1. Powerful kingdoms emerged in West Africa due to the trans-Saharan salt-gold trade. Kingdoms like Ghana and Mali grew wealthy from taxing this trade and controlling the gold mines of West Africa.
2. Trading city-states emerged in East Africa due to their access to the Indian Ocean trade routes. Cities like Kilwa grew rich exporting goods like gold, ivory, and slaves to Arabia, India, and beyond.
3. Cultural diffusion spread between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia along these trade routes. Islam spread significantly and great cities like Timbuktu became centers of Islamic learning.
South Africa PowerPoint Presentation: (Sample)Andrew Schwartz
This South Africa PowerPoint will teach you about the country's culture, customs, family life, gender roles, cuisine, etiquettes for dining, social and business interactions, and much more to assist you in your travels. Did you know that Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be the oldest mountain in the world? Or that Kruger National Park in South Africa supports the greatest variety of wildlife species in Africa?
The complete version highlights these facts and much more:
• 18 Points on General Information
• 11 Points on Family Life
• 15 Points on Food
• 13 Points on Food Etiquette
• 5 Points on Social Etiquette
• 19 Points on Business Etiquette
• 10 Points on Trivia.
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Lecture # 7Islam .docxvrickens
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lecture # 7
*
Islam Today: DemographicsThere are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwideApproximately 1/5th of the world's population Growth without missionary effortsWhere Do Muslims Live?Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world 20% are found in Sub-Saharan Africa 30% in the South Asian region of Pakistan, India and BangladeshThe world's largest single Muslim community is in Indonesia The Top 9: 1) Indonesia, 2) Pakistan, 3) Bangladesh, 4) India, 5) Turkey, 6) Iran, 7) Egypt, 8) Nigeria, and 9) China
Two Main Braches of IslamThere are two main branches of Islam today
Sunni recognize the male heirs of the first 4 elected (according to Muhammad's instruction) caliphs (or spiritual heads) after Muhammad’s death
Shiite recognize the decedents of only the 4th caliphs—Ali (M’s son-in-law & cousin), the only true descendent of Muhammad
In all other ways Sunni and Shiite are very similar
African Civilizations
and the Spread of Islam
What is the geography of Africa?
How might this geography impact Africans?
African Regions
Pre-Islamic AfricaExtremely diverse societies developedPolitical unity was difficult because of terrainBantu: primary language spokenOral traditions; very few written recordsMost communities are preliterate (lacking writing system)Animistic and polytheistic religionsPower of natural forces; ritual and worshipDancing, drumming, divination, and sacrificeWitchcraft; cosmologyAncestors are called uponEconomies vary by regionN. Africa: Islamic trade routes and Mediterranean tradeSub-Saharan: agriculture; ironworking; tribes and herdersAfricans exchanged abundant raw materials (esp. salt) for manufactured goods
Geography of Africa
Africa’s geography was very diverse
& Africans were lived differently based on where
they lived
*
Geography of Africa
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert
& acted as a barrier to separate North Africa from sub-Saharan Africa
Early Societies of Africa
By 750, North Africans were part of the Islamic Empire, converted to Islam, & shared Arabic culture
Early societies of North Africa were influenced by Mediterranean cultures such as the Phoenicians & Romans
Early Societies of Africa
African societies south of the Sahara were isolated & missed out on the cultural diffusion of the Classical Era
Influence of Islam in Africa640-700: Muslims moved west from Arabia across N. Africa to spread IslamRapid conversions by Berbers (Saharan nomads)Spreads along pre-existing caravan routesMaghreb: NW Africa (W of Egypt); Islamized11th-12th centuries: Almoravids and Almohads (ultra-conservative Muslim Berbers) grow in powerReformers: launch jihad (war to spread and protect faith) against “lax” MuslimsAlmohads defeat Almoravids Almohad Caliphate: 1121-1269These groups are essential to the spread of Islam throughout Africa.Why is Islam attractive?Egalitarian; reinforced kings’ authority; equal footing politically/religiously/economica ...
South Africa PowerPoint Presentation: (Sample)Andrew Schwartz
This South Africa PowerPoint will teach you about the country's culture, customs, family life, gender roles, cuisine, etiquettes for dining, social and business interactions, and much more to assist you in your travels. Did you know that Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be the oldest mountain in the world? Or that Kruger National Park in South Africa supports the greatest variety of wildlife species in Africa?
The complete version highlights these facts and much more:
• 18 Points on General Information
• 11 Points on Family Life
• 15 Points on Food
• 13 Points on Food Etiquette
• 5 Points on Social Etiquette
• 19 Points on Business Etiquette
• 10 Points on Trivia.
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Lecture # 7Islam .docxvrickens
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lecture # 7
*
Islam Today: DemographicsThere are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwideApproximately 1/5th of the world's population Growth without missionary effortsWhere Do Muslims Live?Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world 20% are found in Sub-Saharan Africa 30% in the South Asian region of Pakistan, India and BangladeshThe world's largest single Muslim community is in Indonesia The Top 9: 1) Indonesia, 2) Pakistan, 3) Bangladesh, 4) India, 5) Turkey, 6) Iran, 7) Egypt, 8) Nigeria, and 9) China
Two Main Braches of IslamThere are two main branches of Islam today
Sunni recognize the male heirs of the first 4 elected (according to Muhammad's instruction) caliphs (or spiritual heads) after Muhammad’s death
Shiite recognize the decedents of only the 4th caliphs—Ali (M’s son-in-law & cousin), the only true descendent of Muhammad
In all other ways Sunni and Shiite are very similar
African Civilizations
and the Spread of Islam
What is the geography of Africa?
How might this geography impact Africans?
African Regions
Pre-Islamic AfricaExtremely diverse societies developedPolitical unity was difficult because of terrainBantu: primary language spokenOral traditions; very few written recordsMost communities are preliterate (lacking writing system)Animistic and polytheistic religionsPower of natural forces; ritual and worshipDancing, drumming, divination, and sacrificeWitchcraft; cosmologyAncestors are called uponEconomies vary by regionN. Africa: Islamic trade routes and Mediterranean tradeSub-Saharan: agriculture; ironworking; tribes and herdersAfricans exchanged abundant raw materials (esp. salt) for manufactured goods
Geography of Africa
Africa’s geography was very diverse
& Africans were lived differently based on where
they lived
*
Geography of Africa
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert
& acted as a barrier to separate North Africa from sub-Saharan Africa
Early Societies of Africa
By 750, North Africans were part of the Islamic Empire, converted to Islam, & shared Arabic culture
Early societies of North Africa were influenced by Mediterranean cultures such as the Phoenicians & Romans
Early Societies of Africa
African societies south of the Sahara were isolated & missed out on the cultural diffusion of the Classical Era
Influence of Islam in Africa640-700: Muslims moved west from Arabia across N. Africa to spread IslamRapid conversions by Berbers (Saharan nomads)Spreads along pre-existing caravan routesMaghreb: NW Africa (W of Egypt); Islamized11th-12th centuries: Almoravids and Almohads (ultra-conservative Muslim Berbers) grow in powerReformers: launch jihad (war to spread and protect faith) against “lax” MuslimsAlmohads defeat Almoravids Almohad Caliphate: 1121-1269These groups are essential to the spread of Islam throughout Africa.Why is Islam attractive?Egalitarian; reinforced kings’ authority; equal footing politically/religiously/economica ...
Encounters with Islam· Different Arab tribes united in the 7th c.docxchristinemaritza
Encounters with Islam
· Different Arab tribes united in the 7th century CE; their political influence spread to Spain, Central Asia, Afghanistan, West Africa, China, and South and Southeast Asia (Norton)
· Traders set up an extensive network of routes, which facilitated "an extraordinary exchange of goods" (Norton) --> routes stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to East Asia, and from the equator to Northern Europe (Norton)
· Commodities were exchanged along these routes, but also ideas and art. The exchange of ideas and art diversified literary forms and styles (Norton)
("Map of the Silk Road Routes" from Ancient History Encyclopedia)
· Islam became religion of ruling classes along ^ trade routes, but unlike Christianity, it was NOT imposed on local cultures; instead, Islam existed side-by-side with local religions, thereby facilitating a diverse, multicultural environment (Norton)
· Map of Western Africa (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,1200 CE - 1400 CE
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvnU0v6hcUo&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOS78ul1_rA&feature=youtu.be
“What saved him?
His hands.
When you are popular you must have an open hand.
It is a man’s generosity that will save him.
Nothing saved Sunjata but his hands” (lines 1095-99).
Author
Time/Date of Composition
Contextual Information
Form
Major Themes
Preview
Sunjata is the only reading (so far) with a still active
oral tradition. The version we’re reading is a written
rendering of an oral performance by Tassey Condé
in the 1990s
Condé was a jeliw who lived in Fadama in
Northeastern Guinea (Norton)
However… There is no single author, as Sunjata has
been passed down and told by many different bards
Author
Time/Date of Composition
Probably composed
between late 1200s CE
and early 1300s CE
Evidence of Sunjata’s
life is corroborated
through the writings of
Ibn Battuta, a
Berber/Moroccan
explorer/traveler in the
1350s BCE
(Book cover of The Travels of
Ibn Battuta)
Mande People.
