Civilization of Ancient Zimbabwe - Essay Example

History of Ancient Africa: Zimbabwe, Mali, Pre-Muslim Ghana The European and other powers that colonized Africa, described Africa as “a Dark Continent” when they began exploring Africa. They saw African continent as a land of opportunities but a dangerous place for them. According to them, Africa was filled with savage people. However, they came to realize that Africa was a home of exotic and advanced civilization. Most of the ancient civilizations in Africa are still buried beneath the sand, though the current archaeologists are uncovering more clues of these African ancient civilizations. Some of the countries that enjoyed great civilization in the Dark Continent before their colonization include Zimbabwe, Mali, and Pre-Muslim Ghana. The Great Zimbabwe The Great Zimbabwe is one of the ruined cities. The Great Zimbabwe that was once considered as the capital of the kingdom of Zimbabwe existed between 1100 and 1450 during its late Iron Age. The existence of Zimbabwe can be traced back in the eleventh century. The countries great history can as well be considered to have been constructed and well developed in the fourteenth century. The great Zimbabwe was the royal palace for the monarchy of the Zimbabweans. The monarchy was used as a seat for political power (Raftopoulos & Mlambo 39). This country enjoyed numerous achievement including prominent wall features that were over five meters high that were constructed without mortar. Civilization of the ancient Zimbabwe was considered the most significant world civilization in the medieval period. Despite the great achievement or civilization that had been attained by the native Zimbabweans, several white settlers disputed and disgruntled such great civilization saying such degree of civilization could have not been achieved by this black nation. Most of imperialists including the British, Germans, and the Portuguese used their resources to dismiss civilization of the great Zimbabwe. They adamantly argued that there are some other more civilized nations in Zimbabwe; thus, the great achievements in that land (Raftopoulos & Mlambo 172). However, the native had achieved the knowledge of art that they perfectly used to construct the monument: a fact that was greatly disputed by whites. Other than the monument that reflected the great achievement of the Zimbabweans, the great Zimbabwe had become an important center for both politics and commercial activities. In addition, the country had an extensive trading network and commercial activities. Notablely, Zimbabwe was a powerful center for political kingdom that had a central rule, which is approximated to have lasted for a period of 350 years that is between 1100 and 1450 AD. During this period, it is recorded in the historic books that the great Zimbabwe had accumulated much wealth that were misused by the European explorers, souvenir seekers, treasure hunters, and plunderers including Richard Hall (Raftopoulos & Mlambo 139). It is recorded that European groups vandalized, destroyed, and hauled the artifacts that were found in the great civilization of Zimbabwe and later sent them to museums in Europe, South Africa, and America. Finally, the ancient Zimbabwe is remembered of its international or cross border trade. The trading items included iron, gold, tin, copper, cattle, and cowrie shells. The Zimbabwe traders in return exchanged for items including glassware from Syria, minted coin from Tanzania, Kilwa, and Persian alongside ceramic from Chinese people (Raftopoulos & Mlambo 113). Pre-Muslim Ghana Ghana is one of the western kingdoms. It was founded along the upper Niger in the Fourth Century as federation of village states and the Soninke farmers inhabited it. According to some legends, Ghana was first ruled by Berber dynasty who was overthrown in the 700 A.D. During this period, Kaya Mughau led an uprising alongside his relatives, and managed to kill the last white ruler, and this is marked the establishment of the Soninke dynasty. Kaya was regarded a great warrior (Gocking 50). He expanded the boundaries of Ghana as he furthered trade across the Sahara desert. The trade, among other activities, made Ghana a wealthy empire. Ghana achieved most of its wealth from farming through irrigation, but also traded efficiently on gold what was later termed gold trade. However, not every citizen had the right to trade on gold since the king claimed every gold nugget that was getting into the country. The citizens were only allowed to trade on the gold dust. Ghana received more wealth from taxation of good that were passing through the country and across its border (Gocking 46). The commercial activities are evident within the description of al-Bakri capital that is kumbi-Saleh. This empire had achieved much in trade and farming and its wealth had accumulated to a level of being considered a wealthy nation. Further evidence of achievements in trade or commercial activities can be cited the division in town that is town of kings and his retinue and the town of foreign merchants. It is worth noting that the most of the western countries, especially the ancient empires loved religion since their kings truly believed in gods (Levtzion75). Therefore, in the town of merchants there were twelve mosques. Additionally, the empire had Muslim theologians and legalists whose presence suggests the influence of Islamic religion within the empire. Amid its achievements, the great empire of Ghana declined and eclipsed in the early thirteenth century. However, the decline and collapse of Ghana has ever remained a mystery (Gocking 218). The accounts of history have it that, in 1203, the Ghana’s self-rule ended amid petty vassal uprising that led to the birth of Mali. Mali The ancient Mali rose from the empire of the ancient Ghana and became the second greatest Sahelian Kingdom within the West Africa. The rise in trade and commerce in the ancient Mali were experienced because Mali served as a major trade route. Once king Sundiata, a powerful and famous king was the founder of the great empire of Mali. His subjects later referred to him as ‘the Lion King’. He was a great king who rules with skill and wisdom. He managed to unify several clans within the heartland with his leadership. He managed to rule Mali for twenty-five years up which the empire of Mali managed to expand its territory largely and at a faster rate. The death of Sundiate saw Mansa Musa being the next king of the empire. He was as well a great king. Musa led to meteoric rise of the empire (Levtzion153). Musa’s kingship lasted from 1312 to 1337. During his time, he managed to construct magnificent mosques. Under his leadership, Tumbuktu reach its zenith of glory as being among the significant centers for learning and a place where Islamic faith can be propagated. He established numerous libraries and madrassa mushroomed within the Islamic education institutions he had earlier constructed. In addition, his administration made Tumbuktu not only to become a renowned cultural center with the West Africa, but also made its fame to spread everywhere (Gocking 178). The place was an important trade route especially for the camel caravans that were carrying salt from the north to be traded with gold among other items including grains and nuts from the south. However, the glorious history of the Mali Empire started deteriorating after the death of Mansa Musa (Levtzion200). The empire later broke down into smaller marking the end of the Mali Empire. Works Cited Gocking R. The history of Ghana: The Greenwood histories of the modern nations. Unite states, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. Print Guisepi R. A. Africa, Emerging Civilizations In Sub-Sahara Africa. Chicago: World History Center, 2001. Print Levtzion N. Ancient Ghana and Mali. California: Methuen, 2001. Print Raftopoulos, Mlambo A. Becoming Zimbabwe: a history from the pre-colonial period to 2008. North America, Park End Street: African Books Collective, 2009. Print Works Cited Guisepi, A. R. Africa, Emerging Civilizations In Sub-Sahara Africa. Chicago: World History Center, 2001. Francis & Taylor. Ancient Ghana and Mali. n.d. Gocking R. The history of Ghana: The Greenwood histories of the modern nations. Unite states, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. Raftopoulos, & Mlambo A. Becoming Zimbabwe: a history from the pre-colonial period to 2008. 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