The Talking Tree - A to Z
⤞⤝
Welcome to the Talking Tree . This space gathers the key words, characters, kingdoms, artifacts and concepts of the universe of the game The 30 Kingdoms – Secrets of the Past , from A to M.
New entries will be added over time to enrich your gaming experience and your knowledge of African history.
Feel free to share your ideas for words or themes to add to the glossary [ click here to write to us ]
HAS
ALKEBULAN
Type : Ancient name of the continent / concept
Period : Symbolic (beyond the 4 periods of the game)
Region : The entire African continent
Alkebulan is one of the ancient names given to the African continent in some traditions. It is often translated as “land of black men”, “land of humanity” or “garden of Eden”.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Alkebulan represents the world tree, the common roots of all the kingdoms present in the game, and the idea that African stories are multiple but connected.
AKSOUM
Type : Kingdom
Period : ROOTS (approximately the 1st to 9th century)
Region : Horn of Africa (present-day Ethiopia/Eritrea)
The Kingdom of Aksum was a major power in ancient Africa, situated at the crossroads of trade routes between Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean. It is known for its monumental stelae, its Ge'ez script, and its role in the history of Christianity in Africa.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Aksum illustrates the political, commercial and spiritual power of the Roots period.
ALMORAVIDS
Type : Empire / Dynasty
Period : TRUNK (11th–12th century)
Region : Western Sahara, Maghreb, Al-Andalus
The Almoravids were a religious and political movement originating in the Saharan regions that founded an empire stretching from the Sahara to southern Spain. They controlled important trade routes and left a significant mark on the history of the Maghreb and Al-Andalus.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
THE The Almoravids symbolize trans-Saharan trade, the circulation of religious ideas and the consolidation of power during the Trunk period.
ALMOHADES
Type : Empire / Dynasty
Period : TRUNK (12th–13th century)
Region : Maghreb, Al-Andalus
The Almohads succeeded the Almoravids and unified a large part of the Maghreb and Al-Andalus. They encouraged the arts, philosophy and architecture, while imposing their religious vision.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Almohads represent the great political and cultural transformations of North Africa, and the tensions between power, knowledge, and spirituality.
AMAZONS OF DAHOMEY
Type : Female military corps
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (17th–19th century)
Region : Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin)
The “ Amazons ” of Dahomey were an elite corps of female warriors who defended the kingdom. They impressed European observers with their discipline, courage, and organization.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Amazons embody the power of African female warriors, military strategy, and the place of women in stories of resistance.
AMINA DE ZARIA
Type : Warrior queen / historical figure
Period : BRANCHES (16th century)
Region : West Africa, Hausa region (present-day Nigeria)
Amina of Zaria (or Amina of Zazzau) was a Hausa warrior queen. She expanded her kingdom through military campaigns, secured trade routes, and built fortifications. She became a legendary figure of courage, strategy, and female leadership.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Amina of Zaria represents the power of African queens and warriors. Her card can be linked to defense, attack, or influence bonuses, and inspire challenges centered around courage and strategy.
ANKH
Type : Symbol / spiritual artifact
Period : ROOTS (Ancient Egypt)
Region : Nile Valley (Egypt, Nubia)
The ankh is a symbol from ancient Egypt in the shape of a looped cross (a cross with a loop at the top). It is often associated with life, protection, fertility, and eternal life. It is seen in the hands of deities or pharaohs in many depictions.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The ankh can be seen as an artifact linked to protection, life, and continuity. It recalls the importance of spiritual symbols and the worldview developed in the kingdoms of the Nile Valley.
ANKOLE
Type : Kingdom
Period : FRUITS (19th–20th century, up to independence)
Region: Great Lakes region (present-day Uganda)
The kingdom of Ankole is known for its herds of long-horned cows, a symbol of wealth and prestige. It is one of the Great Lakes kingdoms that had to contend with colonization and the political upheavals of the 20th century.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Ankole is a reminder of the diversity of East African kingdoms and the legacies still visible today in cultures and landscapes.
ARTIFACT
Type : Symbolic concept/object
Period : Present in all periods of the game
Region : Variable depending on the object's origin
An artifact is an object created by human beings and carrying meaning: religious, scientific, artistic, political… In The 30 Kingdoms, the artifacts (Thoth flute, perforated jar, scepter, sacred drum, etc.) are inspired by stories, symbols and historical objects.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Each artifact is a special card with a unique power. They allow you to gain wisdom, protect yourself, or turn the tide of battle, while also sparking a desire to learn more about the true story that inspired them.
