1. Warm-Up
C2
Vanacar: A large group of people traveling together,
usually with a lot of gear
Smeoqu: a building for Muslim prayer
Siheti: A Muslim who believes that only a
descendent of Mohammed can be a caliph

2. Religion
Spread of Islam
How did Islam spread to West
Africa?
Where did Islam primarily spread
in West Africa?
• Islam spread to West Africa
peacefully.
• Trade was always linked closely
with Islam, and many converted
because of it.
• Islam became a religion of the
elite (rulers, rich and educated)
and cities.

3. Religion
Acceptance of Islam
What are the five reasons many
West Africans accepted Islam?
• There are 5 reasons why Islam
was accepted by many in West
Africa:
1. Islam’s teachings were simple
2. Associated with literacy
(religion of the book)
3. Associated with trade (money)
4. Associated with power
5. A sense of belonging
(community beyond village)

4. Religion
Influence of Islam
What in West Africa did Islam
influence?
What was important about
Timbuktu?
• Most rural farmers and herders
continued to follow local African
religions, and were tolerated.
• Islam had a huge impact on
trade, government, education
and architecture in the major
cities – especially Timbuktu.
• Timbuktu became a leading
center of Islamic learning with
many mosques; and a famous
university and library.

5. Religion
Mansa Musa
How is Mansa Musa an example
of the influence Islam had on
West Africa?
• An example of both Islam’s
influence and West Africa’s
wealth is the famous Hajj made
by Mansa Musa

6. Religion
Mansa Musa
Why did Mansa Musa give away
gold?
• Mansa Musa was a famous Mali
king who travelled to Mecca to
fulfill his Muslim faith.
• Throughout the journey Mansa
Musa gave away gold freely
(alms), so freely people were
shocked by how much he had.

7. Review Questions
1. How did Islam spread to West Africa?
2. Where did Islam primarily spread in West Africa?
3. What are the five reasons many West Africans
accepted Islam?
4. What in West Africa did Islam influence?
5. What was important about Timbuktu?
6. How is Mansa Musa an example of the influence
Islam had on West Africa?
7. Why did Mansa Musa give away gold?