Africa’s ReligionAfrica’s Religion
Chapter 3-2Chapter 3-2
ReligionReligion
• One creator- Monotheism- Common African Belief
• Practices Varied• All provided rules to live by
Islam in AfricaIslam 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
Mali and Mansa MusaMali 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
SonghaiSonghai
• 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
Islam’s ImpactIslam’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
Centralized GovernmentsCentralized 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
GhanaGhana
• 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
MaliMali
• 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
The EndThe End