Africa was in pieces, and the slave trade was rampant across the Atlantic. At that time, scholars and mujahideen everywhere (such as Sheikh Othman and Al-Haj Maru Al-Ka'i) tried to bring pagans into Islam. Without dwelling on this issue, the spread of Islam in this region remains a mystery, and Islamic conquests failed to conquer it. The Fulani, the Mandinka, and a large part of the Songhai remained a puzzle.

The author and the historian Al-Suyuti believed that Africans were a race of wild Arabs, and he described the types of clothing worn by different classes. Wearing clothes was not limited to areas where Islamic influence was prevalent; diverse clothing also found its way into various African communities. They knew of woven and luxurious embroidered cotton clothes with bright colors. African women paid great attention to their hair and adornment, using dyes and henna.

Africans also took great care of their food. Their food was diverse, including grains, legumes, vegetables, and meat from cattle, poultry, and fish. As for drinks, they were famous for "date arrack" and a stronger drink made from millet.

Arts, Culture, Intellectual Thought, and Civilization

Art in West Africa was functional, and Africans did not care about art for art's sake. Art served multiple purposes: first, to provide luxury goods for the palaces of rulers, and second, to serve social and religious purposes. Africans excelled in working with wood, ivory, and bronze. African art played a significant role in providing necessary items for rituals, depicting the history of the people and showing the stages of societal development. The character is evident.