Kingdoms of West Africa

Part of The World Around UsKingdom of BeninYear 3Year 4

Which other kingdoms were in West Africa?

A Nok clay head.
A Nok clay head.
Date foundedName of kingdomAchievements
500NokFarmers, potters and metalworkers who settled near the River Niger
600IfeStarted in the rainforests
700-1600Ancient Ghana, Mali and SonghaiGrew rich by selling gold
900BeninWas most powerful in 1400s and 1600s
1700AsanteFamous for gold craft work
Tomb of Askia the Great who was a powerful ruler of Songhai.
Tomb of Askia the Great who was a powerful ruler of Songhai.
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What things did people in the kingdoms make?

  • Skilled potters and metalworkers worked with brass or gold.

  • Potters in the kingdom of Nok made sculptures from a type of clay called terracotta.

  • Brass-workers in the kingdom of Ife made brass figures of gods, humans and animals.

  • In the Asante kingdom, goldsmiths made ornaments to show their king was rich.

A photograph of a sculpted head.
Brass workers in the kingdom of Ife were famous for their sculptures. This sculpture shows the head of an Ooni (ruler) of Ife.
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Who was Mansa Musa?

A map showing Mansa Musa with an Arab traveller
This map shows Mansa Musa with an Arab traveller. Mansa Musa is wearing a golden crown and holds a large gold coin in his hand.
  • Mansa Musa was a rich king of Mali.
  • He travelled to the holy city of Mecca with thousands of men carrying gold to give to people along the way.
  • He brought teachers and architects back to Mali from his travels.
  • Mansa Musa also built many mosques and schools in Timbuktu and Gao.
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Listen: Ibn Battuta’s visit to Mali

In 1352, an Arab traveller called Ibn Battuta visited Mali. He arrived at the city of Niani where Mansa Suleyman, grandson of Mansa Musa, had his palace. Suleyman was not a great ruler like Musa, but he lived in style! Find out what Ibn Battuta saw.

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What happened to the African kingdoms?

An Asante chief dressed in robes and crown.
Today, the Asante people still remember their ancient traditions. They hold special ceremonies called durbars. This photograph shows an Asante chief at a durbar.
  • By the 1890s, many countries in Europe were competing for land in Africa.
  • They also wanted goods, like gold, oil and rubber.
  • From 1897, Benin and other west African kingdoms were ruled by European countries.
A mosque in Mali.
A mosque in Mali.
  • From the 1950s many African countries won their independence.
  • Today, the ancient kingdom of Benin is part of Nigeria and Asante is in Ghana.
A mosque in Mali.
A mosque in Mali.
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Activities

Activity 1: Map of West Africa

Explore the map below to find out more about the kingdoms of West Africa.

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Activity 2: Quiz – Kingdoms of West Africa

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