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Ch. 8: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

Ch. 8: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam. African Societies. Few hierarchical governments Stateless societies Pros No taxes Easy to settle disputes Cons Difficult to wage war Difficult to organize building projects Difficult to organize trade. Common Elements in Societies.

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Ch. 8: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

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  1. Ch. 8: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

  2. African Societies • Few hierarchical governments • Stateless societies • Pros • No taxes • Easy to settle disputes • Cons • Difficult to wage war • Difficult to organize building projects • Difficult to organize trade

  3. Common Elements in Societies • Language • Bantu speaking people spread • Linguistic base • Thought • Religion intertwined with society • Ancestors as gods • Religion • Animistic: natural forces as gods • Creator deity • Witchcraft • Economies • North vs South vs Coastal

  4. Islam in North Africa • North of Sahara large 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

  5. Expansion of Islam in North Africa

  6. Christian Kingdoms Egypt Ethiopia Axum Pocket of Christians surrounded by Muslims Fortified towns King Lalibela: 11 churches • Nubia • Coptic Christianity • Influenced by Byzantines

  7. The Grasslands • Islam spread by trade • Camel caravans cross Sahara • Link north Africa to central African states

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

  9. Mali • Agricultural community with access to large gold producing areas • Grew wealthy from trade • Islam reinforces power of king • Sundiata: “The Lion Prince” was a great ruler whose history told by griots • Instituted division of labor • Mansa Musa • Pilgrimage to Mecca

  10. Songhay • Mostly farmers, herders, and fishermen • Sunni Ali a great military leader and ruthless ruler • Expanded empire, including cities of Timbuktu & Jenne • Syncretism of Islam with pagan religions • Muslim rulers shocked by interaction of men and women (unveiled) in public

  11. Rise of Cities • Jenne and Timbuktu • Trade centers • Books the most lucrative • Resemble north African cities • Islamic scholars and theologians study at Sankore mosque

  12. Village Life • Agriculture the center of life for most of population (80%) • Primitive techniques- no plows or irrigation • Polygamy common: easier to plow more land • Poor soil, frequent droughts, insects, and poor technology

  13. Trade Routes in West Africa • Islam adopted by traders and rulers • Umma • Power

  14. 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 • Attracted residents from the Persian Gulf and Oman • Swahili language: mix of Bantu and Arabic

  15. 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 with Africans bringing goods to coast

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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. Yoruban Art

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

  21. Benin Art

  22. 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!

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

  24. 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

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