African Kingdoms

Africa: Guided Questions…• Common Elements in Africa?

• How did Islam Enter Africa?

• What powerful states existed?

• How did Islam impact Africa?

• Where did Islam NOT spread?

Africa:At a Glance

• No single language (vast continent and peoples).• Africa south of the Sahara had limited contact with

civilizations of the Mediterranean and Asia• Spread of Islam linked Africa to the outside world

through Trade, religion and politics.• 3 regions: North (Sahara), Middle (Rainforest),

South (Grasslands)• 2nd Largest Continent, 10% of world’s population• Resources: Oil, Gold, Diamonds, Cocoa, Coffee

African Societies

• Stateless Societies were controlled by age-sets or lineages. They lacked central authority. The weakness of stateless societies was their delayed response and inability to engage in large building projects

• Kingdoms flourished and remained the large urban centers of Africa (Ethiopia, Ghana, Songhai, Mali, Nubia)

Africa: Common Elements

• Bantu (migrating people): provided a common language for trade routes. Spread iron-making [important skill]

• Animism: Belief in natural forces, spirits in animals and plants, natural forces personified as gods

• Many African believed in a Creator God• Women and Men were integral to market

life and social life (not equal)

Africa: Islam's Arrival (7th century)• North Africa already part of Islamic Empire by 8th cent.• As Islam pushed westward, Berbers (indigenous

people to the region) were integral to the process of spreading Islam

• Spread of Islam followed Trade Routes (peaceful)• Islam spread to Kings, Merchants and other Elite

classes and spread from their (urban to rural)• Almoravid (1040-1147) and Almohadi (1121-1269)

reform movements (pro-islamic) in North Africa and Southern Spain. Wanted to return to more strict Islamic rule

Africa: Kingdom of Ghana(300-1200c.e.)

• 1st great African Grasslands civilization by 700s kingdom is well established

• S: Converted to Islam through traders;• P: King ruled and succeeded by son• I: resources from nearby rainforests and mined

gold; many converted to Islam when it arrives• C: Trade merchants bring Islam by 8th century

(peaceful conversion)• E: traded gold (abundance of gold)• Falls because of dwindling gold resources

Africa: Empire of Mali and Sundiata(1235-1500c.e.)

• S: Clans hold sway, women participate (not equal)• P: Sundiata (ruler) credited with spreading Mali

through clan structure – Ruler (Mansa Musa) performed Hajj, helped

spread Islam during the 14th century (returns with architect that built Arab Mosques)

• I: Along Niger and Senegal river• C: Islam strengthened trade and local power• E: Traded gold & salt and farmed for food,

Legendary wealth in Mali• Falls because of dwindling gold resources

Africa: Songhai Kingdom(1400-1600c.e.)

• 3rd Great Grasslands Kingdom• S: Ruled by Islamic laws [oppressive to women]• P: Askia Muhammad divides kingdom into 5 districts

(each has tax collector, court and trade inspector)• I: constant challenges by local tribes and Moroccans• C: Timbuktu: famous university and cultural center• E: Replaces Mali in Gold & Salt trade • Falls because of attacks by Moroccans who had

cannons and gunpowder

Africa: Swahili Coast (East Africa)

• Series of trading posts provided easy access for Islamic traders and Sufi missionaries

• Many local people remain tied to traditional practices

• By 13th century as many as 30 trade ports existed on the East coast, speaking a mix of Bantu, Swahili and Arabic

• By 15th century, a dynamic culture of Swahili language and Afro-Islamic practices shaped the coastal region

• Very little penetration of Islam into central Africa

Africa: People and Place

• Ibn Batuta: Muslim traveler who wrote about travels in Africa (very important to Muslim history)

• Great Zimbabwe central power in the Congo-region around 11th century; controlled gold trade in the area by16th century fell due to internal conflicts

Africa: The Christian Strongholds

• ETHIOPIA: Coptic Christians were present in Ethiopia due to oppression from Byzantine Empire

• Muslim opposition to Byzantium caused Ethiopians to welcome Muslims into the nation. Ethiopia remained Christian

• Nubia resisted Muslim incursions until the 13th century.

Africa: To Sum Up• Common Elements in Africa?

• How did Islam Enter Africa?

• What powerful states existed?

• How did Islam impact Africa?

• Where did Islam NOT spread?