HAUSA

The Hausa were a group of farming city states around 1100, who were united by their language. They existed mainly in the savannas east of Mali and Songhai (now known as Nigeria). The groups were briefly conquered by the Songhai, but gained back their independence. Groups divided into large, walled city-states, like Katsina, Kano, or Zazzau/Zaria. Located on trade routes between West Africa and the Mediterranean, the first two of the aforementioned city-states became major trading spots, known for their salt, grains, leather, and dye for their cotton. The Zazzau were known for invading small groups, and selling them off to other states -- in exchange for goods -- as slaves. The Hausa governments were very similar, with ministers and other officials holding checks on an otherwise powerful ruler. Each city-state had an army of horsemen, and were powerful forces in their area. However, the states’ constant clashing never allowed for any kind of empire to form there.