List of kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa

Historic African

It has been suggested that African empires be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2023.

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Pre-colonial states in Africa

This is a list of kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa, which existed before the Scramble for Africa (c. 1880–1914) when most of the continent came under the control of European powers.

Some kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Ardra in Benin, Buganda in Uganda, or the Kingdom of Bailundo in Angola, still exist today as non-sovereign monarchies, with varying legal and constitutional statuses within their respective countries.

## Comparison[edit]

Historian Jan Vansina (1962) discusses the classification of Sub-Saharan African Kingdoms, mostly of Central, South and East Africa, with some additional data on West African (Sahelian) Kingdoms distinguishing five types, by decreasing centralization of power:

1. Despotic Kingdoms: Kingdoms where the king controls the internal and external affairs directly. Examples are Rwanda, Ankole, Busoga and the Kingdom of Kongo in the 16th century.
2. Regal Kingdoms: Kingdoms where the king controls the external affairs directly, and the internal affairs via a system of overseers. The king and his chiefs belong to the same religion or group.
3. Incorporative Kingdoms: Kingdoms where the king only controls the external affairs with no permanent administrative links between him and the chiefs of the provinces. The hereditary chiefdoms of the provinces were left undisturbed after conquest. Examples are the Bamileke, Lunda, Luba and Lozi
4. Aristocratic Kingdoms: the only link between central authority and the provinces is payment of tribute. These kingdoms are morphologically intermediate between regal kingdoms and federations. This type is rather common in Africa, examples including the Kongo of the 17th century, the Cazembe, Luapula, Kuba, Ngonde, Mlanje, Ha, Zinza and Chagga States of the 18th century.
5. Federations such as the Ashanti Union. Kingdoms where the external affairs are regulated by a council of elders headed by the king, who is simply primus inter pares.

The intercontinental Islamic empires that included parts of North and Northeast Africa do not fall into this categorization and should be discussed as part of the Muslim world.

History periods

Ancient history refers to the time period beginning with the first records in writing, approximately 3600 BC. It ends with the fall of several significant empires, such as the Western Roman Empire in the Mediterranean, the Han Dynasty in China, and the Gupta Empire in India, collectively around 500 AD.

The Postclassical Era, also referred to as the Medieval period the Middle Ages, begins around 500 AD after the fall of major civilizations, covering the advent of Islam. The period ends around 1450–1500, with events like the rise of moveable-type printing in Europe, the voyages of Christopher Columbus, and the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Constantinople.

Modern history (1500–present)

Main article: Modern history

The Modern Period covers human history from the creation of a more global network (i.e. contact between the Americas and Europeans) to present day.

## List of African kingdoms[edit]

Non-exhaustive list of known pre-colonial kingdoms and empires on the African continent.

### North Africa[edit]

Further information: History of North Africa

#### Ancient[edit]

Ancient Carthage and its dependencies in 264 BC.

* Old Kingdom of Egypt (2686-2181 BC)
* Kingdom of Kerma (2500–1500 BC)
* Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2040-1650 BC)
* New Kingdom of Egypt (1550-1077 BC)
* Kingdom of Kush (1070 BC – AD 350)
* Late Dynastic Egypt (664-525 BC, 404-343 BC)
* Carthaginian Empire (650–146 BC)
* Kingdom of Blemmyes (600 BC– AD 3rd c.)
* Ptolemaic Kingdom (306–30 BC)
* Kingdom of Numidia (202–46 BC)
* Kingdom of Mauretania (202 BC – 44 AD)
* Kingdom of Nobatia (AD 350–650)
* Kingdom of the Vandals and Alans (AD 435–534)

#### Post-classical[edit]

* Kingdom of Alodia (7th c.–1504)
* Kingdom of Nekor (710–1019)
* Barghawata Confederacy (744–1058)
* Emirate of Sijilmassa (758–1055)
* Rustamid imamate (Algeria, 767–909)
* Idrisid dynasty (Morocco, 789–974)
* Aghlabids (Tunisia, 800-909)
* Fatimid Caliphate (910–1171)
* Hammadid dynasty (Algeria, 1014–1152)
* Zirid dynasty (Algeria, 1048–1148)
* Almoravid dynasty (Morocco, 1040–1147)
* Khurasanid dynasty (1059–1128 & 1148–1158)
* Almohad dynasty (Morocco, 1121–1269)
* Ayyubid dynasty (Egypt, 1171–1254)
* Hafsid dynasty (Tunisia, 1229–1574)
* Kingdom of Tlemcen (Algeria, 1235–1556)
* Marinid dynasty (Morocco, 1248–1465)
* Mamluk Sultanate (Egypt, 1250–1517)
* Wattasid dynasty (Morocco, 1420–1554)

#### Modern[edit]

* Sultanate of Sennar (1504–1821)
* Saadi principality of Sus and Tagmadert (1509–1554)
* Saadi dynasty (Morocco, 1554–1659)
* Naqsid principality of Tetouan (1597–1673)
* Sultanate of Darfur (1603–1874 & 1898–1916)
* Republic of Bou Regreg (1627–1668)
* Alaouite dynasty (Morocco, 1666–current)
* Muhammad Ali dynasty (Egypt, 1914–1951)
* Senussi dynasty (Libya, 1951–1969)

### East Africa[edit]

Domains of the Aksumite Empire and the Adal Sultanate.

