Benin and other West African kingdoms

• West Africa has been home to some great kingdoms and empires.

• The earliest of these kingdoms belonged to the Nok people. They were farmers, potters and metalworkers who settled near the River Niger around 500BC.

• The kingdom of Ife developed in the rainforest in the 600s.

• Its art and religion influenced the culture of Benin, which began in the 900s and reached the height of its power between the 1400s and the 1600s.

• Between 700 and 1600 there were three great empires in the centre of West Africa: Ancient Ghana, Mali and Songhai. They all grew immensely rich by trading in gold.

• One of the last great kingdoms was Asante. It was founded around 1700. The Asante people were famous for their work in gold.

• The people of West Africa were skilled potters and metalworkers. Some of them worked with brass and some with gold.

• Potters in the kingdom of Nok made sculptures from a type of clay called terracotta. They created figures of people. Many of the figures had elaborate hairstyles and wore delicate jewellery.

• The kingdom of Ife was famous for its sculptures made from brass. Brass-workers made figures of gods, humans and animals.

• In the Asante kingdom, goldsmiths made ornaments to show off the wealth of their king. The king wore golden necklaces, rings, bracelets and anklets.

• He even had a pair of gold castanets attached to his thumb and first finger. The king clapped the castanets together when he wanted people to listen to him!

• Mansa Musa was a wealthy Muslim king of Mali. He ruled from around 1280 to 1340.

• Mansa Musa travelled to the Muslim holy city of Mecca with a procession of 72,000 men carrying gold. He also took 80 camels loaded with sacks of gold dust. Musa gave away gold to people he met on his route.

• Mansa Musa brought back teachers and architects from his travels to Mali.

• He built many mosques and schools in the cities of Timbuktu and Gao. The buildings had colourful domes and their doors and windows were covered with gold.

• Some of these buildings survive in Timbuktu today, but they have lost their golden decorations.

• Most West African kingdoms slowly came to an end. Then new African kingdoms grew up to take their place.

• However, some kingdoms were taken over by European countries.

• By the 1890s, many countries in Europe were competing for land in Africa. They wanted to gain control of valuable trading goods, such as gold, oil and rubber. Britain and France both wanted land in West Africa.

• Most West African kingdoms slowly came to an end. Then new African kingdoms grew up to take their place.

• However, some kingdoms were taken over by European countries.

• By the 1890s, many countries in Europe were competing for land in Africa. They wanted to gain control of valuable trading goods, such as gold, oil and rubber. Britain and France both wanted land in West Africa.

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