Content pfp
Content
@
0 reply
0 recast
0 reaction

Arash Azizi pfp
Arash Azizi
@arashtehran
One of my favorite little-known Muslim empires of the medieval age is here: Ajuran Sultanate in the Horn of Africa. Founded by Somalis and ran out of Mogadisho. It became a serious force in 1200s, slightly before the Ottoman empire. It flourished in 1300s-1400s and some call it the only 'hydraulic empire' of Africa.
1 reply
0 recast
3 reactions

Arash Azizi pfp
Arash Azizi
@arashtehran
It was a strong enough force to assert its sovereignty for several centuries, against Oromo invasions from the West (Oromo are today one of the main ethnicities in Ethiopia) and Portuguese from the east. Ajuran also traded so widely, especially with Middle East and East Asia. It is usually believed they are the first African kingdom in serious contact with China. They even exported giraffes to Ming China which explains this gorgeous artefact!
0 reply
0 recast
1 reaction