Ep 2. The Cross and The Crescent | Hour Two

In Africa's Great Civilizations season 1 episode 2, titled The Cross and The Crescent | Hour Two, viewers are taken on a historical journey through the emergence and spread of Islam in Africa. The episode starts with the arrival of the early Arab conquerors and traders to the East Coast of Africa in the 7th century, who established their settlements and began spreading the Islamic faith.

Through interviews with historians, archaeologists, and religious figures, viewers gain an understanding of how Islam evolved and integrated with African cultures and traditions over time. The episode explores the spread of Islam in various regions such as Ethiopia, Somalia, and West Africa, and the different factors that influenced its prevalence and growth.

One particularly fascinating aspect covered in the episode is the religious and cultural exchange that occurred between Islamic and African civilizations. Viewers learn how Islam was influenced by pre-existing African religions, such as the worship of spirits and ancestors, resulting in the creation of hybrid beliefs and practices. In addition, the episode highlights the role that notable African scholars played in the Islamic Golden Age, such as Ahmed Baba, a renowned Malian scholar and writer, and the famous Islamic university of Timbuktu.

As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to various African kingdoms and empires that were established during this period, such as the Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum and the Mali Empire. The show delves into how these empires incorporated Islam into their governing policies and how they leveraged its economic and cultural benefits to prosper.

The episode concludes with an examination of the tensions that emerged between African societies and Islamic traders and conquerors over time, such as the resistance of the Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia against Muslim expansion, and the resistance of the Hausa people in Northern Nigeria against the Sokoto Caliphate. Overall, The Cross and The Crescent | Hour Two showcases the complex and captivating interplay between African civilizations and the Islamic faith, highlighting the important role that Africa played in shaping the Islamic world.