African Beliefs New Ideas SSWH 6 d How
African Beliefs & New Ideas SSWH 6 d
How did the movement of people and ideas affect early African societies?
SSWH 6 d Analyze the process of religious syncretism as a blending of traditional African beliefs with new ideas from Islam and Christianity.
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 p. 13 • 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 so did influence on African kingdoms • Trade increased between these groups because the Muslims brought constant business p. 348 • 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 • business owners who followed Islam started gaining status and power: government officials, and as wealthier merchants • 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. p. 754 -755 • 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.
Religious Mixer What are the 3 main ingredients in the African belief system that are mixed together resulting in religious syncretism? Jot your Answer— 1 minute Prepare to Share
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