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Jan 1, 1000
Bantu Migrations
The Bantu Migrations began one of the most important migrations in history. The many different Bantu-speaking groups began moving south and east through Africa. -
Jan 1, 1000
Shona
The Shona people moved onto an area of rich farmland between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. There they established a thriving empire. -
Dec 13, 1100
Bantu People
There were large numbers of the Bantu-speaking peoples that had migrated across central Africa toward the eastern coast. -
Dec 16, 1200
KIlwa
Kilwa, the most important coastal city-state, grew very influential during this time period. -
Dec 14, 1400
Age of Exploration
The beginning of the Age of Exploration began in Europe when other great changes around the world were taking place. -
Nov 15, 1440
Mutota
A man named Mutota left Great Zimbabwe and traveled north in search for a new source of salt. -
Apr 14, 1470
Sao Tome
Off the west coast Africa, the island, Sao Tome, was claimed by the Portuguese. -
Oct 14, 1480
Portuguese Explorers
The Portuguese explorers encountered the Kongo kingdom by sailing down the western coast of Africa. -
Aug 13, 1500
Europeans
Coastal towns remained largely independent because the city-states competed with each other for trade. This lack of unity would make it easier for the Europeans to invade and conquer the area. -
Sep 13, 1500
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe was abandoned. Some say that drought and overuse of land caused a shortage of resources and others argue that people left in order to take advantage of shifting trade networks. -
Jul 17, 1506
Portuguese Influence
When Nzinga Mbemba became the ruler of the kingdom, the Portuguese influence in Kongo had increased. -
Feb 14, 1543
Slaves
The Portuguese had enslaved thousands of Africans each year after the death of Afonso. -
Sep 13, 1560
Kongo War
The Kongo people came to war with their neighboring kingdom and had a battle invasion by the Jaga people. -
Jun 14, 1561
End of Kongo KIngdom
The Kongo kingdom had cut itself off from Portugal because the increasing slave trade caused their relationship to collapse. -
Kongo Regained Power
With the help of the Portuguese people, the kingdom of Kongo slowly regained its stability. -
Period: to
Central and Southern Africa
