NORTH AND CENTRAL AFRICAN EMPIRES 800-1500 AD Muslim States in Africa
The Umayyad Dynasty starting in c. 630 AD, spread Islam from the Arab nations westward across North Africa Libya, Tunisia and Morocco called Maghrib
Many Africans convert to Islam Religious scholars advise rulers Almoravid Dynasty 10001400 AD Muslim armies fought the Berber tribes establishing the Almoravid dynasty in North Africa. Islamic Law Islamic law brought order to Muslim states, especially in North Africa The Berbers, natives to North Africa, convert to Islam but maintain their own culture Shaykh Hassan Cisse Islamic scholar, West Africa Berbers The Berbers lived in North Africa long before the arrival of the Arabs, and their culture probably dates back more than 4,000 years. Berbers Almoravid Dynasty 10001400 AD The Almoravid Dynasty spreads Islam through conquest Kutubiyya Mosque, Marrakesh, detail of carved panels and marquetry strapwork. Almoravids Spread Islam
The Almoravids conquer southern Ghana and Spain where they are called Moors. Almohads Take Over In the 1100s, a group of Berber Muslims defeat the Almoravids. Almohads are strict followers of Islamic law and the teaching of the Quran. Almohads Take Over By 1148 they control most of Morocco and keep Marrakech as their capital. to 2:00 Morocco built by the Almohads in the 12th century West African Civilizations:
Ghana Mali Songhai Ghana: Built on Trans-Saharan Trade
In the 200s, Berbers began using camels to cross the Sahara for trade By the 700s the people in Ghana are becoming rich from trade with the Berbers Ghana: Gold Salt Trade Gold mined in the forests south of the Sahara is traded to the north for salt. Salt mined from the Sahara is carried to West Africa and traded for gold. Ghana provided Berber Tradesmen protection. Ghana: Land of Gold Gold necklace, Asante, Ghana. Only the king can own gold nuggets, this keeps prices high. Ghana Gold Ghana rulers Convert to Islam, c. 1000 AD
Larabanga Mosque. Ghana Islam spreads through the region through trade Empire of Mali By 1235, Ghana is replaced by Mali, another kingdom based on gold trade Mali becomes wealthy as the gold trade shifts eastward Mansa Musa Expands Mali
Mansa Musa is the most famous of these, ruled Mali from Skilled military leader and fair ruler Mansa Musa inspired by his hajj
Mansa Musa celebrating his power and his Hajj to Mecca builds great mosques and centers of learning in Timbuktu and Gao. Mosque at Timbuktu The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali,
Built in the13th century;the largest clay building in the world. Timbuktu: Center of Learning
Mansa Musa Makes Timbuktu Center of Great Learning with a huge library, with over 100,000. manuscripts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7OLAmR1hG0 Travels of Ibn Battuta In 1352, Ibn Battuta, the Muslim scholar traveler visits Mali. He traveled the Muslim world from Timbuktu to Turkey, Central Asia, China and India and wrote down everything he saw. Ibn Battutas opinion of Mali after 8 months there:
He respected the parents' strict teaching of the Koran to their children: "They place fetters [ropes or chains] on their children if there appears ... a failure to memorize the Koran, and they are not undone until they memorize it." He also admired the safety of the empire. "Neither traveler there nor dweller has anything to fear from thief or usurper." Malis Decline By 1400 Mali begins to decline
A combination of weak and ineffective rulers and increasingly aggressive raids by the Songhai Empire Sunni Ali, a conquering hero
Sunni Ali 1stgreat leader of the Songhai Empire. Sunni Ali, a conquering hero
Sunni Ali organized an uprising against Malian rule. The Malians were driven out swiftly and a new empire was born. Empire of Songhai Like Ghana and Mali, the Songhai grow strong from the gold trade Their rule lasted until 1591. The Songhai Empire Ends Too!
Morocco wanted to get the gold that Songhai controlled. Morocco attacked Songhai and destroyed it. Some think that the secret of the source of Songhai's gold was lost. Kingdom of Benin In the 13th century, the Kingdom of Benin developed by uniting different tribes. Kingdom of Benin Benin thrived as the Kingdom set up an extensive trading network with the Portuguese in ivory, palm oil, and pepper, Benins Location: Mouth of the Niger River Benin Art: Bronze The Oba was the center of political and religious life in Benin. He could not be seen eating in public, or appear ill. Unlike mortal men, the Oba did not need to sleep. All of this contributed to his spiritual and political control over the kingdom. Bronze heads honor and commemorate the ancestors of the past Obas. Obas Created the Golden Age of Benin
The obas also established an extensive slave trade with the Portuguese and Dutch who arrived in the 15th century.