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300
Ghana Empire
The Ghana Empire began in the 4th century and ended in the 13th. The actual name of the empire was Wagadugu. Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom. The old Ghana is 500 miles north of present day Ghana and occupied the area between Rivers Senegal and Niger. Livestock was abundant in the region. The decline of Ghana was caused by the King losing his trading monopoly, at the -
500
Hausa Empire
The Hausa Empire began in 500 and ended in 1800. It was located in northern Nigeria and extended to northwestern Niger. The empire was divided into seven states which worked on seperate projects based on what resources their land provided. Its official language was Hausa and it had a population of about 15 million. -
Jan 1, 700
Kingdom of Mali
This kingdom began in 700 AD and ended in 1600. The old Kingdoms of Mali and Ghana aren't present-day countries of Mali and Ghana. At its peak, the Mali Empire extended across West Africa to the Atlantic ocean an incorporated and estimated 40 to 50 million people. The administration of such an enormous territory was formidable and relied on the establishment of a government sensitive to the diversity of the land, population and cultures and accepting of the indigenous rulers and their customs. -
Jan 1, 1100
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe started in 1100 and fell at 1400.It was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, located between present day Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana and south-eastern Mozambique. This was one of the greatest civilizations in Africa at the time and was the government of the entire Shona empire. It is said that their culture couldn’t have been from African origin, due to their social and economic ways. -
Jan 1, 1340
Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire began in 1340 and ended in 1591.Also known as the Songhay empire, it was located in western Africa. It was one of the largest empires in Islamic empire history. They made their capital Gao and began an imperial expansion of their own throughout the western Sahel, by 1420, they were strong enough to extract tribute from masina. The first emperor was Sonni Ali, reigning from about 1464 to 1493. The empire ended when a civil war broke out after the death of Emporer Askia Daoud. -
Jan 1, 1400
Yoruba(Oyo) Empire
The Oyo empire began in 1400 and ended in 1905.This empire, of the Yoruba empire, was located in present day western and northern Nigeria. The Yoruba established this empire, and it was very successful due to their organization, wealth and having a powerful cavalry. During the 17 and 18th century this was the most politically important empire in its region. -
Jan 1, 1430
Mutapa Empire
The Mutapa Empire was founded in 1430 and ended in 1760. The Kingdom of Mutapa was located in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, specifically between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It was started when Prince Mutota of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe sought to find sources of salt, and found it in this region where they conquered the area and it turned into the Kingdom of Mutapa. They had skilled workers who made quality artifacts and good, distinct trade routes. -
Jan 1, 1440
Benin Empire
The Benin empire began in 1440 and ended in 1897.It was located in now present day Nigeria, not the present day country Benin. The Edo people founded this empire after previously being ruled by another people called Ogisos. Benin was ruled by the monarch Oba of Benin during the entirety of its existence and the empire ended when emporer Ovonremwen was exiled. -
Period: to
Kindoms of Africa
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Kilwa Empire
This empire began in the 900's and ended in 1513.The center of Kilwa was in modern-day Tanzania, but at its height the kingdom expanded over the length of the Swahili Coast. The empire was said to have started when son of ruler Shiraz, Ali ibn al-Hassan Shirazi purchased the island from the local inhabitants while sent from his town and sailing elsewhere. It was a popular trade area which drew people of all ethnicities and countries there to create the language now known as Swahili.
