Transcript Influence of Islam on West Africa

Introduction

 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.
Religious Practices

New 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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”
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
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
Education

Emphasis on 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
Language

Arabic: A New 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.
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.
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.