From the beginning of time, African civilizations have had various levels of influence over the world’s development. If Africa has previously been a catalyst for ‘enlightening’ the world, our belief is that it can do it again. If the Africa of the past has boasted significant Kingdoms with far reaching influence, this would lend credence to our view that the continent has the potential to be transformed into a modern-day influencer.
We aim to provide historical information not for African history scholars but as an eye opener for lovers of the continent who need a knowledge upgrade and inspiration.
From Pre-History (the period before writing, which period Africa depicted through oral tradition and rock and pottery paintings) to pre-colonial times, Africa has birthed great Cities, Kingdoms and Empires. In this blog, we will endeavour to cover as many of them as we can obtain adequate information about, but our initial choices will be subject to the following criteria:
- Ancient
- Kingdom or Empire
- Civilization
- characteristics
- Most importantly, influence and contribution to development outside their geographical sphere.
It’s generally accepted that ‘ancient history’ covers the advent of written records from around 3600 BC till the collapse of major empires, especially the Roman Empire, around 500 AD. This period has well documented information which can be corroborated by African sources.
Choices would include ‘Kingdoms’ or ‘Empires’ that had spheres of influence which transcended that of the city state and reached beyond their geographical boundaries. Most of the Empires in those days were monarchies as such Kingdoms and Empires can be used interchangeably.
Civilizations because we are looking for specific characteristics that symbolize development and in particular:
- Sophisticated governing structures and systems
- Trade, Economics and Technology
- Arts, Architecture, Culture
- Education (written records and written languages)
- Social and Moral structures and Religious systems.
To begin with, we will choose one kingdom each from the North, South, East and West regions. Preference will be given to Kingdoms with easily accessible information and those that have received mention in at least 3 of our information sources as influential or significant African Kingdoms or civilizations. For now, Egypt will be left out because ……… well who hasn’t heard about Egypt?
We will continue to roll out combinations covering all regions until all well-known Kingdoms that have brought ’enlightenment’ to the world have been covered.
North Africa
THE KINGDOM OF KUSH
Kerma (2500 – 1500BC)
The Kingdom of Kush existed in the area now known as Northern Sudan, in a region then called Nubia, extending from the south of Egypt to central Sudan.
The period of Kush’s existence covered 2500 BC to 4 AD, during which time it defined and dominated the civilization of North and North Eastern Africa.
Kush started first as the city state of Kerma and grew into an empire rivalling that of Egypt.
Kerma was a ‘trade hub’ controlling trade from west to east Africa and also central Africa to Egypt and the Mediterranean. Agriculture, fishing, and iron smelting was done on a large scale and the brisk trade in the hub made the people very wealthy.
They built Deffufas, huge mud brick structures used as temples or burial places.
The Kushites of Kerma were Archers whose skill was noted in Egyptian records.
The rise of the Kingdom and their control of trade routes led to conflict with Egypt, who eventually subdued and ruled them from 1500 – 1070BC.
Napata (1070 - 542BC)
Meroe (542BC - 4AD)
As Egyptian power waned and Assyrians gained ascendancy, a new Kushite city Napata emerged and grew into a Kingdom (the Kushites were at it again).
A regional religious centre was established at Jebel Barkal, a mountain near Napata where the god, ‘Amun’, also chief deity of the Egyptians was worshiped.
Various temples and pyramids were built resulting in about 3 times more pyramids in Sudan than there are in Egypt.
In the mid 8th century BC Kush invaded southern Egypt and eventually took over the whole of Egypt, reigning for about 100 years. The King of Kush became an Egyptian Pharaoh wearing a crown with symbols depicting his rule over 2 Kingdoms.
The most influential leader was Taharqa, who led various conquests further North including Libya and is recorded to have helped the Jewish King Hezekiah withstand Assyrian invasions. The reign of the joint Kingdoms of Kush and Egypt under the rule of descendants of Taharqa was characterized by restoration of Temples and the building of Pyramids. Kushites used an animal driven water wheel to improve productivity and there was agricultural surplus during this time.
There were several wars between the Kush and Assyria super powers, with Kush eventually withdrawing from Egypt and Assyria pushing further south.
With the advance of the Assyrians and the vassal Pharaohs they installed, Kush retreated further south and established another city state Meroe, yet again growing it into an Empire.
Meroe was a port city on the Nile, trading with North Africa, the interior of Africa and the Mediterranean. Being next to the Nile, it was in a fertile area with irrigation.
The Kushites invented reservoirs called ‘Hafirs’ to store water during rainy season.
The area also had iron and gold deposits which increased its importance as a trade centre. The iron industry was well developed the workers of iron were well known in the region for their tools and weapons.
Women heirs were allowed to rule in Meroe and powerful Queens like Candace led Kushites to war.
The Roman Empire took control of Egypt and traded with Meroetic Kush but several military clashes ensued between Meroetic Kush and the Roman Egypt.
In the mid 4th century Kush attacked the East African Kingdom of Axum due to a trade dispute and the reprisal from Axum led to the destruction of Meroe and the fall of Kush.
The Kushite Kingdoms significantly influenced the Nubian area, Eqypt, North Africa and the nations they traded with. Their impact included advanced agricultural techniques, successful trade and commerce, prolific pottery and art, ironmongery, goldsmithing, military might, feats of architecture characterized by temples and pyramids (which exist today), the governance of 2 Kingdoms simultaneously and successfully developing 3 city states into Kingdoms of repute. These accomplishments mark the KUSHITES out as significant people by any standards.