ASILI
Type : Concept / symbolic name
Period : Symbolic (related to the present)
Region : Word of Swahili origin (East Africa), used as a studio name
“Asili” means root, origin, essence, deep nature in some East African languages (such as Swahili). It is a word that evokes returning to one's roots, understanding what constitutes an identity, a history, or a culture.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Asili lends its name to Asyli Studio, the studio that created the game. This word sums up the intention of the project: to return to the roots, to explore the origins, to convey the essence of African and Afro-descendant stories through the game and the extended universe.
B
BAGUIRMI
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES (approx. 16th–19th century)
Region : Central Africa, southeast of Lake Chad (present-day Chad)
The Baguirmi kingdom formed in Central Africa and controlled important trade routes around Lake Chad. It was in contact with other powers such as Kanem-Bornu and experienced multiple influences (religious, political, commercial).
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Baguirmi illustrates the often overlooked kingdoms of Central Africa, at the crossroads of trade between the Sahara, the Sahel and forest regions.
BENIN (Kingdom of Benin)
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (c. 11th–19th century)
Region : West Africa, Benin City region (present-day Nigeria)
The Kingdom of Benin, with its capital Benin City, is famous for its ramparts, its political organization centered on the oba (king), and its remarkable bronzes. It played a major role in trade with other African kingdoms and, later, with European powers, while also suffering the violence of the slave trade and colonial conquests.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Kingdom of Benin is at the heart of the game's universe: it embodies artistic creativity, political complexity, and resistance to external upheavals.
BOGOLAN
Type : Textile art / pattern
Period : Ancient practice still alive (present in several periods of the game)
Region : West Africa (Mande areas, notably Mali, Burkina Faso)
Bogolan is a traditional fabric dyed using mud, plants, and natural pigments. The patterns often carry symbolic meanings related to history, beliefs, or social status.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Bogolan patterns inspire part of the game's visual identity (cards, boards, graphic designs) and recall the richness of African textile arts.
BRONZES OF BENIN
Type : Works of art / artifacts
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (c. 15th–19th century)
Region : Kingdom of Benin (present-day Nigeria)
The “Bronzes of Benin” encompass plaques, statues, and metal objects (bronze, brass, etc.) produced for the royal court of Benin. They tell the story of the kingdom, its rituals, its rulers, its wars, and its interactions with the outside world. Many were looted during colonial expeditions and are now housed in museums around the globe.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The bronzes of Benin inspired certain artifacts and maps illustrating the memory, the plunder, but also the artistic influence of the kingdom.
BUGANDA
Type : Kingdom
Period : FRUITS (from the 18th century to the contemporary era)
Region : Great Lakes region, present-day Uganda
The Kingdom of Buganda was one of the most powerful in the Great Lakes region. It possessed a structured political organization, an aristocracy, trade networks, and a rich culture. However, it had to contend with colonization and the subsequent political transformations of independent Uganda.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Buganda represents the vitality of the kingdoms of East Africa in the modern era, their power struggles and their still living legacies.
BURUNDI (Kingdom of Burundi)
Type : Kingdom
Period : FRUITS (approx. 16th century to the present day)
Region : Great Lakes region (present-day Burundi)
The Kingdom of Burundi was organized around the mwami (king) and a complex society made up of clans, political relationships, pastoralism, and agriculture. Like other kingdoms of the Great Lakes region, it was deeply marked by colonization and then by the tensions of the 20th century.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Burundi allows us to evoke the kingdoms of the Great Lakes, their traditions, their internal dynamics and the challenges of the Fruits period (19th–21st century).
C
COWARS
Type : Currency / valuable item
Period : mainly TRUNK → FRUITS (c. 9th–20th century)
Region : Used in many regions of Africa (West, Central, East)
Cowrie shells are small seashells used as currency, a means of exchange, or a symbol of wealth in many African societies. They are found in trade, dowries, certain rituals, and as adornments.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Cowrie shells (which you often call "cowrie" in the gameplay) serve as tokens of value. They allow you to pay for certain effects, obtain artifacts or avoid penalties, and recall the role of cowrie shells in the economy and social symbolism.
