The history of Africa is as richly diverse as the continent itself. By the fifteenth century, Islam was dominant in the north, several major kingdoms had emerged in the west, and the Bantu-speaking people had migrated through the interior of the continent. Although written records for the period are often from the perspective of outsiders, such as Muslim merchants, they nonetheless point to the vitality and strength of African culture and society. The selections for this chapter reveal the critical role that trade routes played in the development of Africa, bringing African societies into contact with one another and connecting Africa to the larger world. The readings also document the introduction of Islam and Christianity to the continent, both of which significantly influenced the direction of the early kingdoms of Africa.