Islam in West Africa

From Mw

Introduction

1 The First Islamic States
2 Spread of Islam
3 Rulers and Islamic Empires
4 See Also
5 References

[edit] The First Islamic States

The first Islamic states in West Africa were created at the beginning of the 11th century in Takrur in Northern Senegal where the ruler [War Diaby]] converted to Islam and applied Sharia. Soon after Kosay from Gao in present day Mali also converted.

[edit] Spread of Islam

Within 50 years of the creation of the Islamic state of Takrur in the early 11th century Islam had spread from the Sengal River to the shores of Lake Chad. By the 14th century Islam came to Northern Nigeria through Malian traders and Imaams

[edit] Rulers and Islamic Empires

1210-1248 The Kingdom of Kanem ruled by Sultan Dunam Dibbalem ruled by Sharia and had diplomatic ties with Morroco,Tunisia, Egypt and Algiers
13th century Mali ruled by Mansa Musa
13th century Jolof Empire made up of the vassel kingdoms of Walo,Takrur,Kayor,Baol,Serer. The empire covered most of what is present day Senegal. The kingdoms were made up of Wolof,Mandingo,Tukular,Fulani and the unbelievers Serer
1490-1512 The Fulani broke away creating the Futa Toro, led by Koli Tenguela Ba who went on to form the Denyanke Dynasty. Over the next 100 years all the states broke away, fueled by the money and arms of the Portugase
1650-1673 The Marabout Wars. Nasir al-Din overran the Futa Toro,Kayor and the Walo empires, installing Marabout proxy rulers. He also halted the trade of Muslim slaves to the Europeans.
1674 Nasir al-Din died in battle, and the Marabout king of Walo rebelled , starting the collapse of the Nasir al-Din's gains.
1677 saw the defeat of the Muslims and the scortched earth policy of total village and crops destruction, resulting in large scale famine.
1690 The Bundu Kingdom ruled by Sharia was formed by Malik Sy. Bundi. Ayuba Suleyman Daillo (Job Ben Solomon Jallo) was born 10 years after the Islamic state was formed.
1725 Karamoko Alfa established an islamic state in Futa Jallon with its capital Timbo
1730 Damel Malsa Tende Wedy unified Kayor and Baol only for it to disintegrate into civil war by his sons Mawa and Masa Bige
1751 Ibrahim Sori (Sori the Great) an uncle of Karamoko Alfa ruled Futa Jallon after his nephews demise. Ibrahim Sori had six sons. The most famous of which was Ibrahim Abd ar-Rahman the African Slave known as the Prince.