PLAYING CARDS
Type : Gameplay element
Period : Applies to all 4 periods of the game
Region : The entire universe of the 30 Kingdoms
Cards are central to the game's mechanics. They can represent kingdoms, characters, artifacts, quizzes, puzzles, challenges, or historical events. Each card is an entry point to a story, a piece of knowledge, or a game situation.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The cards come in several categories (Quiz, Riddles, Challenges, General Knowledge, Artifacts, etc.) and set the pace for the players' progress on the board by triggering questions, actions and strategic choices.
CHEIK ANTA DIOP
Type : Historian, researcher, thinker
Period : FRUITS (20th century, 1923–1986)
Region : Senegal, Africa, academia and diasporas
Cheikh Anta Diop was a Senegalese historian, scientist, and thinker. He worked on the ancient origins of African civilizations, the links between ancient Egypt and the rest of the continent, African cultural unity, and the rewriting of history from the perspective of African peoples. His work has profoundly influenced African studies and inspired numerous researchers, artists, and activists.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Cheikh Anta Diop can appear in the lexicon and extended universe of the game as a major reference for understanding why it is important to tell the story of African kingdoms differently, with rigor, pride and critical thinking.
COLONIZATION
Type : Historical period
Period : FRUITS (19th–20th century)
Region : The entire African continent, with variations depending on the area
Colonization is the process by which European powers take control of African territories, profoundly altering the political, economic, social, and cultural structures of kingdoms and peoples. It is accompanied by violence, pillaging, forced displacement, but also by multiple forms of resistance.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Colonization is not treated as a simple “event”, but as a context that influences the Fruits period: some cards evoke resistance, independence, the plundering of artifacts or the recomposition of kingdoms.
KADANDE CROWN
Type : Legendary artifact (in-game item)
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES (period of the great Sahelian kingdoms)
Region : West Africa, Sahelian kingdoms zone
The Crown of Kandadé is an artifact from the world of the game 30 Kingdoms. It symbolizes the legitimacy and wisdom of the ruler, and the link between political power and the protection of the people. Kandadé represents an ancient royal lineage from West Africa, guardians of secrets, knowledge, and alliances.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Kandadé's crown is a powerful artifact card. It can strengthen a player's authority, protect their artifacts, facilitate alliances, or allow them to gain additional wisdom points, while also encouraging players to discover the stories and symbols that inspired the object.
TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE
Type : Trade exchange network
Period : mainly ROOTS → TRUNK → BRANCHES (approximately 8th–16th century)
Region : Sahara, West Africa, North Africa
Trans-Saharan trade linked the kingdoms of West Africa (Ghana/Wagadou, Mali, Songhai, Kanem-Bornu, etc.) to the Maghreb regions and beyond. Gold, salt, textiles, books, but also ideas, languages, and beliefs were exchanged.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Trans-Saharan trade is alluded to through certain kingdom cards, characters and artifacts, and can be associated with gains in wealth, knowledge or wisdom points when players make good use of these routes.
ROYAL COURT
Type : Political institution
Period : Present in several periods, depending on the kingdoms
Region : Numerous African kingdoms (Benin, Mali, Buganda, Dahomey, etc.)
The royal court brings together the entourage of the king or queen: family, advisors, dignitaries, priests, artists, guards, servants… It is a place of decision-making, rituals, negotiations and symbolic representations of power.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The royal court appears through certain characters (kings, queens, advisors, warriors, scribes…) and certain event cards or artifacts related to protocol, ceremonies and political decisions.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Type : Type of cards / educational concept
Period : All periods, depending on the questions
Region : Africa
General knowledge encompasses a variety of knowledge: history, geography, arts, sciences, languages, traditions, important figures… It allows us to connect the information from the game to a broader vision of the world.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The “General Knowledge” cards offer questions and anecdotes that go beyond a single kingdom: they link different spaces, periods and themes, and allow players to test and enrich their knowledge while gaining wisdom points.
D
DAHOMEY (Kingdom of Dahomey)
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (approx. 17th–19th century)
Region : West Africa, area of present-day Benin
The Kingdom of Dahomey was a powerful West African kingdom, known for its royal court, political structure, and armies, including the famous "Amazons of Dahomey," elite female warriors. The kingdom participated in the major coastal trade but was also deeply influenced by the Atlantic slave trade and its interactions with European powers.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Dahomey is associated with themes of military power, resistance, queens and warrior women, and issues surrounding the slave trade and external contacts. It can be linked to cards of “warrior,” “alliance,” or “conflict.”
