logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
25m 51s

Season 3 Episode 21 - The Rise of Kofi K...

THE HISTORY OF AFRICA PODCAST
About this episode
In 1867, Asantehene Kwaku Dua passed away suddenly after four decades of ruling the Ashanti Empire. Shortly after, roving gangs of royal executioners would begin massacring thousands of civilians in Kumasi. Amidst this chaos and violence, an unlikely candidate ascended to the golden stool: a previously minor prince named Kofi Kakari. Notre Dame StoriesStorie ... Show More
Up next
Jun 23
Season 7 Episode 2: Looking for Takrur
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 Empire of Takrur. 
31m 47s
Apr 2026
Season 7 Episode 1: Welcome to Senegambia
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 archaeological cultures to the famous Senegambian megaliths, let's encounter this f ... Show More
25m 24s
Aug 2025
Season 6 Episode 18: The Omani Empire
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. 
25m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
The fall of Kwame Nkrumah
<p>An eyewitness account of the overthrow of Ghana's famous independence leader. And we examine Nkrumah's legacy with Prof. Gareth Austin from Cambridge University. Plus the story of a heroic African WW2 airman, the scientists who alerted the world to the threat of acid rain, a N ... Show More
51m 21s
Feb 2021
The fall of Kwame Nkrumah
The Ghanaian president, Kwame Nkrumah, was one of Africa's most famous independence leaders. But in 1966, while he was out of the country, the Ghanaian military and police seized power in a coup. The legendary Ghanaian film maker Chris Hesse worked closely with Nkrumah and was wi ... Show More
14m 48s
Jul 2024
Episode 86: Al Qaher’s folly
A chaotic period followed al Muqtadir’s death in battle. Although officials quickly reached a consensus on the elevation of his successor, the very fact that the last caliph had been killed meant that more political violence was to be expected. Al Qaher managed to best the men wh ... Show More
33m 35s
Mar 2023
The Isshi Incident
<p>During the reign of Empress Kogyoku in 7th century Japan, two clans — the Soga clan and the Nakatomi clan — were rivals for power. But the Nakatomi clan would ally with the Empress's son, Naka no Oe, and together they would plot one of the most influential assassinations in Ja ... Show More
28m 5s
Aug 2020
The Távora Executions
<p>In the words of Omar Little, "When you come at the king, you best not miss." A possible bungled assassination attempt on the King of Portugal in 1758 gave his prime minister the excuse he needed to unleash a bloody reign of terror on the nation's nobles.</p><p> </p> Learn more ... Show More
23m 25s
Mar 2024
Revolution In Haiti
Haiti has been going through a rough couple years following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Since then, over 200 gangs have overrun the capital and the majority of the country, creating a major humanitarian crisis. On todays episode, we discuss the history o ... Show More
1h 29m
Sep 2020
RFK, A Eulogy for King
Ep 2: Robert Kennedy learns of the MLK Jr.’s assassination while in route to a campaign event in inner city Indianapolis. He breaks the news to an unsuspecting crowd, delivering a spontaneous and empathetic eulogy for the apostle of nonviolence. 
34m 53s
Nov 2021
The Gangs Controlling Haiti: A Dead President, Amish Hostages, and a Psycho Named BBQ
A President assassinated. Amish missionaries from Ohio held for million dollar ransoms (per person!). A former cop named Barbecue turned vicious gang leader in the slums claiming to be a revolutionary with aspirations of political power. And a country held hostage by warring stre ... Show More
52m 28s