Interactive Notebook Setup 11/14/2017 Changes in Post-Classical Africa This will be one page

Christianity in Africa Bananas! Christianity in Africa Islam in Africa

CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA Christianity reached N. Africa in 1st Cen. CE. Alexandria became one of most prominent centers of early Christianity Mid-4th cen. Christianity established a foothold in Kingdom of Axum 1st converts were probably local merchants who traded with Christians who came to port of Adulis on Red Sea. King of Axum converted around the time of Constantine Late 7th cen. Axum fell into decline

CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA In 12th cen. New dynasty tried to centralize and promote Christianity to unify the land. 12th cen. Ethiopian king ordered the carving of 11 massive churches out of solid rock Ethiopian Christians were cut off from other Christians-so it reflects the interests of its African followers They believe in a large host of evil spirts populating the world and they carry amulets for protection Rock churches link to rock shrines that were important in Ethiopian religion That Ethiopian Christians Reestablish relations with other Christians in 16th Century

CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA Ethiopian Christianity Had little contact with Christians of other lands Shared basic Christian theology/rituals, developed own features Isolated, attacked by Islam

Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia] Coptic Christian Priest

Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia]

Bet Abba Church

Cave Church

ISLAM IN AFRICA North Africa West Africa Islam was first introduced in the 8th Century by Arab armies Arab armies conquered region by early 8th Century; pushed up Nile Mass conversions of local inhabitants due to tax incentives West Africa Introduced by Trans-Saharan Trade route Merchants were greatest contact with Islam Local rulers, elites converted by 10th century Gave elites control of trade and greater political authority Allowed people to observe traditional beliefs

ISLAM IN AFRICA Elite religion vs. common practices Most people remained polytheists especially outside of cities, towns Produced syncretic blend of Islam and traditional customs/beliefs such as accommodation of African gender norms Continued to take protective measures against evil spirits and in rituals to please nature deities and the spirits of the ancestors After conversion by elites, old beliefs remained; part of inherited traditions Religion introduced writing, literary traditions

ISLAM IN AFRICA Many West African cities became major centers of Islamic religious and intellectual life Especially Timbuktu More than 150 Quranic schools Several major centers of higher education Libraries with tens of thousands of texts Construction of huge mosques Adopted Arabic as the language of religion, education, administration, and trade

Great Mosque at Jenne

Timbuktu-”Heavenly Clay”

Timbuktu Rooftop, Mosque

Mosque in Gao

Great Mosque at Djenne, Mali

Distant Mosque at Djenne, Mali

Bananas Between 300/500 C.E., Malay seafarers reached Africa Malay seafarers introduced bananas to Africa from S.E. Asia Brought with them pigs, taro, and banana cultivation Bananas became well-established in Africa by 500 C.E. Bantu learned to cultivate bananas from Malagasy Bananas caused population growth and allowed for greater migration