History of Africa
Take a deep dive deep into African history with this in-depth podcast. From Casablanca to Cape Town, tune in to this podcast to learn about the magnificent and oft-forgotten history of Africa. To access more free resources about African history, provide feedback, or support the show, check out our associated website at https://historyofafricapodcast.blogspot.com
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Episodes
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Kilwa is brought to its knees by one final foreign invasion, which leads the island into an irreversible decline and the eventual dissolution of the sultanate.
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
The Portuguese have conquered Kilwa. Let's see how much pain their victory causes them in the long run.
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
As my voice recovers, please enjoy this "from the vault" episode about Zengjiani, a famous East African traveler who reached numerous impressive destinations.
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
After decades of civil strife and conflict, a powerful leader finally emerges in Kilwa Kisiwani as the 14th century reached its climax. With the power of the sultanate waning, a powerful judge named Muhammad Al Kawab asserts himself as the true power behind the throne. The age of powerful monarchs is over, and Kilwa's era as an oligarchy begins.
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Today, we enter into an age of transformation. For a prominent period in Kilwa's history, the city and its many satellites will no longer be under the reign of the centuries-old monarchy. Instead, a new apparatus of bureaucratic elites will begin to exert control over the state, and eventual make the monarchy little more than a shadow of its former self.
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Urban sprawl and social instability leads Kilwa to develop a sister city on a nearby peninsula. Songo Mnara grows rapidly to become a major urban center on the Eastern Coast of Africa.
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
The great traveler Ibn Battuta arrives in Kilwa, and paints a tale of a country at the peak of its power, wealth, and prestige...but with a potentially bleaker future awaiting.
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Every historic civilization has one or two famous leaders who rise above all others in their fame and prestige. Kilwa's most famous ruler was certainly Abu al Mawahib, the Father of Gifts.
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
The Sultanate of Kilwa influenced Zanzibar. Today, Zanzibar influences Kilwa back.