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Welcome to The Five where we share five interesting things in black culture and history in every episode
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Five African kingdoms that influence the world. If you think the Egyptian empire was the only notable empire in Africa, you're in for some learning
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But first, subscribe to our channel and ring the bell so you don't miss any future videos
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The Mali Empire The Great Mali Empire began in the 1200s by Sundiata Kita, sometimes referred to as Lion King
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The Mali Empire was known for being the epicenter of trade-elaborate mosques, Islamic schools, and simply for being a world of luxury and riches
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One of the greatest leaders of the empire, Mansa Musa, had so much gold that he passed it out to the poor along his Hajj to Mecca
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The Mali Empire was so rich through trade that by the 14th century, it was the source of almost half of the world's gold exports from West Africa
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The Empire was also home to Sangara Madrasa, one of the greatest centers of learning and housed the largest library in Africa at the time, with an estimated 700,000 manuscripts
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The Kingdom of Kush This ancient Nubian empire ruled over a vast territory along the Nile River
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in what is modern-day Sedan, starting from around 785 BC. This kingdom was so powerful that it even ruled its famous neighbor to the north, Egypt
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as the 25th Dynasty, which meant the monarchs of Kush were also the pharaohs of Egypt
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The kingdom of Kush thrived for over a thousand years and was the center of trade for iron and gold
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The Kushites also mummified their dead and built their own types of pyramids In fact the Kushites capital of Moreau is home to ruins of over 200 pyramids far more than Egypt The Songhai Empire This large West African kingdom was formed in the 15th
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century and encompassed a dozen of modern-day African nations. The capital of this massive
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empire was the city of Gao, which was located in modern-day Mali. Its greatest leader was King
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Mohammed Eskiya, also known as Eskiya the Great, who expanded the reach of the kingdom
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and established hundreds of Islamic schools in Timbuktu. He also opened his court to scholars
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and poets from throughout the Muslim world. He advocated for learning and rewarded professors
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with large pensions. The Kingdom of Aksum. During the times of the Roman Empire, another
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influential empire was thriving in East Africa. The Kingdom of Aksum was a trading giant whose
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gold and ivory created a vital link between ancient Europe and the Far East. The Kingdom of Aksum also
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developed its own written script known as Giz, one of the first in Africa, and had its own unique
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architectural style. The Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Established around 1220, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe
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expanded artistic and stone masonry tradition to impressive levels. Elaborate stone buildings were
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built and trade with Asian Arabic partners thrived in this kingdom that was greatly influenced by the
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kingdom of Mapumgwe in southern Africa. The city of Great Zimbabwe served as the capital of the
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kingdom. That is where the ruins of the impeccably built buildings are found today. That's it for
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this episode. Don't forget to subscribe and stay tuned for the next one
