African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam 9 African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam

Figure 9.1 In 1324, Mansa Musa, King of Mali, made a pilgrimage to Mecca that brought the attention of the Muslim world to the wealth of his kingdom. A Jewish cartographer in Spain, Abraham Cresques, depicted the trip more than 50 years later in the map shown above. Mansa Musa is depicted at the bottom right with a golden scepter and crown, symbolizing his royal power, and an enormous gold nugget, symbolizing his country’s wealth. Figure 9.1 In 1324, Mansa Musa, King of Mali, made a pilgrimage to Mecca that brought the attention of the Muslim world to the wealth of his kingdom. A Jewish cartographer in Spain, Abraham Cresques, depicted the trip more than 50 years later in the map shown above. Mansa Musa is depicted at the bottom right with a golden scepter and crown, symbolizing his royal power, and an enormous gold nugget, symbolizing his country’s wealth.

Chapter Overview African Societies: Diversity and Similarities Kingdoms of the Grasslands The Swahili Coast of East Africa Peoples of the Forest and Plains

TIMELINE 100 C.E. to 1400 C.E. TIMELINE 100 C.E. to 1400 C.E.

African Societies: Diversity and Similarities Political forms vary Different religions Societies With and Without States Stateless societies Kinship fundamental Secret societies State-building under a variety of conditions

African Societies: Diversity and Similarities Common Elements in African Societies Bantu migration One language base Animism Cosmology Ethical code Lineage important in relation with god Religion, economics, history intertwined

African Societies: Diversity and Similarities The Arrival of Islam in North Africa Part of Mediterranean Ifriquiya Maghrib Arrival of Islam Spain, by 711 Berber Almoravids Western Sahara Assist conversion

African Societies: Diversity and Similarities The Arrival of Islam in North Africa Almohadis Succeed Berbers, 12th century Appeal of Islam Equality within community

African Societies: Diversity and Similarities The Christian Kingdoms: Nubia and Ethiopia Copts Egyptian Christians Welcome Muslims Spread to Nubia (Kush) Ethiopia Heirs to Axum King Lalibela

Figure 9.2 This extraordinary 13th-century church, Bet Giorgis, represents the power of early Christianity in Ethiopia. It was one of a great complex of eleven churches that King Lalibela believed God had commanded him to build. Dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia, it was cut out of the bedrock of the earth. Its roof, in the shape of an enormous cross, lies at ground level. Although it is surrounded by impassable walls and can be reached only by way of an underground tunnel carved in stone, it is still used for worship today. Figure 9.2 This extraordinary 13th-century church, Bet Giorgis, represents the power of early Christianity in Ethiopia. It was one of a great complex of eleven churches that King Lalibela believed God had commanded him to build. Dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia, it was cut out of the bedrock of the earth. Its roof, in the shape of an enormous cross, lies at ground level. Although it is surrounded by impassable walls and can be reached only by way of an underground tunnel carved in stone, it is still used for worship today.

Kingdoms of the Grasslands Caravans across Sahara Sahel (grasslands) Transfer point Sudanic States Rulers sacred Islam From 900s Supports state

Kingdoms of the Grasslands The Empire of Mali and Sundiata, the "Lion Prince" Malinke peoples from Ghana Agriculture, gold trade Merchants, juula Griots Oral historians, keepers of traditions Ibn Battuta

Map 9.1 Empires of the Western Sudan

Kingdoms of the Grasslands The Empire of Mali and Sundiata, the "Lion Prince" Sundiata (d.1260) Mansa (emperor) Expanded state Mansa Kankan Musa Pilgrimage to Mecca Brings back Ishal al-Sahili Architect from Muslim Spain Beaten clay architecture

Kingdoms of the Grasslands City Dwellers and Villagers Jenne, Timbuktu Thrive with expansion of Mali, Songhay Mandinka juula Merchants Farmers the majority

Kingdoms of the Grasslands The Songhay Kingdom Middle Niger valley Independent by 700 Muslim by 1010 Capital at Gao Sunni Ali (1464–1492) Expanded territory Successors: askia

Kingdoms of the Grasslands The Songhay Kingdom Muhammad the Great Defeated by Morocco, 1591 Hausa states, northern Nigeria Kano becomes Muslim center

Kingdoms of the Grasslands Political and Social Life in the Sudanic States Fusion of Muslim, indigenous traditions Sharia Slavery as a process of conversion Women and children

The Architecture of Faith Dogon village mosque in Kani-Kombole, Mali, west Africa.

