By: Megan Cheung and Tian Ren Ye
Kush Empire (1070 BC - 350 AD)
King Kashta of Kush conquered the Nile Valley in 750 BC. They built the capital of Meroe. At 200 AD Kush was weakened by invasions and internal rivalries.
Ghana Empire (400 AD- 1200 AD)
Ghana, a kingdom developed on the western coast of Africa, it is suspected that Ghana was founded by the Soninke people in 500 AD. During this period, Kumbi Saleh was the capital of Ghana. However, in the 11th century, a group of Berbers, called Almoravids, invaded Ghana and broke Ghana into smaller states. They are also known for the domestication of camels.
Axum Empire (100 AD- 940 AD)x
The kingdom Axum, developed on high plateaus on what is now known as Ethiopia. Axum was one the greatest trading powers of the ancient world, its merchants sent spices, gems and ivory to Egypt, Arabia and South Asia. And by 300 AD, King Ezana of Axum had conquered Kush, and also around this time they developed their own currency; and were known for using coins. In 320 AD, King Ezana had converted to Christianity, and developed their own sacred language called Geez. Christian belief was firmly rooted in Axum, but sadly after Islam spread to North Africa; christian communication in Axum was cut off from the rest of the Christian world. Yet miraculously, the Ethiopian Christian Church survived, and today it is one of the oldest forms of Christianity.
Zimbabwe Empire (1220 AD- 1450 AD)
The empire of Zimbabwe, rested between Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers comtrollde gold mines which provided the rulers with power. By 1300, diversity had been imposed upon the nation. Zimbabwe, known as the "Great Stone House" was renowned for its masonry, despite the fact that the majority of Zimbabwe's people were herders and farmers. In 1500, Zimbabwe was weakened by internal power struggle and fell apart.
Kanem-Bornu Empire (900 AD- 1900 AD)
The Kanem-Bornu empire, developed on modern day Chad and Nigeria, this empire was founded by Zaghawa nomadic people. They used the iron technology and horses. But in the 11th century, they were driven out by the Safiwa people. And it created the Kanem- Bornu empire.There was a great diversity in ethnicity, but majority of the people were muslim. The Kanem- Bornu empire eventually lost power and fell apart.
Mali Empire (1230 AD- 1600AD)
The Mandigos, a group of farmers originally under Ghana rule built the empire of Mali from taking control of gold mines. Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312 to 1337 and conquered Taghaza. Musa also adopted Islam. He used his power to ensure peace in his kingdom.
Songhay Empire (1341 AD- 1591 AD)
Originally the trading city of Gao, powerful rulers such as Sunni Ali extended their rule over lands such as Timbuktu. This was achieved by 1464. Askia Muhammad ruled after Sunni Ali's death, he too was a Muslim, and developed Timbuktu into a center of learning. Songhai was eventually overpowered in 1591 by Moroccans with cannons and guns.
Swahili Empire (1200 AD-1600 AD)
There was actually no Swahili empire, it was a culture. And they all spoke Kiswahili. They lived on long stretches of the Indian Ocean coastlines, and currently has 8 major city-states. These city-states are all politically independent, and are all fighting for the powers of the Ivory trade.
Kush Empire (1070 BC - 350 AD)
King Kashta of Kush conquered the Nile Valley in 750 BC. They built the capital of Meroe. At 200 AD Kush was weakened by invasions and internal rivalries.
Ghana Empire (400 AD- 1200 AD)
Ghana, a kingdom developed on the western coast of Africa, it is suspected that Ghana was founded by the Soninke people in 500 AD. During this period, Kumbi Saleh was the capital of Ghana. However, in the 11th century, a group of Berbers, called Almoravids, invaded Ghana and broke Ghana into smaller states. They are also known for the domestication of camels.
Axum Empire (100 AD- 940 AD)x
The kingdom Axum, developed on high plateaus on what is now known as Ethiopia. Axum was one the greatest trading powers of the ancient world, its merchants sent spices, gems and ivory to Egypt, Arabia and South Asia. And by 300 AD, King Ezana of Axum had conquered Kush, and also around this time they developed their own currency; and were known for using coins. In 320 AD, King Ezana had converted to Christianity, and developed their own sacred language called Geez. Christian belief was firmly rooted in Axum, but sadly after Islam spread to North Africa; christian communication in Axum was cut off from the rest of the Christian world. Yet miraculously, the Ethiopian Christian Church survived, and today it is one of the oldest forms of Christianity.
Zimbabwe Empire (1220 AD- 1450 AD)
The empire of Zimbabwe, rested between Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers comtrollde gold mines which provided the rulers with power. By 1300, diversity had been imposed upon the nation. Zimbabwe, known as the "Great Stone House" was renowned for its masonry, despite the fact that the majority of Zimbabwe's people were herders and farmers. In 1500, Zimbabwe was weakened by internal power struggle and fell apart.
Kanem-Bornu Empire (900 AD- 1900 AD)
The Kanem-Bornu empire, developed on modern day Chad and Nigeria, this empire was founded by Zaghawa nomadic people. They used the iron technology and horses. But in the 11th century, they were driven out by the Safiwa people. And it created the Kanem- Bornu empire.There was a great diversity in ethnicity, but majority of the people were muslim. The Kanem- Bornu empire eventually lost power and fell apart.
Mali Empire (1230 AD- 1600AD)
The Mandigos, a group of farmers originally under Ghana rule built the empire of Mali from taking control of gold mines. Mansa Musa ruled Mali from 1312 to 1337 and conquered Taghaza. Musa also adopted Islam. He used his power to ensure peace in his kingdom.
Songhay Empire (1341 AD- 1591 AD)
Originally the trading city of Gao, powerful rulers such as Sunni Ali extended their rule over lands such as Timbuktu. This was achieved by 1464. Askia Muhammad ruled after Sunni Ali's death, he too was a Muslim, and developed Timbuktu into a center of learning. Songhai was eventually overpowered in 1591 by Moroccans with cannons and guns.
Swahili Empire (1200 AD-1600 AD)
There was actually no Swahili empire, it was a culture. And they all spoke Kiswahili. They lived on long stretches of the Indian Ocean coastlines, and currently has 8 major city-states. These city-states are all politically independent, and are all fighting for the powers of the Ivory trade.