Africans had the wheel a long, long time ago.
You're confusing "wheellessness" with the Noble Savages found in N&S America.
One thing about the wheel is it does best on roads. And being pulled by large domesticated animals like horses, mules, and oxen. When you're on the open prairie and your draft "animals" are dogs, women, and children a travois is an excellent light weight and easy to construct "if it works why replace?" tool.