Mande (also called Mandinka) people live in
northeastern Guinea, southern Mali, and parts of
sub-Saharan West Africa (Norton)
Mande people are comprised of a variety of
independent groups “dominated by a hereditary
nobility” the Kangaba group has had an
uninterrupted dynasty lasting 13 centuries
(“Mandinga” from Encyclopedia Brittanica)
Contextual Information
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Malinke
Mande people founded the Mali Empire, one of the
most powerful empires in Western Africa:
“The Empire was founded in 1235 CE by the legendary
King Sundiata [ii], and lasted until the early 1600s CE
[iii]. The Empire’s most famous ruler was named
Mansa Musa, and chroniclers of the times wrote that
when he travelled to Mecca on a pilgrimage he
distributed so much gold that he caused great inflation
lasting a decade “ (“The Empire of Mali” from South
African History Online)
Contextua.
Dar Al-Islam—The Abode of IslamHistory 015.docxMARRY7
Dar Al-Islam—The Abode of Islam
History 015
Ibn Battuta
Muslim world Traveler
1325 left Tangiers
29 year journey ,
73,000 miles
The Travels of Ibn Battuta
1400 Trading Routes
Africa and Eurasia were connected by trade.
Silk Road Trade
Spice Road Map
Trans Saharan Trade
Indian Ocean Trade
Renaissance Trade
Abode of Islam
1.Battuta encountered everywhere
A. Familiar cultural traditions
B. Language
C. Common Business practices
Islamic Empire at Death of Mohammed
Islamic Empire 632 to 750CE
Muslim Rule
Significance of the Spread of Islam
1. Common language and customs covering most of old world.
2. Trade, ideas and culture developed
A. Islamic world, education, books, libraries
B. World’s largest libraries until late 1400 in Muslim countries
1) Alexandria
2) Timbuktu
Significance of The Spread of Islam
Cut Europe off for centuries from Indian Ocean.
Muslims dominated the Mediterranean Sea
“ Europeans couldn’t even float a plank on it.”
African Empires
Controlled the trade of
Gold and Ivory for
the Islamic trading
network
African Empires & City States
1. All but the rainforest empires were Muslim—at least at leadership
2. Major empires were Mali, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe.
3. City States—Hausa, Swahili
Major African Empires to 1500
1. East Africa
A. Swahili—controlled the trade of gold across Indian Ocean
B. Great Zimbabwe—controlled gold from S. Africa
2. Savanna-Sahel (region south of Sahara
Desert in West Africa.
A. Songhay (Songhai), Mali, Ancient Ghana— Trade gold across the Sahara Desert
3. Forest Region (rain forest regions of West Africa)
A. Akan, Asante—actually mined the gold.
Indian Ocean Trade & Swahili City States
Swahili City States
Along the East African Coast--from Mogadishu to Kilwa
Over 75 ruins of Swahili city states along the East African Coast
Swahili houses
Made houses
from coral, mangrove
poles
good indoor
plumbing.
Swahili
All Muslims
African language,
culture, but added
Indian, Persian, Arabic
culture to their own.
.
Most important Swahili trading city state--Kilwa
...
This slide show aims to draw connections between the empire of Mali at the height of its power under Mansa Musa, and modern day Mali. There are several topics presented, and there is room from inquiry throughout the slide show. I used photos from my travels throughout Mali and to Timbuktu. The slides also correspond with the Mansa Musa Readers Theatre, but it is not essential for you to have this in order to find the slide show accessible.
3. "Let's face it -- think of Africa, and the first images that come to mind are of war, poverty, famine and flies. How many of us really know anything at all about the truly great ancient African civilizations, which in their day, were just as splendid and glorious as any on the face of the earth?" --Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Wonders of the African World (PBS Online,1999): http:// www.pbs.org /wonders/ Pre Class – React to the quote below. Do you agree/disagree? Does it accurately reflect your vision of Africa? Why do you think we have lost sight of the great African civilizations?
14. Islamization of Mali By the fourteenth century, Muslim traders were established in the town of Djenne, located in the inland delta of the Niger. The most impressive monument of intercultural borrowing is the Friday Mosque at Djenne. There, salt from the Sahara, goods from northern Africa and fine silks were exchanged for gold, and ivory. The monumental mosque was constructed around 1320 (the present building was reconstructed on the foundation of the original mosque in 1907).
Complete the following simulation trade activity: Choose a student to be the king of Mali. The king's job will be to tax people that come to the market place in Mali. Divide the rest of the students into three groups: --people from the desert in the north (carrying rock salt, cloth, books, and shells); --people from the south (carrying gold nuggets and nuts); and --the people from Mali in the market place (had gold nuggets). Set up a market place and conduct a brief bartering/trading role-playing session. People passing through the market place may use salt rocks, gold nuggets, or coins to pay taxes to the king.
