African Kingdoms-Showalter

Kingdom of Angola (Ndongo)

Political structure: Centralized monarchy. Religion: Indigenous beliefs. Role of women: Influential in leadership. Relationship with the Europeans: Portuguese conflict. Key leaders: Queen Nzinga. Key events: Portuguese colonization. Economy / Involvement in trade: Trade in slaves. Additional info: Mbundu culture. How they declined: Portuguese conquest.

Asante

Religion: Traditional African beliefs. Role of women: Important in farming. Relationship with the Europeans: Resistance to colonization. Key leaders: Osei Tutu, Yaa Asantewaa. Key events: Asante-British wars. Economy / Involvement in trade: Gold, slaves, kola nuts. Additional info: Powerful Asante army. Decline: British colonization.

Swahili States

Political structure: City-states. Religion: Islam and indigenous beliefs. Role of women: Active in trade. Relationship with the Europeans: Limited interaction. Key leaders: Ibn Battuta. Key events: Arab trade. Economy / Involvement in trade: Indian Ocean trade. Additional info: Swahili culture. Decline: Portuguese invasion.

Kanem-Bornu

Location of Kanem-Bornu: Central Africa. Capital: N'Gazargamu. Trade: Trans-Saharan. Religion: Islam. Ruler: Mai. Legacy: Medieval kingdom. Decline: External invasions. Society: Complex structure. Economy: Agriculture, trade.

Kingdom of Kongo

Political structure: Monarchial government. Religion: Mixed religious beliefs. Role of women: Varied gender roles. Relationship with the Europeans: Portuguese trade partners. Key leaders: Influential Kongo kings. Key events: Arrival of explorers. Economy / Involvement in trade: Diverse trade goods. Any interesting additional info: Urban center Mbanza Kongo. How they declined: Slave trade impact.

Mali Empire

Political structure: Feudal system Religion: Islam, local beliefs Role of women: Varied roles. Relationship with the Europeans: Limited contact. Key leaders: Sundiata, Mansa Musa. Key events: Sundiata's rise, Mansa Musa. Economy / Trade: Gold, salt trade. Additional info: Rich culture. Decline: Internal conflicts.

Songhay Empire

Political structure: Centralized monarchy. Religion: Islam alongside traditional beliefs. Role of women: Active in trade and society. Relationship with the Europeans: Limited interaction. Key leaders: Sunni Ali, Askia Muhammad. Key events: Expansion and cultural flourishing. Economy/Involvement in trade: Trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt. Additional info: Timbuktu as a key city. Decline: Weakened by internal conflicts and invasions.