The Sub-Saharan long distance commodity and slave trade as well as the syncretic interweaving of Islamic culture and traditional African culture accounts for Africa’s major influence as a superpower. Traders from all over the world were drawn to Africa’s riches in gold, ivory, and human beings. The fact that Africa was rich in resources posed influence in itself. Considering that a great number of the visiting traders were Muslims and they begin to intermarry and form relationships – economic and political alliances were formed and the adaptation of Islam was wide spread. This migration of humans in and out of Africa illustrates the African Diaspora at work before the Atlantic Slave trade. Several scholars argue that the long distance
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In efforts to efficiently organize Mali, he founded the country on the basis of productivity and richness in agriculture. Considering that location is important for structure, he established the Malian empire’s capital at Niani. Niani was located near the upper Niger river. The trans-Sahara caravan was a route from the Middle East & Far west, Europe, North Africa, to the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. That Sub-saharan region included but was not limited to: Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, Algeria, and Nigeria. The long distance trade was chiefly orchestrated by the Wangara people along the Niger River from Timbuktu to Senegal. It was mostly used by agriculturalist, herdsmen, hunter soldiers, and herdsmen. The trading of gold, salt, copper, and humans by African traders in exchange for cowry shells, cotton cloth, and Chinese porcelain from visitors was very prominent. Trader contacts increased by 800-1500 people due to a growing international trade network. As stated in the introduction paragraph, the trading of those goods, animals, and humans caused more people to migrate in and out of Africa. This was the main link that led to the spread of Islam. The most compelling evidence of this is the fact that the Arabian traders that settled along the coast of the Nile River and were one responsible factor of the spread of Islam by intermarrying within the local …show more content…
The spread of Islam was beneficial to the development of West Africa because it helped to unify the people. Most people are unified by religion, language, or excogitation. However, because the region spread over several hundred miles and there were many diversifying factors amongst the different peoples, they sought unity. When Muslims “advertised” their religion people felt more connected. Though residents were hesitant – they were acquiescent in their conversions to Islam because Muslims practiced religious tolerance. Africans did not favor getting rid of their own traditional religions because they practiced certain spiritual rituals, also known as “magic” that would lose their value if they completely extirpated the original
In efforts to efficiently organize Mali, he founded the country on the basis of productivity and richness in agriculture. Considering that location is important for structure, he established the Malian empire’s capital at Niani. Niani was located near the upper Niger river. The trans-Sahara caravan was a route from the Middle East & Far west, Europe, North Africa, to the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. That Sub-saharan region included but was not limited to: Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, Algeria, and Nigeria. The long distance trade was chiefly orchestrated by the Wangara people along the Niger River from Timbuktu to Senegal. It was mostly used by agriculturalist, herdsmen, hunter soldiers, and herdsmen. The trading of gold, salt, copper, and humans by African traders in exchange for cowry shells, cotton cloth, and Chinese porcelain from visitors was very prominent. Trader contacts increased by 800-1500 people due to a growing international trade network. As stated in the introduction paragraph, the trading of those goods, animals, and humans caused more people to migrate in and out of Africa. This was the main link that led to the spread of Islam. The most compelling evidence of this is the fact that the Arabian traders that settled along the coast of the Nile River and were one responsible factor of the spread of Islam by intermarrying within the local …show more content…
The spread of Islam was beneficial to the development of West Africa because it helped to unify the people. Most people are unified by religion, language, or excogitation. However, because the region spread over several hundred miles and there were many diversifying factors amongst the different peoples, they sought unity. When Muslims “advertised” their religion people felt more connected. Though residents were hesitant – they were acquiescent in their conversions to Islam because Muslims practiced religious tolerance. Africans did not favor getting rid of their own traditional religions because they practiced certain spiritual rituals, also known as “magic” that would lose their value if they completely extirpated the original