Transcript Ch. 8: African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

Ch. 8: African Civilizations and
the Spread of Islam
African Societies
• Few hierarchical
governments
• Stateless societies
– Pros
• No taxes
• Easy to settle disputes
– Cons
• Difficult to wage war
• Difficult to organize building
projects
• Difficult to organize trade
Common Elements in Societies
• Language
– Bantu speaking people spread
– Linguistic base
• Thought
– Religion intertwined with
society
– Ancestors as gods
• Religion
– Animistic: natural forces as
gods
– Creator deity
– Witchcraft
• Economies
– North vs South vs Coastal
Islam in North Africa
• North of Sahara large part
of Mediterranean world
• Muslims spread across
region from 640 – 700 by
conquest and conversion
• Appeal to people
– Ideas of equality
• Appeal to rulers
– Political/religious ruler gave
more power
– Members of umma equal
Expansion of Islam in North Africa
Christian Kingdoms
Egypt
• Nubia
• Coptic Christianity
• Influenced by Byzantines
Ethiopia
• Axum
• Pocket of Christians surrounded
by Muslims
• Fortified towns
• King Lalibela: 11 churches
The Grasslands
• Islam spread by trade
• Camel caravans cross
Sahara
• Link north Africa to
central African states
Sudanic States
• Ghana
– Trade gold for salt and
dates
– Cities like Timbuktu and
Jenne grew for trade
– Rulers convert to Islam
• Power of religious and
political leader
• Rulers sacred and
separate from subjects
• Umma
Mali
• Agricultural community with
access to large gold
producing areas
• Grew wealthy from trade
• Islam reinforces power of
king
• Sundiata: “The Lion Prince”
was a great ruler whose
history told by griots
– Instituted division of labor
• Mansa Musa
– Pilgrimage to Mecca
Songhay
• Mostly farmers, herders,
and fishermen
• Sunni Ali a great military
leader and ruthless ruler
– Expanded empire, including
cities of Timbuktu & Jenne
• Syncretism of Islam with
pagan religions
• Muslim rulers shocked by
interaction of men and
women (unveiled) in public
Rise of Cities
• Jenne and Timbuktu
– Trade centers
• Books the most lucrative
– Resemble north African
cities
– Islamic scholars and
theologians study at
Sankore mosque
Village Life
• Agriculture the center of
life for most of population
(80%)
• Primitive techniques- no
plows or irrigation
• Polygamy common: easier
to plow more land
• Poor soil, frequent
droughts, insects, and
poor technology
Trade Routes in West Africa
• Islam adopted
by traders
and rulers
• Umma
• Power
The Swahili Coast
• Bantu herders in the north
and farmers in the south
mixed with residents
• Contact with Indian Ocean
brought other peoples
• Trading ports developed
– Attracted residents from the
Persian Gulf and Oman
• Swahili language: mix of
Bantu and Arabic
Swahili Trade
• Mogadishu, Mombasa,
Malindi, Kilwa, and
Zanzibar ruled by Muslim
families
• Exports: gold, ivory, iron,
slaves, and exotic animals
• Imports: silk from Persia
and porcelain from China
• Active coastal trade with
Africans bringing goods to
coast
Islamic Influence
• Spread of Islam into India
and S.E. Asia influences
east African coast
• Umma promotes bond of
trust
• Ruling families and
merchants convert and
build mosques
• Most of population remain
polytheistic
Peoples of the Forests and Plains
• Central Africa
– Yoruba, Benin, Great
Zimbabwe
• Small agricultural and
herding villages
• Iron tools and
weapons
• Oral tradition
– No written language
Yoruba
• Agricultural society
• Divine kings rule with an
aristocracy
• Ile-Ife
– Cultural center
– Terra-cotta statues
– Bronze masks
• Ogboni (secret societies of
religious and political
leaders) oversee king
Yoruban Art
Benin
• Primarily agricultural
• Oba (ruler) surrounded by
large entourage
• Artistic heritage
– Ivory
– Cast bronze sculptures
Benin Art
Inland Islamic Influence
• Little Islamic influence
• No trade advantage
– Africans trading with
other Africans
– Little exposure to
Muslims
– No need to be part of
umma!
Kongo
• Flourishing by the 15th
century
• Primarily agricultural
• Weaving, pottery,
carving, and blacksmith
• Eight provinces ruled by
manikongo (king)
Great Zimbabwe
• Agriculture and herding
Bantu people
• Political and religious
center
– Eagle: link between
world and spirits
• Gold trade with
Muslims in Sofala
• Little conversion