Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization - Politics - Nairaland
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| Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:45pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Before colonialism, there were kingdoms that existed in Africa. Some of them include ancient benin kingdom, ancient biafra kingdom, ancient Ethiopia and Egypt, etc. Ancient Egypt is perhaps the most famous of all, but the hubbub around it sorely overlooks other impressive civilizations and the effects they had on the continent. Let’s take a look at some of Africa’s ancient kingdoms and civilisations as follows: 10. ANCIENT BIAFRA KINGDOM Biafra was a country that existed on the Ancient Map of Africa for about 400 years before Nigeria was created in 1914, that is before the First Map was created. However, Biafra, as a Nation (Kingdom), has been in existence for over 5000 years. Biafra has been in existence before the Greece, Before the United Kingdom and even before the Roman Empire. In fact, by the year 1662, the three prominent Kingdoms in West Africa were the Kingdom of Biafra in the East, the Kingdom of Benin in the West and the Kingdom of Zamfara in the North all found in the present day Nigeria. The Kingdom was then spelt as “Biafara”. Here are some of the Ancient Maps of Africa showing the three Kingdoms. In 1884-1885, the Europeans and Americans met in the Berlin Conference, Germany, and spread the map of Africa on a table and shared the lands of Africa among themselves for colonization and exploitation of the resources of Africa. This is known in history as the Scramble for Africa. It was from these three kingdoms that Nigeria was created in 1914. The creation of Nigeria by the British, declined the existence of Biafara kingdom. 1 Like
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:45pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
9 The BENIN EMPIRE The Benin empire is also one of the oldest in Africa and it is found in Nigeria. Benin empire was to have existed between circa 1180 CE – 1897 CE Found in modern day Nigeria, the Benin Empire was considered one of the oldest and most developed states in West Africa until its annexation by the British Empire. Famous artisans crafted masterpieces from ivory, bronze and iron. The Benin Empire had a strong trading relationship with the Portuguese, exchanging palm oil, pepper, and ivory for Manilla (a form of currency used in West Africa) and firearms. The relationship even saw an ambassador visit Lisbon in the 16th century. Britain’s first expedition to Benin occurred in 1553 and a mutually beneficial trading relationship existed throughout the 16th and 17th centuries until Benin suspected Britain of making controlling advancements. Dutch, British and Portuguese explorers brought numerous tales back to Europe of the beauty, wealth and sophistication of Benin. 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by tito44: 5:45pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Egbe omo oduduwa, the ancient home of skull mining and voodoo |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:46pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
8. THE KINGDOM OF KONGO Another ancient kingdom in Africa is the kingdom of kongo. It is said to have Spread across parts of what is now Angola, DR Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. The kingdom of kongo existed between circa 1390 CE – 1914 CE Before European powers divided the African continent during the Scramble for Africa, the modern day countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo both formed part of the Kingdom of Kongo. Although the kingdom’s precise boundaries are uncertain today, this empire did eventually stretch into both modern day Congo and Angola under the leadership of a Kikongo warrior, Luken Lua Nimi, whose military and political prowess dominated central Africa for centuries. Kongolese society was a quasi feudal one and its economy was fueled by trade routes following rivers in the region and dealing in textiles, pottery, copper, and ivory.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:46pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
7. THE ETHIOPIAN EMPIRE The Ethiopian kingdom is one of the most popular and it Spread across parts of what is now Eritrea and Ethiopia. History has it that Ethiopian kingdom existed between circa 1137 CE – 1975 CE. Stretching from the Middle Ages all the way to the Cold War, the Ethiopian Empire or Abyssinia, as it was also known is the longest lasting of the African kingdoms on this list. It survived some of the most tumultuous events in modern day history. It resisted various enemies attempting to encroach on its territory, from the Ottoman and Italian armies to the Egyptians, and legend has it that some of its rulers are said to have been descended from King Solomon. During the Scramble for Africa which saw European powers asserting colonial authority across African territories, Ethiopia successfully fought off and defeated Italy in the First Italo -Ethiopian War. The empire’s decline began when they lost the Second Italo -Ethiopian War in 1935 and the monarchy was abolished in 1974 by a military junta.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:47pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
6. THE KINGDOM OF MUTAPA Mutapa kingdom Spread across parts of what is now Lesotho, Mozambique,South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was recorded in history that it existed between circa 1430 CE – 1760 CE The Mutapa kingdom covers a truly staggering portion of Southern Africa, from the Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers to the Indian Ocean coastline. Its territory was so large that if it were around today, it would stretch across parts of six Southern African nations. Legend has it, a warrior prince from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe established the Kingdom of Mutapa. Within a generation, Mutapa eclipsed the glory that was Great Zimbabwe and its surrounds. The Portuguese unwittingly became middlemen between India and the Mutapa’s smaller kingdoms in their bid to control trade in the region which was also fueled by rumours that the biblical mines of King Solomon were held by the ruler of Mutapa. The Kingdom of Mutapa controlled such power that they acquired a subsidy from every captain who took office in Portuguese Mozambique and they imposed a 50% tax levy on all trade goods imported. Sadly, the kingdom’s decline began in the early 17th century due to factional in -fighting which gave the Portuguese an opportunity to make Mutapa a vassal state.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:47pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
