AAARIA Blog

Echoes in Stone: The Architectural Marvel of Great Zimbabwe

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 17:08:44 GMT

Among historians such as Al-Umari and Joseph Ki-Zerbo, the consensus is that the Mali Empire

was the largest and most influential African empire of the XIII century. Some five thousand miles

from this powerful empire, another African superpower was in its infancy - the Kingdom of

Zimbabwe. As the Kingdom was building its reputation throughout southern Africa, its capital

city, Great Zimbabwe, erected imposing buildings. The remains of these buildings have been

preserved with the beauty of the city.

Historian Amadou Ba states that at its height, between the XIII and XIV century, the Kingdom of

Zimbabwe had a population of 18,000. While its first inhabitants came from the northern

Kingdom of Mapungubwe, skeletal evidence shows that Bantu-speaking peoples, such as the

Batonga, inhabited the city when the XV century structures were built.

At the heart of Great Zimbabwe was a fortress built with large, heavy stones. The first building

erected in the fortress was called the Acropolis and dominated the city’s hilltop. Excavations and

archeological studies revealed a building that was intentionally built for defensive strength.

Unwavering and enduring, the Acropolis was bastion-like and indomitable. The second building,

called the Elliptical, was located on a plain below the Acropolis. The two buildings were made of

flat bricklite stones and locally sourced granite. The complex was built between the end of the

XIII century and the beginning of the XIV century. Later, in the XV century, a colossal girdling

wall was erected. The massive wall boasted a height of 24 feet, with a base of 18 feet which

tapered to an 11 foot top. An impressive herringbone pattern decorated 50 meters of the wall.

Today, the dwellings contained within the ruins are considered typical medieval African

constructions. Further excavations revealed objects such as gold jewelry or copper objects also

typical of the African medieval period. In addition, objects that were imported from the Far East,

such as pearls, were also dated back to the XIV and XV century. The architecture of these

buildings show dignity, strength and seclusion which, at first sight, point to a lonely Kingdom.

However, Great Zimbabwe was an important political and commercial center. While there are

limited historical records, we know that in the XV century King Nyatsimba Mutotawe expanded

the political strength of the Kingdom. The city also played a major role in the development of

commerce and trade with the Arabo-Swahili ports of Kiloa and the Sofala near the coast of the

Indian Ocean. Thus began trade with the Far East.

At the end of the XV century, the south of the Kingdom gained autonomy, making the territorial

dislocation more pronounced. The empire disappeared, leaving only the Monomotapa territory

which would not become an empire until the XVII century.

Aida Kane - Freelance Journalist

NEW "Meroë: The Iron Capital of the Kingdom of Kush"

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:22:29 GMT

Written By: Aida Kane - Freelance Journalist

When the Roman governor of Egypt, Gaius Petronius, was notified that Kushite troops had raided the Nile islands of Philae and Elephantine, he knew that he must take drastic measures to regain control of the Egyptian islands. Kush had been a thorn in Egypt’s side throughout the first century BC. Knowing their capabilities, Gaius Petronius mobilized 10,000 infantry and 800 cavalry to regain the Southern frontier that Augustus had established between Kush and Egypt.

The Kingdom of Kush, known today as Sudan, revolved around its capital city, Meroë. In Book Two of Histories, Herodotus describes the Nile River, its traveling routes, islands and inhabitants. He describes his route on his way to Meroë: “Near the island is a vast lake (on whose margins Ethiopian Nomads live) which you have to sail across to rejoin the Nile, which flows into this lake. At this point you leave your boat and travel by foot by the side of the river for forty days, because there are sharp rocks sticking out of the water and a number of reefs which are unnavigable. Once you have spent the forty days passing through this region, you take another boat and twelve days of travel will bring you to a big city called Meroë, which is said to be the capital city of all Ethiopia.”

Beyond the testimony of the Greek historian, there is much that is unknown about the city of Meroë. From 590 BC to 350 AD, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush and, as Egypt was well into centuries of decadence, Meroë became a culture carrier of the Sudanese Civilization. As a major economic center for iron smelting, Meroë’s power rivaled that of the Libyco-Berber states of Carthage and the cities of the southern tip of Arabia. According to historian Basil Davidson, it’s reasonable to presume that by the first century BC, Meroë was the largest iron smelting industry in Africa, south of the Mediterranean coast. With this metallurgical power came the production of weapons, tools and a variety of trade goods that made their way to lands both south and west of Kush. With its vital interregional role, Meroë played a similar role to what Mediterranean superpowers played for Northern Europe. Moreover, imported goods from Meroë reached China, India, Rome and Greece.

