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Oct 15, 1000
Bantu Speakers
These people speak more than 450 Bantu languages. They live near the present-day border of Nigeria and Cameroon which is located in west-central Africa. Then they began to migrate south and east through Africa and this migration became known as the Bantu migration. -
May 30, 1080
Kilwa
Kilwa is one of the most important trading coastal city-state that was founded by Arabia and Persia in the late 10th century. -
Nov 14, 1100
Establishing City-states
Now that large numbers of Bantu-speaking peoples had migrated across central Africa toward the eastern coast, they created farming villages and trading outposts. -
Dec 13, 1400
Kongo People
These people settled along the western coast of Africa and created a mighty kingdom, the Kongo Kingdom. -
Jun 5, 1440
Mutota Traveled North After leaving Great Zimbabwe
A man named Mutota was traveling to search for new sources of salt. During his travel he found a valley of fertile soil, good rainfall, and ample wood. Then the place was sooned named after him, Mutopa. -
Jan 29, 1470
Portuguese's Claim
The Portuguese claimed the island of Sao Tome off the west coast of Africa and established huge sugar fields in order to satisfy Europe's growing desire for sugar. -
Oct 26, 1482
The Arrival of the Portuguese
At this time, Portuguese explorers sailed down the western coast of Africa and came across the Kongo Kingdom. From there, the two soon became buddies in trade. -
Jun 15, 1500
European Invasion
The government of Swahili grew and prospered because of Islamic ideas on law and the government. But then they were soon invaded by Europeans when they had a lack of unity from competition of trade. -
May 31, 1506
The Rule of Afonso
A man named Nzinga Mbemba became ruler of the Kongo Kingdom and changed his name into a European name, Afonso I. He copied many Portuguese ways like their Roman Catholicism and their traditions. -
Mar 13, 1530
The Decline of Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe began to decline due to overuse and drought of land or the departure of the people so they can take advantage og shifting trade networks. Then they were soon abandoned. -
Oct 13, 1543
Afonso's Death
Afonso I died on 1543. -
Dec 14, 1560
Kingdom Stuggles
After the death of Afonso, Kondo forces went to war with a neighboring kingdom. Then they soon had a battle from an invasion from a group called the Jaga. Since they were unable to win victory, they asked help from the Portuguese. With their help, they were able to fight off the Jaga. -
The Shona
These are a group of Bantu-speaking people who settled in the valley of the Limpopo River in Southern Africa. Afterwards, they moved onto an area of rich farmland between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. -
Period: to
Central and Southern Africa
