African Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations

383 Pages·2017·1.66 MB·English

by  Saheed Aderinto

COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
African Kingdoms
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
African Kingdoms
An Encyclopedia of Empires
and Civilizations
Saheed Aderinto, Editor
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
Copyright © 2017 by ABC-CLIO, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a
review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Aderinto, Saheed, editor.
Title: African kingdoms : an encyclopedia of empires and civilizations /
Saheed Aderinto, editor.
Other titles: African kingdoms, an encyclopedia of empires and civilizations
Description: Santa Barbara, California : ABC-CLIO, LLC, [2017] |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017004700 (print) | LCCN 2017026779 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781610695800 (ebook) | ISBN 9781610695794 (alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Africa—History—To 1884—Encyclopedias. |
Africa—Biography—Encyclopedias.
Classification: LCC DT25 (ebook) | LCC DT25 .A646 2017 (print) |
DDC 960.03—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004700
ISBN: 978-1-61069-579-4
EISBN: 978-1-61069-580-0
21 20 19 18 17 1 2 3 4 5
This book is also available as an eBook.
ABC-CLIO
An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC
ABC-CLIO, LLC
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This book is printed on acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
This book is dedicated to the Department of History,
University of Ibadan (Nigeria), for its pioneering role in
the academic study of Africa and its history.
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
Contents
List of Entries ix
Preface xi
Introduction: Uncovering Africa’s Past xiii
Timeline xxvii
A–Z Entries 1
Primary Documents 295
Further Reading 323
About the Editor and the Contributors 331
Index 339
vii
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
List of Entries
Adamawa Gyaman
Aksum Ibadan
Allada Igala
Almohad Ijebu
Almoravid Ile-Ife
Alodia (Alwa) Ilesa
Ankole (Nkore) Kaabu
Arochukwu Kano
Asante (Ashanti) Katsina
Badagry Kerma
Baguirmi Kilwa Kisiwani
Bamum Kitara
Benin Kom
Borno (Bornu, Kanem-Borno, Kong
Kanem-Bornu) Kongo
Buganda Kuba
Busoga Kush
Carthage Lagos
Dahomey Laimbwe
Darfur Lesotho
Denkyira Loango
Dotawo Luba
Egba (Abeokuta) Lunda
Egypt Mahi
Epe Mali
Ethiopia Malinke
Fante Mandara
Fez Mankessim
Funj (Sennar Sultanate) Mapungubwe
Futa Jallon Maravi
Futa Toro Marinids
Ghana Meroë
Great Zimbabwe Mutapa
Guiziga Bui Marva Napata
ix
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x | List of Entries
Ndongo Shambaa
Nobadia (Migi) Sokoto
Nok Songhai
Nri Takrur
Numidia Timbuktu
Ogbomoso Toucouleur
Ohori Wanga
Ondo Weh Fondom
Ouagadougou Whydah
Oyo (Old Oyo) Wolof (Jolof, Wollof, Ouolof)
Rwanda Yatenga
Sabé Zulu
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC
Preface
African Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations is a reference
book on African civilization before the 1880s, when Europeans started to colonize
much of Africa. States, kingdoms, and empires in precolonial Africa provide a clear
window into the sophistication of African political, social, religious, and cultural
institutions before the era of colonialism. Readers will encounter great men and
women as well as notable events and achievements that ushered dramatic changes
around the continent. Great scientific advancements, elaborate military and politi-
cal institutions, intellectualism, and artistic prowess, among other achievements,
were significant hallmarks of African precolonial civilization, which this encyclo-
pedia highlights. The period covered reflects the change and continuity in African
politics, which also informed the names of political entities, the vision of their
leaders and “ordinary” people, their achievements and follies, and the pattern of
their relations with the external world. While civilization such as that of Egypt
emerged in ancient times, others such as the Ibadan Empire came into existence in
the 19th century. The size of each kingdom was also shaped by the extent of human
population or settlement, the environment, and other core physical or natural fea-
tures. Thus, African civilizations functioned within the context of the opportunities
and limitations imposed by the natural environment and humans’ consistent at-
tempts to transform it to meet their needs.
Regardless of when African empires, kingdoms, and states came into existence
or the extent of their size and fame, one fact remains indisputable—Africa was a
powerhouse of glorious civilizations. And as we shall see in the introduction, the
term “civilization” needs to be rigorously contextualized to accommodate the di-
versity of ideas and practices among Africans from one era to another. The story of
African civilization told from the perspectives of empires, kingdoms, and states
validates the significance of a shared heritage of humanity across the world. From
the history of warfare to the invention of writing and intellectualism, African
Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations seeks to train a bright
light on hidden historical treasures that validate the complex social, political, and
religious institutions of the people of African past.
This encyclopedia contains a total of 91 alphabetically arranged entries cover-
ing the length and breadth of Africa. The entries attempt to trace the foundation of
each kingdom, empire, and state to both internal and external political develop-
ments. The absence of written data in many parts of Africa in the precolonial period
xi
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xii | Preface
mean that it would be difficult to say in concrete terms when many African king-
doms emerged or ceased to exist. However, the approximate period given in the
entries will help readers place historical development in time perspectives. The
entries have been written in a language accessible to high school and college under-
graduate students and nonspecialists interested in African history. Each entry ends
with a “Further Reading” section, and the encyclopedia also includes a bibliogra-
phy for readers interested in further research. The primary documents included in
this encyclopedia will help students have direct engagement with the thoughts,
ideas, and feelings of the people of the past. The authors of these documents varied
from European travelers to Africans who documented their experiences of the com-
munities where they lived or visited.
This project would not have come into existence without the contributors, who
agreed with me that an encyclopedia focusing on African kingdoms and empires is
necessary. I am grateful to them for attending to my numerous editorial demands
at various stages of this project. I also thank the staff of the Western Carolina
University library (especially Peter Johnson and Daniel Wendel) and research as-
sistant Kyle Dreher for helping to search for and secure useful secondary and pri-
mary sources. My indebtedness goes to George Butler, my editor at ABC-CLIO,
for allowing me to edit this encyclopedia. I am grateful to my wife, Olamide, and
my children, Itandayo and Itandola, for supporting my career over the years.
COPYRIGHT 2017 ABC-CLIO, LLC