Shona People - The Shona people were the first inhabitants of Zimbabwe in 400 C.E. and started to divide around 1000 C.E. They are farmers of millet, sorghum, corn, rice, beans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. The Shona people kept some cattle. Personal and political relations were mainly governed by a kinship system and villages were administered by herediitary leaders. Shona traditional culture was characterized with ironwork, pottery, and musicanship. They believed in a creator god named Mwari and other spirits to ensure good health, rain, and success in enterprise.
Benin Empire - The empire began in the 900s and ended in 1890. The kingdom of Benin began as traders. They traded with merchants from Europe. The Benin Empire was first comprised of small family groups in the rain forest and gradually developed into a kingdom. It was ruled by a series of kings known as Ogisos. The king, known as Oba, was the supreme political, judicial, economic, and spiritual leader of the people. The Benin people mainly traded ivory, palm oil, and pepper. The Benin leaders relied on supernatural rituals and human sacrifices.
Mali Empire - The Mali Empire began in 1200, and in its height in 1300, was one of the largest empires in the world. It was located between the West African gold mines an the agriculturally rich Niger River floodplain. This allowed Mali to participate in the salt and gold trade. The Mali Empire was a confederation of three states: Mali, Memo, and Wagadou. The leaders of the empire were Muslim and by 1550 Mali had ceased to be important as a political entity.
Asante People -
Kuba People -
Benin Empire - The empire began in the 900s and ended in 1890. The kingdom of Benin began as traders. They traded with merchants from Europe. The Benin Empire was first comprised of small family groups in the rain forest and gradually developed into a kingdom. It was ruled by a series of kings known as Ogisos. The king, known as Oba, was the supreme political, judicial, economic, and spiritual leader of the people. The Benin people mainly traded ivory, palm oil, and pepper. The Benin leaders relied on supernatural rituals and human sacrifices.
Mali Empire - The Mali Empire began in 1200, and in its height in 1300, was one of the largest empires in the world. It was located between the West African gold mines an the agriculturally rich Niger River floodplain. This allowed Mali to participate in the salt and gold trade. The Mali Empire was a confederation of three states: Mali, Memo, and Wagadou. The leaders of the empire were Muslim and by 1550 Mali had ceased to be important as a political entity.
Asante People -
Kuba People -