NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire, also known as the Songhay Empire was a pre-colonial African state and great civilization in eastern Mali. From the early 15th to the late 16th century, Songhai was one of the largest African empires in history. This empire bore the same name as its leading ethnic group, the Songhai. Its capital was the city of Gao, where a small Songhai state had existed since the 11th century. Its base of power was on the bend of the Niger River in present-day Niger and Burkina Faso. Extent of the Mali Empire (ca. ... Image File history File links blank picture File links The following pages link to this file: Antioquia BoyacÃ¡ Cundinamarca BolÃvar Department Santander Department AtlÃ¡ntico Magdalena Department Amazonas Department, Colombia Arauca CaquetÃ¡ Casanare Cauca Cesar ChocÃ³ CÃ³rdoba Department GuainÃa Guaviare Huila Department Guajira Department Meta Department Nari... Image File history File links blank picture File links The following pages link to this file: Antioquia BoyacÃ¡ Cundinamarca BolÃvar Department Santander Department AtlÃ¡ntico Magdalena Department Amazonas Department, Colombia Arauca CaquetÃ¡ Casanare Cauca Cesar ChocÃ³ CÃ³rdoba Department GuainÃa Guaviare Huila Department Guajira Department Meta Department Nari... The Dendi Kingdom (1591â€“1901) was a pre-colonial West African state in modern-day Niger founded by the Songhai people after the collapse of their empire in Mali. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Morocco. ... For other uses, see Morocco (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1580x988, 72 KB) Map of the w:Songhai Empire made by User:Astrokey44 in Corel Painter IX File links The following pages link to this file: Songhai Empire User:Astrokey44/maps ... Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist, the capital was moved, or the capital city was renamed. ... For other uses, see Gao (disambiguation). ... The Songhay languages, in the dialects of Gao and Timbuktu, are a group of closely related languages/dialects centered on the middle stretches of the Niger River in present day Mali and Niger, widely used as a lingua franca there ever since the era of the Songhay Empire. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... For the documentary series, see Monarchy (TV series). ... Sonni may refer to the following articles: Sonni (ruler), a Songhai word meaning Replacement or Liberator King Sonni (artist), a recording artist Category: ... Askiya also spelt Askia was the title of the rulers of the Songhai Empire of what is today Mali and Dendi Kingdom of modern Niger. ... Askia Ishaq II was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1588 to 1591. ... Events The first Portuguese navigators reach the coast of modern Sierra Leone. ... 1493 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Dendi Kingdom (1591â€“1901) was a pre-colonial West African state in modern-day Niger founded by the Songhai people after the collapse of their empire in Mali. ... Year 1592 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... Species See text. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... There have been a number of African Empires of varying size and influence throughout recorded history. ... For the empire, see Songhai Empire. ... For other uses, see Gao (disambiguation). ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... This article is about the river. ...

Prior to the Songhai Empire, the region had been dominated by the Mali Empire, one of the wealthiest civilization in the history of the world. Mali grew famous due to its immense riches obtained through trade with the Arab world, and the legendary hajj of Mansa Musa. By the early 15th century, the Mali Empire began to decline. Disputes over succession weakened the crown and many subjects broke away. The Songhai were one of them, making the prominent city of Gao their new capital. Extent of the Mali Empire (ca. ... A supplicating pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram, the mosque which was built around the Kaaba (the cubical building at center). ... Mansa Musa depicted holding a gold nugget from a 1375 map of Africa and Europe Mansa (Kankan) Musa[1] was a 14th century king (or Mansa) who ruled the Mali Empire from about 1312 to 1332. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... For other uses, see Gao (disambiguation). ...

The Songhai are thought to have settled at Gao as early as 800 AD, but did not establish it as the capital until the 11th century, during the reign of Dia Kossoi. However, the Dia dynasty soon gave way to the Sunni, preceding the ascension of Sulaiman-Mar, who gained independence and hegemony over the city and was a forbearer of Sunni Ali Ber. Mar is often credited with wresting power away from the Mali Empire and gaining independence for the then small Songhai kingdom. For the empire, see Songhai Empire. ... Sonni Ali (1464-1492) was the first great king of the Songhai Empire, and the 15th ruler of the Sonni dynasty. ...

