Cross-Cultural Interaction in the Sahel

STATES AND SOCITIES IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA HIST 1301 | History Cross-Cultural Interaction in the Sahel North and West African history underwent a sea change in the late seventh century as the burgeoning Islamic powers began to exert more and more pressure on these territories. North Africa was formerly home to a variety of civilizations, including Christians who date their origins to the second century, as well as permanent and roving pagans. However, North Africa was suddenly thrust into the path of the powerful and aggressive Muslim force that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. Around the middle of the seventh century, the forces of Islam overran Egypt, which had long been a bulwark of Christian Roman power in North Africa and a bastion of Coptic Christianity. This victory paved the way for more Islamic colonisation of the continent's northern regions. When Umayyad soldiers overran Byzantine Carthage in 698, it was a major turning point in history. Still, in the middle of the Islamic invasion came al-Kahina, who became known as "the Queen of the Berbers." Al-Kahina, who is thought to have converted to Christianity, was a powerful figure who united native African armies to oppose the Islamic forces moving into their territory. Located in Algeria, she decisively defeated an Islamic army that had been sent from Egypt in 698, demonstrating the tenacity of the African people's resistance. The victory, though, was fleeting. More resolute than ever, Islamic soldiers faced al-Kahina's alliance in Tabarka, Tunisia, in 703. Al-Kahina was vanquished in spite of her heroic efforts, paving the way for Arab supremacy in North Africa. Arab rule over the area was well entrenched by 709 thanks to the assistance of Islamized Africans. However, the conversion of the once nomadic peoples did not mean total surrender. Rather, they discovered that they were reduced to second-class status under the newly formed Islamic authority, saddled with severe taxes and having their daughters sold into slavery. Many Africans stewed in dissatisfaction within this tiered society, believing themselves to be more devoted Muslims than their privileged Arab masters. They believed that the ruling elite had been deviated from the real principles of Islam by money and luxury. Calls to remove despotic monarchs and replace them with pious leaders therefore went throughout North Africa. Widespread uprisings in 739 and 740 caused the Islamic Caliphate to tremble and lose authority over the region when the unrest broke out. Following these revolutions, North Africa entered a period of political disintegration as competing Islamic sects and royal dynasties fought for control. It would take over two centuries for the area to come together once more under Muslim authority. A new chapter in the history of North Africa began with the advent of the Fatimid period. The Abbasids had replaced the Umayyads in 750, but the Fatimids, who practiced Shia Islam, would not acknowledge their rule. North Africa saw a variety of political, religious, and cultural changes throughout the Fatimid era, which shaped the region's future for centuries to come. In summary, the late seventh century brought about a turbulent time for North and West Africa due to conflicts between Islamic forces and pre-existing power structures. Arab supremacy eventually won over despite early opposition headed by individuals like al-Kahina, creating a complex social structure marked by conflicts between the governing class and the general public. A new age of religious identity and administration was ushered in by the Fatimids' following ascendancy, which irrevocably altered the course of the region's history and destiny.