The Kingdoms of Africa

-750 BC, Egyptian power lessened, King Kastha of Kush led his forces North and conquered the Nile valley.
-Assyrians push out Kushites out of Egypt
-The rulers of Kush built a new capital at Meroe on the banks of the Nile
-Iron ore deposits gave Kushites the opportunity to make iron tools and weapons
-Kush profited by trade from Egypt and the Mediterranean world
-200 AD, Kush declined due to invasions and internal rivaries

• Center of trade
• King Ezana of Axum conquered Kush
• Converted to Christianity
• Also had own language called Geez

-Famous for adopting a strict and disciplined Islamic faith
-Was first the Kingdom of Bornu, but then conquered Kanem
-A conquering Kingdom

• The Soninke people founded them
• Had a lavish court
• Traded gold and salt especially with Berbers

-Had a Swahilli cuture that is a mix of Arabic and African language -Was situated on the coast of East Africa where trade was prominent

• Capital: Timbuktu -After Ghana broke, Mandingos (farmers of Ghana) rose to power and seized some gold producing areas -Mansa Musa was a great ruler who pushed out the borders of his empire and captured Taghaza which made him stronger. Mans Musa was the first African to take part in a pilgrimage towards Mecca

-Was named 'the Great Stone House' for its architectual advances with stone
-Leaders became rich with gold deposits nearby

• Sunni Ali gained power in Gao and set out to restore order in trading cities. A war leader.
• Captured Timbuktu and other centers of trade, freedom from Mali
• Askia Muhammad contributed after Sunni Ali passed by setting up Timbuktu as a captial of learning and scholarship. Followed Mansa Musa's footsteps and made a prilgrimage to Mecca.
• was Muslim, encouraged Islamic teachers to stay and teach, made Timbuktu center of learning

-The only current standing kingdom of today
-Is rich in natural resources around its area