Religion of Ghana and Mali

-Aside from the traditional Animism religion practiced in the region of West Africa. Isalm had a great influence from the Muslim merchants who came from the Sahara desert.

-The Muslim religion started to spread in Ghana when the rulers of Ghana became Muslim converts and had appointed Muslims as advisers, interpreters, ministers and treasurers.

-However the empire of Ghana was torn between the two religions, much of the population kept their belief in Animism and many of those who converted still kept some of their former beliefs with Islam.

-In the empire of Mali after the death of the first ruler Sundiata many of the rulers became Muslim.

-Throughout the empire mosques were built, public prayer was held, and Muslim preachings were heard.

-Mansa Musa was one of the most famous Muslim rulers in Mali.

-Mansa Musa used the trading center Timbuktu to build mosques and universities that would attract Muslim judges, doctors, religious officials, and scholars from all over.

-When Mansa Musa made his famous Hijrah to Mecca he attracted many Muslim scholars and architects that brought the influence of Islam during his reign.

-Muslim merchants had the role in the Ghana of written script, which helped with administration