Historical Overview Section
The Kanem Empire (c. 700–1380) was located in the present countries of Chad, Nigeria and Libya.At its height, it encompassed an area covering not only most of Chad but also parts of southern Libya (Fezzan) and eastern Niger, northeastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. The early history of the empire is mainly known from the Royal Chronicle, or Girgam, discovered in 1851 by the German traveller Heinrich Barth. Remnant successor regimes of the empire, in form of the Borno Emirate and Dikwa Emirate, were established around 1900 and still exist today as traditional states within Nigeria. Mai Humai was the first Muslim king of Kanem, and was converted by his Muslim tutor Muhammad b. Mānī. This dynasty replaced the earlier Zaghawa dynasty. They remained nomadic until the 11th century, when they fixed their capital at Nijmi
The Ghana Empire, also known as Wagadou or Awkar was based in the modern-day southeast of Mauritania and western Mali and existed from c. 300 until c. 1100. The Empire was founded by the Soninke people, and was based in the capital city of Koumbi Saleh. Complex societies based on trans-Saharan trade in salt and gold had existed in the region for centuries at the time of the empire's formation. The introduction of the camel to the western Sahara in the 3rd century AD served as a major catalyst for the transformative social changes that resulted in the empire's formation. By the time of the Muslim conquest of North Africa in the 7th century the camel had changed the ancient, more irregular trade routes into a trade network running from Morocco to the Niger River. The Ghana Empire grew rich from this increased trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt, allowing for larger urban centers to develop. The traffic furthermore encouraged territorial expansion to gain control over the different trade routes.
The Songhai Empire (also transliterated as Songhay) was a state that dominated the western Sahel/Sudan in the 15th and 16th century. At its peak, it was one of the largest states in African history. The state is known by its historiographical name, derived from its leading ethnic group and ruling elite, the Songhai. Sonni Ali established Gao as the capital of the empire, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century. Other important cities in the empire were Timbuktu and Djenné. During the second half of the 13th century, Gao and the surrounding region had grown into an important trading center and attracted the interest of the expanding Mali Empire, which conquered Gao towards the end of the 13th century. Gao would remain under Malian hegemony until the late 14th century. As the Mali Empire started to disintegrate, the Songhai reasserted control of Gao. Songhai rulers subsequently took advantage of the weakened Mali Empire to expand Songhai rule. Under the rule of Sonni Ali, the Songhai surpassed the Malian Empire in area, wealth, and power, absorbing vast areas of the Mali Empire and reached its greatest extent.
The Hausa Kingdoms, also known as Hausa Kingdom or Hausaland was a collection of states started by the Hausa people, situated between the Niger River and Lake Chad (modern day northern Nigeria). Hausaland lay between the Western Sudanic kingdoms of Ancient Ghana and Mali and the Eastern Sudanic kingdoms of Kanem-Bornu. By the 14th century, Kano had become the most powerful city-state. Kano had become the base for the trans-Saharan trade in salt, cloth, leather, and grain. Though the Hausa states shared the same lineage, language and culture, the states were characterized by fierce rivalries with each other with each state seeking supremacy over the others. They constantly waged war on each other and would often work with invaders to the detriment of their sister states, hindering their collective strength.
Using the army in ADLG
- hint 1
- hint 2
Useful Links
User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:
- name of link description of link
as an example
- Sahelian Kngdoms Army usage statistics from the ADLG ranking site
Army Lists
Sample army lists for this army
200 Points Songhai
Brilliant
2 Heavy Lancers Cataphract ------
2 Archers Bowmen ------
2 Heavy Lancers Cataphract Elite
2 Javelinmen Light infantry javelin ------
==
Competent
2 Horsemen Medium cavalry ------
2 Archers Bowmen ------
2 Warriors Medium swordsmen Elite
2 Stampeding Cattle Scythed chariot ------
2 Archers Light infantry bow ----
==
Ordinary Tuareg ally
5 Warriors on Camels Medium camelry impetuous
2 Scouts on Camels Light camelry impact
2 Javelinmen Light infantry javelin
200 Points
Kanem Bornu
Brilliant
4 HSp
3 MCv
2 LI Jv
1 LH Jv
Ordinary included
2 Cataphracts
2 LH Jv
4 HSp
2 LI Jv
Tuareg Ally Competent
4 MCm Impetuous
2 LCm Impact
2 LI Jv
28 units, Initiative +3