Islam expanded into Africa forever changing its cultural ties. Prior to Islam, much of Africa was more tribal based with the exception of Northern Africa and the Mali Empire which to would convert to Islam.
Prior to Islam, the Bantu people were the first people believed to inhabit Africa. They originated from Modern Day Nigeria and formed many colonies thoughout Central and Southern Africa. They did not have a written language so they did not have an empire but rather a decentralized government.
The African traditional religion revolved around animism and developed shamans which were spiritual priests that facilitated the religion and practiced early medicine. Families were polygamist and would many women from other clans to strengthen their own.
Islam began to spread into North Africa between 639 and 642. Prior to this, North Africa was under the influence of Christianity due to the Byzantine Empire. But when Arabs came in and conquered the area, they taxed people that remained Christian unless they converted. Many Christians did convert to Islam which spread the faith.
The Fermanic king of Spain died in 709. Seeking help in contending for the succession of the thrown, The Islamic amir of North Africa was asked to support them. General Tariq ibn Ziyad was sent in 711 with an expedition force and defeated the enemy contender for the throne. Instead of returning to North Africa, he remained to search for King Solmon's apparent hidden treasure. Within the next year, he conquered most of Spain for Islam and was linked with North Africa for five centuries. The Islamic Spain was called Andalusia.
In 909, the Fatimid family developed in Northern Africa which wanted to create their own caliphate in Egypt. They went to claim Egypt as their own between 909 and 969. Their capital was moved from Alexandria to Cairo founded in 969.
Trade routes emerged throughout Africa throughout the Sahara. Trade conducted consisted of mineral wealth such as gold. When one tribe conquered another, the captured people became slaves and were traded along this network. These trade routes gave birth to the Mali Empire.
As merchant stalls became a necessity, towns such as Timbuktu were built. Mali controlled West Africa trading its salt since it was important for processing meat, gold and copper. The leadership and merchants adopted Islam although majority of the population were still animist.
Mansa Musa of Mali went on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 bringing thousands of camels, 100 elephants and many servants and gold. He left an impression on the Arab world and brought back Mediterranean architecture and Islamic scholarship.
Ethiopia converted to Christianity between 320 and 340 and was one of the few areas in Africa that did not convert to Islam. Arabians attempted many times to cross the Red Sea to invade Ethiopia and all were unsuccessful. Instead, Ethiopia was cut off from Red Sea trade after the conquering of Egypt in 642.
Islam spread to the Bantu tribes of East Africa and developed the Bantu-Arab culture. They blended cultures and created the Swahili language which combined both languages.
Islam had rapid expansion throughout Africa and greatly influenced its culture. North Africa was dominated by Islam and attributed to the conquest of Spain. West Africa saw the growth of the Mali Empire and the wealthy there practiced Islam. Although Ethiopia remained Christian, the rest of East Africa adopted many Arabic Cultures merging it with their own to create the Bantu-Arab culture.