This document provides an overview of early African civilizations, covering the African landscape and natural resources, including the Sahara desert, rain forests, savannas, and Mediterranean zone. It also summarizes trade networks that developed, both within Africa and connecting it to other regions, such as Trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade routes. Finally, it outlines some aspects of society, culture, and religions in early Africa, including clan systems, slavery, and the spread of Christianity, Islam, and traditional village religions.
West African Kingdoms. Virginia SOL USI.4c. This power point teaches students the importance of the African kingdoms during European exploration. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai each dominated West Africa in sequence from 300 to 1600 A.D. African people and African goods played an important role in European interest in world resources.
West African Kingdoms. Virginia SOL USI.4c. This power point teaches students the importance of the African kingdoms during European exploration. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai each dominated West Africa in sequence from 300 to 1600 A.D. African people and African goods played an important role in European interest in world resources.
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Lecture # 7Islam .docxvrickens
Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lecture # 7
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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
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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 ...
1. Early African CivilizationEarly African CivilizationEarly African CivilizationEarly African Civilization
Chapter 16 Study GuideChapter 16 Study GuideChapter 16 Study GuideChapter 16 Study Guide
Mr. Masenhimer
ContentContentContentContent Your NotesYour NotesYour NotesYour Notes
TheAfrican Landscape and its Natural
Resources:The Sahara, the rain forest,
savanna, and the Mediterranean zone.
Trade:West (e.g.Trans-Saharan trade
route, caravans, labor specialization,
gold-salt trade, and the emergence of
Arabic) vs. East (e.g. Indian Ocean &
The Nile R.,Axum the trading Empire,
goods traded and desired goods).
2. Society & Culture:West (e.g. caste sys-
tem, slavery, village kinship/clans) vs.
East (e.g. Swahili language and culture,
stonetowns)
Religion: Christianity, Islam,Village/
Clan religion and ancestors
Mr. Masenhimer