5. THE KINGDOM OF ZIMBABWE The kingdom of Zimbabwe was found in present day Zimbabwe. Probably one of the ancient kingdoms that still exists with the same name. The kingdom of Zimbabwe existed between 1220 CE – 1450 CE Kingdom of Zimbabwe’s modern day claim to fame is its capital, Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was home to around 18,000 people at its peak and spanned across an area of 7km2. While the kingdom’s heyday was from around 1220 CE onward, archaeologists estimate that the start of the kingdom was as early as the 11th century. This civilization had a monopoly on the trade of gold and ivory from the southeastern coast of the continent to the interior and were famed miners specializing in minerals such as copper, iron, and gold. While the success of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe led to the decline of Mapungubwe, Great Zimbabwe’s decline saw the rise of the Kingdom of Mutapa.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:51pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
4. THE SONGHAI KINGDOM The Songhai Kingdom is said to spread between Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia. History has it that it existed between circa 1000 CE – 1591 CE Lauded as one of the largest states in history on the continent, you’ll probably know the Songhai Empire at the mention of one of its most prominent cities: Timbuktu, which was one of the most important learning centers in the region. Academics and skilled workers came from all over the continent, the Middle East, and even as far as Spain to study and work there. The Songhai Empire rose out of the decline of the Mali Empire and was responsible for expanding and controlling several important trans Saharan trade routes at the time.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:52pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
3. THE MALI EMPIRE Mali empire is Spread across parts of what is now called The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal. It was said have existed between circa 1230 CE – 1670 CE It makes sense that our next entry comes after the Kingdom of Wagadu given that, in its decline, it was eventually annexed by the Kingdom of Mali. While the Ghana Empire traded in gold, the Malian Empire actually mined gold from its mines which, by the end of the 1200s, was the source of approximately 50% of the Old World’s gold supply. Of all the African kingdoms on this list, the Malian Empire’s most famous ruler, Mansa Musa, was the richest – even by today’s standards. He is regarded as one of the wealthiest people in world history with records stating that Mali was the largest producer of gold on Earth during his reign.
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:52pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
2. THE KINGDOM Of GHANA The kingdom of Ghana is Spread across parts of what is now called Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali they existed between circa 700 CE – 1240 CE More commonly known as Wagadu, this kingdom was an important stop along the trans-Saharan trade route which connected African societies in the Sahel to the markets found along the coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea and the trans-Saharan gold trade. Although its capital city was said to have changed several times, one of these, Koumbi Saleh, was the biggest city south of the Sahara Desert. At its peak, it was home to between 15,000 and 20,000 people – a phenomenal population for a city which had a limited water supply. They specialized in the trade of gold and kola nuts which latter of which became the secret ingredient in Coca Cola centuries later. The Kingdom of Ghana’s decline was cemented when it became part of the kingdom of Mali around the year 1240 CE. 1 Share
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 5:53pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
1. THE AKSUMITE EMPIRE The Aksumite empire is located in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen Between the ages of circa 100 CE – 960 CE Also known as the Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum), this ancient society is the oldest of the African kingdoms on this list and is spread across what is today Ethiopia and Eritrea in an area where evidence of farming dates back 10,000 years. The Aksumites were key players in the commercial trading routes which existed between the Romans and Ancient India and they were considered one of the four great powers of their time alongside China, Rome, and Persia. The Aksumites erected several stelae (stone wooden slabs acting as monuments in pre -Christian times) during their reign but one of them is the most famous of all. Standing at 79 feet, the Obelisk of Axum is approximately 1700 years old and is found in present-day Axum, Ethiopia. Later, when the Aksumites converted to Christianity, they unwittingly created the foundations for Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church. Today, Axum is also the rumoured to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. @Lalasticlala @Mynd44 1 Like
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Kriss216: 6:01pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by IgweOfNnewi: 6:13pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
tito44:You have forgotten your expertise. 5% criminals known worldwide from baby factory ritualism, drug trafficking scamming and swindling to international robbery especially in Dubai where 5 of them carried guns and robbed like shameless typical criminal tendency they belong, have forgotten that they also dominate prisons around the country, only one person was from the north out of 1800 hardened criminals in owerri prison 18 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by tito44: 6:20pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
IgweOfNnewi: All these rants just to qualify ur skull mining brothers who will rather rape their mothers or kill their brothers instead of hustling out there to make money??  8 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by IgweOfNnewi: 6:22pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
