From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- In the 1600s, Africa had as many as 10,000 different kingdom tribes which were based on small groups of hunters.
- Three main states dominated the area early in the last millenia; the Ghana Empire, the Songhai Empire and the Mali Empire.
- Businessmen in Western Africa usually sold and exported: ivory, glass crystal, brass and copper items, and perhaps even slaves.
- Islam was the pre-dominant religion.
- There were many tribal conflicts in the region; many states had armies which numbered more than 100,000.
