What was introduced to West Africans from the north?

North African traders were major actors in introducing Islam into West Africa. The Sahel, the ecological transition zone between the Sahara desert and forest zone, which spans the African continent, was an intense point of contact between North Africa and communities south of the Sahara.

Which ancient people migrated west and south from Nigeria in 3000 BC?

The Bantu Migration. The Bantu expansion, or a postulated millennia-long series of migrations of speakers of the original proto-Bantu language group, originated from the adjoining regions of Cameroon and Nigeria about 3,000 years ago, eventually reaching South Africa around 300 CE.

Does Africa have no history?

According to this imperial historiography, Africa had no history and therefore the Africans were a people without history. They propagated the image of Africa as a ‘dark continent’. Their presence in Africa was therefore justified, among other things, by their ability to place Africa in the ‘path of history’.

How did African history begin?

The history of Africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans and—at least 200,000 years ago—anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens), in East Africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of diverse and politically developing nation states.

What is the history of West Africa?

The history of West Africa can be divided into five major periods: first, its prehistory, in which the first human settlers arrived, developed agriculture, and made contact with peoples to the north; the second, the Iron Age empires that consolidated both intra-Africa, and extra-Africa trade, and developed centralized …

What is West Africa known for?

West Africa is famous for its cultural diversity and rich history. Unique mud architecture and landscapes dominate Niger and Mali’s major sights. Slave forts on Goree Island and along Ghana’s coast attract many visitors.

What was the main reason why the three main West African empires emerged?

A succession of three great kingdoms came to power as their people, gained control of valuable trade routes in West Africa. Ghana​ was the first of these empires, followed by the kingdoms of ​Mali​ and ​Songhai​. Historians think the first people in Ghana were farmers along the ​Niger River​.

Who founded West Africa?

The Mali Empire began in the 13th century CE, eventually creating a centralised state including most of West Africa. It originated when a Mande (Mandingo) leader, Sundiata (Lord Lion) of the Keita clan, defeated Soumaoro Kanté, king of the Sosso or southern Soninke, at the Battle of Kirina in c. 1235.

Why were West African empires prosperous?

How did the Kingdoms of West Africa develop and prosper? The were created by men who became wealthy because of the gold-salt trade. They were extremely cunning, extremely lucky, or both. Their wealth gave them power turning them and their descendants into powerful lords of land and people.