1. Islamic Effects on African Cultures

2. Islam in Africa Today

3. Terms to Know
Trans-Saharan Trade = The trade of goods and cultures that took place between peoples on both sides of the Sahara Desert
Mosque = Muslim place of worship
Arab = anyone originally from Arabia (not always Muslim)

4. Topic: Culture #1 - Empire of Ghana
Question – How did Ghana rise?
Rich agriculture
Livestock, horses and camels
Active in Trans-Saharan Trade (gold/salt)
Taxes made them rich
Fact: Ghana reached its biggest extent around 1050 AD.

5. Ghana’s borders at its height c. 1050
Ghana (cont.)
Present day border of Ghana
Question: How did Arabs influence Ghana?
Brought system of writing and numbers
New schools, spread Arabic language, calligraphy
Ghanaians agreed with Arabic beliefs of trust and peaceful trade
Kings switched to Islam, but kept African customs
Ghana’s borders at its height c. 1050

6. Notes From a Visitor to Present Day Ghana
“From Accra I went to the Northern region. In Tamale I had the opportunity to see a group performing traditional dances. Next stop was Mole National Park, the largest animal reserve in Ghana. More than 90 mammals and 300 bird species have been recorded in Mole. You are not allowed to go into the park on your own. The friendly and armed guides are helping you to trace the animals. During my visit in Mole I saw different kinds of antilope, warthog, crocodile, different kind of monkeys and of course the big African elephant. There is a small group of elephants living close to the hotel and sometimes they visit the hotel area.”

7. Mole National Park

8. People of Ghana

9. Topic: Culture #2 - Empire of Mali
Question: How did Mali begin?
Credit one man: Sundiata Keita, (“Lion Prince”.) He defeated the last King of Ghana and became ruler.
Keita improved agriculture techniques, and expanded trade along the Niger.
Late 1300’s = Mali was 3x’s bigger then Ghana ever was.

10. Topic: Mali (cont.) Question: How did Arabs influence Mali?
Kings adopted Islam and spread it
Swahili = A culture and language that are a blend of African and Islam
Taught them about credit
Built great mosques (??)
Ancient Mali face mask

11. Comparing Mosques Which one is located in the Middle East?
Which one is located in Mali?

12. Mali’s great ruler, Mansa Musa
Topic: Mali (cont.)
Question: Who was Mansa Musa?
Last great ruler of Mali ( )
Muslim who let others practice their own religions
Made famous trip to Mecca (to show off)
Mali’s great ruler, Mansa Musa

13. Mali (cont.) Question: How did Mansa Musa help Mali prosper?
Spread the Muslim religion, education
Mansa Musa won key battles and expanded Mali
Improved gold/salt trade
Present Day Mali

14. Mali (cont.) Question: Where is Timbuktu?
Timbuktu = a major city/trading post in the Sahara.
Grew huge because of Muslim traders at the peak of Mali
Became the greatest place of Muslim teaching in Africa.

15. Ancient Mali homes built into the side of a cliff
Mali (cont.)
Question: Why did Mali fall?
After Musa died, Mali’s kings were not able to defend the kingdom
The Songhai people revolted against their oppressors, claimed Mali land
Ancient Mali homes built into the side of a cliff