1. Interactive Notebook Setup
11/14/2017
Changes in Post-Classical Africa
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2. Christianity in Africa
Bananas!
Christianity in Africa
Islam in Africa

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia]
Coptic Christian Priest

8. Christian Church, Lalibela [Ethiopia]

11. Bet Abba Church

12. Cave Church

13. 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

14. 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

17. 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

18. Great Mosque at Jenne

19. Timbuktu-”Heavenly Clay”

20. Timbuktu Rooftop, Mosque

21. Mosque in Gao

22. Great Mosque at Djenne, Mali

23. Distant Mosque at Djenne, Mali

25. 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