Benin and other West African kingdoms | History for Year 6 PDF Download

Kingdoms in West Africa through time

• West Africa has been the cradle of several remarkable kingdoms and empires over the centuries.
• The earliest known kingdom was that of the Nok people, who settled near the River Niger around 500 BC. They were skilled farmers, potters, and metalworkers. 
• The kingdom of Ife emerged in the rainforest around the 600s, and its art and religious practices significantly influenced the Benin kingdom, which flourished from the 900s and reached its peak between the 1400s and 1600s. From 700 to 1600, three powerful empires dominated central West Africa: Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, all amassing great wealth through the gold trade. 
• One of the later prominent kingdoms was Asante, established around 1700, renowned for its intricate gold craftsmanship.

A Nok clay head.

What kind of art did people create?

• West African artisans were highly skilled in pottery and metalwork, working with materials like brass and gold. In the Nok kingdom, potters crafted terracotta sculptures depicting human figures, often adorned with elaborate hairstyles and delicate jewelry. 
• The kingdom of Ife was celebrated for its brass sculptures, which portrayed gods, humans, and animals. 
• In the Asante kingdom, goldsmiths created lavish ornaments to display the king’s wealth, including gold necklaces, rings, bracelets, and anklets.
• The Asante king also used gold castanets, attached to his thumb and forefinger, which he clapped to command attention.

Brass workers in the kingdom of Ife were famous for their sculptures. This sculpture shows the head of an Ooni (ruler) of Ife.

Who was Mansa Musa?

• Mansa Musa, a wealthy Muslim king of Mali, ruled from approximately 1280 to 1340. He embarked on a grand pilgrimage to the Muslim holy city of Mecca, accompanied by 72,000 men carrying gold and 80 camels laden with gold dust. 
• Along the way, Musa generously distributed gold to those he encountered. Upon returning, he brought teachers and architects to Mali, leading to the construction of mosques and schools in cities like Timbuktu and Gao. 
• These buildings featured vibrant domes and gold-covered doors and windows, some of which still stand in Timbuktu today, though their golden decorations have faded.

What happened to the African kingdoms?

Most West African kingdoms gradually declined, giving way to new African kingdoms that rose in their place. However, by the 1890s, European powers began colonizing the region, driven by competition for valuable resources like gold, oil, and rubber. Britain and France, in particular, sought control over West African territories, leading to the takeover of some kingdoms.