Season 6 Episode 7: Kilwa is Conquered

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. 

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

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. 

This episode we cover our source materials, and then delve into the latter half of the Xia Dynasty post Shao Kang's restoration. It all ends with the corrupt and cruel Emperor Jie coming face to face with the Army of Shang bearing down on him, intent on ending his reign of terror ... Show More

This episode we chronicle the decline and eventual fall of the once-glorious Shang Dynasty to the same vices and evils that spelled doom for the Xia centuries ago. In the West, a powerful new clan calling itself the Zhou has risen to power, eventually with an eye to make right wh ... Show More

Who owns stolen art? Today on the show, the bloody journey of a Benin Bronze from West Africa to the halls of one of England's most elite universities — a tale of imperialism, betrayal, and the making of the modern world.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an ... Show More

A young king finds himself locked out of power by his mother and her tyrannical lover. Time is running out, so he decides to take a huge risk and try to take back his country. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at s ... Show More

Edward announces the new King of Scotland, revealing his master plan to take over the country himself. Scotland is outraged, and refuses to go down without a fight. While Edward is distracted squashing rebellions, an old enemy sees their chance, and decides to give the Plantagene ... Show More

When Bougainville fought an incredible civil war over a colossal mine, and won, its military leader emerged a hero. But he would soon fall under the spell of a conman and cult leader who wanted the Pacific island—and believed himself to be its king. The unlikely pair soon carved ... Show More

An older, bolder Mwindo returns to his village to take down his father, but his temper causes unimaginable destruction and his father flees into the Underworld. As Mwindo ventures there to find him, he befriends a goddess, bargains with a god, and learns the hallmarks of a true l ... Show More

The king returns to his homeland after nearly a decade of exile. An evil sorcerer king is at the apex of his power. Owls deliver insults and dating is difficult no matter who you are. The epic story of Sundiata, the first emperor of Mali, concludes. The creature of the week is th ... Show More

In this lively tale from the Nyanga people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a moody, magical toddler named Mwindo scrambles to escape his village chief father’s unhinged attempts to kill him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices