Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries
In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This is a rich visual journey with primary documentary resources giving an insight into early African history in the northern desert regions and gold-rich desert-shores of the continent. We begin by looking at ancient rock-paintings at Tassili-N’Ajjer that bear witness to a climate that supported successive periods of pastoral societies before the desiccation of the region.
Descriptions of the land and people by Herodotus and Pliny the Elder offer Classical understandings of the region, and by Late Antiquity, trading interests between the Kingdoms of the Sahel and outlets in North Africa established long-distance caravan routes criss-crossing the desert. Valuable commodities included gold sourced from the Niger Delta regions, ivory, precious hardwoods, and exotic animals, with horses, copper, desert salt, amber, coral, and cowries coming into the African kingdoms.
The westward expansion of Islam across North Africa in the 7th century saw an increase in trans-Saharan trade and the rise of the Gold Empires of the Sahel with their connections with Morocco, North Africa and Egypt. By a peaceful organic process, traders became agents of the spread of Islam in the Medieval Kingdoms of the Sahel. From this era, we have eye-witness accounts by Arab and Berber chroniclers, giving accounts of the gold-kingdom of Ancient Ghana (4th - 11th c.), and of its decline after raids by Moroccan Almoravid zealots into the kingdom.
With the rise of the Mali Empire, we have recent African scholarship on oral histories of Mari Djata, the original ‘Lion King’ and founder of the kingdom. Its fame culminates in accounts that resonated throughout the Mediterranean of the wealth and learning of its ruler Mansa Musa. The traveller Ibn Battuta visited the region, giving us a vibrant memoir of his journey. Finally, exploring the material culture of the Sahel, we look at Sudano-Sahelian Architecture, sculpture, jewellery, textiles, and the libraries of Djenne and Timbuktu.
What will we cover?
Evidence of climate change and early civilizations in the Sahara Desert.
The spread of Islam into the Western Sahel.
The Medieval Gold Empires of Ancient Ghana and Mali, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes.
The Epic of Sundiata.
The Travels of Ibn Battuta.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe the cultural importance of Oral Histories in relation to the Epic of Sundiata.
Discuss the material, cultural, and economic contribution of the region to the Medieval Mediterranean world.
Identify examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, Islamic manuscripts of the Western Sahel, and examples of medieval Mandé sculpture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions.
Please note: Students must be willing to use the course's Google Classroom, which is essential for course documents, meeting points and tutor contact information.For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with richly illustrated slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.
Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Ways into Islamic Art
Art exchanges: between Europe and the East, 1400-1900
The Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks
Anita Chowdry is a London based visual artist, educator and researcher. Her particular interest is in the arts of the Islamic World and South Asia, and the materials and processes that went into them. She has an M.A. in Art and Science from Central Saint Martin’s UAL, and is currently engaged in the codicological study of a group of 15th Century Turcoman manuscripts at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Anita has over 30 years’ experience teaching art and process to adults and professional groups, covering major institutions in the UK and abroad.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/stories-of-the-western-sahara-art-and-cultural-history-8th-16th-centuries3036571Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centurieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world/Courses/Online courses228511361177190417311228511771136<p>In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.</p>003036550Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-06T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB992159159Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuries127103159Anita Chowdrystories-of-the-western-sahara-art-and-cultural-history-8th-16th-centuries/vb992-2627<p>In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-06 00:00:00<p>This is a rich visual journey with primary documentary resources giving an insight into early African history in the northern desert regions and gold-rich desert-shores of the continent. We begin by looking at ancient rock-paintings at Tassili-N’Ajjer that bear witness to a climate that supported successive periods of pastoral societies before the desiccation of the region.</p><p>Descriptions of the land and people by Herodotus and Pliny the Elder offer Classical understandings of the region, and by Late Antiquity, trading interests between the Kingdoms of the Sahel and outlets in North Africa established long-distance caravan routes criss-crossing the desert. Valuable commodities included gold sourced from the Niger Delta regions, ivory, precious hardwoods, and exotic animals, with horses, copper, desert salt, amber, coral, and cowries coming into the African kingdoms.</p><p>The westward expansion of Islam across North Africa in the 7th century saw an increase in trans-Saharan trade and the rise of the Gold Empires of the Sahel with their connections with Morocco, North Africa and Egypt. By a peaceful organic process, traders became agents of the spread of Islam in the Medieval Kingdoms of the Sahel. From this era, we have eye-witness accounts by Arab and Berber chroniclers, giving accounts of the gold-kingdom of Ancient Ghana (4th - 11th c.), and of its decline after raids by Moroccan Almoravid zealots into the kingdom.