The economic benefits of the iron activities were seen in the elevation of countless palaces and temples. Today, their ruins still stand. The most notable of them all is the Temple of Musawwarat es-Sufra. According to Davidson, it was built between the first century BC and the first century AD. As for the Kushite pyramids, those of Meroë served as cemeteries for the monarchs of Kush. Despite being overshadowed by the popularity of the Egyptian pyramids, they are nevertheless awe-inspiring, mystical and timeless.

The Moor's rule in Spain

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 19:19:30 GMT

The Moors and the Age of European Enlightenment

The Moors were a group of North African (many say from Mauritania) inhabitants who conquered and ruled Spain for nearly 781 years, from 711 to 1492. They entered the Iberian Peninsula, Spain after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, passing through Morocco. The Moors were known for their exceptional architecture and engineering skills, and they built numerous impressive structures such as universities and mosques in Spain, which still stand to this day.

They made significant contributions to various fields, including Mathematics, Literary, Science, Medicine, Chemistry, Hygiene, Ancient Philosophy, Astronomy, Botany, Masonry, and Architecture. The Moors were the first to introduce the use of Arabic numerals to Europe, which are still used today. They also made significant advancements in medicine, developing treatments for various illnesses and diseases, and creating medical textbooks that were widely used.

In addition, the Moors were skilled astronomers and developed advanced techniques for measuring time and determining the position of celestial bodies. They also made significant contributions to botany, introducing new plants to Spain and creating gardens that were admired by many.

The Moors were also known for their expertise in masonry, and they built numerous impressive structures such as the Alhambra palace in Granada, which is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the world. Finally, they also wrote extensively about their history, creating numerous historical texts that are still studied today.

The legacy of the Moors in Spain is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural exchange and the fusion of knowledge across civilizations. Their ability to blend various influences—Kemet, Kush, Arab, Berber, and European—into a coherent and thriving society demonstrates the potential for diverse cultures to coexist, collaborate, and contribute to a shared human heritage. The Moorish period in Spain serves as an example of how societies can flourish through tolerance, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to the advancement of knowledge.

In 1492, the fall of Granada marked the end of Moorish rule in Spain, but their influence continued to shape the culture, architecture, and science of Europe long after their departure. The Moors left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and inform contemporary discussions on the importance of multiculturalism and the enduring impact of African scientific and cultural achievements across borders.

We must restore the Truth!

#blackhistory365 #blackexcellence #knowthyself #moors

Did Africans circumnavigate the Globe before the European exploration?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:38:31 GMT

The evidence below, suggests the answer is, YES!

1. The Gosford Glyphs, also known as Kariong Hieroglyphs, are a group of approximately 300 Egyptian-style hieroglyphs located in Kariong, Australia. They are found in an area known for its Aboriginal petroglyphs, between Gosford and Woy Woy, which appear to have the name of Pharaoh Khufu (of the Old Kingdom) inscriptions on the walls of the site.

2. An interesting facet of Kemet is that we are amazed by what we see left from history, such as the pyramids and great temples, but many scholars scoff at some legendary exploits. One such tale, told to us in a tantalizingly brief story by the Greek historian Herodotus, is of a sea voyage that took place during the 26th Dynasty reign of Necho II. He relates the circumnavigation of Africa some 2000 years before the Portuguese mariners of Vasco da Gama.

According to Herodotus, Necho II ordered a Phoenician-crewed fleet to leave Egypt from the east by way of the Gulf of Suez and to return via the Straits of Gibraltar at the Mediterranean's western mouth. Hence, he expected this expedition to navigate around Africa counterclockwise. The crew reportedly returned 3 years later, after completing the journey.

3. Mansa Abu Bakar II, king of the ancient kingdom of Mali in West Africa. Mansa Abu Bakar was an well traveled man, who was curious to know what was behind the Atlantic Ocean. In 1311, he sent some of his men with enough provisions to last them years on 200 ships to explore the limits of the ocean. He ordered them to not return until they find what is behind the Atlantic ocean.

It is said that only one ship returned and when asked what happened, the captain responded, “We traveled for a long time and there appeared in the open sea a river with a powerful current. The other ships went on ahead but when they reached that place, they did not return and no more was seen of them. As for me, I went about it once and did not enter the river”.

So, king Abu Bakari II decided to assemble even more ships, two thousands to be exact; he equipped them with food, water, livestock, gold, and other provisions, left the throne to his brother Mansa Musa, and went to explore himself.

