Life on the Margins of IslamChapter 8172-191

Africa & the Spread of Islam

Consider reading relevant info “Beyond Classical Civs” on pg. 101-103

Bantu

Background (circa 600 CE)Bantu Sedentary tribal group

– Population pressure

↳ Migration Spread:

– Agriculture– Language

Impact:– States arise, specialization, trade possible…

Diversity & Similarity

Common in Africa– Governed by family & obligation– No tax, bureaucracy, army

Disadvantage:• Organizing public projects

Stateless Societies

Common Elements

Bantu-based language

Animistic religion– Creator deity– Personified natural forces– Witchcraft– Ancestors

Economies– Increasing settled ag & specialized trade

N Africa: Arrival of Islam

Long part of Mediterranean world

Islam quickly spread– Berbers

N. Af splintered as Abbasid weakened– Puritanical movements

NE Africa: Christian Societies

Three persistent societies preceded Islam

– Egyptian Copts

– Nubia/Kush

– Ethiopia/Axum

W Africa: Grassland Kingdoms

Merchants brought Islam from N. Af

Strategically located b/t gold-rich forests on coast & salt-rich deserts & markets to north

300: Ghana Empire

QuestionDefine: Sudan

Sahel

Savanna

Sudanic States

Commonly:– Ruled by patriarch from prominent clan

– “Empires”

– Rulers use Islam to justify authority despite few conversions among masses

Mali Empire

1200: Replaced Ghana– Agricultural w/ influential gold-salt trade– Griots– Specialized clans

Sundiata:

Mansa Musa:

City Dwellers & Villagers Cities

– Cosmopolitan commercial centers Villages

– Center of population & family– Small farms

Songhay & Hausa Songhay

– 1460s: Replaced Mali– .Strong provincial gov → expansion

Hausa

Political & Social Life

Consistently blended:

– Tradition = • Clans• Animism• Women

– Islamic influence = • Rulers political/religious authority• Merchants • Slave trade

E Africa: Swahili Coast

to Arabia

to S Asia

to SE Asia

Islam further brings Af into fold w/ Indian Ocean trade

Coastal Trading Ports

1200s: City-states develop

– Traded ivory, gold, slaves from interior for foreign silk & porcelain

– EX: Kilwa

Mixture of Cultures

Islamization was class-based– Rulers– Merchants– Peasants maintains traditions

Blending of cultures common– Swahili– Tracing lineage

C Africa: Forest & Plains

C. African Forests

Strategically located to profit from trade– Source of goods traded in E & W Africa– No direct contact with Muslims

Kongo & Great Zimbabwe

Kongo– Agricultural but valued artisans– Highly divided gender roles– Governed via confederation

Great Zimbabwe (Mwene Mutapa)– Complex stone structures– Controlled gold reserves bound for E coast

Global Connections

Never fully isolated but Islam further integrates Africa into networks

Some parts advance independently