Chapter 9.2 ? Kingdoms of Grasslands Introduction Islam spread peacefully into sub-Saharan Africa. Merchants followed caravan routes across the Sahara to the regions where Sudanic states (Ghana) had flourished New states, Mali, Songhay, and the Hausa, were becoming important. Sudanic States Often were led by a patriarch or council of elders from a family or lineage Based on an ethnic core and conquered neighboring peoples Rulers were sacred individuals separated from their subjects by rituals Even though most of their population did not convert, the arrival of Islam after the 10th century reinforced ruling power Two of the most important states were Mali and Songhay. The Empire of Mali and Sundiata, the ?Lion Prince?