DINGA
Type : Legendary figure / founding ancestor
Period : ROOTS (ancient times, before systematic writing)
Region : West Africa, traditions linked in particular to the Soninke people and the Wagadou Empire (ancient Ghana)
Dinga is presented in some traditions as a mythical ancestor or founder of the first kingdoms of the Wagadou region (ancient Ghana). His name is associated with origin stories, migrations, royal lineages, and the structuring of early power in the region.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Dinga can appear as a figure linked to the beginnings of the Sahelian kingdoms, to ancestral wisdom and to maps that evoke origins, founding myths or the first dynasties.
CHALLENGES (Challenge cards)
Type : Card type / game mechanic
Period : All periods of the plateau
Region : General game universe
The “Challenge” cards offer players specific actions: miming, dancing, answering a question within a limited time, cooperating with another player, attempting a bet, etc. They create moments of tension, laughter, and the unexpected.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Challenge cards add dynamism to the game and force players to move beyond simply "answering" questions. They open the door to improvisation, oral expression, movement, and cooperation.
E
ANCIENT EGYPT
Type : Kingdom / Civilization
Period : ROOTS (approx. -3000 to -30)
Region : Nile Valley (Egypt, Nubia)
Ancient Egypt is one of the world's most famous civilizations: pharaohs, pyramids, temples, hieroglyphs, arts, sciences, complex political organization. It maintained ancient links with other regions of Africa (Nubia, Aksum, etc.) and has left its mark on the global imagination.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Ancient Egypt appears as an important starting point for the Roots period, through its knowledge, its symbols (ankh, deities, temples) and its links with other African kingdoms.
RIDDLES (Riddle cards)
Type : Card type / game mechanic
Period : Present in all periods of the plateau
Region : General game universe
Puzzles are questions formulated as riddles, rebuses, charades, or small mysteries to solve. They require players to think differently, to make connections between clues, and to use their imagination.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Puzzle cards offer intellectual challenges related to kingdoms, artifacts, characters, or symbols. They make learning more fun and can allow you to earn wisdom points or special advantages.
WRITINGS
Type : System of signs / transmission of knowledge
Period : ROOTS → FRUITS (depending on the region and system)
Region : Various African spaces (hieroglyphs, ge'ez, ajami, nsibidi, etc.)
Writing allows us to preserve laws, stories, and religious, scientific, or political knowledge. In Africa, several writing systems have existed or still exist (Egyptian hieroglyphs, Ge'ez in Ethiopia, Ajami, Nsibidi, etc.), in addition to very rich oral traditions.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Writing is evoked through certain symbols (such as the nsibidi for rebuses), maps linked to scribes, scholars, learned men, and nods to the different ways of preserving and transmitting memory.
SACRED INCENSE
Type : Spiritual practice / aromatic material
Period : Present in several periods (ROOTS → FRUITS)
Region : Various kingdoms and regions of Africa (North, East, West, Central)
Sacred incense is used in many African traditions to purify a space, accompany prayers, honor ancestors, or mark important moments (ceremonies, coronations, protection rituals, religious festivals). When burned, it releases a fragrant smoke that connects the visible and the invisible, the everyday and the spiritual.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Sacred incense can be associated with certain ritual cards, temples, sacred places, or spiritual artifacts. It symbolizes the invisible dimension of the realms: beliefs, ancestors, and protections. A card linked to sacred incense can, for example, offer a protective, calming, or "purifying" effect, removing a negative influence.
F
SACRED FIRE
Type : Spiritual practice / ritual symbol
Period : Present in several periods (ROOTS → FRUITS)
Region : Various kingdoms and regions of Africa
Sacred fire is used in many African traditions to mark an important place or moment: rituals for ancestors, royal ceremonies, oaths, protections, religious festivals, symbolic passages. It purifies, illuminates, unites, and connects the visible and invisible worlds.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Sacred fire can be associated with ritual cards, temples, sacred places, or oaths. A card linked to sacred fire can, for example, "burn" a penalty, protect an artifact, seal an alliance, or grant a wisdom bonus when the player meets certain conditions.
