The Spread of Islam Through West Africa

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Bertram Edwards
5 years ago
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1 The Spread of Islam Through West Africa A Different Pattern By Kaitlyn Ashburn, Izzy Herringer, and McKenzie Belt

2 Arrival Muslim Traders first brought Islam into West Africa Came across Sahara Not brought by invading Turkic or Arab armies Gradually accepted in centuries following 1000 CE

Reception & Conversion Most widely accepted in urban centers African Merchants embraced Islam because it provided an important link to muslim trading partners Islam contributed to long-distance trade

3 Reception & Conversion Most widely accepted in urban centers African Merchants embraced Islam because it provided an important link to muslim trading partners Islam contributed to long-distance trade by offering Muslims tools such as contract law, credit, and information networks. African kings were less responsive to Islam, as they tried to contain and segregate Muslims Later African rulers began to blend Islam with their culture (offered source of literate officials) Muslim merchants that accepted Islam.

taxed trade, in the agricultural villages collected tribute Islamic law that rulers used to govern.

4 Government Organization Early governmental organization of West Africa composed of a monarchical system Kings claimed to have descended from mythical divine founding ancestors of the many ethnic groups in Africa, gave them power Throughout their country taxed trade, in the agricultural villages collected tribute Islamic law that rulers used to govern. Many rulers established in Islam into West Africa, but there were few efforts made to impose new religion on their subjects, or to govern in strict accordance to Islamic Law

Main settlement in Kumbi Built mosques Had their own spiritual leader called an imam.

5 Religious Institution Varied depending on the area Ghana - king did not convert to Islam but allowed Muslim communities to form and practice The Great Mosque at Jenne was initially constructed in 13th century. Main settlement in Kumbi Built mosques Had their own spiritual leader called an imam. Many scholars studied the Qur'an Mali - leaders and people accepted Islam did not follow all of its teachings. Many people made a hajj or a pilgrimage.

Changes Climate/Environment The African Transition Zone-division between Islam (North) and Christianity (south) in Africa. This division goes through the region of West Africa.

mem Ibn Battuta and his journey of West Africa Growth/Sustainability of Trade Instantly connected to a larger system of trade networks and large trade cities due to muslim

6 Changes Climate/Environment The African Transition Zone-division between Islam (North) and Christianity (south) in Africa. This division goes through the region of West Africa. Gender Many local customs persisted Women uncovered in public: Ibn Battuta appalled that practicing muslims allowed their women to appear in public and mingle freely with unrelated mem Ibn Battuta and his journey of West Africa Growth/Sustainability of Trade Instantly connected to a larger system of trade networks and large trade cities due to muslim trans-saharan traders Muslim/Non-Muslim Before the spread of Islam to West Africa, non-muslims lived alongside Muslims Over time, Muslim community developed and grew around trans-saharan trade routes

Cultural Developments Islam boosted more than 150 Quranic schools, and several major centers for education Art- Amulets with Qur anic verses were created by Sub-Saharan Muslim clerics displaces

7 Cultural Developments Islam boosted more than 150 Quranic schools, and several major centers for education Art- Amulets with Qur anic verses were created by Sub-Saharan Muslim clerics displaces indigenous talisman as well as medicinal packets use of geometric patterns and designs, was reinforced with the spread of Islam. Literature- Islam brought the art of writing into Africa, along with a new technique for weighting. Islamic learning also developed. Music & Medicine- Islam didn t have a large effect on West Africa s music or medicine.

8 Diffusion of Language and Culture Africa differs from the other powerful areas of this time in its large size and compilation of many cultures and ethnicities Islamization had an impact on the culture of these civilizations; each culture had many traditions and Islam often influenced or were adopted into them People beginning to pray to God in Arabic and building mosques to worship Learned the Five Pillars of Islam and made pilgrimages There were traditions that were kept including the continuation of worship to spirits of their ancestors These cultures continued to speak their native languages.

Islamization Scale 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Islamization impacted West Africa s economy immensely by connecting it to the other major civilizations of the time through trade.

9 Islamization Scale Islamization impacted West Africa s economy immensely by connecting it to the other major civilizations of the time through trade. Politically, Islamization affected the governmental organization and many of their laws and policies. The many cultures and ethnicities that made up West Africa maintained their native languages and some cultural traditions while adopting new Islam induced practices. Islamization did change societies in West Africa in many ways and affected the daily life of the people. The Quran, the most important book in the religion of Islam. It documents the visions of the prophet, Muhammad.

THE RISE OF ISLAM U N I T I I I

THE RISE OF ISLAM U N I T I I I MUHAMMAD THE PROFIT From Mecca in modern day Saudi Arabia Muhammad was a middle aged merchant who claimed the Angel Gabriel asked him to recite the word of God As a Merchant