Ghana – a kingdom created around A.D.800 along the Niger & Senegal rivers

Swahili – an East African language & culture that emerged by the 1000s from a combination of African, Asian, &Arabic influences

Ethiopia – a Greek term used by Axumite kings to refer to their kingdom

Adulis – Axum port city on the Red Sea, commanded a trade network in the region

Axum – trading center &powerful ancient kingdom in northern present-day Ethiopia

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Sundiata –tradition says he founded the empire of Mali by 1235

Mali –African empire founded in 1235 in the upper Niger River region

Mansa Musa – the greatest ruler of Mali, came to the throne in 1312; ruled for 25 yrs

Songhai – a kingdom that developed in 1460s at the bend in the Niger River

Great Zimbabwe – powerful East African medieval trade center & city-state, 900-1500. Located in southern present-day Zimbabwe