Zimbabwe: Did you mean...?

The Kingdom of Luba, located in central Africa, thrived from the 15th to 19th century CE and was the first such state in the Congo basin. Skills in ironworking and trade along the Lualaba river in such metals as copper permitted the Luba...

A leopard skin apron which would have been worn by an elite member of the Shona, rulers of such kingdoms as Great Zimbabwe and Mutapa in southern Africa between the 12th and 17th century CE. (British Museum, London)

The Portuguese first took an interest in East Africa from the beginning of the 16th century as their empire spread eastwards across the Indian Ocean. Trade in the region was already well-established and carried out by Africans, Indians, and...

A map indicating the major ancient and medieval states in sub-Saharan Africa. Areas and dates relate to a state at its peak. In addition, shaded areas are approximate indicators only. For the majority of the states, their precise borders...

A colour illustration of Victoria Falls by Thomas Baines (1820-75), who accompanied explorer David Livingstone (1813-73) on his Second Zambezi Expedition (1858-64). The falls are located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Portuguese Empire was established from the 15th century and eventually stretched from the Americas to Japan. Very often a string of coastal trading centres with defensive fortifications, there were larger territorial colonies like Brazil...

The Zulu Kingdom was one of the most powerful states in Southern and Central Africa during its peak in the mid-19th century. The Zulu expansion and domination of their neighbours is credited to the inspirational leader Shaka, who transformed...

A carved wooden headrest of the Shona tribe. The Shona created such southern African kingdoms as Great Zimbabwe and Mutapa between the 12th and 17th century CE. Zimbabwe, 19th century CE, height: 17 cm. (British Museum, London)

The Jameson Raid was an unofficial and failed attempt by the British to take over the Boer Republic of Transvaal in Southern Africa in December 1895. Masterminded by the millionaire imperialist Cecil Rhodes, the raid failed to gain support...

The discovery of diamonds in 1867 in Griqualand ultimately transformed the entire region of Southern Africa. Huge European financial investment and significant immigration followed. The diamonds led to Britain taking over Griqualand and the...