African kingdoms

By lstron02
  • 1230 BCE

    Gold

    Gold
    Gold nuggets were the exclusive property of the mansa, and were illegal to trade within his borders. All gold was immediately handed over to the imperial treasury in return for an equal value of gold dust. Gold dust had been weighed and bagged for use at least since the reign of the Ghana Empire. Mali borrowed the practice to stem inflation of the substance.
  • 830 BCE

    Politics

    Politics
    Much testimony on ancient Ghana depended on how well disposed the king was to foreign travelers, from which the majority of information on the empire comes. Islamic writers often commented on the social-political stability of the empire based on the seemingly just actions and grandeur of the king. The Arabic sources, the only ones to give us any information are sufficiently vague as to how the country was governed. It is mentioned that the Ghana .
  • 800 BCE

    Ghana

    Ghana
    The Ghana Empire or Wagadou Empire (existed before c. 830 until c. 1235) was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania, and Western Mali. Complex societies had existed in the region since about 1500 BCE, and around Ghana’s core region since about 300 CE. When Ghana’s ruling dynasty
  • 15 BCE

    Economy

    Economy
    Economic trade existed throughout the Empire, due to the standing army stationed in the provinces. Central to the regional economy were independent gold fields. The merchants would form partnerships, and the state would protect these merchants and the port cities on the Niger. It was a very strong trading kingdom, known for its production of practical crafts as well as religious artifacts. The Songhai economy was based on a clan system. The clan a person.
  • 13 BCE

    Military

    Military
    The number and frequency of conquests in the late 13th century and throughout the 14th century indicate the Kolonkan mansas inherited and or developed a capable military. Sundjata is credited with at least the initial organization of the Manding war machine. However, it went through radical changes before reaching the legendary proportions proclaimed by its subjects. Thanks to steady tax revenue and stable government beginning in the last 13th century
  • Period: 13 BCE to 14 BCE

    Songhai Empire

    The Songhai Empire, also known as the Songhay Empire, was a state located in western Africa. From the early 15th to the late 16th century, Songhai was one of the largest Islamic empires in history. This empire bore the same name as its leading ethnic group, the Songhai. Its capital was the city of Gao, where a Songhai state had existed since the 11th century. Its base of power was on the bend of the Niger River in present day Niger.
  • Period: 1500 to 1500 BCE

    the Economy

    Most of our information about the economy of Ghana comes from merchants, and therefore we know more about the commercial aspects of its economy, and less about the way in which the rulers and nobles may have obtained agricultural products through tribute or taxation. Merchants had to pay a one gold dinar tax on imports of salt, and two on exports of salt. Imports probably
  • Period: to 40,000 BCE

    The Capital of Ghana

    1 million-40,000 BC - Middle Stone Age
    Evolution of early form of Homo sapiens - modern man. Shaped stone points used for spearheads. 40,000-10,000 BC - Later Stone Age Rise of Homo sapiens.
    Development of bow and arrow
    Evidence of rock paintings.
    Hunter gathering lifestyle. 9,000-3,000 BC - Last major wet period in Africa. The Sahara is habitable with savannah, grassland and rivers. Baked clay pottery found in African stone