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In the post-classical period, the expansion of trade had a significant effect on civilizations across the world. In Africa, wealth from trade contributed to the developing of wealthy and powerful kingdoms across the continent. Many historians believed that the richest man who ever lived was the ruler of one such African kingdom. Keep reading to learn more about this man and how his kingdom and others came to be.
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Sign up for freeWhich kingdom adopted Christianity?
Which leader of the Empire of Mali made a pilgrimage to Mecca?
Which kingdom in the South of Africa came first?
What was unique about the Hausa Kingdom?
What European power played a major role in the fall of the Kingdom of Congo?
Kingdoms often took on the religion of their trade partners.
Which West African kingdom came first?
Which two trade resources did the Kingdom of Ghana rely on the most?
What European power played a major role in the fall of the Kingdom of Congo?
Kingdoms often took on the religion of their trade partners.
Which West African kingdom came first?
Which two trade resources did the Kingdom of Ghana rely on the most?
Which kingdom adopted Christianity?
Which leader of the Empire of Mali made a pilgrimage to Mecca?
Which kingdom in the South of Africa came first?
What was unique about the Hausa Kingdom?
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Team African Kingdoms Teachers
Before the 10th century, much of Africa was decentralized, with small villages organized along tribal lines. But, with the expansion of trade, centralized solid kingdoms with great wealth began to emerge.
Here is a map showing some of the mighty African kingdoms that came to power in the post-classical period:
Fig. 1 - map of African kingdoms
In West Africa, trade proved critical in the creation and longevity of kingdoms.
| West African Kingdom | Key Information |
| The Kingdom of Ghana |
|
| The Empire of Mali |
|
| The Songhay Kingdom |
|
| The Hausa Kingdom |
|
| The Kingdom of Congo |
|
| The Kingdom of Judah |
|
Mansa Musa's Pilgrimage
Perhaps the most famous of Mali’s emperors was Mansa Musa, who some historians believe to be the wealthiest man to have ever lived. In 1324, Mansa Musa set out on the Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. On this journey, Mansa Musa stopped in Cairo, Egypt, where he gave away so much gold that its value dropped drastically in Egypt. His pilgrimage helped increase global awareness of the Empire of Mali.
Fig. 2 - depiction of Mansa Musa
Let’s look further South at the Kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Zimbabwe, where we'll see that trade was just as critical.
The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was one of Southern Africa’s first kingdoms, established around the 9th century. The kingdom’s economy depended on agriculture, cattle herding, and trade fueled by its iron and copper deposits. After two centuries of power, the empire began to decline in the 13th century due to the exhaustion of local resources and the growth of trade centers further North.
The Kingdom of Zimbabwe was formed in the 13th century after the collapse of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe. Great Zimbabwe's capital became a major trade center, with ivory and gold as critical resources. In the mid-15th century, the prince of the kingdom, Nyatsimba Mutota, left to found his empire known as the Kingdom of Mutapa. The Kingdom of Mutapa quickly eclipsed the Kingdom of Zimbabwe in power. So the Kingdom of Zimbabwe's territory went to the Kingdom of Mutapa in the North and Butua in the South.
Fig. 3 - ancient ruins from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe
The growth of these African kingdoms changed much of the continent's social, political, and economic structure by bringing together numerous tribes under a centralized power. The trade networks they developed not only brought unprecedented wealth but also brought Africa into the global arena, where new religions such as Christianity and Islam held significant influence. But, while the wealth of trade might have made these African kingdoms powerful, it also made them a target of European imperialist ambitions as the post-classical era was coming to a close, significantly as the slave trade was expanding.
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What is the correct chronological order of the West African kingdoms?
The Kingdom of Ghana was established first, then the Empire of Mali, and then the Songhay Kingdom.
How did trade affect the development of African kingdoms?
Trade allowed kingdoms to accumulate wealth and establish themselves.
What was the first kingdom in Africa to become Christian?
The Askumite Empire, based in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, was the first kingdom in Africa to adopt Christianity.
What set the Eastern coast apart from other African kingdoms?
The Eastern Coast of Africa had direct access to Indian Ocean trade networks.
How did kingdoms develop in West Africa?
Kingdoms developed in West Africa using wealth accumulated through trade, especially the gold and salt trade. Wealth lent itself to military power which allowed kingdoms to expand to cover large territories.
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