Further information: History of East Africa

#### Ancient[edit]

* Kingdom of Punt (2400–1069 BC)
* Kingdom of Dʿmt (c. 980–400 BC)
* Aksumite Empire (AD 50–937)
* Swahili Coast (AD 50 – ?)
* Barbara/Barbaroi city states (1000 BC – AD 5th century)
* Macrobian Kingdom (1000 BC – 500 BC)

#### Post-classical[edit]

* Harla Kingdom (501-?)
* Kingdom of Bazin (9th century)
* Kingdom of Semien (325-1627)
* Kingdom of Belgin (9th century)
* Kingdom of Jarin (9th century)
* Kingdom of Qita'a (9th century)
* Kingdom of Nagash (9th century )
* Kingdom of Tankish (9th century)
* Tunni Sultanate (9th century - 13th century))
* Malindi Kingdom (9th century-15th century)
* Sultanate of Showa (896-1286)
* Kilwa Sultanate (960–1513 CE)
* Kingdom of Medri Bahri (1137–1890)
* Ethiopian Empire (1137–1974)
* Zagwe dynasty (1137–1270)
* Solomonic dynasty (1270–1974)
* Kingdom of Wolaita (1251-1896)
* Sultanate of Ifat (1285–1415)
* Pate Sultanate (13th century-1895) (Pate Island)
* Hadiya Sultanate (13th century-15th century)
* Sultanate of Mogadishu (13th century–16th century)
* Kingdom of Buganda (1500 – present)
* Kingdom of Bunyoro (1500 – present)
* Ajuran Sultanate (14th century–17th century)
* Kingdom of Kaffa (1390-1897)
* Kingdom of Rwanda (1500 – 1959)
* Adal Sultanate (1415–1555)
* Shilluk Kingdom (1490-present)
* Ankole Kingdom (1500 - 1967)
* Wanga Kingdom (12th century - 20th century)

#### Modern[edit]

* Buha Kingdoms (Heru, Kunkanda, Nkalinzi/Manyovu, Bushingo, Muhambwe, Banyingu) (Ha people)
* Kingdom of Karagwe (1450-1916)
* Yamma Kingdom (15th century-1894)
* Buganda Kingdom (15th Century- present)
* Sennar Sultanate (1502–1821)
* Merina Kingdom (1540-1897)
* Mombasa Sultanate (1547-1826) (List of rulers of Mombasa)
* Busoga (16th century-present)
* Antemoro Kingdom (16th century-late 19th century) (Antemoro people)
* Mahafaly Kingdom (1650-1911) (Mahafaly)
* Other ethnic mahafaly kingdoms: Sakatovo, Menarandra, Linta and Onilahy (Mahafaly)
* Sakalava Kingdom (18th century-1896) (Sakalava people)
* Kingdom of Burundi (1680–1966)
* Kingdom of Kooki (1720-1896)
* Sultanate of the Geledi (late 17th century–late 19th century)
* Sultanate of Aussa (fl. 1734–present)
* Majeerteen Sultanate (mid-18th century–early 20th century)
* Isaaq Sultanate (mid 18th century-late 19th century)
* Habr Yunis Sultanate (late 18th century-1907)
* Tumbuka Kingdom (1805-present) (Tumbuka people)
* Wituland (1810-1905/1923)
* Kingdom of Gomma (early 19th century–1886)
* Tooro Kingdom (1830-present)
* Mbokane Chieftaincy (pre–1745)
* Kingdom of Jimma (1830–1932)
* Kingdom of Gumma (1840–1902)
* Sultanate of Zanzibar (1856-1964)
* Sultanate of Hobyo (1880s–1920s)
* Kingdom of Unyanyembe (19th century)
* Kingdom of Urambo

### West Africa[edit]

Further information: History of West Africa

#### Ancient[edit]

* Kintampo Complex (2500-1400 BC)
* Dhar Tichitt Civilization (1600–300 BC)
* Nok Civilization (1000 BC – AD 300)
* Djenné-Djenno Civilization (250 BC – AD 900)
* Bura Civilization (AD 300–1300)
* Ghana Empire (AD 200–1240)

#### Post-classical[edit]

13th-century Africa – Map of the main trade routes and states, kingdoms and empires.

