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The Kingdoms of Africa March 10th, 1331 A.D. Swahili I have traveled back in time to see five ancient kingdoms of Africa. My first destination is to the east African trading city-states of Swahili, a thriving coastal area full of such vibrant culture. As I am here, I observe the sights, and smells of Swahili and its people. I see across the grassy plains, men on their boats, loaded with cargo to ship across the sea, to deliver supplies and goods. The trading system here is quite functioning and vast, and the exchange of their culture can be felt in the atmosphere. I stand upon the dry soil, stepping on the fresh grass, examining the landscape of Swahili. I see the people hunting with their handmade bows and arrows, and spears made out of elephant tusks. The sweltering heat over me as I walked through a small village. I saw the faces of the people looking back, and one of them offering their tent. They saw me as a new guest rather than an unwanted visitor. As the day went on and the sun slowly setting in the horizon, I saw outside my tent, a group of Africans participating in a tribal dance in an array of colorful robes and body paint. I could smell burning meat and coal. I then saw visiting among the small crowd was Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan scholar. He was writing his observations as he traveled along the Swahili coast. I was here too, to observe, as I am writing my experience in a journal. The day closed upon me, and as I rest for the night, I thought about my journey in Swahili, how much I've seen, how much I know, and how much I've discovered. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. April 11th, 1506 A.D. Kongo I have traveled to the next destination on the map, the kingdom of Kongo, a thriving and growing kingdom of the wealthy and craftsmen. As I arrive in Kongo, I visit one of the local villages centered here, and get a taste of the flavors and smells of Kongo. Also the eye-catching sights. I pick up a few souvenirs, pottery and cheap metal made by the craftsmen. I then observe the landscape of Kongo, the grassy plains, the fertile valley enriched with what ever the people could harvest. I then travel further into Kongo, to see a glimpse of the Kongo king, Alfonso I. Meeting the people with a friendly greeting. I then go back to the village, and find a tent to stay in overnight. Overall, I think how the day was, and it was wonderful. All the people, and all the sights of Kongo have made it an experience I'll remember. May 12th, 1200 A.D. Great Zimbabwe I have traveled to the third destination on the map, the kingdom of Great Zimbabwe, a newly established empire located in the heart of the fertile valley of Central Africa. This ancient kingdom that has centuries to grow and thrive in its vast culture and wealth was also a struggling kingdom, which would soon be abandoned in 1500. As I look to the east, a orange horizon as the sun rises, I see the hills from a distance and then I looked further I saw the monument of Great Zimbabwe, a famous stone building being one of the many ruins of this rising and falling empire. I walk through the plains of Great Zimbabwe, and I visit a village close by, meeting the people and absorbing their culture: the colorful robes, the tribal dances and the rituals that they carry with them. I then find a tent to stay in for the night before I venture onto my next journey. June 13th, 795 A.D. Ancient Ghana I have traveled to the fourth destination on the map, the Ghana Empire, not to be confused with Modern Ghana in the present tense. Ancient Ghana was a maturing kingdom in which its origins are not entirely known but thought to be founded by a group of Soninke people. Ghana for most of its reign, obtained most of its power, and wealth from gold. Gold in this time was scarce, but high in value. I head towards the north, to the center of this ancient empire and I see a callous crowd of many dressed in the traditional robes as they paraded through, dancing and chanting in strange, inaudible tongues. I decided to join the festivities. After that, I made my way back to the south, the sun slowly setting over me. The beautiful landscape was breath taking, the hills in the distance and the grassy plains near by and even a few animals like lions sleeping in the grass. I then found another village not too far away. I then traded my canteen for a tent to sleep in for the evening until the morning I will travel to my last destination, Mali. July 14th, 1245 A.D. Mali I have traveled to the fifth and last destination on the map, Mali, a vastly wide empire that swallowed Ghana whole when it met its demise, unleashing the rising power of Mali after it. The Mali Empire was founded by Sundiata Keita. Mali depended on trade, especially salt because it was important, high on value, and used for the preservation of food. I observed what I saw, writing down the details of this strong , and ruling empire reaching its peak in power. The people of Mali carrying cattles loaded with gold, and salt. The trade here was flowing smoothly. Others traded with what they had, and bought what they could afford. I traveled further into Mali, taking in the view of the landscape; the calm blue skies, the wind blowing the grass to the east, and the tranquility of the surroundings all around me. I then come by a village, and I see a man walk by, covered in robes and gold, and I knew whom it was. It was one of the wealthiest rules of all of Mali, Mansa Musa I. As the day went along, I stayed in the village for the rest of the evening until it was time to leave and travel back to the present day. It was amazing, a once in a lifetime experience that no one else could embark on. But what a long journey it was, to the five ancient kingdoms of Africa. All the newfound knowledge I have gained, and the discoveries I unraveled. With all the souvenirs that I picked up, I will bring them back home, and donate them to a museum. So others can get a taste of the past.
