Life on the Margins of Islam Chapter Africa & the Spread of Islam Consider reading relevant info “Beyond Classical Civs” on pg

Bantu Background (circa 600 CE) Bantu Sedentary tribal group –Population pressure ↳ Migration Spread: –Agriculture –Language Impact: –States arise, specialization, trade possible…

Diversity & Similarity Common in Africa –Governed by family & obligation –No tax, bureaucracy, army Disadvantage: Organizing public projects Stateless Societies

Common Elements Bantu-based language Animistic religion –Creator deity –Personified natural forces –Witchcraft –Ancestors Economies –Increasing settled ag & specialized trade

N Africa: Arrival of Islam Long part of Mediterranean world Islam quickly spread –Berbers N. Af splintered as Abbasid weakened –Puritanical movements

NE Africa: Christian Societies Three persistent societies preceded Islam –Egyptian Copts –Nubia/Kush –Ethiopia/Axum

W Africa: Grassland Kingdoms Merchants brought Islam from N. Af Strategically located b/t gold-rich forests on coast & salt-rich deserts & markets to north 300 : Ghana Empire

Question Define: Sudan Sahel Savanna

Sudanic States Commonly: –Ruled by patriarch from prominent clan –“Empires” –Rulers use Islam to justify authority despite few conversions among masses

Mali Empire 1200 : Replaced Ghana –Agricultural w/ influential gold-salt trade –Griots –Specialized clans Sundiata: Mansa Musa:

City Dwellers & Villagers Cities –Cosmopolitan commercial centers Villages –Center of population & family –Small farms Songhay & Hausa Songhay –1460s : Replaced Mali –. Strong provincial gov → expansion Hausa

Political & Social Life Consistently blended: –Tradition = Clans Animism Women –Islamic influence = Rulers political/religious authority Merchants Slave trade

E Africa: Swahili Coast to Arabia to S Asia to SE Asia Islam further brings Af into fold w/ Indian Ocean trade

Coastal Trading Ports 1200s : City-states develop –Traded ivory, gold, slaves from interior for foreign silk & porcelain –EX: Kilwa

Mixture of Cultures Islamization was class-based –Rulers –Merchants –Peasants maintains traditions Blending of cultures common –Swahili –Tracing lineage

C Africa: Forest & Plains C. African Forests Strategically located to profit from trade –Source of goods traded in E & W Africa –No direct contact with Muslims

Kongo & Great Zimbabwe Kongo –Agricultural but valued artisans –Highly divided gender roles –Governed via confederation Great Zimbabwe (Mwene Mutapa) –Complex stone structures –Controlled gold reserves bound for E coast

Global Connections Never fully isolated but Islam further integrates Africa into networks Some parts advance independently