Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr al-Turi, known as Askia Muhammad I (1443–1538), was the first king of the Songhai Empire’s Askia Dynasty, ruling from 1493 to 1528. In modern Songhai, he is known as Mamar Kassey and is also known as Askia the Great. Askia Muhammad expanded his dominion, making it the largest in history of West Africa. The Songhai Empire …

Africans drilled tiny holes in snail shells and strung them as beads to create the world’s oldest known jewelry around 75,000 years ago The beads were discovered in South Africa’s Blombos cave, on the southern Cape coast. The 41 shells were discovered in groups of up to 17 shells. They came from Nassarius kraussianus, a small mollusc scavenger that dwells in …

Ndumbo Tembo protected Tchokwe sovereignty and resources by establishing an autonomous territory with tight restrictions on European access. The Tchokwe were able to maintain their independence thanks to Ndumba Tembo’s efforts. The Chokwe people, also known as the Kioko, Bajokwe, Chibokwe, Kibokwe, Ciokwe, Cokwe, or Badjok, are a Central and Southern African ethnic group. They’re mostly found in Angola, the …

Khama was highly regarded as a peace-loving king who prioritized technological achievements such as the construction of schools, scientific cattle-feeding, and the establishment of a mounted police force, which effectively suppressed crime. Because of his good rule of developing his nation and caring for his people England granted him permission to remain independent of Bechuanaland. Khama was known for being …

The Persians invade Egypt under Cambyses II. He defeats the Egyptians in battle at Pelsium in the Nile Delta in 525 BC. Cambyses II, an Achaemenid king of Persia (reigned 529–522 BCE) who invaded Egypt in 525, was the eldest son of King Cyrus II the Great by Cassandane, a fellow Achaemenid. Cambyses was in charge of Babylonian affairs during …

The Nok culture was one of Western Africa’s earliest known societies. From around 500 B.C.E. to 200 C.E., it existed in modern-day Nigeria. The Nok grew crops and worked with iron tools. Because artifacts were discovered near the modern Nigerian town of Nok, historians and archaeologists refer to this culture as the Nok culture. Nok culture is well-known for its …

Ancient Somalis domesticate camels in 3000 BC – 2000 BC. This practice spreads to North Africa and Ancient Egypt The first inhabitants in the Somali region were ethnic Cushites from southern Ethiopia’s fertile lakes. This group is further split into a number of other ethnic groups, all of which are still widely recognized (and fought over) today. Archeological evidence suggests …

In Ancient Africa people of different ages had their own dialy life roles to play. This was all over the four corners of Great Ancient Africa. Many Africans prayed daily to their ancestors for protection and guidance, in place of traditional gods. Many Africans would dedicate a spot in their homes to pay honor to their guardian spirits. The concept …

African moors, who conquered Spain and ruled it for more than 800 years, were responsible for bringing Europe out of the dark ages. 1. The Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian peninsula ‘Andalus’ (Spain under the …

Menes (c. 3200–3000 BC) was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt during the Early Dynastic Period. He is recognized by classical tradition with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt and establishing of the First Dynasty. Although conventional Egyptological consensus links Menes to the Naqada III monarch Narmer First Dynasty pharaoh Hor-Aha, the identity of Menes remains a point of contention. Various authorities …