The common elements of African Societies and the arrival of Islam

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The common elements of African Societies and the
arrival of Islam

• Dr. Afxendiou
• AP World History 9
• Sachem North High School

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• What are some similarities shared by African
  societies before the arrival of the monotheistic
  religions?

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• stateless societies
• Secret societies
• language
• Animistic religion

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• stateless societies
• organized around kinship or other forms of
  obligation
• no central political power such as government

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• Secret societies
• men and women controlled customs and beliefs and
  controlled ruler. Cut across lineages and
  created unity. Maintained stability in the
  community
• Lineage a group that traces descent from a
  common ancestor

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• Animistic religion-
• belief in the power of natural forces personified
  as spirits or gods, belief in witchcraft. Belief
  in a creator deity whose power and action were
  expressed through spirits or lesser gods and
  ancestors.

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• What does the term Islamization mean?
• Which parts of Africa were first exposed to
  Islam?
• How did Islam enter Africa?

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• Islamization
• the spread of the Islamic religion
• When an area takes on an Islamic character or
  identity

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• Which parts of Africa were first exposed to
  Islam?
• Egypt and North Africa
• began in the 7th and 8th cent. by the Umayyad and
  their conquests
• Adopted by the Berbers who became Islamized and
  became part of the Muslim armies that took over
  Spain

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• How did Islam enter Africa?
• Military conquest-North Africa
• Trade
• Sub-Saharan Africa Trans-Saharan
• East Africa - Indian Ocean trade

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• Why was Islam attractive to the people of Africa?

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Why was Islam attractive to the people of Africa?

• Equality of all believers
• Umma-community of believers
• Tradition of uniting political and religious rule
  African rulers liked this and were more likely
  to adopt Islam it reinforced their authority
• Islam accommodates pagan practices
• societies often stay matrilineal
• familiarity between men women
• freedoms for women

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• Discuss the spread of Islam into Africa and its
  cultural impact