The University was organized around three great Masajids or Mosques. The Masajid of Jingaray Ber, The Masajid of Sidi Yahya, The Masajid of Sankore. Masajids are places of worship for Muslims. Not only did students seek knowledge, but they also purified their souls through the sciences of Islam. Islam breeds leaders that are God fearing, just, honest, trustworthy and of excellent moral character. Graduate students were the embodiment of the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the traditions of the Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam. Around the 12th century, the University of Timbuktu had an attendance of 25, 000 students in a city which had a population of 100, 000 people. The students came from all corners of the African continent in search of excellence in knowledge and trade. On graduation day, students were given Turbans. The turban symbolizes Divine light, wisdom, knowledge and excellent moral conduct. The turban represents the demarcation line between knowledge and ignorance. The knots and circles of the turban represent the name Allah. This means that the graduate students know the Divine obligations and responsibilities to be discharge honorably in their communities and toward their fellowmen. The University curriculum had four degrees or levels: 1. The primary degree At this level the students memorized the Holy Qur'an, perfected their mastery of the Arabic language and learned to communicate and write effectively. The students were also introduced to the basics in other sciences. This level is also called Qur'anic school. 2. The secondary degree Now the students have committed the Holy Qur'an to memory. This is very important because all the Islamic sciences are routed and derived from the Qur'an which constitute the source of authentic and authority. Any teachings or narrations that are not supported by the verses of the Qur'an are rejected and constitute an innovation. This level may be called the General Studies level. Here the students are introduced to the different branches of Islamic knowledge. These Islamic sciences are: grammar, commentaries of the Qur'an, the Hadiths or the Prophetic narrations, jurisprudence, mathematics, geography, history, Islamic schools of thoughts, physics, astronomy, chemistry, sciences of the purification of the heart and soul, etc. The students also spend time in learning a trade and the Islamic business code and ethics. The university trade shops offered classes in business, carpentry, farming, fishing, construction, shoe making, tailoring, navigation etc. This is very important because as an Imam or Islamic scholar one has to impart honest and unbiased judgments in settling legal issues. This integrity will be compromised if the Imam or the scholar living expenses are being supplied by the rich people. In order the Imam or scholar to be just and fair in discharging legal decrees, he has to earn his own halal (permissible) income. 3. The superior degree The curriculum was highly specialized. The students sat in classes of renowned professors. Sankore was one of the most important departments of the University in this regard. At this level, the studies were of higher learning and mastery and are comparable to any university in the Islamic world. The students did more of the research work. For instance, the professors of the different branches of Islamic knowledge would give the students questions on different subjects and topics to be researched. Each student would then present, argue and defend his position in front of the professors and other students who would storm him with a flow of tough questions. Students go from one department to the others and from one professor to the others in search of knowledge. Most students at this stage would find a Shayk or master and study under his guidance. The Shayk would purge the student of all his Shaytanic characteristics and tendencies, and then would ensure that the same graduate student be a good Islamic model for the generation to come. Graduation was based upon a student's excellent Islamic character and his mastery of Islamic knowledge. 4. The circle of knowledge This is the club of Muslim Imams, Scholars and Professors. It here that most of the important and crutial issues of Islam are being discussed. The caliphs or Muslims state leaders such as Askia Mohammed of the Songhai Empire, Mansa Musa of the Malian Empire, Shayk Amadu of the Fulani caliphate of Massina, The Amirs and sultans of the provinces of the Sudan would send crutial questions to the Ulemas or scholars of Timbuktu. The scholar who received the questions will make copies of these question or issues and distribute them among the members of the circle of knowledge. Each scholar will research the issue and then they all get together to share their answers and thus put together a manuscripts dealing in detail with the questions or issues and then issue a Fatwa or legal Islamic ruling by the government authorities will abide. There was also the case of one Muslim who was wealthy and generous. Whoever was in need in Timbuktu approached him and secured a loan. As time went by, the Imam ofJingare Ber noticed that the number of attendance of Mosque was decreasing each Friday. (Jingare Ber, up to the present day, is the only Masjid open on Fridays in Timbuktu. The entire population converges to this famous Mosque). The Imam inquired about the cause of the lowered attendance at the Masjid and discovered that most people of Timbuktu owed money to the generous wealthy man. The people who owed him money were unable to pay their debt so they decided to stay home for fear and embarassment of running into the man. The dilemma now is what to do. The matter was submitted to the circle of knowledge who decided that the wealthy man should stayed home or forgive the debt. The wealthy man was called in. He forgave the debtees and said he had no idea that the lower attendance was because of him.
A very practical feature of the new style of mosques was the arrangement of wooden posts (known as toron or “horns”) that protruded from the outer walls. They were used to hold scaffolding when the walls were replastered each year .