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African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam Chapter 8
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Basics N. Africa Vs Sub-Saharan Africa N. Africa-Islamic domination 800-1500 CE Social, religious (especially spread of Islam, and Tech changes) Islamization
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African Societies: Diversity and Similarities Stateless societies Kinship groups-lacked political power Councils of families or farmers Secret societies Lacked large building projects, weak defenses, weak trade networks
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Similarities in African Socities Bantu Speaking Animistic religions Class of diviners or priests Family lineage Ancestors-fertility of flocks, harvests Economics Sub-Saharan-agricultural and iron- working quickly developed Trade grows, globally
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Islam spreads through N Africa Connected into Med. World since early history 640-700 Conquests Conversions Egalitarianism In thoery Social stratification
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Xian kingdoms of Nubia and Ethiopia Egypt and Ethiopia-conversions before Islam Coptics Axum Becomes Ethiopia Jewish and Xian converts Turn inward following Islamic control of Egypt Fortified cities, terraced agriculture in Ethiopian highlands
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Kingdoms of the Grasslands Known as the Sahel Mali, Songhay and Hausa states Merchants, not armies, bring Islam Ghana-formed by 8 th century Transitional area, gold from the west, salt and dates from sahara Cross-roads Camels By 10 th century Ghana=Islamic Height of power
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Grasslands con’t Sudanic States Patriarchal or council of elders (of a one family) Conquest states Rulers were sacred and separated from people Islam-royals convert, but not all peoples, still use old family lineages
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Mali and Sundiata Mali-break away from Ghana 13 th century Kinship with reinforcing ties of Islam (building projects and sermons) Agricultural based Sundiata- oral histories about exploits Created social stratification Protection of travelers, Ibn Batuta Local control, but soldiers to protect loyalty Mansa Musa-Hajj
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Cities and centers of trade Commercial interest, craft specialists, foreign traders Timbuktu-50,000 people Mosques, universities Agricultural based-80% Communal clearing, but family run Polygamy
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The Songhay Traditionally-farmers, fishermen, and herders Rulers-Islamic, most people were not Capital-Gao Sunni Ali and Muhammad the Great Provincial administrations Pagan/Muslim clashes Muslim impact on region
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Politics and Social life Islam, although varied in its influence, allows a common religion, and law code as most ruling families have ties to it Traditional religious practice still important Women-not seperated, matrilineal Slavery-Muslim views Women and Children
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The Swahili Coast- East Africa Port cities, Islamicized, but Bantu and Swahili language and customs remain Islam-Key to trade contacts all the way to China Ivory, gold, iron and slaves Separated Muslim Families Flourished from the 13 th -15 th centuries, even having direct contact with China Over 30 port cities down the coast line
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The mixing of Cultures Although Islam is part of ruling and merchant classes, and also a foundation of law, limited conversions outside of these groups Swahili-Bantu language with Arabic words Swahili language and culture dominate even once the Portuguese arrive in 1500’s
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Central Africa-Plains and forrests Complex agrarian societies Herding also involved City-states-Benin and the Kongo Royal authority (divine authority)-Zimbabwe No Writing system developed Oral traditions Art, building, and statecraft still developed
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Arts in Central and West Africa Nok-terra-cotta Life like bronze and terra-cotta sculptures Benin-Bronze casting
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