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We trace Islamʼs journey from its 7th-century Arabian origins, through North and East Africa, into West Africa. We examine stages of Islamization – initial contact, blending with local cultures, and reform movements – drawing on prominent Africanist scholarship
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The declaration of faith, stating that "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger." This is the fundamental belief that forms the basis of Islam.
The practice of performing five daily prayers at specific times, facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
Giving a portion of one's wealth to charity, usually 2.5% of one's savings, to help those in need.
Fasting from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs.
Making a pilgrimage to Mecca, if physically and financially able, at least once in a lifetime.
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(e.g. trade vs. proselytization, “mixing” vs. reform, role of Arabic literacy, Sufism, education, jihad, law, colonialism) and emphasize clear periodization
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developments up to the mid-20th century (with links to the present where relevant). A fifth lecture (outlined at the end) will connect this history to contemporary West Africa and its diaspora.
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Islam emerged in 7th- century Arabia and rapidly spread across North Africa in the 600s– 700s CE through conquest and trade.
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the Maghreb (Northwest Africa) to the Atlantic. This established a bridge for Islamʼs later expansion into the Sahel (the southern edge of the Sahara)
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Islam reached sub-Saharan Africa
via two main routes: North Africa across the Sahara and the Indian Ocean trade to East Africa.
Our focus is West Africa: here, trans-Saharan trade caravans linked cities like Cairo, Kairouan, Sijilmasa with Gao, Timbuktu, Kumbi Saleh and other Sahelian towns.
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bringing not only goods (salt, gold, etc.) but also the new faith.
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طﺎﺑَرِ
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From the 8th century onward, trade intensified between North Africa and the region called Bilad al-Sudan (“Land of the Blacks,” i.e. West Africa)
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established settlements near West African markets (e.g. Awdaghust, on the edge of the Ghana empire)
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Why Conversion?
Scholars debate why West Africans adopted Islam. Some emphasize economic motives (attraction to Muslim trade networks and prosperity).
of Muslim literacy and scholarship. A widespread view is that Islamʼs presence was initially tied to trade and the social advantages it conferred.
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access to lucrative networks and political alliances.
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In early stages, African rulers often contained Muslim influence. They welcomed Muslim traders and scholars for their skills but kept them in separate quarters, away from the royal court.
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allowed a Muslim merchant town alongside its capital (with mosques and judges) but the king and most subjects remained traditional in religion.
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the king benefited from Muslim trade and administrative expertise without ceding cultural power.
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Al-Bakriʼs Ghana
In 1067, the Andalusian geographer Al-Bakri described Ghanaʼs capital: a kingʼs town with traditional religion, and a separate Muslim town with 12 mosques, scholars, and scribes. This illustrates containment.
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Muslims in Ghana served as advisors, secretaries, and religious specialists (providing charms, medical cures, etc.), valued for their literacy and connections.
(Wangara Mosque, northern Ghana today)
Traders
The earliest West African Muslims were local merchants and residents of Saharan oases who interacted closely with North Africans.
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