islamic Influence

Little Islamic
influence
No trade
advantage
Africans trading
with other Africans
Little exposure to
Muslims
No need to be part
of umma!

Peoples of the Forests and

Plains
Central Africa
Yoruba, Benin,
Great Zimbabwe

Small agricultural
and herding
villages
Iron tools and
weapons
Oral tradition
No written language

Yoruba
Agricultural society
Divine kings rule with
an aristocracy
Ile-Ife
Cultural center
Terra-cotta statues
Bronze masks

Ogboni (secret
societies of religious
and political leaders)
oversee king

Yoruban Art

Benin
Primarily agricultural
Oba (ruler)
surrounded by large
entourage
Artistic heritage
Ivory
Cast bronze sculptures

Benin Art

Kongo
Flourishing by the
15th century
Primarily
agricultural
Weaving, pottery,
carving, and
blacksmith
Eight provinces
ruled by
manikongo (king)

Great Zimbabwe
Agriculture and
herding Bantu
people
Political and
religious center
Eagle: link between
world and spirits

Gold trade with

Muslims in Sofala
Little conversion

Sudanic States
Ghana
Trade gold for salt
and dates
Timbuktu and Jenne
grew from trade
Rulers convert to
Islam
Power of religious and
political leader
Rulers sacred and
separate from subjects
Umma

Mali
Large gold producing
areas
Wealthy from trade
Islam reinforces power
of king
Sundiata: The Lion
Prince was a great
ruler whose history told
by griots
Mansa Musa
Pilgrimage to Mecca

Songhay
Farmers, herders, and
fishermen
Sunni Ali a great
military leader and
ruthless ruler
Expanded empire

Syncretism of Islam
with pagan religions
Muslim rulers shocked
by interaction of men
and women
(unveiled) in public