Sahelian kingdoms

All of these empires were also quite decentralized with member cities having a great deal of autonomy.

The Sahel states were limited from expanding south into the forest zone of the Bono and Yoruba as mounted warriors were all but useless in the forests and the horses and camels could not survive the diseases of the region.

There were integrated kingdoms and empires, with substantial cities and significant towns; and less organised territories with large scattered populations.

People practised agriculture, stock-rearing, hunting, fishing, and crafts (metalworking, textiles, ceramics).

They navigated along rivers and across lakes, traded over short and long distances, and used their own currencies.