Islamic art in medieval north and west Africa

The first expansion of Islam from the Arabian Peninsula was westwards, into Egypt, North Africa (Ifriquyya) and Morocco (Maghreb). By the later medieval period the influence of Islam spread southwards into West Africa and the Sahel, connecting with the great empires of Mali and Ghana.

In absorbing the varied and distinctive influences encountered, the architecture and visual culture of Islam in Africa assumed a unique flavour, which will be the subject of this course. We will look at the aesthetics and form of architecture and the Qu’ran, and other related decorative arts, including textiles and metalwork. There will be an additional offsite session, visiting the Africa galleries at the British Museum.