African Beliefs New Ideas SSWH 6 d African

African Beliefs & New Ideas SSWH 6 d

African Beliefs • Animism: belief in spirits playing an important role in regulating daily life. • Majority of Africans remained loyal and followed animism • Africans believe in god, Mahrem

• Believed kings were chosen because they were supposed to be related to Mahrem • Along with believing in spirits, Africans also honored the dead by making sacrifices

Islam • Traders from Persia and Arabia settled in most port cities. • As trade increased, the Persian and Arab Muslims began to have more influence on African kingdoms • Trade increased between these groups because the Muslims brought constant business

• Many African rulers convert to Islam as a smart business move – to keep business with the Muslim traders • Believing in Islam meant studying the Qur’an, this encouraged the spread of literacy • Many African cities began to build mosques because of Muslim influence

• Many business owners who followed Islam started gaining status and power: government officials, and as wealthier merchants • However, those that did not follow Islam begin to lose status within the communities • Islam will continue to spread because of trade and conquering (the desire to gain more land power)

Christianity • Through missionary work, some areas within Africa will become followers of Christianity • Followers of African animism, traditional beliefs, find a commonality with Christianity – they both believe in one god.

• Christian communities do not prosper as well as Muslim communities because most Christian communities were inland not on the coast. • Eventually, Christian communities will prosper and spread towards the coast.