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African Kingdoms

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).

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African Kingdoms

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  1. African Kingdoms

  2. 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?

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Africa: Songhai Kingdom(1400-1600c.e.) • 3rd Great GrasslandsKingdom • 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

  10. 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

  11. Africa: People and Place • IbnBatuta: 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

  12. 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.

  13. 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?

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