Q 01/05

Which emperor of Mali dazzled Cairo with his gold while travelling to Mecca on pilgrimage in 1324?

A) Idris Alooma

B) Mansa Musa

C) Osei Kwadwo

D) Askia Daoud

Answer · why

B) Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa gave away so much gold in Cairo that its value across Egypt is said to have dropped noticeably. His reign is commonly regarded as the high ...

Q 02/05

Which modern country, home to the ancient royal city of Meroë, contains more pyramids than Egypt?

A) Sudan

B) Libya

C) Eritrea

D) Algeria

Answer · why

A) Sudan

Sudan's Nubian pyramids are tall, narrow and steep, rising at about 70 degrees. Those at Meroë hold kings and queens buried between about 300 BC and 3...

Q 03/05

Which island sultanate off East Africa fought an 1896 war against Britain that lasted less than an hour?

A) Anjouan

B) Mombasa

C) Zanzibar

D) Pate Island

Answer · why

C) Zanzibar

Zanzibar gave up after roughly 38 minutes of fighting, which makes the clash the shortest war in recorded history.

Q 04/05

Which West African kingdom fielded the all-female regiment that inspired the 2022 film The Woman King?

A) Ashanti

B) Kaabu

C) Segou

D) Dahomey

Answer · why

D) Dahomey

Dahomey kept its women's regiment, known locally as the Agojie, from the 17th century until the late 19th. Europeans who met them called them Amazons.

Q 05/05

The Kingdom of Benin, famous for its brass and bronze plaques, had its capital in which modern country?

A) Gabon

B) Nigeria

C) Togo

D) Cameroon

Answer · why

B) Nigeria

Nigeria is home to Benin City, the old royal capital in Edo State. The neighbouring Republic of Benin has no historical link to the kingdom.