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; Isolated
• 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, iron, copper
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?