The 53 Greatest African Empires and Kingdoms That You May Have Never Heard Of

Here's the forgotten history your teachers missed:

Sahelian Kingdoms

(1). Ghana Empire (Wagadu): c. 300-1100 CE - Known for its gold trade and advanced political system.

(2). Mali Empire: c. 1230-1670 CE - Home to Mansa Musa, possibly the richest person in history.

(3). Songhai Empire: c. 1464-1591 CE - At its peak, one of the largest empires in African history.

(4). Kanem-Bornu Empire: c. 700-1900 CE - One of the longest-lasting empires in history.

(5). Hausa city-states: c. 1000-1808 CE - A confederation of states known for their advanced urban culture.

(6). Sokoto Caliphate: 1804-1903 CE - The most powerful empire in 19th-century West Africa.

(7). Jolof Empire: c. 1350-1549 CE - Dominated present-day Senegal and parts of Mauritania.

West African Empires (15th-19th century)

(8). Kingdom of Dagbon: c. 1480-present - Known for its unique drum chieftaincy system.

(9). Kingdom of Nri: c. 948-1911 CE - One of the oldest kingdoms in West Africa.

(10). Oyo Empire: c. 1400-1835 CE - A Yoruba empire known for its powerful cavalry.

(11). Benin Empire: c. 1180-1897 CE - Famous for its advanced artistic and architectural achievements.

(12). Kaabu Empire: c. 1537-1867 CE - A Mandinka state that lasted for almost 800 years.

(13). Aro Confederacy: c. 1690-1902 CE - Dominated southeastern Nigeria through trade and religion.

(14). Bonoman: c. 11th-19th century CE - An early Akan state known for its gold trade.

(15). Gbokpoe Dynasty: c. 15th-19th century CE - Ruled parts of modern-day Benin.

(16). Kingdom of Wémè: c. 1080-1900 CE - A powerful kingdom in present-day Benin.

(17). Ashanti Empire: c. 1670-1957 CE - Known for its military prowess and gold-enriched culture.

(18). Kong Empire: c. 1710-1898 CE - A major commercial center in West Africa.

(19). Bamana Empire: c. 1712-1861 CE - Resisted Islamic influence and maintained traditional African religions.

(20). Wassoulou Empire: 1878-1898 CE - Founded by Samori Ture, who resisted French colonization.

(21). Akwa Akpa: c. 1786-1908 CE - A trading state in present-day Nigeria.

(22). Ife Empire: c. 11th-15th century CE - Considered the cradle of Yoruba culture.

Central African Empires

(23). Kongo Kingdom: c. 1390-1914 CE - One of the largest and most powerful states in sub-Saharan Africa.

(24). Luba Empire: c. 1585-1889 CE - Known for its advanced political system and artwork.

(25). Lunda Empire: c. 1665-1887 CE - Expanded through a system of political conquest and marriage alliances.

(26). Central African Empire: 1976-1979 CE - A short-lived state in the 20th century.

Southern African Empires

(27). Mutapa Empire (Empire of Great Zimbabwe): c. 1430-1760 CE - Known for its impressive stone structures.

(28). Zulu Kingdom: c. 1816-1879 CE - Famous for its military innovations under Shaka Zulu.

(29). Maravi Empire: c. 1480-1720 CE - Dominated trade in ivory, iron, and slaves in Southeast Africa.

(30). Kingdom of Mapungubwe: c. 1075-1220 CE - One of the earliest southern African states.

(31). Rozvi Empire: c. 1684-1834 CE - Succeeded the Mutapa Empire in Zimbabwe.

(32). Torwa Empire: c. 1450-1683 CE - Another successor state to the Mutapa Empire.

(33). Xhosa Kingdom: c. 1600-1894 CE - Resisted European colonization for nearly 100 years.

East African Empires

(34). Empire of Kitara: c. 14th-15th century CE - A semi-legendary empire in the Great Lakes region.

(35). Buganda Kingdom: c. 1300-present - One of the oldest kingdoms in Africa.

(36). Swahili city-states: c. 900-1500 CE - A confederation of coastal trading cities.

(37). Wanga Kingdom: c. 1600-1914 CE - The only pre-colonial kingdom in Kenya to survive colonialism.

(38). Land of Punt: c. 2500-1000 BCE - An ancient trading partner of Egypt.

(39). Various ancient Barbaroi cities and states: c. 1000 BCE-700 CE - Early East African civilizations.

(40). Kingdom of Aksum: c. 100-940 CE - An early Christian kingdom and major trading power.

(41). Ethiopian Empire: c. 1137-1974 CE - One of the oldest continuously existing states in the world.

(42). Mogadishu Sultanate: 10th-16th century CE - A powerful medieval trading state.

(43). Ifat Sultanate: c. 1285-1415 CE - A medieval Muslim state in the Horn of Africa.

(44). Adal Sultanate: c. 1415-1577 CE - Controlled the trade of the southern Red Sea region.

North African Empires

(45). Ancient Kemetic Empire: c. 3150-31 BCE - One of the world's earliest and longest-lasting civilizations.

(46). Kingdom of Kerma: c. 2500-1500 BCE - An early rival to Ancient Egypt.

(47). Kingdom of Kush: c. 1070 BCE-350 CE - Ruled over Egypt as the 25th Dynasty.

(48). Carthaginian Empire: c. 814-146 BCE - A major Mediterranean power that rivaled Rome.

(49). Kingdom of Numidia: c. 202-46 BCE - A Berber kingdom in North Africa.

(50). Fatimid Caliphate: 909-1171 CE - Ruled much of North Africa and the Middle East.

(51). Almoravid Dynasty: 1062-1147 CE - Controlled an empire stretching from Ghana to Spain.

(52). Almohad Caliphate: 1121-1269 CE - Succeeded the Almoravids, ruling North Africa and southern Spain.

(53). Marinid Dynasty: 1244-1465 CE - Ruled Morocco and parts of Algeria. #africa #black #history