African Civilizations

Hausa

500

The rise starts in 500 A.D, but it wasn’t until 1200 that the region was more powerful and rulers began to controlled the area. Ending period: 1800 A.D
Northern Nigeria, and northwestern Niger. Population: 15 million. Indigo dyed cloth produced in N. Nigeria. Leadership was based off of ancestry. If you could trace your roots back to Bayajidda you were considered royal.

Great Zimbabwe

Mar 30, 1200

1200-1500
Great Zimbabwe acted as the royal palace for Zimbabwean monarchy. At Great Zimbabwe’s height it housed greater than 18,000 but the majority lived in large stone buildings. Construction for the large stone buildings started in the 11th century and continued for about 300 years.

Malinese Empire

Mar 30, 1230

From c. 1230 C.E. to c. 1600 C.E.
The Empire of the Mali was located in Sudan, and was one of the richest, most powerful Islamic states there was. The ruler Mansa Kankan Musa I was the greatest ruler the empire ever saw. He drew the eye of the Europeans and other Muslims by performing the hajj, and displaying both wealth and generosity to his allies.

Songhai Empire

Mar 30, 1340

From c. 1340 C.E. to 1591 C.E.
The Songhai were the last of the three great pre-European Empires to exist in North-Western Africa. After being taken over by the Mali the city of Gao rebelled in 1375 C.E. and began claiming lands from the Mali, including the cities of Mema and Timbuktu. After Askia Muhammad Toure’s death in 1528, Songhai enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity under a succession of emperors, during which urban-centered trade flourished in Gao, Timbuktu and Djenne.

Yoruba (Oyo)

Mar 30, 1400

1400-1905 A.D.
West Africa, south of the equator. The Yorubas created a military system which then allowed to make weaponry. The Yoruba race adopted the cabinet system of governance. The Yorubas are the first to smith iron and built foundries where they also made agricultural implements that helped food production.

Kingdom of Mutapa

Mar 30, 1430

1430 C.E. to 1760 C.E.
The Kingdom of Mutapa was located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers in Southern Africa. The Second Mwene, or King, Matope, greatly improved the economy by selling copper and ivory, resources from conquered tribes. The Mutapa Empire fell because of various civil wars threatening to break out, all the while trying to prevent Portugal from taking control of the gold production.

Kingdom of Benin

Mar 30, 1440

1440 C.E. to 1897 C.E.
Located almost completely in what is now called Nigeria, the Kingdom of Benin stretched from Lagos to the River Niger. After an invasion from the Yoruba, the Kingdom’s political structure became unbalanced, until the Oba (King) held almost ultimate power. This allowed the Oba Ewuare the Great to turn the capital, Benin City, into a military fortress from which he expanded the Kingdom vastly.

African Civilizations

Period: Mar 30, 2000 to Mar 30, 2000

Ghanan Empire

Mar 2, 2022

Before c. 830 C.E. until c. 1235 C.E.
The Ghanan Dynasty was located in the far west savanna in Northern Africa. Originally called Wadagou, the name was changed to match the name its rulers took. It commanded a large region of trade,security and strong government.

Kilwa Sultanate

Mar 2, 2022

937 -1840
Kilwa is located on the on the Tanganyikan coast in Tanzania. Kilwa was were most slaves came from for a period of time. Kilwa revived trade in 1776 and a new Omani governor was appointed. During the 12th century Kilwa became one of the most powerful cities on the Eastern African coast.