* Ghana Empire (AD 200 – AD 1240)
* Kingdom of Nri (AD 948 – AD 1911)
* Takrur (800s–13th century)
* Bonoman (11th–19th century)
* Mossi Kingdoms (11th century–1896)
* Benin Empire (1180–1897)
* Ife Empire (AD 1200 - AD 1420)
* Kingdom of Ardra (12th/13th century–present)
* Mali Empire (1235–1600)
* Oyo Empire (1300-1898)
* Akpakip Oro (1200-1909)
* Jolof Empire (1350–1549)
* Wolof Empire (1350–1889)
* Bornu Empire (1380–1893)
* Kingdom of Dagbon (1409–?)
* Sultanate of Agadez (1449-1900)
* Kingdom of Sine (14th–19th century)
* Songhai Empire (1464–1591)
* Empire of Great Fulo (1490–1776)
* Kingdom of Saloum (1494–1969)

#### Modern[edit]

West Africa circa 1875

* Kingdom of Dagbon (11th Century-Present)
* Mamprussi (16th century –?)
* Kwararafa Confederacy (1500-1840)
* Kaabu Empire (1537–1867)
* Kingdom of Cayor (1549–1879)
* Kingdom of Jolof (1549-1875)
* Kingdom of Baol (1555–1874)
* Kingdom of Whydah (1580–1727)
* Kingdom of Dahomey (1600–1900)
* Asante Union (1670–Present)
* Aro Confederacy (1690–1902)
* Wémè Kingdom (17th century —?)
* Hogbonu Kingdom (17th century —?)
* Gbokpoe dynasty (1700-1940)
* Betsimisaraka Kingdom (1710-1817) (Betsimisaraka people)
* Kong Empire (1710–1894)
* Bamana Empire (1712–1861)
* Sokoto Caliphate (1804–1904)
* Wukari Federation (1840-1900)
* Wassoulou Empire (1878–1898)

### Central Africa[edit]

Further information: History of Central Africa

UN Macroregion of Central Africa

#### Ancient[edit]

* Sao Civilization (6th century BC – AD 16th century)

#### Post-classical[edit]

* Kanem–Bornu Empire (AD 9th century – 1900)
* Kingdom of Kongo (1390–1914)

#### Modern[edit]

* Mbunda Kingdom (1500-1917)
* Sultanate of Bagirmi (1522–1897)
* Kingdom of Loango (1550-1883)
* Luba Empire (1585–1885)
* Kingdom of Ndongo (16th century–?)
* Anziku Kingdom (? - 19th century)
* Kasanje Kingdom (1620-1910)
* Kingdom of Matamba (1631–1744)
* Wadai Empire (1635–1912)
* Kingdom of Lunda (1665–1887)
* Kuba Kingdom (1625–present)
* Soyo (1650-?)
* Yaka Kingdom (17th century-19th century) (Yaka people)
* Bailundo (1700-present)
* Viye (1700-present)
* Kazembe (1740-present)
* Adamawa Emirate (1809-1903)
* Yeke Kingdom (1856-1891)

### Southern Africa[edit]

Further information: History of Southern Africa

#### Post-classical[edit]

* Kingdom of Mapungubwe (9th century–14th century)
* Kingdom of Zimbabwe (900 –1450)
* Kingdom of Mutapa (1430–1760)
* Kingdom of Butua (1450–1683)
* Torwa dynasty (1450–1683)
* Kingdom of Maravi (1480-1891)

#### Modern[edit]

* Rozwi Empire (1660–1866)
* Swaziland (1745-present) (Ngwane III)
* Ndwandwe Kingdom (1780–1819)
* Xhosa Kingdom (13th century-1879)
* Mthethwa Paramountcy Godongwane Jobe (18th century–1820)
* Zulu Kingdom Senzangakhona, Shaka, Dingana, Mpande, Cetshwayo (1816–1897)
* Lesotho (1822-present) (Moshoeshoe I)
* Kingdom of Mthwakazi (1823-1894)

## See also[edit]

* African empires
* List of current non-sovereign African monarchs
* List of Nigerian traditional states
* Monarchies in Africa

## References[edit]

### Bibliography[edit]

* Hunwick, John O. (2003). Timbuktu and the Songhay Empire: Al-Sa'di's Ta'rikh Al-sudan Down to 1613 and other Contemporary Documents. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers. pp. 488 Pages. ISBN 90-04-12822-0.
* J. Vansina, A Comparison of African Kingdoms, Africa: Journal of the International African Institute (1962), pp. 324–335.
* Turchin, Peter and Jonathan M. Adams and Thomas D. Hall: "East-West Orientation of Historical Empires and Modern States", Journal of World-Systems Research, Vol. XII, No. II, 2006

## External links[edit]

* Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology

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