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