tito44:Yes oooo my brothers from Anambra Enugu, imo, Abia and Ebonyi 4 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by KingOKON: 6:46pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Faber:. Kingdom of Biafra, where in the world did this exist? 16 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Faber(m): 6:56pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
KingOKON: Google is ur friend. Also Bight of Bonny in PH today was formerly Bight of Biafra... So me sef don't know why it was renamed. See the ancient map of Africa 3 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by owobokiri(m): 7:24pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
These are things that need to be taught in schools, right from primary to the university. Very essential to change the narrative that our people were nothing but clans of "blundering homosapiens" before the coming of the white man, which is the narrative the oyibos educational curriculum left us with at independence. We had strong kingdoms and rulers and inventions here. Iron, bronze and gold carvings prove the existence of a relatively sophisticated productive activities before the colonial murderers came in here. Instead of wasting the time of pupils with teachings about Mungo Park discovering a river that has been here for ages, kids should be taught of their rich history, in order to foster confidence and original thinking amongst them. 6 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Iamgrey5(m): 7:25pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Faber:kingdom biafra? Kingdom of Ghana? benin empire? what about kingdom of Togo and Liberia empire olobe 4 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Bettykeys: 9:28pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
This is so enlightening But why is there no Empire of Fulani and Yorubas on the list |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Rossikki: 9:37pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
KingOKON: I'm wondering the same thing myself. I know African history inside out and I've never heard of the ''kingdom of Biafra''. The OP is trying to create a mythic kingdom centered on the fact that the nearby southern Atlantic seacoast was named the 'Bight of Biafra' by Europeans. But in fact this region is not known to have contained large centralised monarchies, and most certainly not Igboland, which was a collection of fiercely independent chiefdoms, whose people traded and inter-married, but never established a unified political, monarchical, administrative, or military amalgamation. 8 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Asgard13: 9:45pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Rossikki:Igbophobia... Why are you yoruba people like this... so where you come get this your Yoruba version? Assumption .. typical Yoruba. Very ignorant and still the form on top am. Careless 4 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Rossikki: 9:51pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
Asgard13: I'm Igbo. I just tell it like it is. I suggest you grow up, and adopt the same mindset. 8 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Akiara: 10:11pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
I BE KANURI WITH MIXED FULANI BLOOD......MY NAME NA ALPHA MUSTAPHA GUMI DANTATA. Rossikki: 4 Likes
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| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Streetpresident: 10:14pm On Apr 11, 2021 |
What's the difference between the brutal lords & the neo colonialists.... here is my assessment of govt. since 1999. Nigeria only woe is leadership. OBJ: The genesis of the present day Nigeria. Power monger, pretend to fight corruption but always after his political foes. He forgot his prison experience. Had he gotten it right in 1999, Nigerians wouldn't be deported by Ghana & Gabon, SA won't dare look us in the face & Nigerians won't be in the current mess. Guilty 27% Yar'Adua: Initiated some reforms, covered up ibori & others corruption cases. At least dreamt & saw vision 20-20-20. Guilty 3% GEJ: Misused opportunity, chop I chop govt. Look away while the country was being pillaged by his many babes. Didn't believe in any vision. Tried to please the north at the detriment of the south but was betrayed, deceived, used & dumped. Guilty 10% PMB: Grandmaster of corruption, only forensic audit can reveal the trillions stolen under his watch. Promised heavens brought hells. Runs a borrow borrow govt. that can borrow from a day old baby. Destroyed vision 20-20-20. His vision was that of lekki on the 20-10-20. Divider in Chief (DiC), One chance President who divided the country like no other. Kidnapping, banditry & terrorism businesses boom during his reign. Always indifferent to public outcry, arrests anyone who protests his bad leadership style but protested against GEJ. Baba go slow, took half a year to pick his kitchen cabinet. Guilty 60% 1 Like |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by CheedyJ(m): 12:28am On Apr 12, 2021 |
The kingdom of darkness nko |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by KingOKON: 3:07am On Apr 12, 2021 |
Faber:. So Bight is what you are calling Kingdom? You don't know anything neither do you know the Origin of the name Biafra and the areas in Nigeria down to Gabon named after it 2 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by gentiles(m): 4:34am On Apr 12, 2021 |
Another igbo media propaganda. Biafra Empire indeed  4 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Karlovych: 4:36am On Apr 12, 2021 |
 I wonder what kingdom Oduduwa was part of when he fell from the sky with celestial skulls and organs3 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Sammy07: 5:22am On Apr 12, 2021 |
[s] Faber:[/s] You put Biafra empire but you no put Oyo empire, Bornu empire and this Queen amina of zazzua You well so? Lol, 3 Likes |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by Vulcanheph(m): 6:07am On Apr 12, 2021 |
Streetpresident:You deserve an award for this....you just basically described every leader we've had after the end of the military era. 1 Like |
| Re: Top 10 Empires And Kingdoms Of Africa Before Colonization by P1PrinceKT(m): 7:01am On Apr 12, 2021 |
Ilitrates bloggers. 1 Like |
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