Mrs. RandMrs. RandUniversity Preparatory SchoolUniversity Preparatory School

Content adapted from Content adapted from History Alive! The History Alive! The Medieval World and BeyondMedieval World and Beyond, Teacher’s , Teacher’s

Curriculum InstituteCurriculum Institute

During the 7th Century, Islam spread quickly

through the Middle East and North Africa. During the 8th Century, the trans-Saharan

trade brought Muslim merchants and traders to West Africa.

Eventually both the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai accepted Islam.

West Africans blended Islamic culture with their own traditions.

Introduction

Religious Practices

Along with adopting new practices and ethical

values, West Africans kept some of their old religious practices. Muslim leaders allowed them to continue religious

traditions as long as they did not contradict (conflict with) the Five Pillars Faith.

W. Africans continued to show respect for the spirits of dead ancestors. They kept their belief in spirits who could help those or made sacrifices to them.

They used amulets, or charms, that they believed helped people or protected them from harm.

New Religious Practices

The Spread of Islam in West Africa

Traders Bring Islam to Ghana

Between 639 and 708 C.E., Arab Muslims conquered North Africa

They wanted to bring W. Africa into the Islamic world.

Initially the king of Ghana did not convert, nor did the majority of the people.

But the king did allow Muslims to build settlements within his empire

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Islam in Mali

The tolerance shown by Muslims toward traditional religious practices helped Islam to spread.

Early leaders of Mali accepted Islam, but they didn’t follow all of its teachings.

In 1312, a new leader, Mansa Musa, took over in Mali. He became the first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly.

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Islam in Mali

Under the rule of Mansa Musa, Mali became a major crossroad of the Islamic world.

Musa made a hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca

His caravan was described as “a lavish display of power, wealth, and unprecedented by its size and pageantry.”

Included in his caravan was: 500 slaves, each

carrying a 6 lb. staff of gold

Caravan of 200 camels carrying 30,000 lbs. of gold Food, clothing, and

supplies Because of this

impressive display, Mali gained acceptance as an important empire

Islam in Songhai

In the 1460s Sunni Ali became the new ruler of Songhai.

He built a powerful army that enabled Songhai to break away from Mali and eventually conquer it.

Early Songhai rulers didn’t seriously practice Islam

Under the leadership of Askia Mohammed Toure, a devout Muslim, rigid controls were set to ensure Islam was being practiced properly.

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Government and Law

Change #1: Succession

An important change in government was in how people chose their next leader, or “line of succession”

Traditionally succession to the throne had been matrilineal – the right to rule was traced through the woman’s side of the family

After the arrival of Islam, succession became patrilineal – the right to rule went from father to son.

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Change #2: Structure of Gov’t

Muslims believed in a highly centralized government, which was different than traditional African society

After conversion to Islam, West African kings sought more control of local rulers

Rulers adopted titles used in Muslim lands, such as “emir” and “sultan”

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Change #3: Adoption of Shari’ah Law

Customary laws of Africa usually: were enforced by

chiefs or kings didn’t give physical

punishments Weren’t written down Guilty person paid

injured party with gifts or services

Family or clan of guilty person could also be punished

http://www.onlinelegaltips.com/images/Judiciary-System-In-Africa.jpg

Shari’ah Law:

Laws were written Muslims believed that

shari’ah came from God Administered by judges

called qadis Cases were heard in a

court Witnesses called Ruled on basis of the

law and the evidence presented

http://shariahcouncil.org/

Education

Muslims highly value learning & encouraged

people to become educated. Timbuktu

Became famous for its community of Islamic Scholars

Contained several universities Schools were set up to educate children in the

Qur’an Schools run by an imam (scholar) Basic subjects included studying the Qur’an, Islamic

studies, law, and literature

Emphasis on Education

Language

In West Africa, Arabic became the language of religion, learning, commerce (business), and government.

Arabic became the language of TRADE and GOVERNMENT

West Africans continued to use their native languages in everyday speech.

Scholars used Arabic to begin to write about the history and culture of West Africa.

Arabic allowed rulers to keep records and to write to rulers in other countries.

Using the common Arabic language, West African traders who spoke different languages to communicate more easily.

Arabic: A New Language

What was written about?

Described how people used animals, plants, and minerals to cure diseases.

Discussed ethical behavior for business and government.

Told how to use the stars to determine the seasons.

They recorded the history of the Songhai.

They wrote about Islamic Law

Architectural Styles

Mosques in West Africa

Traditionally, West Africans built small shrines to the forces of nature. As they converted to Islam, they began to build mosques (Muslim house of worship).The mosques that were built blended Islamic architectural styles with their own traditional religious art.

For example, the minaret (tower) of one mosque was designed to look like the symbol of a Songhai ancestor.

Mosques in West Africa used the materials that were available in the local area.abundancesecrets.com

Decorative Arts

Decorative Arts

West Africans adopted the use of calligraphy and geometric patterns in their decorative arts.

Arabic calligraphy was used to decorate costumes, fans, and even weapons.

West Africans adopted the dress of Arabic robes… using decorative textiles and clothing and everyday objects like stools, ceramic containers.

goafrica.about.com