Ife

Ife was a state in West Africa coast and forest (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 1000 to 1420 CE, about 420 years. Its people spoke Niger-Congo languages (Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu)).

Sacred Yoruba city-state, held to be the place where the world was created, whose artists cast naturalistic heads in copper alloy. Its Ooni still reigns as a ritual leader.

See Ife on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1000 to 1420 CE
Duration: 420 years
Type: State
Region: West Africa coast and forest, North and West Africa
Language family: Niger-Congo
Capital: Ile-Ife

Events in North and West Africa during its time

1050 Banu Hilal migration
1235 Battle of Kirina
1324 Mansa Musa's pilgrimage
1347 Black Death reaches Egypt

Neighbours in North and West Africa

Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE
Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE
Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE
Mamluk Sultanate 1250 to 1517 CE
Fatimid Caliphate 909 to 1171 CE
Almoravid dynasty 1040 to 1147 CE
Makuria c. 450 to 1312 CE
Kingdom of Benin c. 1180 to 1897 CE
Kanem Empire c. 700 to 1387 CE
Bornu Empire c. 1387 to 1893 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America

Questions

When did Ife exist?

c. 1000 to 1420 CE, about 420 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Ife?

West Africa coast and forest, in North and West Africa. Its capital was Ile-Ife.

What language did Ife speak?

Niger-Congo. This family includes Mande, Yoruba, Akan, Fula, Wolof, Igbo (non-Bantu).