African Empires

Swahili States

The Swahili states were run independently, and each one was under the rule of a sultan. The religion of the Swahili states were mainly Islam, as there was great Persian influence to their area. Trade also brought Christianity to many Swahili communities. The Kongo was a patriarchy, and women exercised roles such as domestic work in the house and farming. Many notably gained status from involvement of speaking of proberbs religiously. The Swahili states had great maritime trade as they were coastal, and they had great trade ties with Europeans, controlling timber, gold, cocounut oil, ivory, and many more materials flowing through the area. Suleiman ibn al-Hassan ibn Dawud was an influential sultan of the Kilwa city-state. He is known for conquering much of the Swahili coast and building lots of infrastructure, greatly growing the areas he controlled economically. A key event was his military conquests of these areas from 1170-1189. The Swahili states were an economic powerhouse, as many other empires traded to Central Africa as well by using the Swahili states as a trading hub. The Swahili states interestingly all shared the same language, making communication between them easy. These city-states declines when the Portuguese arrived, as they took over the trade and market of the Swahili states, they lost their influence and power in the political and economic scheme.

Mali Empire

The Mali Empire was one of the largest African Empires, being a powerful monarchy ruled by a king known as a mansa, the first being Sandiata. The most well-known and influential mansa was Mansa Musa, who came to power in 1307. His legacy is shown by his hajj to Mecca, when he shocked those he traveled by with his thousands of followers, lined in caravans of gold and riches. With that being said, the Mali Empire was Muslim, with many mosques and islamic schools being built. Women had many roles such as running the household, taking care of children, and farming. The Mali Empire declines after Mansa Musa died, as his successor was not a good leader.

Songhay Empire

The Songhay empire used a hierarchy system. They were primarily a muslim religion, though other religion existed on a smaller scale. Women served as mothers and caretakers in the empire. They also traded lots with Europeans, earning strong alliances. Sonni Ali. Made Gao was a major figure, he founded the empires capital, and expanded trade throughout West Africa. The empire conquered their neighbor Timbuktu in 1468. The Songhay empire was strong with trade, and this made sense as they were located on the trans- Saharan trade route. They also conquered 5 other states to build their empire. Kings became overwhelmed by the empires size, and Moroccan invasion in 1591 led to their decline and fall.

Kingdom of Angola

The Kingdom of Angola was a series of states, called murindas, controlled by a centralized king, the Ngola. Women were expected to take care of children and do agricultural work. The Kingdom of Angola, was involved in trade with Portugal, including the slave trade and trade of ivory. However, Portugal would eventually invade Angola. Queen Ana de Sousa Nzingha Mbande was a major leader who allied the kingdom with Portugal. The Kingdom of Angola was established around the year 1500 CE. Also, Queen Ana de Sousa Nzingha Mbande came to power in 1624. The Kingdom of Angola was a major trade power in Western Africa. They traded items such as copper and gold, and they built large wealth from farming and agricultural. Also, the Kingdom of Angola was originally known as the Kingdom of Ndongo. In 1617, the Portugeuse invaded the Kingdom, leading to its decline and eventual fall.

Kanem-Bornu Empire

Led by a king, called a “Mai” Was a trading empire. It was first an Animist state, believing in a spiritual essence in animals. It became an Islamic state later due to the arrival of Muslim missionaries. It was rooted in Islamic beliefs, women would be obedient and provide nurturing for their children. Few times through the empire's existence a female leader or Queen had control over the Empire, such as Aissa Koli. Trans Saharan trade involved European goods and peoples travelling through and into the Empire. Much later, in the 20th century, it would be subject to colonialism from France and Britain.Hummay, who ruled in the 11th century and was the first leader of the newly created Kanem Bornu. Under Mai Dunama Dabblemi from 1210 to 1224, the Empire underwent major expansion. Hummay formed alliances with neighboring states in 1075. Islam was adopted in the 11th century; expansionist moves and trade involvement spikes under Mai Dunama Dabblemi in the 13th century. It was located on the trans Saharan trade route, very involved in trade. Salt, animals, and elephant tusks were some of the items of which that passed through Kanem Bornu.The empire was torn apart by colonialism and civil war. Muslim cleric named Muhammad al-Amin al Kanemi defeated them, and his successors killed the last Mai in 1846.

Asante Kingdom

This empire had a King, and provincial states scattered throughout the Empire. Ultimate seat of power the king occupied was known as the “Golden Stool”. Heavily militarized and had expansionist ideas.They Had Akan, Christianity, and Islamic, with Akan being the original and most heavily rooted religion. Akan was the polytheistic belief in a variety of less powerful Gods but would lose relevance upon the arrival of Christianity and Islam. Domestic roles, such as maintaining the house and children, showed support for husbands that were soldiers. Could hold seats of power in villages.Upon European discovery in the 15th century, trade could flourish with gold, ivory, and even slaves. Much later in the 19th century the empire would engage in conflict with the British empire and would fall victim to colonialism.First led by Osei Tutu, in the late 17th century and early 18th century. Osei Kwadwo facilitated military expansion in the 18th century, Osei Bonsu helped mitigate British expansion in the early 19th century.Different Asante kingdoms were unified by Osei Tutu in the late 17th century. Faced off against British in the Anglo Ashanti wars in the 18th century.Through the 15th century, they would trade with the Europeans, being a vantage point to Northern Africa and the Atlantic.After several wars against the growing British Empire, they would be annexed by the British at the beginning of the 20th century.

Kingdom of Kongo

fThe Kingdom of Kongo was a centralized monarchy ruled by a leader called a "Mankikongo". The kingdom was originally bukongo, but was highly influenced by Christianity, and this soom became the dominating religion in the Kongo. In this kingdom, women were able to take political positions, and many actually held elite positions in the government. Kongo had good relationship with the Europeans at the start as they had established Christianity, and they traded with Portugal a lot, the resources mainly being ivory and slave labor. An important figure was Lukeni lua Nimi, who founded the kingdom in 1390. Alfonso I was a major leader as well, he stregthened ties with Portugal and made great strides to control Kongo to Christianity. A key event was the first Christian missionaries reaching the Kongo in 1491. Their economy relied on things such as ivory, pottery, and raffia cloth. The Kingdom of Kongo declined from European interests in their land, as they were eventually colonized and controlled by Belgium.