2. Before Islam…

3. Belief in Spirits “Good” spirits “Evil” spirits “Nature” spirits

4. Before Islam…  African Tribal dance  http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Genesis/origi n_video.htm http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Genesis/origi n_video.htm

5. How did Islam spread to West Africa?

6. After Islam…

7. Africa: Before & After Before IslamAfter Islam Society Matriarchal Patriarchal Language Tribal languages (Soninke, Mande) Arabic (in gov’t, trade, & cities) Tribal languages What religion looked like Polytheistic Ancestor worship Spirits (nature, good, evil, etc.) 3 Options: Convert to Islam, maintain old ways or blend both religions

8. Africa: Before & After Before IslamAfter Islam Culture Oral (SPOKEN) language Written language (Arabic) in addition to oral one Gov’t Importance of Kinship Only men could inherit property Laws based on Islam (Qur’an & Sunnah) Women given some rights when fathers died Economy $$$ from gold/salt