1. Africa’s Religion
Chapter 3-2

2. Religion One creator- Monotheism- Common African Belief
Practices Varied
All provided rules to live by

3. Islam in Africa
Played an important role- African customs remained strong
Ibn Battuata- a lawyer who traveled all over Muslim world- discovered not all Africans practiced Islam- primarily traders- they did study the Quran
Two great West African leaders were to busy putting down rebellions and not working on religion

4. Mali and Mansa Musa
Allowed different religions but worked on making Islam strong
Built Mosques, libraries, brought Muslim scholars
Made a trip to Makkah- thousands of people and slaves- 100 pack camels carrying gold
Brought teachers, writers and Islam’s finest architects
Mali is now on the MAP

5. Songhai
Sunni Ali lost power to a Muslim general- towns people did not like a non-Muslim king
Askia Muhammad (the general) built the largest empire in the west
Local courts honored Muslim Law
Built 150 schools to teach the Quran
Built up Timbuktu as an important cultural center
Moroccan invaders with guns shattered the empire in 1591

6. Islam’s Impact Swahili- still exists today Advances in schools
Arabic language became important
Buildings and art
Sultan- a Muslim leader
built in Western Africa
Built in Eastern Africa

7. Centralized Governments
Kings settled disputes and managed- they expect obedience in return
Central authority- King or Queen- local rulers kept some power but maintained loyalty
Kingdoms could grow and become richer

8. Ghana King had a council Provinces with mini-kings District chief
Clan leader
King held ultimate power- no trade with out permission
The value of gold would drop if not for control

9. Mali Followed Ghana’s example Supervisors for fishing
Supervisors for the forests
Supervisors for Money
Supervisors for farming
The founder of Mali put his generals in charge of provinces
People accepted because of protection from invaders
Mansa Musa gave gold for loyalty
Nation Honor of the Trousers for soldiers

10. The End