CORNELL NOTE TOPIC: THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA

EQ: How was Islam spread and followed in ancient Africa?

TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE BROUGHT ISLAM TO WEST AFRICA

• Between 639-708 C.E., Arab Muslims conquered North Africa• They wanted to bring Islam to

West Africa too, but knew it would be hard to cross the Sahara Desert• Islam first reached Ghana through

Muslim traders and missionaries (people who spread religion)

Map shows how N. Africa was mainly Muslim! (GREEN)

HOW DID THE PEOPLE OF GHANA REACT TO THE NEW RELIGION OF ISLAM?

• The king of Ghana did not convert to Islam• He did allow Muslims to build

homes/mosques within the kingdom• Many Muslim merchants and

traders settled in Kumbi (A great marketplace city)• Overtime, Muslim

communities grew, had 12 mosques (temples), an imam (prayer leader)

Muslim Mosque in Africa

IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE MORE VIOLENCE OCCURRED!

• 11th century (1076), Muslims from the north called the Almorvarids waged jihad (holy war) in West Africa. • They captured Kumbi (the

city)• They did not have power

long, but helped spread Islam

TO THE SOUTH OF GHANA, THE MANDE PEOPLE ALSO ACCEPTED ISLAM

• This group of people took over the marketplace city of Kumbi• In 1312, a new leader, Mansa

Musa took over in Mali• He was the first to

practice the religion Islam• He made Hajj or the religious

trip to Makkah in Arabia

A mural of Mali leader Mansa Musa

HIS HOLY JOURNEY OR PILGRIMAGE WAS AN ENORMOUS TASK!

• The trip covered 3,000 miles• As many as 80,000 people

went with him on the hajj• He reached Cairo, Egypt in July

of 1324 after traveling for 8 months!• He had 500 slaves with him,

each carrying a 6 pound golden staff• He also had 200 camels,

30,000 pounds of gold!

SOMETHING INTERESTING HAPPENED BETWEEN MANSA MUSA AND THE SULTAN OF

CAIRO EGYPT!• When Musa met the sultan, he was

asked to kneel before the sultan• Musa felt insulted and full of pride• He finally agreed to kneel and the

sultan invited him to SIT next to him as an equal

• When Musa left Egypt for Makkah, everyone from all the lands was impressed by his wealth.

• HE GAINED FAME!

GOLD!

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN WEST AFRICA

• As Islam spread, people practiced the five pillars of faith• Prayed, fasted, gave to

poor, etc.• Even though some Africans

converted to Islam, many held on to older religious practices

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE OLDER RELIGIOUS PRACTICES?

• They worshipped spirits of dead ancestors or family members• Prayed to them, made

sacrifices for them• They also used AMULETS or

charms.• They hung these in their

homes to protect them and give them good luck

• (WE WILL MAKE THESE TOMORROW IN CLASS!)

NOW: STOP TAKING CORNELL NOTES. OBSERVE EACH

PICTURE AND DO YOUR BEST TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT

GO WITH EACH ONE. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, MAKE YOUR BEST EDUCATED INFERENCE.