Islam came to Africa by trade. The king did not approve of the religion but he allowed the Muslims to build settlements in his empire. Over time people converted to Islam, although most of the people did not. Africa did not have a written language of its own before Islam came to it. When Islam came the people of Africa it brought the language Arabic with it. It was good thing because people could use it to speak and write with. It also made trade a lot easier because people new what the other person meant by would you like to buy this product and how much it was instead of going through all of that hassle just to figure out how much something was or if the person was willing to sell it to you. Muslims also needed to know Arabic in order to read and study the Qur'an.
Islamic people also made many new achievements such as...
The invention of calligraphy- For Muslims Calligraphy was the highest decorative art. They thought of it so highly that the Qur'an was to be written in calligraphy and nothing else because nothing else was worthy of it. It started at the Arabian peninsula.
The invention of book making- Muslims learned how to make paper from the Chinese and were soon making bound books like the Qur'an. This started in the Arabian peninsula.
The invention of the game chess- Chess was introduced to Muslims by the Persians and became a popular game for Muslims in all levels of society. Chess started in Persia and came to the Arabian peninsula.
The invention of geometric and floral designs- Muslims used these designs because they think it is wrong to picture something living because only Allah can make something living. Geometric and floral designs started it the Arabian peninsula.
The invention of Zoology- Many Muslims became interested in the study of animals and their evolutions. The study of Zoology started in the Arabian peninsula.
Muslims spread these new ideas through trade. These are some of their trade routes.
Africans passed down there history using oral history or history passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Griots were the people that kept records of history, stories, genealogy which is the history of families. They are also musicians. Muslims influenced this by removing oral tradition with written tradition which is history written down on paper.
Muslims influenced Africa in many ways and it came through trade. Muslims established their trade routes in Africa, Europe, and Asia .
Africans used folktales to teach their young good morals and values. Folktales were brought to Africa from slaves who told them though oral tradition. They were usually about People or animals that out smart other people.
Many Africans used proverbs or to prove a certain point. A proverb is another word for a popular saying. I have researched African proverbs and i found one that I really like. It goes like this, if you rattle a snake, you should expect to be bitten by it. This means to me that if A person does something against some one else they are most likely to fight back.
Africans thought music was an important part of their lives. They often sung songs that were sung with a call and then the audience would respond. It was called a call and response song. They were usually about ideas, values, and history.
Africans thought dance was just as important as music. Africans dance to celebrate certain events and to increase the knowledge of their young. Some dancers wear masks and colorful costumes. Africans even think that they can connect with the spirits of dead ancestors and family members.
