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Islam in Africa. Chapter 8. Prior to Islam. Lack of political unity Secret societies handle disputes No need to tax b/c don ’ t have to support a bureaucracy Social—organized by lineage and age Unifying force Religion—animism and ancestors Language--Bantu. A Satellite View.
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Islam in Africa Chapter 8
Prior to Islam • Lack of political unity Secret societies handle disputes • No need to tax b/c don’t have to support a bureaucracy • Social—organized by lineage and age • Unifying force • Religion—animism and ancestors • Language--Bantu
Unifying aspect Bantu-speaking peoples provided a linguistic base across Africa 1000 different languages; 1000+ different tribes
An African’s “Search for Identity” 1. Nuclear Family 2. Extended Family 3. Age-Set 4. Clan 5. Lineage (ancestry) TRIBE (communal living)
Traditional African Religion ANIMISM 1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being. 2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things. 3. Ancestor veneration. 4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes. 5.Diviner mediator between the tribe and God.
Prior to the Arrival of Islam • North of the Sahara had been part of classical civilizations (Phoenician, Greek outpost, Carthage Roman province)
Arrival of Islam 640-700 CEAttraction • Abbasid’s provided some political stability • Equality within a community of believers made it easier to accept new conquerors and rulersegalitarian • Unite state & religion under 1 helped reinforce the authority of African kings—caliph • BUT locally divided by social, ethnic and gender
Divisions • Berbers—North Africa into Spain stopped from taking over France by Charles Martel in 711 CE • Almoravids—puritanical reformers launched jihads (purify, spread or protect faith) into the South and West • Almahadis—also puritanical reformist
Christian: Nubia & Ethiopia • Reached Africa before Rome’s conversion • Coptic (Egypt & Nubia) translated the gospels into their language & were tolerated • Ethiopia—Remained isolated and independent King Lalibela—11 churches carved from stone Later Dynasty—traced lineage back to Solomon & Sheba
Kingdom of Grasslands Sudanic State—Mali Mansa Musa 1312-1337 *pilgrimage *brought back scholars *trade protection *cosmopolitan court life *tolerant *gold, salt, dates— Camel caravans couldn’t survive in the forests so the Sahel became a point of exchange The hoe and the bow—symbols of the common
Matrilineal & patrilineal • Arab slave trade—women and children
Sudanic Grasslands Daily Life • 80% farmers: millet, rice, sorghum, wheat • Polygamy • Crop rotation
Swahili Coast of East Africa • Indian Ocean trade • Contact with China, India, SE Asia, Middle East • Class Division Merchants tended to be Muslim Rulers tended to speak Arabic