I thought it might be interesting to think more specifically about the African scenario that'll be included in BNW, especially with regard to how we might glean potential new African civs. A lot of interesting posts have added to my understanding, but obviously my knowledge is incomplete so I'd bring on any corrections/opinions/whatever else you might have to contribute.
"The Scramble for Africa," as I understand it, refers most specifically to the wave of colonization that followed the Conference of Berlin from 1884-1885. This strict demarcation leaves out the Zulu and the Kongo, the two prohibitive favorites, so I'm giving them a pass; the Zulu because they were fairly close to that period, and the Kongo because the Portuguese did try to stake their claim on their kingdom during the Conference
Empire: Zulu (confirmed in)
Wars (vs. colonial power): Anglo-Zulu War (1879)
Colonizer: Britain
Location: Zulu-land, South Africa
Why they could work: Heavy favorite, have previously appeared in the Civ series. Shaka is an iconic leader, well ensconced in African history and the global imaginary at large through books, films, etc.
Empire: Kongo (confirmed as city-state)
Wars: First Kongo-Portuguese War (1622), Second Kongo-Portuguese War (1642-3), Third Kongo-Portuguese War (1647),
Colonizer: Portugal, the Netherlands
Location: Modern day Angola, Republic of Congo, D.R. Congo, West-Central Africa
Why they could work: Queen Nzinga stands out as a potential female leader. Extremely popular on these boards, extensive, relatively well-documented history that involved a lot of interaction with European forces.
Empire: Dahomey
Wars: First Franco-Dahomean War (1890), Second Franco-Dahomean War (1892-1894)
Colonizer:France
Location: Modern day Benin, West Africa
Why they could work: Though they don't have a potential female leader that I'm aware of, the Dahomey Amazons could give us a female fighting unit that would completely make sense. Dahomey also has a fairly large cultural footprint, from being the subject of the first musical written and performed by African-Americans on Broadway, to French plays, to British Novels. Potential leader Behanzin seems like a worthy figure for representation in the series.
Empire: Ashanti
Wars: First Anglo-Ashanti War (1823-1831), Second Anglo-Ashanti War (1863-1864), Third Anglo-Ashanti War (1873-1874), Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War (1895-1896), War of the Golden Stool (1900)
Colonizer: Britain
Location: Modern day Ghana, West Africa
Why they could work: Long history of colonial struggle, strong, persistant cultural coherence. Offer a strong female leader, Yaa Asantewaa, who led her people during the War of the Golden Stool.
Empire: Merina
Wars: First Franco-Hova War (1883-1886), Second Franco-Hova War (1894-1895)
Colonizer: France
Location: Madagascar
Why they could work: Cause Firaxis likes to mess with us? Well-documented yet somewhat obscure kingdom with lots of unique characteristics. Several potential female leaders, including the notorious Queen Ranavalona I
So, who's in, who's out? Who's my most egregious exclusion? What'll you do if Firaxis ignores Africa in favor of Lichtenstein and Andorra?
Bonus Round: New African Natural Wonders
We also know that the scenario will involve hunting for Africa's natural wonders. What'll be in? Mount Kilimanjaro? Victoria Falls?
"The Scramble for Africa," as I understand it, refers most specifically to the wave of colonization that followed the Conference of Berlin from 1884-1885. This strict demarcation leaves out the Zulu and the Kongo, the two prohibitive favorites, so I'm giving them a pass; the Zulu because they were fairly close to that period, and the Kongo because the Portuguese did try to stake their claim on their kingdom during the Conference
Empire: Zulu (confirmed in)
Wars (vs. colonial power): Anglo-Zulu War (1879)
Colonizer: Britain
Location: Zulu-land, South Africa
Why they could work: Heavy favorite, have previously appeared in the Civ series. Shaka is an iconic leader, well ensconced in African history and the global imaginary at large through books, films, etc.
Empire: Kongo (confirmed as city-state)
Wars: First Kongo-Portuguese War (1622), Second Kongo-Portuguese War (1642-3), Third Kongo-Portuguese War (1647),
Colonizer: Portugal, the Netherlands
Location: Modern day Angola, Republic of Congo, D.R. Congo, West-Central Africa
Why they could work: Queen Nzinga stands out as a potential female leader. Extremely popular on these boards, extensive, relatively well-documented history that involved a lot of interaction with European forces.
Empire: Dahomey
Wars: First Franco-Dahomean War (1890), Second Franco-Dahomean War (1892-1894)
Colonizer:France
Location: Modern day Benin, West Africa
Why they could work: Though they don't have a potential female leader that I'm aware of, the Dahomey Amazons could give us a female fighting unit that would completely make sense. Dahomey also has a fairly large cultural footprint, from being the subject of the first musical written and performed by African-Americans on Broadway, to French plays, to British Novels. Potential leader Behanzin seems like a worthy figure for representation in the series.
Empire: Ashanti
Wars: First Anglo-Ashanti War (1823-1831), Second Anglo-Ashanti War (1863-1864), Third Anglo-Ashanti War (1873-1874), Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War (1895-1896), War of the Golden Stool (1900)
Colonizer: Britain
Location: Modern day Ghana, West Africa
Why they could work: Long history of colonial struggle, strong, persistant cultural coherence. Offer a strong female leader, Yaa Asantewaa, who led her people during the War of the Golden Stool.
Empire: Merina
Wars: First Franco-Hova War (1883-1886), Second Franco-Hova War (1894-1895)
Colonizer: France
Location: Madagascar
Why they could work: Cause Firaxis likes to mess with us? Well-documented yet somewhat obscure kingdom with lots of unique characteristics. Several potential female leaders, including the notorious Queen Ranavalona I
So, who's in, who's out? Who's my most egregious exclusion? What'll you do if Firaxis ignores Africa in favor of Lichtenstein and Andorra?
Bonus Round: New African Natural Wonders
We also know that the scenario will involve hunting for Africa's natural wonders. What'll be in? Mount Kilimanjaro? Victoria Falls?