Songhai Empire

Mali, 1464–1591. Draft, not yet reviewed

The Songhai Empire was a state located in the western part of the Sahel during the 15th and 16th centuries. Sonni Ali established Gao as the empire's capital, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century. Initially, the Songhai Empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty, but it was later replaced by the Askia dynasty. The Songhai Empire collapsed after the defeat at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591.

Seat of power: Gao

No rulers documented for this era yet.

Culture

• Other important cities in the kingdom were Timbuktu and Djenné, where urban-centred trade flourished.
• Trade goods included gold, salt, slaves, kola nuts, leather, dates, and ivory.
• Askia Mohammed I, the first Askia emperor, returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1497/8.

Picture

The Tomb of Askia, in Gao, is believed to be the burial place of Askia Muhammad I, one of the Songhai Empire's most prolific emperors.

Image: Taguelmoust, CC BY-SA 3.0, file

Sources

• Songhai Empire (Wikipedia)
• Songhai Empire (Wikidata)
• About the picture (Wikipedia)

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.