West Africa

Post classical states and societies of Sub-Sahara Africa Political: Sundiata-founder of Mali empire in west Africa in the 13th century, oral tradition tells of him by professional singers and storytellers called griots. His father ruled a small west African kingdom, but sundiata had a defective leg and was crippled. When enemies killed his family, he learned the bow in the woods. Sundiata was sent to another kingdom where he assembled a cavalry and posed as a warrior. 1235 he returns and claims throne, and builds a capital at Niani, soon becoming a commercial center Between 1000-1500 CE people of sub Saharan Africa expand and do interregional trade. Also had indian ocean trade By 1000 ce bantus are in most Africa south of equator, while kushite, Sudanese, and others have communities