1. African Civilizations and the Spread of Islam Chapter 8

2. Basics  N. Africa Vs Sub-Saharan Africa  N. Africa-Islamic domination  800-1500 CE Social, religious (especially spread of Islam, and Tech changes) Islamization

3. African Societies: Diversity and Similarities  Stateless societies Kinship groups-lacked political power Councils of families or farmers Secret societies Lacked large building projects, weak defenses, weak trade networks

4. Similarities in African Socities  Bantu Speaking  Animistic religions Class of diviners or priests  Family lineage Ancestors-fertility of flocks, harvests  Economics Sub-Saharan-agricultural and iron- working quickly developed Trade grows, globally

5. Islam spreads through N Africa  Connected into Med. World since early history  640-700 Conquests  Conversions Egalitarianism  In thoery Social stratification

7. Xian kingdoms of Nubia and Ethiopia  Egypt and Ethiopia-conversions before Islam  Coptics  Axum Becomes Ethiopia Jewish and Xian converts Turn inward following Islamic control of Egypt Fortified cities, terraced agriculture in Ethiopian highlands

8. Kingdoms of the Grasslands  Known as the Sahel  Mali, Songhay and Hausa states  Merchants, not armies, bring Islam  Ghana-formed by 8 th century Transitional area, gold from the west, salt and dates from sahara Cross-roads Camels By 10 th century Ghana=Islamic  Height of power

9. Grasslands con’t  Sudanic States Patriarchal or council of elders (of a one family) Conquest states Rulers were sacred and separated from people Islam-royals convert, but not all peoples, still use old family lineages

11. Mali and Sundiata  Mali-break away from Ghana 13 th century  Kinship with reinforcing ties of Islam (building projects and sermons)  Agricultural based  Sundiata- oral histories about exploits Created social stratification Protection of travelers, Ibn Batuta Local control, but soldiers to protect loyalty Mansa Musa-Hajj

12. Cities and centers of trade  Commercial interest, craft specialists, foreign traders  Timbuktu-50,000 people Mosques, universities  Agricultural based-80% Communal clearing, but family run Polygamy

13. The Songhay  Traditionally-farmers, fishermen, and herders  Rulers-Islamic, most people were not  Capital-Gao  Sunni Ali and Muhammad the Great Provincial administrations  Pagan/Muslim clashes  Muslim impact on region

14. Politics and Social life  Islam, although varied in its influence, allows a common religion, and law code as most ruling families have ties to it  Traditional religious practice still important  Women-not seperated, matrilineal  Slavery-Muslim views Women and Children

15. The Swahili Coast- East Africa  Port cities, Islamicized, but Bantu and Swahili language and customs remain  Islam-Key to trade contacts all the way to China  Ivory, gold, iron and slaves  Separated Muslim Families  Flourished from the 13 th -15 th centuries, even having direct contact with China Over 30 port cities down the coast line

16. The mixing of Cultures  Although Islam is part of ruling and merchant classes, and also a foundation of law, limited conversions outside of these groups  Swahili-Bantu language with Arabic words  Swahili language and culture dominate even once the Portuguese arrive in 1500’s

17. Central Africa-Plains and forrests  Complex agrarian societies Herding also involved  City-states-Benin and the Kongo  Royal authority (divine authority)-Zimbabwe  No Writing system developed Oral traditions Art, building, and statecraft still developed

18. Arts in Central and West Africa  Nok-terra-cotta  Life like bronze and terra-cotta sculptures  Benin-Bronze casting