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Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire was an Islamic empire based in modern day western Africa. It ruled from around 1340 until their destruction at the hands of Morocco in 1591.
522 Questions
Who did the Songhai trade with and what did they trade?
Sahara and valuable salt and gold mines of central Africa
What is the relative location of ancient songhai?
The Songhai Empire was located in West Africa, primarily along the Niger River and in present-day countries such as Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. It was strategically positioned for trade and communication routes, connecting the Sahara Desert to the forests further south.
Were is Songhai located today?
It no longer exists today, but it was where modern day Mali is now, in West Africa.
Asika Muhammad
What did Askia Mohammad do to strengthen his country?
Askia Mohammed the Great encouraged literacy and learning. In the Songhai Empire, there were the best scholars that made Islamic books that are still used today. Askia also spread Islam all over Africa.
Firearms were the one main advantage that the Europeans had in subduing Africa. Without them, the pestilence common in Central Africa would have destroyed them along with a skilled Songhai defense. The Songhai would likely have survived.
What type of government was the songhai kingdom?
what types of things might you have seen in timbuktu during the height of the songhai kingdom
How long did the Songhai kingdom last?
The Songhai kingdom lasted from the 15th century until its decline in the late 16th century, with its peak around the 16th century. It emerged after the decline of the Mali Empire, reaching its height under rulers like Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad. The kingdom eventually fell to Moroccan invasion in 1591, marking the end of its prominence in West Africa.
Why did songhai become a great empire?
Songhai became a powerful empire because they controlled the river and trade with peoples to the north and south. Thus, they started gaining both wealth and power.
People who built the songhai empire were called?
The Sorko people who lived along the middle Niger, east of Mali, built the Songhai empire.
The art from Songhai is probably not what you are used to in the United States. The people of Songhai are very well known for their weaving of blankets and mats. These are elaborate cotton blankets called terabebas. They are woven by men in the town of Tera are highly prized in the town of Sahel. Along the Niger River, women palm frond mats that feature geometric designs.
What is the decline of the Songhai Empire?
Following the death of Emperor Askia Daoud, a civil war of succession weakened the Empire, leading Sultan Ahmad I al-Mansur of the Saadi Dynasty of Morocco to dispatch an invasion force (years earlier, armies from Portugal had attacked Morocco, and failed miserably, but the Moroccan coffers were on the verge of economic depletion and bankruptcy, as they needed to pay for the defenses used to hold off the under the eunuch Judar Pasha. Judar Pasha was a Spaniard by birth, but had been captured as an infant and educated at the Saadi court. After a march across the Sahara desert, Judar's forces captured, plundered, and razed the salt mines at Taghaza and moved on to Gao. and then Morocco won.