Sonni Ali Dynasty

Sonni Ali quickly established himself as the empire's most formidable military strategist and conqueror. He took advantage of the decline of the Mali empire, leading his armies on a series of conquests. His empire expanded to eventually eclipse Mali, covering a kingdom that encompassed more landmass than all of western Europe and, to date, was the largest empire that Africa has ever seen.

The first great king of Songhai was Sonni Ali. Ali was a Muslim like the Mali kings before him. He was also an efficient warrior who, in the 1460s, conquered many of the Songhai's neighboring states, including what remained of the Mali Empire. With his control of critical trade routes and cities such as Timbuktu, Sonni Ali brought great wealth to the Songhai Empire, which at its height would surpass the wealth of Mali. Sonni Ali was the first great king (1464-1492) of the Songhai Empire, and the 15th ruler of the Sonni dynasty. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…Ø§Ù†, Turkish: MÃ¼slÃ¼man, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ...

During his campaigns for expansion, Sonni Ali conquered many lands, repelling attacks from the Mossi to the south and overcoming the Dogon people to the north, before ultimately annexing Timbuktu in 1468, after Islamic leaders of the town requested his assistance in overthrowing marauding Tuaregs who had overtaken the city subsequent to the decline of Mali.^[1] Sonni however, immediately met stark resistance after setting his eyes on the wealthy and renowned trading town of Djenne. Only after much persistence and a seven-month siege was he able to forcefully incorporate it into his vast empire in 1473, but only after having starved them into surrender, allowing no entrance into or exit out of the city. Mossi is the name of a people living in central Burkina Faso. ... The Dogon village of Banani. ... For other senses of this name, see Tuareg (disambiguation). ... The location of Djenné within Mali Djenné (also Dienné or Jenne) is a city on the Bani River in southern Mali with a population of about 12,000 (in 1987). ...

While a Muslim in faith, Ali did not impose Islamic policy on non-Islamic peoples and instead, allowed and acknowledged the observance of traditional African religion and practices as well. Mainly due to his violent sack of Timbuktu, in many Islamic accounts, he was described as an intolerant tyrant. Islamic historian, Al-Sa'df expresses this sentiment in describing his incursion on Timbuktu: There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: Ù…Ø³Ù„Ù…Ø§Ù†, Turkish: MÃ¼slÃ¼man, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

^[2] SankorÃ© Madrasah, The University of SankorÃ©, or Sankore Masjid is one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu, Mali, West Africa. ... Oualata (Arabic: ÙˆÙ„Ø§ØªÙ‡) is a town in south east Mauritania. ...

In Oral tradition, he is often known as a powerful magician. Whatever the case may have been, Sonni's legend consists of him being a fearless conqueror who united a great empire, sparking a legacy that is still intact today. Under his reign, Djenne and Timbuktu were on their way to becoming the greatest centers of learning in the ancient world.

Askia Dynasty

When Sonni Ali passed away, his son, Sonni Baru, took the throne. People worried because Sonni Baru had made it very clear that he was not Muslim, or Islamic. This worried the people because they feared that he would cut off all of the trade with Muslim lands. Askia Muhammad Toure, the leader of a rebellion against Sonni Baru, overthrew Sonni Ali's son. When he took the crown, he changed his name to Askia the Great. Under Askia the Great's rule, education in the Songhai Empire, especially Timbuktu, flourished. He built a university in Timbuktu for students. Djenn‘e also became a center of learning. Image File history File links Tomb of the Askias, created by Utilisateur:Taguelmoust on fr. ... Image File history File links Tomb of the Askias, created by Utilisateur:Taguelmoust on fr. ...

Songhai Economic Structure

Safe economic trade existed throughout the Empire, due to the standing army stationed in the provinces. Central to the regional economy were the gold fields of the Niger River. The Songhai Empire would trade with these nearby but independent gold fields; salt was so precious in the region that the people of West Africa would sometimes be prepared to trade gold for equal quantities of salt. 80 percent of the people lived on small, family-owned farms no more than 10 acres large. The trans-Saharan trade consisted primarily of gold, salt, and slaves. The Julla (merchants) would form partnerships, and the state would protect these merchants, and the port cities on the Niger. It was a very strong trading kingdom, known for its production of practical crafts as well as religious artifacts. This article is about the river. ...

