How West African rulers and Muslim communities navigated a complex history of coexistence
In short: This lecture explores the nuanced social and economic ties between Muslim settlers and local populations in the West African Sahel. It examines how historical classifications of non-Muslims shaped patterns of cooperation, protection, and trade, revealing a sophisticated, long-standing tradition of interaction that defies simple categorization.
The presentation, recorded on November 9, 2021, features Professor Paulo Fernando de Moraes Farias of the University of Birmingham. It investigates the arrival of Muslims in the West African Sahel around 750 CE (133 AH). Central to the discussion is the 'classificatory ambiguity' Sahelian Muslims applied to non-Muslims, or kuffār.
While some Sahelian rulers were viewed as essential associates and protectors, other groups were categorized differently, allowing for their enslavement and trade across the desert. This session, part of the Annual Charles K. Wilkinson Lecture at The Met, highlights how these religious and social distinctions defined centuries of coexistence and cooperation in the region.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: African Communities: Reflections of Coexistence and Cooperation, Session 3 | MetSpeaks
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