FRUITS (FRUITS period)
Type : Game Period
Period : 1800 to the present day
Region : The entire African continent and diasporas
In the game, the Fruits period represents the legacies of previous centuries: colonization, resistance, independence, cultural renaissances, contemporary creations, and African diasporas around the world. It is a time when we see the “fruits” of past histories, but also of current struggles.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The FRUITS period corresponds to the last zone of the plateau. The maps of this period address independence movements, cultural movements, modern figures, and questions of memory, identity, and transmission up to the present day.
THOTH'S FLUTE
Type : Legendary Artifact (game card)
Period : ROOTS (Ancient Egypt, mythical dimension)
Region : Nile Valley (Egypt / Nubia)
The Flute of Thoth is an artifact from the game's universe, inspired by Thoth, a deity associated with knowledge, writing, and science in ancient Egypt. This flute symbolizes the harmony between knowledge, music, and wisdom.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Flute of Thoth is a special artifact card, capable of, for example, granting additional wisdom points, revealing a hidden clue, or "retuning" a game situation in your favor. It evokes the importance of knowledge and the arts in ancient civilizations.
G
GHANA / WAGADOU (ancient Ghana Empire)
Type : Kingdom / Empire
Period : ROOTS → TRUNK (c. 8th–12th century)
Region : West Africa, Sahel region (present-day Mauritania, Mali, Senegal)
The Ghana Empire, often called Wagadou in local traditions, was one of the first great Sahelian empires. It controlled major trade routes between the Sahara and regions further south, particularly those related to gold and salt. Its political and economic power had a lasting influence on the history of West Africa.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Ghana/Wagadou represents the beginnings of the great Sahelian empires of the ROOTS period. It can be associated with maps related to trans-Saharan trade, wealth, and early imperial structures.
GRIOT/GRIOTTE/DJELI
Type : Storyteller, musician, keeper of memories
Period : Present over several periods (ROOTS → FRUITS)
Region : Primarily West Africa, but similar figures in other regions
The griot (or griotte) is a guardian of the spoken word, memory, and genealogies. Through song, music, and storytelling, they transmit the history of families, kingdoms, heroes, wars, and alliances. They are a mediator between past and present.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The griot embodies the spirit of the game: to tell, to transmit, to bring stories to life. He may appear in certain character cards or in the extended universe (voice-overs, podcasts, videos) as the narrator of the kingdoms and artifacts.
GREAT LAKES
Type : Geographic region
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (pre-colonial kingdoms, colonization, independence)
Region : East and Central Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC…)
The African Great Lakes region includes several kingdoms and organized societies (Buganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ankole, etc.), with complex political systems, pastoral and agricultural economies, and a history marked by colonization and then the recompositions of the 20th century.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Great Lakes region appears through kingdoms such as Buganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ankole. They allow us to extend the map of the 30 Kingdoms eastward across the continent and to showcase the diversity of power structures and cultures.
WARRIORS
Type : Concept / social and military role
Period : Primarily BRANCHES → FRUIT, but with older roots
Region : Various African kingdoms (Dahomey, Hausa, etc.)
African women warriors are women who took up arms, led armies, protected kingdoms, or participated in resistance movements. Examples include the Amazons of Dahomey, Amina of Zaria, and other locally renowned figures. They challenge stereotypes about the role of women in history.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Female warriors are central to some character cards and Challenge cards. They embody courage, strategy, the protection of kingdoms, and the role of women in great African stories.
H
HABARI (application)
Type : Educational application / extension of the universe
Period : Present (Asyli Studio project)
Region : Francophone world, Africa and diasporas
Habari is an application designed as a digital extension of the game The 30 Kingdoms – Secrets of the Past. It offers interactive profiles of African and Afro-descendant figures, quizzes, thematic trails, and additional resources.
In the world of the 30 Kingdoms :
Habari allows the adventure to continue outside the game table, deepens knowledge about heroes, heroines, kingdoms and artifacts, and offers a practical tool for families and teachers.
