1. Influence of Islam on West Africa
Mrs. Rand
University Preparatory School
Content adapted from History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Teacher’s Curriculum Institute

2. Introduction
During the 7th Century, Islam spread quickly through the Middle East and North Africa.
During the 8th Century, the trans-Saharan trade brought Muslim merchants and traders to West Africa.
Eventually both the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai accepted Islam.
West Africans blended Islamic culture with their own traditions.

3. Religious Practices

4. New Religious Practices
Along with adopting new practices and ethical values, West Africans kept some of their old religious practices.
Muslim leaders allowed them to continue religious traditions as long as they did not contradict (conflict with) the Five Pillars Faith.
W. Africans continued to show respect for the spirits of dead ancestors. They kept their belief in spirits who could help those or made sacrifices to them.
They used amulets, or charms, that they believed helped people or protected them from harm.

5. The Spread of Islam in West Africa
Traders Bring Islam to Ghana
Between 639 and 708 C.E., Arab Muslims conquered North Africa
They wanted to bring W. Africa into the Islamic world.
Initially the king of Ghana did not convert, nor did the majority of the people.
But the king did allow Muslims to build settlements within his empire
theradiantlight.blogspot.com

6. Islam in Mali
The tolerance shown by Muslims toward traditional religious practices helped Islam to spread.
Early leaders of Mali accepted Islam, but they didn’t follow all of its teachings.
In 1312, a new leader, Mansa Musa, took over in Mali. He became the first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly.
digitalhistory.uh.edu

7. Islam in Mali
Under the rule of Mansa Musa, Mali became a major crossroad of the Islamic world.
Musa made a hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca
His caravan was described as “a lavish display of power, wealth, and unprecedented by its size and pageantry.”
Included in his caravan was:
500 slaves, each carrying a 6 lb. staff of gold
Caravan of 200 camels carrying
30,000 lbs. of gold
Food, clothing, and supplies
Because of this impressive display, Mali gained acceptance as an important empire

8. Islam in Songhai
In the 1460s Sunni Ali became the new ruler of Songhai.
He built a powerful army that enabled Songhai to break away from Mali and eventually conquer it.
Early Songhai rulers didn’t seriously practice Islam
Under the leadership of Askia Mohammed Toure, a devout Muslim, rigid controls were set to ensure Islam was being practiced properly.

9. Government and Law

10. Change #1: Succession
An important change in government was in how people chose their next leader, or “line of succession”
Traditionally succession to the throne had been matrilineal – the right to rule was traced through the woman’s side of the family
After the arrival of Islam, succession became patrilineal – the right to rule went from father to son.

11. Change #2: Structure of Gov’t
Muslims believed in a highly centralized government, which was different than traditional African society
After conversion to Islam, West African kings sought more control of local rulers
Rulers adopted titles used in Muslim lands, such as “emir” and “sultan”

12. Change #3: Adoption of Shari’ah Law
Customary laws of Africa usually:
were enforced by chiefs or kings
didn’t give physical punishments
Weren’t written down
Guilty person paid injured party with gifts or services
Family or clan of guilty person could also be punished

13. Shari’ah Law: Laws were written
Muslims believed that shari’ah came from God
Administered by judges called qadis
Cases were heard in a court
Witnesses called
Ruled on basis of the law and the evidence presented

14. Education

15. Emphasis on Education
Muslims highly value learning & encouraged people to become educated.
Timbuktu
Became famous for its community of Islamic Scholars
Contained several universities
Schools were set up to educate children in the Qur’an
Schools run by an imam (scholar)
Basic subjects included studying the Qur’an, Islamic studies, law, and literature

16. Language

17. Arabic: A New Language
In West Africa, Arabic became the language of religion, learning, commerce (business), and government.
Arabic became the language of TRADE and GOVERNMENT
West Africans continued to use their native languages in everyday speech.
Scholars used Arabic to begin to write about the history and culture of West Africa.
Arabic allowed rulers to keep records and to write to rulers in other countries.
Using the common Arabic language, West African traders who spoke different languages to communicate more easily.

18. What was written about?
Described how people used animals, plants, and minerals to cure diseases.
Discussed ethical behavior for business and government.
Told how to use the stars to determine the seasons.
They recorded the history of the Songhai.
They wrote about Islamic Law

19. Architectural Styles

20. Mosques in West Africa abundancesecrets.com
Traditionally, West Africans built small shrines to the forces of nature. As they converted to Islam, they began to build mosques (Muslim house of worship).
The mosques that were built blended Islamic architectural styles with their own traditional religious art.
For example, the minaret (tower) of one mosque was designed to look like the symbol of a Songhai ancestor.
Mosques in West Africa used the materials that were available in the local area.
abundancesecrets.com

21. Decorative Arts

22. Decorative Arts
West Africans adopted the use of calligraphy and geometric patterns in their decorative arts.
Arabic calligraphy was used to decorate costumes, fans, and even weapons.
West Africans adopted the dress of Arabic robes… using decorative textiles and clothing and everyday objects like stools, ceramic containers.
goafrica.about.com