Lecture 10. Islamizations

preview slides
created by:

Robert Cowherd


from the module:

Premodern South East Asia: Architecture, Culture and Cities in a Global Perspective

In contrast with earlier Buddhafications, Islamization in Southeast Asia was a more or less continuous and gradual process: -7th Century Muslims traveled to and from China via port towns of mainland and island Southeast Asia eventually establishing Muslim merchant enclaves in the port cities of the region. -With the fall of Hindu-Buddhist Srivijaya (Sumatra, 13th c.) and Majapahit (Java, 15th c.) Sufi teachers converted rulers followed later by gradual conversions of subject communities -Trade with Arabia, India and China was dominated by Muslim traders who favored partners who themselves were Muslim. -Islam was added on top of animist and Hindu-Buddhist systems that embraced powerful spiritual forces of which Islam with its book, and its global currency was clearly one. Continuous gradual Islamization led to Muslim majority societies in Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of the Philippines. Societies where Hindu-Buddhist governing ideologies remained strong (Myanmar, Thailand, Bali) Islam remained less significant.

supporting documents:

Quiz

Lecture Notes