In today's episode, a mysterious conqueror from the mainland captures the island of Kilwa. In this episode, we examine the story of the matata mandalin, and the mysterious kingdom of Xanga, a mysterious great power that brought the nascent kingdom of Kilwa to its knees ..read more

In today's episode, we chart the growth of Kilwa as a major economic center, from its growth as a manufacturer of lime and iron, to its rise as a middleman in the trade of gold from Africa's southern reaches, as well as its blossoming into a maritime power ..read more

It seems unlikely that he had 75 golden camels, but it's hard to say much else about Prince Ali of Shiraz. This historical figure has semi-historical origins, attested to in a mysterious document known as the "Kilwa Chronicle." In today's episode, we assess various interpretations of the Kilwa Chronicle, as well as the Sultanate's origins ..read more

Just as tensions are heating to a fever pitch between Usman Dan Fodio and the Gobirawa Monarchy, the sudden death of Sarki Nafata seems like a sign of future relief. The young prince Yunfa, a former student of Fodio, comes to the throne. However, Yunfa's ascent would not mark the end of tension between the Jamaa and Gobir. Rather, it was the final step in the escalation of Gobir into a state of civil war that would eventually envelope all of Kasar Hausa. Support the show ..read more

As the dust settles from the bloody war against Juaben, Asantehene Mensa Bonsu begins the hard work of trying to bring his crumbling empire back to a state of relative repair. Aiding him in this task is the radical reformer Owusu Ansah, a British-educated diplomat turned political advisor. As the duo struggles to reform the Ashanti Empire's civic and educational structures, the rise of a reactionary witch-hunting cult led by a charismatic demagogue threatens to destroy what's left of the fabric of Ashanti civilization. Quick note. Yes, I messed up pronunciation again. I should have been saying ..read more

Throughout the early middle ages, Kilwa remained a small settlement, laying in the shadow of the much greater city of Mogadishu ..read more

Hidden in the brackish estuary of the Rufiji River, one of the greatest archaeological finds of the modern era might be waiting: the remains of a still poorly understood ancient trade hub referred to in ancient texts from across the world.  Rhapta, a maritime metropolis, was likely the most influential city of its region, and one which still remains enigmatic ..read more

In this episode, we explore the origins of farming in East Africa, as well as some of the oldest evidence for long-distance trade reaching the region ..read more

Despite being the most widely spoken African language on Earth, KiSwahili originates from a people who are shockingly small in number. However, what the Swahili lacked in numbers, they made up for in influence and fascination. Join us for our sixth season, as we dive into the history of the Swahili coast, and the fascinating history of how its residents became adept city-builders, advanced maritime navigators, sly traders, and the masters of many fascinating civilizations. This includes the greatest Swahili civilization of them all, the Sultanate of Kilwa ..read more

Most histories of the Garamantian kingdom end after its political collapse in the 4th century. However, the archaeological and written record seem to indicate that while the Garamantian kingdom may have died, the civilization that it spawned persisted well into the middle ages.  ..read more