Empires and Kingdoms

Morocco, a treasure trove of history and diverse landscapes, beckons enthusiasts of the history to delve into its rich tapestry. Here are 10 fascinating facts that shed light on the unique allure of this North African gem. 1. Morocco is the only African country with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, providing it with a diverse …

King Afonso I, also known as Afonso I Mvemba a Nzinga, was a prominent ruler of the Kongo Kingdom during a crucial period in the early 16th century. His reign, spanning from 1509 to 1543, marked a time of significant political, cultural, and religious transformations within the Kongo Kingdom. This article delves into the life of King Afonso I, exploring …

Mansa Musa I, also known as Musa Keita I, was the tenth emperor of the Mali Empire, one of the largest empires in West Africa. And he is the richest man in history with estimated wealth of over $400bln. He ruled from 1312 to 1337 and is considered one of the wealthiest individuals in history. Early Life and Rise to …

There were many female warriors throughout Africa’s history, each with their unique story and legacy. Here are just a few examples: 1. Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (1583-1663) – She was a skilled diplomat and warrior queen who fought against Portuguese colonization in Angola. Nzinga led her people in a series of battles against the Portuguese, earning a reputation …

The Solomonic Dynasty, also called the Solomonic Restoration, was a time in Ethiopia’s history that ran from 1270 to 1636. It’s called that because when Emperor Yekuno Amlak became emperor in 1270, he said he was the direct descendant of Menelik I, son of King Solomon and Queen Sheba. This put an end to the short rule of the Zagwes, …

Some of the richest men in the world today are tech billionaires and business leaders from the West and China. However, the title of “richest man who ever lived” goes to a little-known ancient ruler from a part of the world that is more often associated with poverty than with unimaginable wealth. Mansa Musa was the king of the large …

Archaeological discoveries and historical documents indicate that the ancient city of Meroe served as the capital of the kingdom of Kush, which is now located in Sudan. Kush was a northern African kingdom whose influence spanned approximately 1069 BCE to 350 CE. Although the region around Kush, later known as Nubia, had been inhabited since around 8,000 BCE, the kingdom …

The Kuba Kingdom, also known as the Bakuba Kingdom or Bushongo, is a traditional Central African kingdom. The Kuba Kingdom flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries in the heart of the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordered by the Sankuru, Lulua, and Kasai rivers. The Kuba Kingdom was a federation of several smaller Bushongo-speaking principalities, as well as …

Piye, a Kushite king who conquered Egypt between 744 and 714 BC, is credited with founding the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. He ruled from Napata, a city in modern-day Sudan’s Nubia region. Piye was Kashta and Pebatjma’s son. He had three or four wives, according to accounts. His heir, Taharqa’s mother was Abar. Notable wives include Tabiry, Peksater, and perhaps Khensa. Piye, …

Shewa (Amharic: ሸዋ; Arabic: شيوا, Oromo: Shawaa), formerly romanized as Shua, Shoa, Showa, Shuwa , is a historical region of Ethiopia which was formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire. Ethiopians like to hold up their ancient civilization and superiority against colonizers and to that, it remained uncolonized. The ancient province of Endagabatan is now a part of Shewa. …