1. Chapter 6, Lesson 2: Africa’s Governments and Religions
It Matters Because:
Ancient African societies showed the effects of government disputes, traditional African beliefs,
and Islam

2. African Rulers and Society
Many African kings were close to the common people
Rulers in Ghana called people to a village council with a drum
Anyone with a concern could speak to the king with respect
Powerful trading empires developed strong central governments with powerful kings
Kings settled disputes, controlled trade, defended the empire
Merchants paid taxes, and received trading favor from the king

3. Ghana’s Government
Kings were strong rulers and active in running empire
Helped by advisors
As empire grew, it was divided into territories called provinces
Provinces were divided into districts, villages, and clans
Clan – group of people from the same ancestor
Power was transferred from the king to the son of the king’s sister

4. Mali’s Government Similar to Ghana, but bigger
Mali controlled more territory, more people, & conducted more trade
Strong central government, divided into provinces, like Ghana
Generals ruled & protected the provinces
Mansa Musa was Mali’s most powerful king
Won loyalty by giving gifts to his subjects
Awarded military heroes with trousers (pants) because only king and his family could wear clothing that was sewn

5. Songhai’s Government Copied governments of Ghana and Mali
General Muhammad Ture was greatest emperor
Divided empire into provinces and maintained peace with cavalry and strong navy

6. Traditional African Religions
Most African groups believed in a single creator God
Different groups practiced beliefs differently
Yoruba of W. Africa believed creator God sent his son to earth in a canoe & son created first humans
Many African slaves in the Americas believed this
Ashanti people (Ghana) believed chief God had sons who were lesser gods
African beliefs provided rules for living, helped people honor history and ancestors
Africans also relied on religion to protect from harm and promise success
Kings used diviners to guarantee good harvests and protect kingdom
Diviner – person with the power to see the future and communicate with the spirit world

7. Islam Arrives in Africa
About 700, Berber and Muslim traders introduced Islam to W. Africa
African rulers allowed subjects to covert to Islam and eventually converted themselves
By 1500, most of Africa south of the Sahara was Muslim
Ibn Battuta, an Arab lawyer, traveled to W. Africa in 1352
Was impressed by the religious enthusiasm of native Africans who practiced Islam

8. Journey of Mansa Musa
Allowed his subjects religious freedom, but was devoted to Islam
Used empire’s wealth to build mosques and libraries
1324, Mansa Musa made his hajj to Mecca
On his journey, he gave two tons of gold to the poor (about $72 million today)
Brought Muslim scholars from Mecca back to Mali to spread Islam in W. Africa

9. Islam in Songhai
King Sunni Ali converted to Islam to keep loyalty of merchants
His son refused to accept Islam
A general, Muhammad Ture, took over government
Songhai became W. Africa’s largest trading empire
Became center for Islamic learning
Songhai fell to Moroccan invaders in 1591

10. Islam in East Africa Islam spread slowly in E. Africa
In 1100s, new culture known as Swahili emerged
Swahili – Arabic term meaning “people of the coast”
Swahili came to mean both the culture of these people and their language
Swahili language and culture still thrive in Africa

11. Legacy of Islam in Africa
African Islam is unique in many ways
Most women outside of Egypt do not wear veils
Quran is available in languages other than Arabic
Islam affected laws and ideas
Islam influenced art and architecture