Kingdoms and Trading States of Africa 730-1590

History

A desert located on the African continent, the largest hot desert in the world

Sahara

A desert located on the African continent, the largest hot desert in the world. Sahara. Historically, the Sahara has been a significant barrier and thoroughfare for trade and cultural exchange across northern Africa.

A several hundred ethnic groups of Central and South Africa speaking Bantu language

Bantu

A several hundred ethnic groups of Central and South Africa speaking Bantu language. Bantu. Bantu refers to a large group of people in Africa who share related languages and cultural attributes, historically spreading agriculture and ironworking across the continent.

A mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem characterised by the trees being widely spaced

Savanna

A mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem characterised by the trees being widely spaced. Savanna. Historically, savannas have been important regions for early human development and migration.

A region along the Nile river, between Aswan and Khartoum

Nubia

A region along the Nile River, between Aswan and Khartoum. Nubia. Nubia is an ancient civilization known for its rich culture, trade, and connection with ancient Egypt.

A shallow length of the Nile River, between Khartoum and Aswan

Cataract

A shallow length of the Nile River, between Khartoum and Aswan. Cataract. In history, a cataract refers to a rocky, impassable section of a river, often with rapids, hindering navigation and transportation.

The capital of the Kingdom of Kush placed on the east bank of the Nile

Meroe

The capital of the Kingdom of Kush placed on the east bank of the Nile. Meroe. Meroe was an ancient city that served as a major center for trade and culture in the Kingdom of Kush.

A type of land degradation in drylands when fertile areas become more arid

Desertification

A type of land degradation in drylands when fertile areas become more arid. Desertification is when once-productive land turns into desert, often impacting communities throughout history.

A situation in which the quantity of a good supplied is more than the quantity demanded

Surplus

A situation in which the quantity of a good supplied is more than the quantity demanded is called a surplus. In history, a surplus often allowed civilizations to trade, grow, and support larger populations.

A country that was part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade

Mali

A country that was part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade. Mali. Mali is a West African country known for its rich historical legacy as part of ancient empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

A goods used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type

Commodity

A goods used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodity. In history, commodities like gold, silver, and spices were traded extensively, driving global exploration and economic development.

The tenth Mansa of the Mali Empire, known as the wealthiest person of the Middle Ages

Mansa Musa

The tenth Mansa of the Mali Empire, known as the wealthiest person of the Middle Ages. Mansa Musa was a ruler celebrated for his immense wealth and generosity, leading the Mali Empire to its peak in the 14th century.

One of the great kingdoms in Bilad el-Sudan in the ninth century

Ghana

One of the great kingdoms in Bilad el-Sudan in the ninth century. Ghana was a powerful and wealthy West African empire known for its gold trade.

An ethnic group in West Africa who speak the various Songhai languages

Songhai

An ethnic group in West Africa who speak the various Songhai languages. Songhai. Songhai was a powerful West African empire that thrived from the 15th to the late 16th century.

A powerful prince and founder of the Mali Empire

Sundiata

A powerful prince and founder of the Mali Empire. Sundiata. Sundiata was a legendary leader in West African history who established the Mali Empire in the 13th century.

The site in Ethiopia of the historic capital of the Aksumite Empire

Axum

The site in Ethiopia of the historic capital of the Aksumite Empire. Axum. Axum was an ancient and powerful kingdom known for its impressive stone monuments and role in regional trade.

The Emperor of Ethiopia, the most well-known of the Zagwe monarchs

King Lalibela

The Emperor of Ethiopia, the most well-known of the Zagwe monarchs. King Lalibela. King Lalibela is famous for commissioning the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

An ancient city of the D’mt and Aksumite empires located in the Gulf of Zula

Adulis

An ancient city of the Dmt and Aksumite empires located in the Gulf of Zula. Adulis. Adulis was a crucial port city in ancient times that facilitated trade between the African interior and the Mediterranean world.

An ethnic and cultural group inhabiting East Africa

Swahili

An ethnic and cultural group inhabiting East Africa. Swahili. The Swahili are a coastal community historically known for their role in trade between Africa and other continents.

A monarchy based on ancient form of Christianity and placed the Horn of Africa

Ethiopia

A monarchy based on ancient form of Christianity and placed the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia. Ethiopia is an ancient country in Africa with a rich history, known for its unique Christian heritage and as one of the earliest regions to adopt Christianity.

A ruined city, former capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

A ruined city, former capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Great Zimbabwe. It was a medieval city that flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries and was a central hub of trade and culture in southern Africa.

A family group consisting of two parents and their children

Nuclear family

A family group consisting of two parents and their children nuclear family. The nuclear family became popular in the West during the Industrial Revolution, representing a household centered around parents and their children rather than extended relatives.

A group that can demonstrate their common descent from a known apical ancestor

Lineage

A group that can demonstrate their common descent from a known apical ancestor. Lineage. Lineage in history refers to the line of descent or ancestry from a common ancestor.

An individual's family membership that derives from their father's lineage

Patrilineal

An individual's family membership that derives from their father's lineage. Patrilineal means tracing family descent or inheritance through the father's side.

A general agreement among the members of a group or community

Consensus

A general agreement among the members of a group or community. Consensus. In History, consensus refers to a shared understanding or agreement on historical events or interpretations among historians or within a society.

An individual's family membership that derives from their mother's lineage

Matrilineal

An individual's family membership that derives from their mother's lineage. Matrilineal is a system in history where ancestry and inheritance are traced through the mother's side of the family.

A West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician

Griot

A West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician. Griot. A griot is a cultural figure who preserves and shares the oral history and traditions of their community.