HANNIBAL BARCA
Type : Military strategist / historical figure
Period : BRANCHES (3rd–2nd century BC)
Region : North Africa (Carthage, present-day Tunisia)
Haile Selassie I
Type : Emperor / modern historical figure
Period : FRUITS (20th century)
Region : Ethiopia (East Africa)
Haile Selassie I was Emperor of Ethiopia. He embodied the continuity of one of the oldest African states, led reforms, confronted the Italian invasion, and became an important symbolic figure for many Pan-African and Rastafari movements.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms : Haile Selassie can be a Hero card from the FRUITS period, linked to the themes of resistance, sovereignty and international influence.
Hannibal, one of the greatest military strategists of antiquity, hailed from Carthage. He is famous for his crossing of the Alps with elephants and his campaigns against Rome. His name remains associated with cunning, courage, and great battles.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Hannibal can be a Hero card associated with “military strategy” cards: bonuses in case of conflict, possibilities to move differently on the board or to avoid certain battle penalties.
LEGACY
Type : Concept / value
Period : Present (but linked to all periods of the game)
Region : Africa and African/Afro-descendant diasporas
Heritage is the stories, knowledge, languages, gestures, values, struggles and creations that are passed down from one generation to the next. It can be visible (objects, monuments, books) or invisible (memory, family stories, ways of seeing the world).
In the world of Asyli / The 30 Kingdoms :
Legacy is at the heart of the project: every kingdom, every hero, every artifact reminds us that we are the heirs to powerful stories. The game invites us to better understand this legacy so that we can pass it on in turn.
HEROES & HEROINES
Type : Concept / Game characters
Period : All periods (ROOTS → FRUITS)
Region : Various kingdoms and diasporas
Heroes and heroines are figures who leave their mark on history through their actions: kings, queens, warriors, scholars, resistance fighters, builders, keepers of memory… Some are very well known, others much less so but just as important.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Hero & Heroine cards depict figures such as Mansa Musa, Amina of Zaria, the Amazons of Dahomey, scholars, leaders, and other inspiring characters. They provide bonuses, special abilities, and stories to tell during the game.
I
IFRIQYIA
Type : Region / historical entity
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES (from the Early Middle Ages to the medieval period)
Region : North Africa (present-day Tunisia and neighboring regions)
Ifriqiya refers to a region of North Africa in the medieval period, including cities like Kairouan, which was an important center of religious, legal, and scientific learning. It was an area of contact between Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Islamic world.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Ifriqiya may be mentioned in general knowledge maps or maps of North African kingdoms, to show the diversity of African political and intellectual centers.
J
HOLED JAR
Type : Legendary artifact (in-game item)
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS
Region : Inspired by the Kingdom of Benin and its symbols
The leaky jar is an artifact created for the 30 Kingdoms universe. It is a cracked jar whose water can only be held if several hands help it. It symbolizes unity, solidarity, and the fact that some goals can only be achieved together.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The leaky jar is an artifact card linked to cooperation: it can, for example, give a bonus if players ally, share wisdom points or avoid a penalty by several players.
K
KAABU
Type: Kingdom / Confederation
Period : BRANCHES (approx. 13th–19th century)
Region : West Africa (Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia)
Kaabu emerged from the legacy of the Mali Empire and became an important regional power with its own dynamics.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Kaabu enriches the map of West African kingdoms beyond the best known (Mali, Songhai), and recalls the diversity of powers in the region.
KANEM-BORNOU
Type : Empire / kingdom
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES (c. 9th–19th century)
Region : Lake Chad region (present-day Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon)
Kanem-Bornu was an important Sahelian empire, controlling trans-Saharan routes and playing a major role in the trade and political dynamics of Central Africa.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Kanem-Bornu is associated with cards about trade, political reforms, and certain warrior figures like Idris Alooma.
KONGO (Kingdom of Kongo)
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (c. 14th–19th century)
Region : Central Africa (present-day Angola, DRC, Congo, Gabon)
The Kingdom of Kongo was a large kingdom in Central Africa, with a capital city, a complex political organization, and numerous contacts with the Atlantic world.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Kongo allows us to talk about the kingdoms of Central Africa, Atlantic trade, religious conversions, and resistance to external domination.
KUSH (Kingdom of Kush)
Type : Kingdom
Period : ROOTS (approx. -1000 to +300, depending on the phases)
Region : Nubia, south of Egypt (present-day Sudan)
The Kingdom of Kush was a large kingdom in the Nile Valley, sometimes dominant over Egypt, with its own dynasties, pyramids, religious centers, and trade routes.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Kush represents the historical depth of the Nile Valley beyond Egypt. It can be associated with maps related to trade, alliances, and royal symbols.
