Africa and the Coming of Islam

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Africa and the Coming of Islam

• A. Common Characteristics among African Societies

1. Role of Bantu Migrations
Similar language base
2. Importance of Family ties
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B. Arabs bringing Islam must blend with African
culture
1. Matrilineal Societies in Africa
Traditional Arab society is Patriarchal
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2. Slave systems Africans enslaved Africans--adopt
ed members of family, political advantages
Arabs enslaved non Arabscheap labor
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3. African native religions and Islam
Similarities
One God, single creator, cannot directly know God
Differences
Africans believe God has little impact on humans,
spirits act as go between
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Results

• Unique form of Islam takes root in Africa
• Faith is less restrictive
• Continual reliance on spirits
• Islam increases as trade increases
• Took years before Arab influence has an impact
• Transformation to Islam is mostly peaceful

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C. Islam Expansion into Africa
1. North Africa
a.Conquered via Muslim Armies (Umayyad)
b. Local rule allowed to remain in power
c. Arab merchants control trade
2. West Africa (Savanna)
a. By means of trade
b. Emphasis on Muslim learning
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Why would the Arabs want to trade with West
Africans? Discuss possible reasons with partner.
Use the map to trigger ideas. Circled area is
West Africa
Arabia
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Reasons
1. Emergence of a Unified States
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2. Valuable Products
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3. Internal transportation network in place The
Berbers
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3. Islam in East Africa

• a. Islamic port cities in a global network
• b. Product of trade with Arabia and Persia
• c. Blended language/Culture emerged
• Swahili

Mogadishu and Mombasa
Indian Ocean Network
Means Coast Mix race African /Arabian
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d. Governed by independent Muslim families e.
Majority of pop. retain native beliefs f. Islam
becomes class based
Arranged into city-states
Upper Class--Muslim
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Non Islamic Kingdoms in Africa during Islamic
Expansion
A. Christian Based

• 1. Coptic Kingdom (Egypt)

Byzantine Protection
2. Ethiopia (ancient Axum)
Zagwe Dynasty-local centralized rule
Landlocked and Mountainous
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Other Kingdoms in Africa during Islamic
Expansion
B. Southern Half of Africa

• 1. Many stateless societies

2. Independent villages
Clan based/ruled by a chief
Mostly agricultural, some manufacturing
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3. Great Zimbabwe (Great House)
9th Century
Emergence as a herding society
12th- 15th Century
Height as a major gold trade partner with Swahili
cultures
End of 15th Century
Disappeared
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Complete checklist. Use notes and map to help
Region in Africa Choose One Choose One Choose One Choose One Choose One Choose One Choose One
Region in Africa Arab controlled trade Local Controlled trade Conquered by Arabs Independent of Arabs Main religion was Islam Mix of Islam and other religions No Islam
East
West
North
South