@neenamaiya Indeed. I had expected so too—history, human psychology and even philosophy. I reckon you discuss with her often and record them especially. She seems like the type to be excited about such an idea. Xxo
The spread of Islam through the Sudanese and Fulani empires standardized a specific curriculum of religious, mathematical, and astronomical studies. Rulers in empires like Mali and Songhai invested heavily in these textual and religious scholarly networks.
It is quite interesting that the kingdoms in the tropical area area of West Africa, from Benin to Kongo, all had similarities in their expression of art. The availability of wood in abundance made this possible. You find a deeply connected artistic continuum.
The selective distinction in West Africa's intellectual and cultural focus was driven primarily by geography, trade dynamics, and environmental resources, which dictated how each region interacted with the wider world.