West Africa 1215 CE

What is happening in West Africa in 1215CE

In the mid-11^th century a Muslim religious movement, the Almoravids, briefly conquered a large area of the western savannah country, giving the spread of Islam a huge boost and undermining the power of Ghana.

The long-distance trade networks are now spreading into the forest region to the south of the savannah. This is stimulating urbanisation: the Yoruba people are forming a network of towns, and the Edo have founded the city of Benin. The bronze and brass sculptures for which this region is justly famous are already being produced.