The spread of islam in west africa

The Spread of Islam in West Africa

1. Cornell note topic: The spread of Islam in West Africa EQ: How was Islam spread and followed in ancient Africa?

2. 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)

3. 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

4. It was Not long before more violence occurred! 11 th century (1076), Muslims from the north called the Almorvarids waged jihad (holy war) in West Africa. They captured Kumbi (the c ity) They did not have power long, but helped spread Islam

5. 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

6. 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!

7. 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!

8. 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

9. 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!)

10. 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 .