Africa is often considered by historians as the root of human civilization. Throughout the colorful history of Africa, there have been numerous kingdoms and empires that became economic and political powerhouses in the region. Here are some of the greatest ancient kingdoms in Africa.
The Songhai Kingdom was among the most dominant empires in the ancient world. It ruled Western Africa for more than eight centuries thanks to its comprehensive bureaucratic system and trade policies that attracted merchants from different parts of the globe.
It reached its peak during the reign of King Muhammad Askia I who conquered new lands and built hundreds of Islamic schools within the area. Presently, the Songhai Kingdom is now covered by the countries of Mali, Nigeria, Mauritania, Niger, The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea.
There is little known about the beginnings of The Kingdom of Aksum but it became a trading hub during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In fact, the Aksumites were recognized as vital players in the commercial trading routes that connected the Far East and Ancient Europe.
It is also most famous for constructing stelae which are monuments that are made of stone wooden slabs. In addition to that, The Kingdom of Aksum also developed a written script called as the Ge’ez which later adopted by Africans as their own alphabet.
The Kingdom Ghana which is more commonly known as the Wagadou was an important stop in the trans-Saharan trade route. It linked the African societies in the Sahel to the different markets that were located in the Mediterranean seaboard.
During its zenith, the Kingdom of Ghana was home to at least 20,000 people regardless of its limited water supply. People living in the Kingdom of Ghana primarily specialized in the trade of kola nuts and gold.
Who was the founder of the Songhai Kingdom?
The Songhai Kingdom was established by Sunni Ali.
What is the most popular stelae of the Kingdom of Aksum?
The most popular stelae of the Kingdom of Aksum is the Obelisk of Axum which stands approximately 78 feet and is found in modern-day Ethiopia.
What is the ruler of the Wagadou called?
The King of Wagadou is called as Ghana.
What is the city of Timbuktu known for?
Timbuktu which is one of its prominent cities in the Songhai Kingdom was one of the most important learning centers in the world.
In fact, skilled and academic workers from the Middle East and even Europe flew into West Africa to study and work.