1. The Influence of Islam on West Africa
History Alive Chapter 14

3. The Spread of Islam to Ghana
639 C.E C.E. Arab Muslims conquered North Africa.
Conquering West African kingdoms was not practical.
What geographic feature was in the way?
Islam first reached Ghana through Muslim traders and missionaries.
Most people didn’t convert!
Muslims then built settlements inside of the Empire.
This community grew, with cities having multiple mosques and imams (spiritual leaders.)
1076 C.E. the Almoravids conquered Ghana’s capital Koumbi Saleh.
These North Africans were Muslim and made Islam the dominant religion.
Almoravid Empire

4. The Spread of Islam to Mali
Mansa Musa’s Hajj
Before the empire of Mali, the Mande people tolerated Islam, and often blended Islam with their own indigenous religion.
Man Mande still prayed to spirits of their ancestors.
Early Mali rulers accepted Islam, but did not follow all of the teachings.
Mansa Musa took power in 1312 C.E., becoming the first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly.
He made Mali an important partner for Muslim traders and scholarship.
He went on a Hajj to demonstrate Mali’s wealth, power, and his piety.

5. The Spread of Islam to Songhai
Although Songhai had conquered Mali; when it was founded in the 1460s, ti’s rulers did not practice Islam.
In 1490, Muslims rebelled and placed Askia Mohmmed Toure on the throne.
He created laws to make sure Islam was practiced correctly.
He also waged wars to convert non-Muslims.
Askia Mohammed Toure
Askia’s Tomb

6. Influence on Religious Practices
Often Islam, even went being strictly practiced retained traditional African practices.
They did learn the 5 pillars of Islam.
They did pray in Arabic.
They did study the Quran.
They did worship in Mosques.
They also continued to show respect for spirits of dead ancestors.
They also kept the belief that spirits could help them.
They used amulets (charms) to protect themselves.
An African Mosque

7. Influence on Government and Law
Kingdoms started developing Islamic forms of government.
Traditionally succession was matrilineal.
The son of the king’s sister would be the next king.
After Islam, succession became patrilineal.
The king’s son would be the next king.
Before Islam, local leaders had more self-autonomy (self rule).
Islam made the central government more powerful.
Leaders would get names such as sultan or emir.
Shari’ah law also replaced customary law.
This removed “trail by wood.”
Patrilineal succession came with Islam

8. Influence on Education
Muslims value education very much.
You had to know how to read Arabic in order to read the Qur’an.
Timbuktu becomes a center for learning and trade.
Contained many universities.
Studies focused on Islam, but also had all other areas of learning.
Many libraries were also created.
One man had over 700 books!
Remember books were copied by hand

9. Influence on Language
Arabic becomes the language of religion, learning, commerce, and government.
Native languages were used for everyday speech.
Africans have an oral tradition, so using Arabic for things that required writing made sense.
All Muslims had to be able to read in Arabic to read the Qur’an.
Using Arabic for trade and government allowed for people who spoke different native languages to communicate easier.

10. Influence on Architecture
Traditionally Africans had built shrines to nature, but these were then converted to mosques.
These buildings were built with mud and wood.
Mansa Musa convinced a Spanish architect to built many mosques and homes in Mali.
Introduced scaffolding, rectangular houses with flat roofs, and drain pipes.
Scaffolding makes building and repairs easier

11. Influence on Art
African Art
Africans, like Arabs had developed geometric patterns, this flourished even more after Islam.
This was often used on textiles.
Calligraphy was also used to decorate objects with words from the Qur’an.
Often the word “Allah” was used to decorate costumes, fans, and even weapons.
Arabic robes were also being used as an outer layer of clothing.
This is still worn today.

12. Work Cited
History Alive Chapter 14