Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
CH 14 the Influence of Islam on West Africa
CH 14 PREVIEW
 Preview
14 page 89 in Grey W/B
 After you have completed the assignment,
share your ideas with a partner, or have
several volunteers briefly share their work
with the class.
Explain that just as other cultures have
influenced their own community, Islam has
influenced the culture of West Africa.
OUTLINE OF CH 14 WITH STANDARDS

INTRODUCTION:
THESE ARE THE TOPICS FOR YOUR STUDENT
WORKBOOK ASSIGNMENT PP 90-91
1) 14.3:
NEW RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
P.158
2) 14.4:
NEW IDEAS ABOUT GOVERNMENT + LAW
P.159
3) 14.5
A NEW EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION
P.160
4) 14.6
A NEW LANGUAGE
P.161
5) 14.7
NEW ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
P.162
6) 14.8
NEW STYLES IN DECORATIVE ARTS
P.163
Page 1 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
14.2 SPREAD OF ISLAM IN W. AFRICA P.156
 In 8th Century Trans-Saharan trade brought Islam
to West Africa
 At 1st Muslims lived side by side with non-Muslims.
 Over time, however Islam played a growing role in
West African society
1.TRADE BROUGHT ISLAM TO WEST AFRICA
a.639-708 CE Muslims conquered N. Africa, but
Ghana was protected by the Sahara desert.
b.Islam 1st arrived in Ghana thru Muslim traders
and missionaries.
c.King of Ghana was not converted, but he allowed
Muslims to co-exist.
d.So many settled in Kumbi, that they had 12
mosques and own imam
e.1076 Almoravids waged jihad in West Africa,
capturing Kumbi starting the decline of Ghana
2. ISLAM IN MALI
a.Religious tolerance helped the spread of Islam
in West Africa
b.In 1240 the Made tribe (Muslim converts) took
Kumbi, and built new empire of Mali
Page 2 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
c.Their greatest ruler was Mansa Musa who took
over in 1312
a)
In 1324 he went on a Hajj to Mecca
1.It covered 3,000 miles
2.Over 80,000 people went
3.Took 8 months to reach Cairo
4.His caravan was described as “a lavish
display of power, wealth and
unprecedented by its size and
pageantry.” He paid for everything with
gold.
5.Brought back Al-Saheli
b)
They followed most, but not all Muslim
practices
3. ISLAM IN SONGHAI
a. 1460’s the great warrior Sunni Ali became the ruler
of Songhai
b. He built a powerful army that conquered Mali
c. Early leaders did not seriously practice Islam, so in
1490s Muslims rebelled placing Askia Mohammed
Toure as ruler
d. This was the largest of the West African empires,
getting as big as Western Europe.
Page 3 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
14.3: NEW RELIGIOUS PRACTICES P.158
a)
ISLAM
i) W. Africans embraced Islam
ii) Celebrated most of the festivals
(1)
Eid al-Fitr – end of Ramadan
(2)
Eid al-Adha – Abraham’s sacrifice
iii) Kept some of their old ones
(1)
Respect for spirits of dead ancestors
(2)
Belief in spirits – praying or sacrificing
(3)
Amulets – protect from harm
iv) Some practices were not understood by Arab
Muslims
14.4 NEW IDEAS ABOUT GOV + LAW P159
a)
Changed the line on succession
i) PATRILINEAL – father to son
b)
Structure of government
i) Change to highly centralized government
ii) Adoption of shari’ah (Islamic law)
(1)
It replaced the traditional customary law
(a) Which was not written but understood
(b) Trial by wood was one type of punishment
(2)
Judged by qadis
(a) They heard cases, listened to witnesses, +
ruled on law
Page 4 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
14.5 A NEW EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION P 160
a)TIMBUKTU a major trading city and
educational center
i) University of Sankore – one of world’s
greatest universities
(1) Run by an imam or scholar
(2) Qur'an, Islamic studies, Law, + Lit.
(3) Medicine and surgery
(4) Highest degree – 10 yrs. of study
(5) Turban – symbol of divine light,
wisdom, knowledge, + excellence
ii) Books copied by hand
14.6 A NEW LANGUAGE P 161
a) With Islam, Arabic became the
language of West Africa
b) Arabic is the language of the Muslim
religion
c) Arabic is the language of learning
d) Islamic law was written in Arabic
e) Arabic is the Language of trade and
government
Page 5 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
14.7 NEW ARCHITECTURAL STYLES P.162
a) Change from shrines that worshiped
the forces of nature to mosques => Allah
b) Al-Saheli => Djingareyber – the most
famous mosque in Timbuktu
i) Limestone
ii) Earth mixed with straw and wood
iii) Beams are projected out from the wall
where scaffolding was hung to make
repairs to the buildings
c) New designs in home building change
from circular to rectangular
14.8 NEW STYLES IN DECORATIVE ARTS
P.163
a) Calligraphy (artistic writing) and
geometric patterns used in both Muslim
and w. African art
b) Textiles very important to w. Africans
c) Dress changed with Muslim influence
Page 6 of 7
Mr. Dunn’s World History Class
Pinole Middle School
Ch 14 notes March 23, 2016
Page 7 of 7