Season 4 Episode 3: The Vazimba, Hova, and the Merina

In this episode, we explore the history of the medieval Western Sahel, and examine what Arabic language sources tell us about the Senegal River Valley during the rise of its first major empire - the E...

23 Jun 31min

Explore the history of the Wolof Empire with us this season. In this episode we set the stage for what is to come by examining the geography and prehistory of Senegambia. From the evolution of its arc...

6 Apr 25min

Kilwa is brought to its knees by one final foreign invasion, which leads the island into an irreversible decline and the eventual dissolution of the sultanate.

11 Aug 202525min

The Portuguese have conquered Kilwa. Let's see how much pain their victory causes them in the long run.

21 Jul 202523min

The Portuguese arrive in Kilwa. This should go well.

30 Jun 202519min

As my voice recovers, please enjoy this "from the vault" episode about Zengjiani, a famous East African traveler who reached numerous impressive destinations.

9 Jun 202512min

After decades of civil strife and conflict, a powerful leader finally emerges in Kilwa Kisiwani as the 14th century reached its climax. With the power of the sultanate waning, a powerful judge named M...

19 Mai 202520min

Today, we enter into an age of transformation. For a prominent period in Kilwa's history, the city and its many satellites will no longer be under the reign of the centuries-old monarchy. Instead, a n...

28 Apr 202518min