Centuries ago, some places in Africa were living like the Europeans, or the West, as we now popularly call it. There were once some great empires with a civilized and developed system of governance, grand architectural structures, overseas commerce, and and many more
Nowadays, all that we see or hear about Africa is war, famine, diseases, and corrupt leaders. All the past glory of our dear mother Africa is gone. Now what has left Mother Africa are the ruins and oral histories of those great ancient African empires. In this article, we are going to explore six of those great African empires that now live in ruins, and some of them have also disappeared from history.
1. Aksum or Axum Empire
There is no doubt that this empire is one of the greatest, oldest, grandest, and largest in Africa. The empire stretches from Ethiopia to southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, southern Egypt, and Eritrea. Aksum existed from 100 CE to 960 CE. This is when most of the European and American continents were living in the dark with no better structures or developed countries.
The chapel where the Ark of the Covenant is believed to be hidden
It was one of the most aggressive and developed empires at that time, with a massive system of government and a productive economy. They had a better education system and writing system at that time. The empire had great ships that could traverse any body of water. The Aksumites established a resourceful trade with the Romans, Persians, and Indians.
The empire also introduced agricultural and animal husbandry that surpassed many others at that time. The fertile land and the sources of the Nile made the empire very powerful and wealthy. They also traded gold and ivory with the ancient Indians and the Romans. Aksum introduced a stelae called an obelisk, which stands at 79 feet high. They were the first empire to convert to orthodox Christianity, the revered home of the Ark of the Covenant, and the first African country to mint coins in gold, silver, and bronze.
2. Great Zimbabwe and Mutapa
These two empires are separate empires, but they all originated from one geographical area, though Mutapa spread across three countries, namely South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and even Botswana.
Zimbabwe started around 1220 CE–1450 CE and was said to be one of the great countries in Africa with its precise marble structures, doomed-shaped palaces, a large market square, and a much more splendid culture. It covers around 7 meters square and is mounted on one of the largest stone structures in Africa.
They specialized in the smelting of copper and iron and the refinery of gold. Archeologists discovered pottery from Persia and China and coins from Arabia and India as well. All this shows that the empire was actively trading with countries far away when it was at its peak.
Ruins of great Zimbabwe
Empire of Mutapa started in the same area but had a bit of a different culture and lifestyle than Great Zimbabwe. The empire covers what is currently Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It was said that a warrior king from Zimbabwe established the empire. It might be true because it started right after the decline of Zimbabwe.
The Mutapa empire flourished between 1430 CE and 1760 CE. Just like the countries close to the Indian Ocean, Mutapa also traded extensively with the Indians and later the Portuguese, who were the middlemen.
3. Ghana empire
One of the most popular and richest, together with Mali, was the Ghana empire. This great empire makes me cry when i read about its splendid beauty and elegance of their culture that has spread across modern day Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast and etc.
Ruins of ancient Ghana empire
Ghana began around 700 CE–1240 CE, was situated in what is now Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania, and was closer to the Sahel Desert than modern Ghana. The Ghana Empire was commonly known as Wagadu or Akwar and was the controller of the Saharan trade route. The capital town was Kumbi Saleh, home to twenty thousand inhabitants.
The empire was known as the "Land of Gold," as it was popular for that resource as well as its source of power. The Ghanaian empire introduced a very sophisticated tax system, education, and administrative system, as well as a large army.
4. Mali Empire
Another great empire took over right after the decline of the Ghanaian empire. Just like the great Zimbabwe and Mutapa, Ghana and Mali also have a close blood bond and are all kinsmen. This empire is bigger than Ghana's, and it is spread across Mali, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mauritania.
It started to flourish around the 13th century, between 1230 CE and 1670 CE, after the decline of its parent empire by the Almoravid Berbers from Algeria and their northern tribesmen. Mali's empire can also boost one of the wealthiest countries in Africa.
The empire did not only trade in gold, they were the biggest gold mine in Africa and one of the highest producers of gold in the world at that time. This prosperous empire was ruled by the wealthiest person ever to live in Africa and some parts of the world even by today's standards, Mansa Musa.
The empire was established by a man known as the Lion King, or Sundiata Keita, but it was Mansa Musa who made the empire very prosperous and wealthy. Mansa Musa was also the one who brought and made the Islamic faith compulsory in Western parts of Africa, such as Mali, Niger, etc.
5. Songhai or Songhay
It was established around 1000 CE–1591 CE and was ruled by Sunny Ali's royal family, and they founded one of the great learning centers called Timbuktu. This empire is larger than Mali and Ghana, and it stretches from present-day Mali to Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
The capital city of this famous empire was called Gao, a walled city protected by great standing guards. Their economy is based on agriculture, gold mining, and animal husbandry. They also export spices, salt, gold, ivory, fish, and other important spices and fruits to other countries near and far. Their boats traversed the Niger River to send goods and commodities to the communities and states beyond the river, such as the Guans.
In return, they barter for horses, books, textiles, arms, and many more. Timbuktu was the academic center at that time, like Oxford in the ancient world. Scholars from all over the ancient world visit to learn. Even people from the Middle East and Spain travel to work and study in the Songhay empire just like Africans travel to Europe for greener pastures nowadays.
6.The Benin
This empire was established between 1180 CE and 1897 CE, and it covers present-day Nigeria and some parts of present-day Benin. It was one of the oldest and most advanced in Africa, and they were very good at arts and crafts, especially sculpture and carving. The empire was ruled by a very powerful king called Oba Owurae.
Sculpture of Benin empire
The kingdom traded extensively with the Portuguese and later the English. This great empire was weakened by internal wars or tribal conflicts, the problem of most African empires. By the early 18th century, the Benin Empire was getting closer to its decline.
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