Forgotten Empires of Africa: Kingdoms of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai

Amazing discoveries, great historical figures and strong empires of Africa are left unnoticed and unknown to many people. Some of these are the Kingdoms of Mali, the Kingdom of Ghana and the Songhai Kingdom; all were three renowned West African Kingdoms whose histories have shaped the historicism of today’s world. Existed during the period between the 4th and 16th centuries, these empires were, in many ways, comparable to many European and Asian empires. Still, many of these claims continue to lie in oblivion. This article explains the little-known empires of Africa and the part they played in the African history.

The Ghana Empire at around 300 –1200 CE

However, the Ghana Empire was not in the modern geographical Ghana, but was the first of the well-known West African empires that was founded around the 4th century. Located in the present day, Southeastern region of Mauritania and Western Mali it was dubbed the ‘ Land of Gold.’ Koumbi Saleh which served as the empire’s capital was the center of the trans-Saharan trade-fuelled by gold mining.

Through this means of taxation involved in trade commerce where the kings of Ghana use items such as salt, gold and slaves to make their respective kingdoms wealthy. Its economic growth and influence placed it strategically that Muslim merchants from North Africa established themselves hence the as Islamization of the leadership. But in the 11th century it weakened due internal strife and invasion of the Almoravids. By the 12th century, Ghana had more or less become a thing of the past, and new powers arose in the area.

The Mali Empire facility could be traced between 1235 and 1600 A.D.

Taking the place of the defunct Ghana, the Mali Empire was one of the largest and prosperous empire in Africa, and rulers that were influential. Mali was founded by Sundiata Keita following the Kirina dynasty and the country rapidly grew, becoming the leading exporter in the whole of West African region.

The empire of Mali really reached its glory during the rule of Mansa Musa (c. 1312–1337), and this king was one of the richest people ever lived. We see the apparent example of Mansa Musa’s hajj in 1324 as a demonstration of the wealth of the Mali Empire. He used to shower people with gold andbasically create inflation within the cities he was in for proof of the Mali economic muscle.

Apart from being a wealth source the Mali Empire was culture and learning hub. It became the largest learning centre in black Africa where scholars, poets, artists and merchants from the Muslim part of the world used to visit. This empire started to decline in the 15th century as a result of internal conflict and emergence of the Songhai Empire.

The Songhai Empire existed during the period 1430-1591CE

With the disintegration of the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire emerged as one of the biggest empires in the history of Africa. Located along the middle stretch of the Niger River in modern-day Mali and Niger, Songhai expansion was led by military and political masterminds such As Sonni Ali and Askia Muhammad.

Sonni Ali, who reigned from 1464 to 1492, also continued Songhai’s territorial gain through proper military campaigns; these include towns of Timbuktu and Jenne, prominent trading towns. His successor, Askia Muhammad (r. 1493–1528), codified the empire and embraced Islam in the state and also in the promotion of knowledge. During Askia’s reign, Songhai emerged as the center of Islamic scholarly activity in the region, with Songhai scholars active in the areas of theology, astronomy, and law.

Nonethe less, after having blossomed to some great extent, Songhai was defeated by Moroccan forces in 1591. Songhai’s soldiers were conquered in the battle of Tondibi by Moroccans who were well equipped with firearms and this led to the decline of the empire. It had brought the decline of the Songhai which had caused the western Sudan’s string of great empires to finish.

West African Empires:

The history of the three West African Empires is critical in understanding the development of the continent; their legacies are clear in aspects of economy, military, and, most importantly, cultural and intellectual. They played very vital roles in international business, mainly linking the African continent to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Their cities, especially Timbuktu, turned into schools where education of science phi,losophy, and religion was esteemed.

That said, much of their story has been buried by the colonialist’s version which СангrievededAfrica’s progress. These empires were technologically sophisticated and had societies’ structures; they debunk the myth that African has no history until the Europeans invaded the continent.

In conclusion, The three mentioned empires, namely Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, were vast and great empires that significantly influenced the history of West Africa. Even if their names do not resonate in the same way today as they once did, then their impact cannot be denied. They were, in fact, focused on riches, art, and knowledge, the places that served as bridges between Africa and the outside world. Ensuring that these lost civilizations of Africa are brought back to light is an essential way of helping people embrace the worth of the history of Africa, which is an integral part of the civilization of the world.