KUBA (Kuba kingdom)
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (approx. 17th–19th century)
Region : Central Africa (present-day DRC)
The Kuba kingdom is known for its refined art (masks, statuary, textiles), its political organization, and its oral traditions.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Kuba is associated with maps of art, masks, and forms of power in Central Africa.
L
FIVE COLUMNS LANCE
Type : Legendary artifact (in-game item)
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES
Region : Inspired by the Sahelian kingdoms
The Spear of the Five Columns is an artifact in the game, symbolizing the defense of the kingdom, the union of several forces, and the ability to withstand attacks.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
This artifact card can provide protection bonuses during challenges, prevent the loss of an artifact, or enhance the effects of a warrior hero.
LUBA (Luba kingdom)
Type : Kingdom
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS (c. 16th–19th century)
Region : Central Africa (present-day DRC)
The Luba kingdom has a structured political system and a rich symbolic culture, notably through objects of memory (such as the lukasa).
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Luba is linked to maps on memory, transmission, and political organization in Central Africa.
LUKASA
Type : Memorial object / historical artifact
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS
Region : Luba Kingdom (Central Africa)
The lukasa is a memory board covered with beads, shells and patterns, used by memory specialists to recount history, lineages and events.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The lukasa inspires cards about memory, wisdom, and archives. It can be an artifact that allows one to "remember" forgotten information or to replay a card.
LUNDA (Lunda kingdom)
Type : Kingdom / Confederation
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS
Region : Central Africa (present-day DRC, Angola, Zambia)
The Lunda kingdom extended its influence over a vast region and developed commercial and political networks.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Lunda complements Luba and Kongo in the representation of the kingdoms of Central Africa.
M
ALMOR MANUSCRIPT
Type : Legendary artifact (in-game item)
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES
Region : Inspired by the handwritten traditions of Timbuktu and other scholarly centers
The Almor manuscript evokes the thousands of manuscripts preserved in cities like Timbuktu, Djenné, Chinguetti, etc., dealing with philosophy, science, religion, history.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
This manuscript is an artifact card that grants wisdom bonuses, makes it easier to answer certain questions, or allows you to gain points when you rely on knowledge rather than strength.
MANSA MOUSSA
Type : Emperor / historical figure
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES (14th century)
Region : Mali Empire (West Africa)
Mansa Musa is one of the most famous rulers of the Mali Empire. He reigned in the 14th century, and his wealth became legendary, particularly due to his control of the gold and salt routes and the major trans-Saharan trade. His pilgrimage to Mecca, accompanied by a vast caravan, made a lasting impression: he distributed gold, supported scholars and architects, and enhanced Mali's influence in the world.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Mansa Musa is an iconic Hero card from the Mali Empire. He can provide bonuses related to wealth (cowrie shells, artifacts), trade, or prestige. His presence is a reminder that the kingdoms of West Africa were among the major economic and cultural powers of their time.
THREE-FACED MASK
Type : Legendary artifact (in-game item)
Period : BRANCHES → FRUITS
Region : Inspired by the mask traditions of West and Central Africa
The three-faced mask symbolizes the ability to see the past, present, and future, or to understand multiple points of view.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
This artifact card can be used to anticipate cards, to choose between several options or to avoid a trap by “seeing” further than other players.
MONOMOTAPA (or Mutapa)
Type : Kingdom / Empire
Period : BRANCHES (c. 15th–18th century)
Region : Southern Africa (present-day Zimbabwe, Mozambique)
Monomotapa is a southern African kingdom linked to sites like Great Zimbabwe and to trade networks connecting the interior of the continent to the coasts of the Indian Ocean.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
Monomotapa opens the map to the south of the continent and allows us to address exchanges with the Indian Ocean, monumental architectures and local powers.
MOSSI (Mossi kingdoms)
Type : Kingdoms
Period : TRUNK → BRANCHES (approx. 13th–19th century)
Region : West Africa (present-day Burkina Faso)
The Mossi kingdoms are several political entities organized around chiefs and kings (mogho naba), with a strong warrior culture and a great capacity to resist neighboring empires and, later, colonizers.
In the game The 30 Kingdoms :
The Mossi kingdoms are associated with maps of resistance, military strategy, and social organization.