The Songhai economy was based on a traditional caste system. The clan a person belonged to ultimately decided their occupation. The most common castes were metalworkers, fishermen, and carpenters. Lower caste participants consisted of mostly non-farm working slaves, who at times were provided special privileges and held high positions in society. At the top were nobleman and direct descendants of the original Songhai people, followed by freemen and traders. At the bottom were war captives and slaves obligated to labor, especially in farming. James Olson describes the labor system as resembling modern day unions, with the empire possessing craft guilds that consisted of various mechanics and artisans.^[3]

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice in Songhai was based mainly, if not entirely , on Islamic principles, especially during the rule of Muhammad Ture. Ture appointed various ministerial positions, notably the minister of foreign relations, who was responsible for the well-being of the Korei-Farma, or "white minorities". In addition to this was the local Cadis qadis, or judges whose responsibility was to maintain order by enforcing Sharia law under Islamic doctrine, according to the Qu'ran. An additional Cadi was noted as a necessity in order to settle minor disputes between immigrant merchants. Kings usually did not judge a defendant; however, under special circumstances, such as acts of treason, they felt an obligation to do so and thus exert their authority. Results of a trial were announced by the "town crier" and punishment for most trivial crimes usually consisted of confiscation of merchandise or even imprisonment, since various prisons existed throughout the empire.^[4] For the city in Gujarat, India, see Kadi, India. ... The Quran ( Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; its literal meaning is the recitation and is often called Al Quran Al Karim: The Noble Quran, also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

Cadis worked at the local level and were positioned in important trading towns, such as Timbuktu and Djenne. The Assara-munidios, or "enforcers" worked along the lines of a police commissioner whose sole duty was to execute sentencing. Jurists were mainly composed of those representing the academic community; professors were often noted as taking administrative positions within the empire and many aspired to be Cadis. This article is about the Malian city. ... The location of Djenné within Mali Djenné (also Dienné or Jenne) is a city on the Bani River in southern Mali with a population of about 12,000 (in 1987). ...

Government

Upper classes in society converted to Islam while lower classes often continued to follow traditional religions. Sermons emphasized obedience to the king. Timbuktu was the educational capital. Sonni Ali established a system of government under the royal court, later to be expanded by Askia Muhammad, which appointed governors and mayors to preside over local tributary states, situated around the Niger valley. Local chiefs were still granted authority over their respective domains as long as they did not undermine Songhai policy.^[5] For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... This article is about the Malian city. ...

Tax was imposed onto peripheral chiefdoms and provinces to ensure the dominance of Songhai, and in return these provinces were given almost complete autonomy. Songhai rulers only intervened in the affairs of these neighboring states when a situation became volatile, usually an isolated incident. Each town was represented by government officials, holding positions and responsibilities similar to today's central bureaucrats.

Under Askia Muhammad, the empire saw increased centralization. He encouraged learning in Timbuktu by rewarding its professors with larger pensions as an incentive. He also established an order of precedence and protocol and was noted as a noble man who gave back generously to the poor. Under his Islamic policies, Muhammad brought much stability to Songhai and great attestations of this noted organization is still preserved in the works of Maghrebin writers such as Leo Africanus, among others. This article is about the Malian city. ... The Arab Maghreb Union This article is about the region. ... Leo Africanus was the Christianised name of Hasan bin Muhammed al-Wazzan al-Fasi (Hasan, son of Muhammed, the Weigher from Fez) (Granada 1488? â€“ 1554?). A former inhabitant of Granada, his family left the city sometime after the Christian conquest of the Muslim kingdom in 1492. ...

Zenith

At its greatest extent, the Songhai lands reached far down the Niger river into modern day Nigeria itself, all the way to the Northeast of modern day Mali, and even to a small part of the Atlantic ocean in the West. There were large cities such as Gao and Timbuktu, though 80% of the population remained in small family-owned farm houses. Songhai would continue to prosper until late into the 16th century, reaching its height under the long and peaceful rule of Askia Dauoud.

