11.2 Islamic Influences on African Art

Islamic art profoundly shaped African visual culture. From North Africa to the Swahili Coast, it introduced new architectural forms, decorative motifs, and artistic techniques. This fusion created unique regional styles, blending Islamic elements with local traditions.

The spread of Islam transformed African art through trade, conquest, and conversion. It brought Arabic calligraphy, geometric patterns, and aniconism, which were adapted to local materials and aesthetics. This synthesis produced distinctive artistic expressions across the continent.

Islamic Art in Africa

Spread of Islamic Influence

Top images from around the web for Spread of Islamic Influence

• 

  Landmarks of Burkina Faso | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Geometric Tiles, Mosque of Moulay Idriss, Morocco | Islamic … | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Landmarks of Burkina Faso | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Geometric Tiles, Mosque of Moulay Idriss, Morocco | Islamic … | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Spread of Islamic Influence

• 

  Landmarks of Burkina Faso | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Geometric Tiles, Mosque of Moulay Idriss, Morocco | Islamic … | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Landmarks of Burkina Faso | Wondermondo View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Geometric Tiles, Mosque of Moulay Idriss, Morocco | Islamic … | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Islamic art and culture spread to Africa through trade routes (Trans-Saharan trade), conquest (Arab expansion), and religious conversion
• Expansion occurred in distinct waves beginning with Arab conquest of North Africa in 7th century
• Key centers developed unique artistic traditions
  • Cairo: Fatimid architecture, Mamluk metalwork
  • Timbuktu: Manuscript production, adobe mosques
  • Swahili Coast: Coral stone architecture, intricate wood carving
• New architectural forms established
  • Mosques with distinctive minarets and prayer halls
  • Madrasas (Islamic schools) with courtyards and iwans
  • Minarets as symbols of Islamic presence
• Islamic artistic conventions gradually incorporated
  • Geometric patterns in tilework and woodcarving
  • Arabic calligraphy in manuscripts and architectural decoration
• Transmission varied across regions due to:
  • Geography (coastal vs inland areas)
  • Existing cultural practices (nomadic vs settled populations)
  • Political structures (centralized states vs decentralized societies)

Regional Impact and Adaptation

• North Africa experienced most extensive Islamization
  • Complete transformation of urban centers (Kairouan, Fez)
  • Adoption of Arabic as lingua franca
• West Africa saw syncretic developments
  • Blend of Islamic and indigenous traditions in Sudano-Sahelian architecture
  • Adaptation of Arabic script for local languages (Hausa ajami)
• East African coast developed unique Swahili culture
  • Islamic influence on stone town architecture (Lamu, Zanzibar)
  • Fusion of Arab, Persian, and African elements in decorative arts

Fusion of Islamic and African Art

Syncretic Art Forms

• Hybrid architectural styles emerged
  • Sudano-Sahelian mosques combine adobe construction with Islamic features
  • North African riads integrate courtyard design with local materials
• Traditional crafts incorporated Islamic motifs
  • Geometric patterns in Berber carpets and textiles
  • Arabic calligraphy in Hausa leather work
  • Islamic-inspired designs in Swahili door carvings
• Distinctive regional styles developed
  • Timbuktu's mud-brick mosques with protruding wooden beams
  • Moroccan zellige tilework combining Islamic geometry with local color palettes
  • Swahili coral stone architecture with Arab-style arches and niches

Artistic Techniques and Materials

• African artisans adapted Islamic techniques
  • Metalworking: Filigree and damascene in North African jewelry
  • Textile production: Block printing and resist-dyeing in West African fabrics
  • Manuscript illumination: Gold leaf and pigments in Timbuktu Qurans
• Indigenous materials used in Islamic-style art
  • Mud brick and timber in monumental mosque construction
  • Local dyes and fibers in prayer rugs and wall hangings
  • Ivory and precious woods in Swahili coast furniture inlay

Islamic Influence on African Art

Calligraphy and Script

• Arabic calligraphy became prominent feature
  • Quranic verses inscribed on mosque walls and mihrabs
  • Decorative use of kufic and naskh scripts in architectural friezes
  • Talismanic uses of Arabic letters in amulets and textiles
• New writing systems developed for African languages
  • Ajami script adapted Arabic to write Hausa, Wolof, and Swahili
  • Ge'ez script in Ethiopia influenced by Arabic calligraphic styles
• Calligraphy influenced visual arts beyond writing
  • Stylized calligraphic motifs in textile patterns
  • Abstract letter forms in decorative metalwork

Decorative Motifs and Symbolism

• Geometric patterns incorporated into traditional arts
  • Interlacing designs in Moroccan zellij tilework
  • Star patterns in West African textiles and leatherwork
  • Arabesque motifs in East African wood carving
• Aniconism influenced abstraction in some traditions
  • Stylized animal and human forms in Dogon sculpture
  • Geometric representation of natural forms in Tuareg jewelry
• Islamic motifs reinterpreted with local symbolism
  • Crescent moon combined with indigenous cosmic symbols
  • Hand of Fatima (khamsa) integrated with local protective charms
  • Tree of life motif fused with African baobab symbolism

Islam's Role in North and West African Art

Architectural Transformation

• New urban forms introduced in North Africa
  • Medinas with narrow streets and courtyard houses
  • Souks (markets) organized by craft guilds
  • Public fountains and hammams (bathhouses)
• Distinctive mosque styles developed
  • Hypostyle halls with forest of columns (Great Mosque of Kairouan)
  • T-shaped plans with elaborate mihrabs (Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez)
  • Unique minaret designs (square in Morocco, cylindrical in Tunisia)
• West African adobe architecture evolved
  • Massive mud-brick mosques with wooden spikes (Djenne)
  • Tall tapering minarets (Agadez)
  • Quranic schools integrated into mosque complexes

Artistic Production and Patronage

• Centers of learning fostered manuscript culture
  • Timbuktu's libraries produced illuminated Qurans and scientific texts
  • Calligraphic styles unique to West Africa developed
  • Book binding and leather working flourished
• Islamic rulers patronized luxury arts
  • Fatimid rock crystal carving in Egypt
  • Almoravid textiles and ivory carving in Morocco
  • Songhai goldsmithing in Mali
• Artistic guilds and workshops established
  • Specialized craftsmen for mosque decoration
  • Family-based ateliers for metalwork and ceramics
  • Sufi orders influencing mystical themes in art