Kingdoms of Africa

By lhines
  • Mar 30, 1100

    Great Zimbabwe

    Great Zimbabwe
    Had “Great Enclosure wall”, the ancient plain of Great Zimbabwe is in 2 parts: the hill complex and the valley complexes, extensive trading network, and Great Zimbabwe was an important commercial and political center. (1100-1450 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1100

    Hausa

    Hausa
    Independent political city-states in what is now northern Nigeria. These states began as centers of trade including leather, gold, salt, kola nuts, and animal hides. It became a city state of the Sokoto Caliphate and about a century later, became part of the British Empire. (1100-1804 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1230

    Mali

    Mali
    Known as Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa in western Africa. It was found by Sundiata Keita. After the great leader, Mansa Musa died, his sons failed to hold the empire together. (1230-1500 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1340

    Songhai

    Songhai
    One of the largest Islamic empires. The cities Timbuktu and Djenne were major cultural and commercial centers. Sunni Ali Ber was a military leader responsible for many victories for the Songhai Empire and the first great ruler. (1340-1591 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1400

    Yoruba (Oyo)

    Yoruba (Oyo)
    A Yoruba empire in present day northern and western Nigeria, became one of the largest West African states encountered by pre colonial explorers. (1400-1905 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1440

    Benin (not the present day country)

    Benin (not the present day country)
    Oral traditions traced their origin to the ancient city of lle-lfe and claim that the founders were the sons of Yoruba deity Odudua. (1440-1897 A.D.)
  • Mar 30, 1450

    Mutapa

    Mutapa
    A Shona kingdom that stretched between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers of southern Africa in the modern states of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Its founders are likely politically and culturally related to the builders who constructed Great Zimbabwe. (1450-1629 A.D.)
  • Period: to

    Kingdoms of Africa

  • Ghana

    Ghana
    Known as the Wagadou Empire. Located in southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. The capital was Koumbi Saleh in southeast Mauritania. (830-1235 A.D.)

  • Kilwa (sometimes called “Kilwa Sultanate”)

    Kilwa (sometimes called “Kilwa Sultanate”)
    Centered in modern day Tanzania and stretched over the length of the Swahili Coast. It was founded by Ali ibn-Hassan Shirazi and his family ruled until 1277. They were soon taken over by a Portuguese invasion and the family of Abu Moaheb took over. (960-1513 A.D.)