They apparently never returned, so the question is: did they ever reach the Americas?

Looking at evidence that modern historians, archaeologists, and researchers are now bringing to light, the answer appears to be yes! The evidence and sources I found to support include:

a. According to Leo Weiner in his book entitled Africa and the Discovery of America, Columbus reported in his journal that the Native Americans confirmed “black skinned people had come from the south-east in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears.” It appears the native Americans described the spearheads as “guanin”, which means “gold” in the Mandinka language – a language of the Mali Empire.

b. Columbus also reported seeing mosque-like buildings when he arrived in America. In fact, the people from the Kingdom of Mali were Muslims, so they may have built mosques while there.

c. African skeletons were discovered in America and studies show that the skeletons are from the 13th century and most likely related to Mansa Abu Bakr’s voyage.

d. The Garifuna people: I came across an episode from the New York Botanical Garden, where they invited a group of people known as Garinagu. In explaining how they came about, they mentioned the fusion of Africans from the kingdom of Mali with native Americans.

e. The Olmec Colossal Heads: Many scholars suggested that the heads depicted Olmec gods, athletes, kings, or even early black civilizations influence or rulership due to the heads possessing the appearance of African features.

Truth Restored!

#blackhistory365 #blackexcellence #knowthyself #kemet #ancientegypt #kush

When you see an Obelisk, think African History!

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:37:25 GMT

African Origins of the Obelisk

All over the world, you will find an obelisk in the local areas of government. You may ask, what is its origin and what does it mean?

An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape or pyramidion at the top. Originally they were called Tekhenu by their builders, the Kemites (Ancient Egyptians). Obelisks were prominent in the architecture of Kemet, and played a vital role in their religion placing them in pairs at the entrance of the temples.

To date, we see this recreation of obelisk all over the world (i.e The Wellington Monument in Dublin, The Brothers Broglie Obelisk at the Monrepos Park in Vyborg, Russia, The Vatican obelisk, The Stone of the Empress at the Market Square in Helsinki, Finland, The Obelisk of Buenos Aires, The National Monument in Jakarta, Cleopatra Needle in Central Park, New York City, and the Washington monument). Thou this monument is now widespread, it is key to note; The Obelisk (creation & design) originates in Africa!

The Ancient Romans populated their city with 8 large and 42 small Egyptian obelisks. More have been taken from Egypt been re-erected elsewhere. To date, here are some of the best-known examples of Egyptian obelisks are:

Egypt – 11

Pharaoh Seti II, Karnak Temple, Luxor, 7 m (23 ft)

Pharaoh Thutmosis I, Karnak Temple, Luxor

Pharaoh Ramses II, Luxor Temple

Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, Luxor

Pharaoh Senusret I, Al-Masalla area of Al-Matariyyah district in Heliopolis, Cairo

Pharaoh Ramses II, Tahrir Square, Cairo

Pharaoh Ramses III, Luxor Museum

Pharaoh Ramses II, Gezira Island, Cairo, 20.4 m (67 ft)

Pharaoh Ramses II, Cairo International Airport, 16.97 m (55.7 ft)

Pharaoh Hatshepsut, "The Unfinished obelisk", Stone Quarries, Aswan

Pharaoh Senusret I, Faiyum

France – 1

Pharaoh Ramses II, Luxor Obelisk, in Place de la Concorde, Paris

Israel – 1

Caesarea obelisk

Italy – 13 (includes the only one located in the Vatican City)

Rome — 8 ancient Egyptian obelisks (see List of obelisks in Rome)

Piazza del Duomo, Catania (Sicily)

Boboli Obelisk (Florence)

Urbino

Poland – 1

Pharaoh Ramses II, Poznań Archaeological Museum, Poznań (on loan from Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Berlin)

Turkey – 1

Pharaoh Tuthmosis III, the Obelisk of Theodosius in the Hippodrome of Constantinople (now Sultan Ahmet Square), Istanbul

United Kingdom – 4

Pharaoh Tuthmosis III, "Cleopatra's Needle", beside the Thames Victoria Embankment, in London

Pharaoh Amenhotep II, in the Oriental Museum, University of Durham

Pharaoh Ptolemy IX, Philae obelisk, at Kingston Lacy, near Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Pharaoh Nectanebo II, British Museum, London (pair of obelisks)

United States – 1

Pharaoh Tuthmosis III, "Cleopatra's Needle", in Central Park, New York

With all that said, everytime you see an obelisk in your local area, just know your looking at African History!

"We must restore the Truth!"

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