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In Kingdoms such as Benin and Oyo each god had a specialized function but all were responsible for fertility of their followers, fetishism, or the harnessing of impersonal forces of the universe by incarnations and charms was prevalent everywhere.

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Between 1000 and 1500 AD, Islam spread from the Mediterranean into the Sudanic belt (a region of Africa). Islam was carried into the forest states where it competed with tribal religions. Each tribe was united into the common worship of tribal gods who were often mythical.

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These sates included Benin, Oyo, Dahomey, Asante. They were polytheists and had tribal religions.

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Throughout the Savannah region, there were several schools of Muslim learning which taught the civil laws that were used to regulate trade and business.

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Savannah States included Ghana, Songhai, Mali. For these states religion was an important aspect of these societies. Many of their citizens were Muslims as many had adopted the religion from their Berber Arab trading partners.