Chapter 6, Lesson 2: Africa’s Governments and Religions It Matters Because: Ancient African societies showed the effects of government disputes, traditional African beliefs, and Islam

African Rulers and Society Many African kings were close to the common people Rulers in Ghana called people to a village council with a drum Anyone with a concern could speak to the king with respect Powerful trading empires developed strong central governments with powerful kings Kings settled disputes, controlled trade, defended the empire Merchants paid taxes, and received trading favor from the king

Ghana’s Government Kings were strong rulers and active in running empire Helped by advisors As empire grew, it was divided into territories called provinces Provinces were divided into districts, villages, and clans Clan – group of people from the same ancestor Power was transferred from the king to the son of the king’s sister

Mali’s Government Similar to Ghana, but bigger Mali controlled more territory, more people, & conducted more trade Strong central government, divided into provinces, like Ghana Generals ruled & protected the provinces Mansa Musa was Mali’s most powerful king Won loyalty by giving gifts to his subjects Awarded military heroes with trousers (pants) because only king and his family could wear clothing that was sewn

Songhai’s Government Copied governments of Ghana and Mali General Muhammad Ture was greatest emperor Divided empire into provinces and maintained peace with cavalry and strong navy

Traditional African Religions Most African groups believed in a single creator God Different groups practiced beliefs differently Yoruba of W. Africa believed creator God sent his son to earth in a canoe & son created first humans Many African slaves in the Americas believed this Ashanti people (Ghana) believed chief God had sons who were lesser gods African beliefs provided rules for living, helped people honor history and ancestors Africans also relied on religion to protect from harm and promise success Kings used diviners to guarantee good harvests and protect kingdom Diviner – person with the power to see the future and communicate with the spirit world

Islam Arrives in Africa About 700, Berber and Muslim traders introduced Islam to W. Africa African rulers allowed subjects to covert to Islam and eventually converted themselves By 1500, most of Africa south of the Sahara was Muslim Ibn Battuta, an Arab lawyer, traveled to W. Africa in 1352 Was impressed by the religious enthusiasm of native Africans who practiced Islam

Journey of Mansa Musa Allowed his subjects religious freedom, but was devoted to Islam Used empire’s wealth to build mosques and libraries 1324, Mansa Musa made his hajj to Mecca On his journey, he gave two tons of gold to the poor (about $72 million today) Brought Muslim scholars from Mecca back to Mali to spread Islam in W. Africa

Islam in Songhai King Sunni Ali converted to Islam to keep loyalty of merchants His son refused to accept Islam A general, Muhammad Ture, took over government Songhai became W. Africa’s largest trading empire Became center for Islamic learning Songhai fell to Moroccan invaders in 1591

Islam in East Africa Islam spread slowly in E. Africa In 1100s, new culture known as Swahili emerged Swahili – Arabic term meaning “people of the coast” Swahili came to mean both the culture of these people and their language Swahili language and culture still thrive in Africa

Legacy of Islam in Africa African Islam is unique in many ways Most women outside of Egypt do not wear veils Quran is available in languages other than Arabic Islam affected laws and ideas Islam influenced art and architecture