Chapter 3 Section 2

African Government and Religion

Africas Religion and Government

Religion influences how civilization develops and how culture spreads. Traditional religions, Christianity, and Islam shaped early African culture. African rulers developed different forms of government.

In Section 1, you read about some of the kingdoms and empires that developed in Africa. To hold their kingdoms and empires together, Africans had to create their own governments. One unifying force was the religion of Islam, but many Africans continued to practice their traditional religious beliefs as well.

Traditional African religions shared certain beliefs and provided a guide for living together. (page 223) Islam played an important role in medieval Africa, but long-held African beliefs and customs still remained strong. (page 224)

The growth of West African empires led to the growth of centralized governments ruled by kings. (page 227)

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Olaudah Equiano was born in what is now Nigeria. He was kidnapped when he was about 11 years old and sold into slavery. He was owned for a time by an officer in the British Royal Navy, who took him to sea but also sent him to school in London where he learned to read and write. Equiano eventually bought his freedom. He worked for several years on ships, and was part of an expedition to the North Pole in 1773. He later moved to London, where he became involved in the abolition movement. In 1789, he published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa the African.

I. Traditional African Religions (page 223)

A. Many African groups believed in one supreme god.

B. African religious practices vary from place to place, but their beliefs served similar purposesto help people stay in touch with their history and provide rules for living. C. Many Africans believed the spirits of dead relatives stayed with them when they died and that the spirits could talk to the supreme god.

I. Traditional African Religions (page 223)

I. Traditional African Religions (page 223)

Why was honoring their ancestors an important part of African traditional religions ?
Traditional African religions believed that a persons spirit remained in the community after death. They believed these spirits could help solve problems for the living and speak to the supreme god.

II. Islam in Africa (pages 224227)

A. Islam was popular in West African cities where Africans traded with Muslim Arabs, but not all West Africans accepted Islam.

B. Some Muslims complained that the West African leaders Sunni Ali and Sundiata Keita did not do enough to promote Islam. C. Mansa Musa had worked to spread Islam, though he allowed different religions. He made a pilgrimage to Makkah, or Mecca, with a caravan of thousands of people.

II. Islam in Africa (pages 224227)

D. Sunni Ali practiced the traditional religion of the Songhai but called himself a Muslim. His son refused to declare himself a Muslim.
E. Muhammad Ture declared himself king and drove Sunni Alis family from Songhai. He then took the name Askia Muhammad. Under him, Songhai became the largest empire in West Africa. Timbuktuits capitalwas a center of Islamic learning and culture. Islam had a far-reaching impact on Africa.

F.

II. Islam in Africa (pages 224227)

G. The Swahili culture and language are a blend of African and Muslim elements.
H. Islam also encouraged learning. Muslim schools taught Arabic. Islam also influenced art and architecture.

II. Islam in Africa (pages 224227)

II. Islam in Africa (pages 224227)

Why did Mansa Musa travel with a large caravan and riches to Makkah ?
Mansa Musa wanted everyone to know he was royalty, and he impressed the finest architects, teachers, and writers. These people returned to Mali with him to spread Islam.

III. Government and Society (pages 227229)

A. Early African kings were powerful. They settled arguments, managed trade, and protected the empire. Merchants paid taxes to the king and received favors from him. Local rulers had some power and were loyal to the king. This system allowed empires to prosper and grow.

III. Government and Society (pages 227229)

B. Ghanas government included a council of ministers, who advised the king. The empire was divided into provinces, ruled by lesser kings or conquered leaders. Below them, local leaders ruled over a district that included the leaders clana group of people descended from the same ancestor. The throne of Ghana was passed on to the son of the kings sister.

III. Government and Society (pages 227229)

C. Malis royal officials had more responsibility than Ghanas officials did. Malis empire was also divided into provinces, and generals governed the provinces. The generals protected the people from invaders and often came from the province they ruled.

D. Although Sunni Ali began dividing Songhai into provinces for government, he died before he could finish. In 1492, Muhammad Ture seized control of Songhai. He was a faithful Muslim, and his religious ideas affected the Songhai government.

III. Government and Society (pages 227229)

How was the line of succession different in Ghana from other states?
In Ghana, the king was succeeded by his sisters son, his nephew. In other places, the kings son generally succeeded his father.

Many Africans believed in a single creator and honored the spirits of ancestors. Islam became the dominant religion in the kingdoms of West and East Africa. The empires of West Africa were ruled by kings who closely controlled trade and divided their lands among lesser chiefs to aid in governing.

1. How did Mansa Musa attempt to strengthen Islam in Mali?

Mansa Musa built mosques, set up Muslim libraries, and invited Muslim scholars to Mali.

2. How did the kings of Ghana strengthen the government and maintain their power?
The kings insisted local rulers send their sons to royal court, traveled through the kingdom, and controlled trade.

(3) CA 7RC2.3

3. The Big Ideas Draw a diagram to show the effects of Islam on Africa.

Islam influenced laws, art, and architecture and advanced learning.

(4) CA HI2. (5) CA 7RC2.0

4. Predict How might Africas history be different if Islam had not been introduced?
Students may predict that education and trade might have suffered.

5. Analyze How did a strong central authority benefit African kingdoms? In what ways does this reflect modern-day government?
A strong central authority provided unity and stability. Answers will vary.