heritage & history

pre-1500

Buckle up and zoom back to the time before 1500, when powerful kingdoms and empires like Mali, Axum and Kush ruled the roost, and trade thrived with goods like gold, ivory, salt, and slaves.

While most ordinary Africans were farmers, the mighty African kingdoms grew rich through trade, with camel caravans crossing the Sahara and boats navigating the great rivers like the Niger and Congo. In this far-off era, we can’t focus on firsts like in later timelines, but we’ll spotlight major events and people who shaped the course of history, like the powerful Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, and Mansa Musa, the wealthiest ruler in history. Dive in and unearth the foundations of black heritage, and discover how these early leaders and civilizations built a legacy that still inspires us today!

c. 2500 BCE
sahara 🌍
Rockin' Saharan Art Spectacle

ancient Saharan people create rock art showcasing their unbelievable artistic skills and creativity.

c. 800 BCE
sudan 🇸🇩
Kush Kingdom's Mighty Emergence

the Kingdom of Kush is founded in Nubia, blossoming into an astonishingly powerful kingdom that leaves everyone amazed!

c. 600 BCE
Africa 🌍
Bantu Farmers on the move

Bantu-speaking farming people from modern-day Nigeria journey south and east through Africa, growing super yummy crops and making awesome iron tools!

c. 300 BCE
Nigeria 🇳🇬
Nok Culture's Artistic Marvels

The Nok culture of Nigeria astonishes with their beautiful terracotta sculptures, proving their incredible artistic prowess.

c. 100 CE
Ethiopia 🇪🇹
aksum's Awesome Ascension

Aksum rises as the mightiest eastern African state, trading across the Red Sea, and becomes the world's first Christian state in the 4th century, thanks to King Ezana's conversion!

c. 570 CE
Ethiopia 🇪🇹
The Aksumite Empire's Golden Age!

The Kingdom of Aksum experiences a golden age under King Kaleb, showcasing their great wealth, influence, and power.

c. 400-1200
West Africa 🌍
Glittering Ghana Empire

The Empire of Ghana grows into the first great West African trading state, overflowing with shiny gold traded with North African adventurers crossing the Sahara!

c. 850
Chad 🇹🇩 to Libya 🇱🇾
Kanem-Bornu's Mighty Stretch

The Kanem-Bornu Empire stretches across modern-day Chad to southern Libya, turning into an Islamic state in 1085 and providing a trade route from the Nile Valley to sub-Saharan Africa!

c. 900 CE
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Mapungubwe's Mighty Peak

The Kingdom of Mapungubwe sparkles with wealth from gold trade, and majestic hilltop dwellings create a legendary African civilization.

c. 1100-1400
Southeast Africa 🌍
Mighty Zimbabwe's Soaring Empire

Great Zimbabwe emerges as a powerful empire, trading in salt, iron, copper, and ivory, with its towers being the largest and most jaw-dropping structures in sub-Saharan Africa.

c. 1200
Mali 🇲🇱
Sundiata Keita's Epic Saga

Sundiata Keita, the legendary founder of the Mali Empire, embarks on an epic journey to unite the Mandinka people and build a mighty empire.

c. 1300
Ethiopia 🇪🇹
Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Wonders

King Lalibela of Ethiopia commissions the mind-blowing rock-hewn churches, leaving everyone in awe of their architectural genius.

1324-1326
Mali 🇲🇱
The Wise Rule of Mansa Musa

The Mali Empire absorbs Ghana and grows rich with Timbuktu as its capital, and King Mansa Musa preads wisdom, wealth, and culture, earning a reputation as the richest man in history!

c. 1390
Congo River 🌍
Kongo Kingdom's Marvelous Rise

Lukeni lua Limi founds the Kingdom of Kongo on the southern bank of the Congo River, creating another fantastic trading empire with Mbanza Kongo as its capital until 1914!

1440-1473
West Africa 🌍
King Ewuare's Epic Empire Expansion

Oba (king) Ewuare the Great founds the Benin Empire, conquers 200 neighboring towns, and builds a magnificent palace in Benin that leaves everyone in awe!

c. 1450
West Africa 🌍
Oyo Empire's Horseback Heroes

The Oyo Empire's elite cavalry conquers their foes, spreading fear and respect with their amazing horseback skills and military might.

1464-1492
West Africa 🌍
Sunni Ali's Songhai Supremacy

Sunni Ali founds the Songhai Empire, takes over the Mali Empire in 1468, and controls trade along the Niger River with a mighty fleet of ships!

1483-1485
West Africa 🌍
Portuguese Power Trade

Portuguese explorers reach Benin and Kongo, trading manufactured goods and guns for slaves, ivory, pepper, and palm oil, leading to the expansion of both kingdoms and Christianity in Kongo.

1493-1538
West Africa 🌍
Askia the Great's Grand Empire

Askia the Great conquers lands, making the Songhai Empire the largest state in West African history, promoting learning, and making Islam the state religion!

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