The colonial era in Africa; spanning less than a century; ushered in a more rapid expansion of Islam than at any time during the previous thousand years. In this groundbreaking historical investigation; Brian J. Peterson considers for the first time how and why rural peoples in West Africa "became Muslim" under French colonialism. Peterson rejects conventional interpretations that emphasize the roles of states; jihads; and elites in "converting" people; arguing instead that the expansion of Islam owed its success to the mobility of thousands of rural people who gradually; and usually peacefully; adopted the new religion on their own. Based on extensive fieldwork in villages across southern Mali (formerly French Sudan) and on archival research in West Africa and France; the book draws a detailed new portrait of grassroots; multi-generational processes of Islamization in French Sudan while also deepening our understanding of the impact and unintended consequences of colonialism.
#1777280 in Books imusti 2009-02-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.12 x 6.12l; 1.49 #File Name: 0300136102368 pagesYale University Press
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A man who used his wealth and position to help those he considered in need of his giftsBy Craig MattesonThroughout the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) the story has been one of persecution and misunderstanding with much of the public only knowing vague ideas about the Church and its members. Since World War II the story has been somewhat different as the Church has spread throughout the world and people have come to know Mormons as neighbors; co-workers; friends; and relatives. But during the time immediately following the murder of Joseph Smith and the Saints were driven from their city of Nauvoo in Illinois; they were in need of friends and; if not friends; people who would at least take pity on their plight as they journeyed to the West. Since many were very poor and driven into the wilderness before they could adequately prepare; they faced hunger; malnutrition; exposure; and death. After much tribulation; the Mormons set up a temporary city in what later became Nebraska. They called this settlement Winter Quarters. Of the 12;000 Mormons driven from Nauvoo; more than 1;000 died that first year. They were not all at Winter Quarters; but several thousand were there and nearby on the other side of the Missouri River.Into their lives rode one Thomas L. Kane. He was a bold man from a politically connected and wealthy Pennsylvania family. Thomas Kane was by nature a reformer. Throughout his life; he was involved in issues such fighting the Fugitive Slave Law (defying his father's support of the law since he was a federal judge); Temperance; Community Reform; the Rights of Women and Reforming the institution of marriage. The cause for which he is most remembered today; is his aid to the Latter-day Saints. One of the counties in Utah is named for him; as was the settlement formed by the Mormons on the east side of the Missouri River; in 1849 it became Kanesville - now named Council Bluffs; Iowa.Kane used his political connections to help the Mormons and used his writing and speaking abilities to influence the public. In 1850; he even published a small book based on his public lectures. His goal was to get the public on the side of the Mormons; raise donations to get them food and equipment; and to get the politicians to support and protect the persecuted Mormons rather than help those crying out for their destruction. Over the ensuing decades; Kane was such a loyal friend to the Mormons that he was accused of having secretly converted; a rumor that continues to this day; but he had not. He helped get government support for the Mormon Battalion; helped form a territorial government the Mormons could live with and one that was not too oppressive of Mormon rights. He helped them fight their battle on polygamy. Not because he supported it. Kane and his wife found it one of the most distasteful aspects of Mormonism; but they believed in the rights of individual conscience. One of his few mis-steps in advising the Saints was in getting the polygamy question before the Supreme Court. He felt they would get the majority of the Justices supporting the religious rights and trump Congress; which was under the sway of powerful evangelicals who were against the Mormons. However; the Supreme Court; more political than its supporters always hope; voted against the Mormons 8 to 1.Kane also helped avert the Utah War with the Federal Government in 1857; when Buchanan sent a third of the United States Army to Utah to bring it under the sway of Federal Power; by force if need be. When the Mormons first settled in the Great Basin in 1847 it was not part of the United States and many Mormons; having been driven from New York; Ohio; Missouri; and Illinois; rightly feared being driven from their hard won homes in the Great Basin and environs. Kane helped scout possible settlements for the Mormons in Mexico that were not used during Brigham Young's lifetime; but did receive Mormons later because of the persecutions over polygamy.Kane's family were Jacksonian Democrats. But Thomas was concerned about the rights of slaves. While not quite an outright abolitionist; he did become a Free Soiler and only later became a Republican. He fought bravely in the Civil War as an officer and was wounded three times including being shot in the face. He was fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. Eventually be was made a general and retired due to ill health. Actually; he nearly died and was forced out. Kane's health was always fragile. He had many bouts with illness that nearly killed him. He was only about five foot four inches tall. And even later in life he was only 122 pounds. As a young man he told his parents in letters that he had gained weight was up to 95 pounds. When he was very ill at one point he was under 80 pounds.Because he gave of his own wealth so freely to help the causes he cherished; including education; his personal finances were at times precarious. He prospered as a clerk to his father when his father was a judge. However; later in life he became a land agent for a couple of counties in northwest Pennsylvania. He moved there and built his home and life there with his wife and children. In those days it was even more remote than it was today. Be paid enough money to have his town named after him and built the town a Presbyterian church as a community place of worship. He made money promoting the lands and mineral development in the area; but most of the wealth was built after he had died and his was enjoyed by his widow and children. The town of Kane still exists and remains a small town. The church he built is now owned by the Mormons and is used as a Family History Library. Kane is buried on its grounds and there is a statue there copied after the statue of Kane the Mormons made to honor him in Utah.This is a wonderful book. And if you want to know more about this interesting and very 19th Century man; this is a good place to start. I enjoyed the book immensely and am grateful to the author; Matthew J. Grow; for it.Reviewed by Craig Matteson; Saline; MI1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Kane was more than I thouightBy ButchI've been a Civil War fan of the Bucktails which Kane started; and wondered about him life overall. This book helped to put it all together. I would have liked a little more detail of hislife withthe Bucktails- if avaiable.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Liberty to the DowntroddenBy betty lou easonThe writer did a great job. Mr. Kane was certainly a man to be inspiring to others. I believe he set an example for all of us. He was very interesting and set a great example for all of us.
