1. Africa and the Arrival of Islam

2. African states 600-1450

3. The Swahili States Founded by Bantu settlers in 1 st millennium CE Islamic merchants settle in coastal villages Swahili culture emerges by 13 th century Major role in Indian Ocean trade network Trade raw materials for Indian, Islamic, & Chinese luxuries

4. Great Zimbabwe Dominates central Africa from 9 th -16 th centuries Built massive stone enclosures (zimbabwe) Supplied gold to the Swahili coast Declined due to internal divisions by the 16 th century

5. Trans-Saharan Trade 300 C.E. camels replaced horses and donkeys as transport animals Speeds travel across the Sahara Trade in gold, salt, and ivory flourishes Islam arrives in 7 th century

6. EARLY AFRICAN RELIGION Creator god Recognized by almost all African peoples Created the earth and humankind, source of world order Lesser gods and spirits Often associated with natural features, forces in world Participated actively in the workings of the world Believed in ancestors' souls influencing material world Diviners Mediated between humanity and supernatural beings Called shamans and inappropriately “witch doctors” Interpreted the cause of the people's misfortune Used medicine or rituals to eliminate problems African religion was not theological, but practical Religion to placate the gods, ask for assistance, cures, fertility Public celebrations inc. dancing, singing formed community Genders honored different deities, had separate ceremonies

7. ARRIVAL OF ISLAM IN AFRICA Islam in Africa North Africa Arab armies conquered region by early 8 th Century; pushed up Nile Mass conversions of local inhabitants due to tax incentives West Africa Introduced by Trans-Saharan Trade route Merchants were greatest contact with Islam Local rulers, elites converted by 10th century Gave elites control of trade, many benefits Allowed people to observe traditional beliefs Elite religion vs. common practices Most people remained polytheists especially outside of cities, towns Produced syncretic blend such as accommodation of African gender norms After conversion by elites, old beliefs remained; part of inherited traditions Religion introduced writing, literary traditions

8. Rise of Sudanic States Trans-Saharan trade led to the rise of the kingdoms in the Sudan Common characteristics Led by patriarch or council of elders Based upon ethnic core Rulers were considered sacred Islam reinforced kingship

9. Kingdom of Ghana (750-1076) Used territorial expansion to control Trans-Saharan trade routes Trade led urbanization Kings converted to Islam by the 10 th century Did not force upon others Nomadic raids from the Sahara weakened Ghana in the early 13 th century Salt Mines Gold Mines

10. Kingdom of Mali (1230-1620) Malinke people created an empire in the early 13 th century Sundiata “the Lion Prince” Agriculture, with the gold trade, was the base of the economy Mansa Musa’s hajj in the 14 th century became legendary

11. Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage

12. Malinke Economy Most of the people were rural farmers Small farms owned by families A special merchant class, called the juula, controlled trade Slave trade became common after the Islamic conquest of North Africa High demand for women and children Estimated 4.8 million slaves over 700 years

13. SLAVERY Slavery in Africa Most slaves were captives of war, debtors, criminals Kept for local use or sold in slave markets Often used as domestic laborers especially agricultural workers Generally not a social stigma attached Slaves could receive freedom, become part of family, tribe Children born to slaves were not slaves Slave trading Slave trade increased after the 11th century CE Primary markets Across Sahara to North Africa and Egypt and ultimately Arabia Out of East Africa to Arabia and Middle East In some years, 10 to 12 thousand slaves shipped out of Africa Males preferred, could also act as carriers of trade goods 10 million slaves transported by Islamic trade between 750/1500 Demand for slaves outstripped supply from eastern Europe Original slaves preferred in Muslim world were Caucasian Slavs Word “slave” comes from Slav Slave raids against smaller states, stateless societies Muslims could not be used as slaves (Quran) yet often ignored

14. Malinke Society & Culture Formation of the kingdom heightened social differences Society was organized according to clans Many societies were matrilineal Women enjoyed more freedom than most Eurasian cultures Polygamy was common

15. Malinke Culture Large portions of the population did not convert to Islam Many converts maintained some of their old beliefs History maintained by oral historian called griots Drawing of a Malinke Griot

16. Djenne & Timbuktu Timbuktu was famous for its library and university Madrasa Sankore in Timbuktu Djenne was famous for The Great Mosque Largest adobe building in the world

17. Songhai Empire (1340-1591) From the early 15th to the late 16th century, Songhai was one of the largest African empires in history Founded by Sunni Ali and expanded by Askia Muhammad the Great Conquered by Moroccans, with muskets, in 1591