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Songhai Empire

Katie, Kate, Bridget, & Emma

Geographic Location

& Features

Location

& Features

The Empire of Songhai is located in West Africa. It is south of the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River. The river was helpful because it provided trading routes and fertile soil for farming. The river also provided protection from invaders like al-Mansur.

On a Map

Religions

Religions

The major religions in Songhai were both Islam and traditional African religions. Most of the people of the Empire were not Muslim, and practiced their native religions. In the government, Islam was the main religion. There was a policy of religious freedom, so people were not forced to practice any specific religion.

Trade Relations

Trade Relations

Because of its control of trading posts along the Trans-Saharan Trade Route, such as Jenne and Timbuktu, the Songhai Empire became extremely wealthy. This was used to build larger kingdoms and empires. In exchange for salt, fabric, guns/weapons, horses, and copper, kola nuts, gold, ivory, slaves, spices, palm oil and precious woods were traded in Songhai.

Trade Map

What Happened to Songhai?

What Happened to Songhai?

Songhai was the most powerful West African Empire. It began its downfall in 1590 when a Moroccan army invaded them searching for gold. The violence and poverty led the Empire to fall.

Songhai Defeat

Morocco at war with Songhai

Songhai Defeat

Major Leaders

Major Leaders

Sunni Ali-

Sunni reigned from 1464-1492. He was the first king of the Songhai Empire. Sunni’s forces captured Timbuktu and Djenné. Under his reign, Songhai surpassed Mali’s empire and he died in 1492.

Askia Muhammad I-

Askia was the emperor and military commander of Songhai in the late 15th century. He made the Songhai empire the largest empire in Western Africa. He took hold of Hausa states (present day Northern Nigeria). His ruling lead to the expansion of trade in Asia and Europe and creation of schools.

Leaders

"Songhai Empire - Wikipedia". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songhai_Empire. Accessed 18 Oct 2021.

"Songhai empire | History, Facts, & Fall | Britannica". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021 https://www.britannica.com/place/Songhai-empire. Accessed 18 October 2021.

"Sonni Ali - Wikipedia". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonni_Ali. Accessed 18 Oct 2021.

"Askia Muhammad I - Wikipedia". En.Wikipedia.Org, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askia_Muhammad_I. Accessed 19 Oct 2021.

"Ancient Africa: Songhai Empire." Ducksters, 2021, www.ducksters.com/history/africa/songhai_empire.php. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021.

"Songhai empire." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2019.

school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Songhai-empire/68696. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021.

"The Songhai Empire." Students of History, 2021, www.studentsofhistory.com/the-songhai-empire. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021.

"Songhai Empire Notes". 2021 http://www.csun.edu/~jyb32380/PTP/TPE7Aartifact.ht ml#:~:text=The Songhai Empire began to,Songhai in search of gold.&text=As a result, peace turned,most powerful empire was crushed. Accessed 20 October 2021.

"Songhai, African Empire, 15-16th Century." South African History Online, www.sahistory.org.za/article/songhai-african-empire-15-16th-century. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021

Citations

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