Decline

Following Dauoud's death, a civil war of succession weakened the Empire, leading Morocco Sultan Ahmad I al-Mansur Saadi to dispatch an invasion force under the eunuch Judar Pasha. Judar Pasha was a Spaniard by birth, but had been captured as an infant and educated at the Moroccan court. After a cross-Saharan march, Judar's forces razed the salt mines at Taghaza and moved on Gao; when Askia Ishaq II (r. 1588-1591) met Judar at the 1591 Battle of Tondibi, Songhai forces were routed by a cattle stampede triggered by the Moroccans' gunpowder weapons despite vastly superior numbers. Judar proceeded to sack Gao, Timbuktu, and Djenné, destroying the Songhai as a regional power. Governing so vast an empire proved too much for the Moroccans, and they soon relinquished control of the region, letting it splinter into dozens of smaller kingdoms. The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in northwest Africa. ... For other uses, see Sultan (disambiguation). ... Ahmad I al-Mansur Saadi (also Ahmed el-Mansour) was Sultan of Morocco from 1578 to his death in 1603, the sixth ruler of the Saadi Dynasty. ... Judar Pasha was a military leader of Moroccos Saadi Dynasty and the conqueror of the Songhai Empire. ... Judar Pasha was a military leader of Moroccos Saadi Dynasty and the conqueror of the Songhai Empire. ... For other uses, see Sahara (disambiguation). ... Taghaza is a destroyed town in present-day Mali. ... For other uses, see Gao (disambiguation). ... Askia Ishaq II was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1588 to 1591. ... The Battle of Tondibi was the decisive confrontation in Moroccos sixteenth-century invasion of the Songhai Empire. ... A modern black powder substitute for muzzleloading rifles in FFG size Gunpowder (also called black powder) is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre or saltpeter) that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot solids and gases which can be used as...

Rulers of the Songhai Empire

The Songhai state has existed in one form or another for over a thousand years if one traces its rulers from the first settlement in Gao to its semi-vassal status under the Mali Empire through its continuation in Niger as the Dendi Kingdom. Below are list of the kings according to the period they occupied..

Za Dynasty in Kukiya

Za Dynasty in Gao

Za Kusoy is the first Songhai ruler to convert to Islam. He also turns the small kingdom of Gao into a Muslim state. Gao begins to attract North African merchants under his reign.

Sunni Dynasty in Gao

According to Stride and Ifeka's Peoples and Empires of West Africa, Gao fell under the indirect control of the Mali Empire during the reign of Sundiata. In around 1275, an official of Mali fled to Gao established his own dynasty. The kings of the dynasty were called Sunni or Sonni meaning "replacement" or "liberator" kings. Gao had to be continuously attacked to keep the new Sunni dynasty paying tribute, first by Mansa Sakura and later by General Sagmandir under Mansa Musa. Around 1375, Songhai became fully independent of Mali. And by 1420, Songhai was strong enough to exact tribute from Masina. In all, the Sunni dynasty would count 18 kings. Sundiata Keita or Sunjata Keita (1190? - 1255?) is a semi-historical hero of the Mandinka people of West Africa and is celebrated in the Epic of Sundiata as founder of the Mali Empire. ...

Sonni Ali (1464-1492) was the first great king of the Songhai Empire, and the 15th ruler of the Sonni dynasty. ...

Askiya Dynasty in Gao

In 1493, Muhammad Toure the Great deposes the brother of Sunni Ali. The sister of the deposed monarch cries out at Toure the word "Askiya" meaning usurper. Toure adopts the moniker as the title of his new dynasty.

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Askia Musa, was a Soninke king of the Songhai Empire in the late 15th century. ... Askia Mohammad Benkan ruled the Songhai Empire from 1531 to 1537. ... Askia Ishaq I was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1539 to 1549, elected Askia following the overthrow of Mohammad Benkan in 1537. ... Askia Daoud (also Askia Dawud) was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1549 to 1582. ... Askia Daoud (also Askia Dawud) was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1549 to 1582. ... Askia Ishaq II was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1588 to 1591. ...

Askiya Dynasty in Lulami

After the Battle of Tondibi, Moroccan forces destroy the Songhai Empire in Mali. The askiya dynasty survives however and flees to their native Dendi region of Niger. They set up a new capital at Lulami and continue all the traditions of the Songhai Empire. The Battle of Tondibi was the decisive confrontation in Moroccos sixteenth-century invasion of the Songhai Empire. ...

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