</p><p>With the rise of the Mali Empire, we have recent African scholarship on oral histories of Mari Djata, the original ‘Lion King’ and founder of the kingdom. Its fame culminates in accounts that resonated throughout the Mediterranean of the wealth and learning of its ruler Mansa Musa. The traveller Ibn Battuta visited the region, giving us a vibrant memoir of his journey. Finally, exploring the material culture of the Sahel, we look at Sudano-Sahelian Architecture, sculpture, jewellery, textiles, and the libraries of Djenne and Timbuktu.</p><p>In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.</p><ul><li>Evidence of climate change and early civilizations in the Sahara Desert.</li><li>The spread of Islam into the Western Sahel.</li><li>The Medieval Gold Empires of Ancient Ghana and Mali, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes.</li><li>The Epic of Sundiata.</li><li>The Travels of Ibn Battuta.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe the cultural importance of Oral Histories in relation to the Epic of Sundiata.</li><li>Discuss the material, cultural, and economic contribution of the region to the Medieval Mediterranean world.</li><li>Identify examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, Islamic manuscripts of the Western Sahel, and examples of medieval Mandé sculpture.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels. </p><p>This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: Students must be willing to use the course's Google Classroom, which is essential for course documents, meeting points and tutor contact information.For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with richly illustrated slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Ways into Islamic Art</p><p>Art exchanges: between Europe and the East, 1400-1900</p><p>The Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldvirtual127159103VB992NONETue06/10/26 - 03/11/2614:00 - 16:0014:0016:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineAnita ChowdryBeginnersAvailable courses2026-10-06T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2026Culture, history & humanities159159Stories of the Western Sahara: art and cultural history, 8th-16th centuriesstories-of-the-western-sahara-art-and-cultural-history-8th-16th-centuries/vb992-2627<p>In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-06 00:00:00<p>This is a rich visual journey with primary documentary resources giving an insight into early African history in the northern desert regions and gold-rich desert-shores of the continent. We begin by looking at ancient rock-paintings at Tassili-N’Ajjer that bear witness to a climate that supported successive periods of pastoral societies before the desiccation of the region.</p><p>Descriptions of the land and people by Herodotus and Pliny the Elder offer Classical understandings of the region, and by Late Antiquity, trading interests between the Kingdoms of the Sahel and outlets in North Africa established long-distance caravan routes criss-crossing the desert. Valuable commodities included gold sourced from the Niger Delta regions, ivory, precious hardwoods, and exotic animals, with horses, copper, desert salt, amber, coral, and cowries coming into the African kingdoms.</p><p>The westward expansion of Islam across North Africa in the 7th century saw an increase in trans-Saharan trade and the rise of the Gold Empires of the Sahel with their connections with Morocco, North Africa and Egypt. By a peaceful organic process, traders became agents of the spread of Islam in the Medieval Kingdoms of the Sahel. From this era, we have eye-witness accounts by Arab and Berber chroniclers, giving accounts of the gold-kingdom of Ancient Ghana (4th - 11th c.), and of its decline after raids by Moroccan Almoravid zealots into the kingdom.</p><p>With the rise of the Mali Empire, we have recent African scholarship on oral histories of Mari Djata, the original ‘Lion King’ and founder of the kingdom. Its fame culminates in accounts that resonated throughout the Mediterranean of the wealth and learning of its ruler Mansa Musa. The traveller Ibn Battuta visited the region, giving us a vibrant memoir of his journey. Finally, exploring the material culture of the Sahel, we look at Sudano-Sahelian Architecture, sculpture, jewellery, textiles, and the libraries of Djenne and Timbuktu.</p><p>In this course we shall explore the Medieval history of the Sahara and the Sahel, looking at the rise of the Gold Kingdoms, Trans-Saharan trade, cultural synergy, and spread of Islam into the region.</p><ul><li>Evidence of climate change and early civilizations in the Sahara Desert.</li><li>The spread of Islam into the Western Sahel.</li><li>The Medieval Gold Empires of Ancient Ghana and Mali, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes.</li><li>The Epic of Sundiata.</li><li>The Travels of Ibn Battuta.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe the cultural importance of Oral Histories in relation to the Epic of Sundiata.</li><li>Discuss the material, cultural, and economic contribution of the region to the Medieval Mediterranean world.</li><li>Identify examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture, Islamic manuscripts of the Western Sahel, and examples of medieval Mandé sculpture.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels. </p><p>This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: Students must be willing to use the course's Google Classroom, which is essential for course documents, meeting points and tutor contact information.For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with richly illustrated slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.</p><p>Ways into Islamic Art</p><p>Art exchanges: between Europe and the East, 1400-1900</p><p>The Arts of Medieval Islam: Fatimids, Turks, Mongols and Mamluks</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldconfigurable
19041136Ancient & medieval worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/ancient-medieval-world1/2/285/1177/1136/19041/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world