The Architecture of Faith Domed Middle Eastern mosques shown in the skyline of Yazd, Iran.

The Swahili Coast of East Africa Trading ports Muslim influence strong Rest of population remains traditional The Coastal Trading Ports Mogadishu, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Pate, Zanzibar Zenj

Map 9.2 The Swahili Coast; African Monsoon Routes and Major Trade Routes

The Swahili Coast of East Africa The Coastal Trading Ports Madagascar Southeast Asian immigrants Bring bananas, coconuts Blended culture Bantu, Islamic Swahili Spreads along coast Trade with Asia

The Swahili Coast of East Africa The Mixture of Cultures on the Swahili Coast Islam unifies with Swahili Swahili language Matrilineal and patrilineal

Peoples of the Forest and Plains Artists and Kings: Yoruba and Benin Nok culture, 500 B.C.E. and 200 C.E. Nigerian forests Agriculture, iron tools Gap in record, 200-1000 C.E.

Figure 9.3 In the 13th and 14th centuries, Ile-Ife artists worked in terracotta as well as bronze and produced skilled individual portraits like this one. (The Brooklyn Museum of Art) Figure 9.3 In the 13th and 14th centuries, Ile-Ife artists worked in terracotta as well as bronze and produced skilled individual portraits like this one. (The Brooklyn Museum of Art)

Peoples of the Forest and Plains Yoruba Urbanized agriculturalists Small city-states Divine kings Ile-Ife Holy Notable portrait heads

Peoples of the Forest and Plains Edo Benin, 14th century Ewuare Iguegha

Two Transitions in the History of World Population Two periods of human population Very slow growth 1750–present: very rapid growth Demographic transition Process of shifting from agrarian to industrialized society Higher life expectancy Less possible to emigrate Unprecedented rate of growth

Peoples of the Forest and Plains Central African Kingdoms Bantu close to Cape Horn by 1200 Form states Katanga Luba peoples Divine kingship Hereditary bureaucracy

Peoples of the Forest and Plains The Kingdoms of the Kongo and Mwene Mutapa Kongo Along lower Congo River By late 15th century Agricultural Pronounced gender division of labor Women farm, run household Men clear forest, hunt, trade

Peoples of the Forest and Plains The Kingdoms of the Kongo and Mwene Mutapa Kongo Mbanza Kongo Capital Federation of 8 states

Figure 9. 4 Bronze plaque of Oba and retainers Figure 9.4 Bronze plaque of Oba and retainers. African rulers often negotiated with the Portuguese on equal terms and incorporated them into local political and commercial networks. In this plaque, the presence of Portuguese retainers—the helmeted figures armed with muskets on each side of the main figure’s head—were marks of the Oba’s power. Figure 9.4 Bronze plaque of Oba and retainers. African rulers often negotiated with the Portuguese on equal terms and incorporated them into local political and commercial networks. In this plaque, the presence of Portuguese retainers—the helmeted figures armed with muskets on each side of the main figure’s head—were marks of the Oba’s power.

Peoples of the Forest and Plains The Kingdoms of the Kongo and Mwene Mutapa Shona speaking peoples Zimbabwe (stone courts) By 9th century Great Zimbabwe Mwene Mutapa Control of gold sources

Figure 9.5 Great Zimbabwe was one of several stone settlement complexes in southeastern Africa. Added to at different times, it served as the royal court of the kingdom. In their search for traces of the non-African people they believed “must” have built these massive stone structures, European explorers and treasure-seekers stripped the site of layers of artifacts that might have told more of the story of Great Zimbabwe. Figure 9.5 Great Zimbabwe was one of several stone settlement complexes in southeastern Africa. Added to at different times, it served as the royal court of the kingdom. In their search for traces of the non-African people they believed “must” have built these massive stone structures, European explorers and treasure-seekers stripped the site of layers of artifacts that might have told more of the story of Great Zimbabwe.