An African Spiritual Odyssey: The ‘Ajami Traditions of African Islam

Africa’s Islamic traditions receive far less attention than is warranted by their intellectual and spiritual wealth. Because African Muslims have not only been major contributors to Arabic learning for a millennium or more. They also developed writings in their own languages that enriched Islam through insights and idioms drawn from the experience of African life. Known collectively as ‘Ajami literatures, these “African languages in Arabic-script” range from Fulani and Wolof in the west of the continent to Somali and Swahili in the east. In this episode of Akbar’s Chamber, we trace the emergence of these African traditions and dip our toes into the deep waters of their moral and spiritual doctrines. By way of example, we’ll also talk about the teachings of the great Senegalese master, Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba (1850-1927). Leading us on our journey is Fallou Ngom, the author of Muslims beyond the Arab World: The Odyssey of ʿAjami and the Muridiyya (Oxford University Press, 2016).