Postclassical Era - Africa

Africa

Main Article: Postclassical Africa

Prior to the migration and conquest of Muslims into Africa, much of the continent was dominated by diverse, stateless societies. These consisted of a king or a council of elders who would control a small group of people. Most of these peoples practiced spiritual, animistic religions. Africa was culturally separated between Saharan Africa (which consisted of north Africa and the Sahara Desert) and Sub-Saharan Africa (everything south of Saharan Africa). A large amount of people in Sub-Saharan Africa spoke the Bantu language and were therefore referred to as the Bantu peoples.

During the Postclassical Era, Africa was both culturally and politically affected by the introduction of Islam and the Arabic empires. This was especially true in the north, the Sudan region, and the east coast. The Umayyad Empire conquered northern Africa, making it part of the Islamic world, and a useful area for trading in the Mediterranean Sea. Muslim merchants and invaders brought the idea of nation-states and it is around this time that the Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire developed.

In the east coast of Africa, Arabic ports were established where gold, spices, and other commodities were traded. This allowed Africa to join the Southeast Asia trading system bringing it contact with Asia; this, along with Muslim culture, resulted in the Swahili culture.