Songhai Empire Facts: Learn About The Ancient History Of This State

The Songhai Empire was the largest and one of the most significant empires to emerge in West Africa.

The Empire, along with its capital Gao extended in all directions from the Atlantic Ocean to present-day Niger and Northwest Nigeria. It was governed by the rulers of the Za, Sunni, and Askia dynasties.

The Empire was under Mali's rule but had freed itself and flourished under the rule of Sunni Ali. His successors made the empire modern with relevant additions of education and trade, while some failed to match Ali's status and failed the Empire.

Keep reading to learn some of the most interesting facts about the Songhai Empire!

History And Origin Of The Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire has a rich background in the regional history of Western Africa. The Songhai King Sunni Ali was endowed with numerous titles and was also said to possess magical powers. The Empire acquired the status of being one of the largest states in West Africa.

The Songhai people established themselves in the capital city, Gao, in early 800 CE but did not immediately regard it as the capital. The Songhai Empire rose from the rule of the Malian Empire and lasted from the year 1464 to 1591.

Songhai rule came into being under the leadership of Prince Sunni Ali. As a notable figure, Sunni Ali was captured as a political prisoner by the Mali emperor. He managed to escape to Gao and took control of the city, and began ruling and conquering important cities of Timbuktu and Djenne.

Askia Muhammad took the reins of the Empire and established the Askia Dynasty in 1493. Askia Muhammad promoted the role of Muslims and employed them in the roles of judges, governors, and town chiefs.

The successors of Askia Muhammad, particularly Askia Ishaq I and Askia Ishaq II, led the Empire to a period of instability and decline. During the reign of Askia Daoud, the Empire attained friendly accord with the Moroccan sultan Ahmad al-Mansur.

But after Daoud died and Askia Ishaq II ascended the throne, the Moroccan sultan took advantage of the internal politics and gained control of the Empire.

After the Empire was diminished and the Songhai state was divided into small provinces, Moroccan invaders arrived at the cities of Gao and Timbuktu in the early 16th century and claimed their rule.

Achievements Of The Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire attained its peak and is etched as the largest African state in history. Not only did they issue a system of governance, but they also improvised on trade and their army for cash flow and stability.

Timbuktu became an important city hosting Italian, Arab, and Jewish merchants to participate in trade.

Governance was uniform in the Empire. The state was divided into five provinces, each headed by a governor.

The Songhai rulers made economic reforms throughout the Empire. They set up trading systems based on gold, salt, and enslaved people. Gold was mined from nearby sites, and salt was a perennial source due to the Niger River.

Slave trade was a significant factor for the Songhai Empire. Songhais achieved a stable economic position and were able to further expand on it with the jewelry, precious stones, and other goods obtained in exchange for the slave trade.

Since the people of the Songhai Empire were Muslims, they had good connections with Asian and Arab cultures, which further increased trading opportunities.

The Songhai Army accommodated skilled personnel, including knights, cavalry, and archers.

Language And Religion

Islam dominated the Songhai Empire, with almost all its people converting to Islam during the reign of Askia Muhammad. Moreover, the Empire was rich in its linguistics, with six different Songhai languages being spoken by over three million people.

Songhai people spoke the Songhay or Songhai languages- a group of related languages considered to be the fundamental branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family. Songhai is spoken majorly around the Niger River, from Timbuktu, Djenne, Mali, and eastwards to Benin. A few adjacent countries have also shown traces of Songhai languages.

There are six Songhai languages in total, Zarma alone with two million speakers. The other five languages are spread out in the state's various regions,, with more than one million speakers taken together.

People of the Songhai Empire practiced Islam and abided by the various religious customs of Islam. Askia Muhammad I witnessed the complete revival of Islam and even participated in an expensive pilgrimage to Mecca.

Though the people were Muslims, they adhered to the traditional customs of the Empire. This included regular consults with diviners and other religious specialists, for instance, 'sorkotarey' or praise-singers to the spirits, 'zimatarey' or priests for spirit possession, and 'sohancitarey' or sorcerers.

Culture And Dance Of The Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire was a cultural hub in the West African region. Songhai culture was home to education, research, and fine arts.

Storytelling was an important component in the spread of Songhai culture. A West African storyteller was called 'Girot,' who would verbally pass down the history of the Empire from generation to generation.

Songhai architecture is a good reminder of the traditional building fashion of the West African Sahel. One great example is that of the Tomb of Askia, which is connected with a number of mosques.

It is shaped in the form of a pyramid but with more rounded sides. The tomb used mud bricks and wood timbers that stuck out of its mud walls.

The reign of the Askia dynasty witnessed an influx of literature, research, and study. Muslim educators and scholars were brought to the Empire, and Timbuktu became the hub of education. Subjects like astronomy, mathematics, law, theology, and medicine were popular subjects in Timbuktu universities.

Dance, music, and art are inherent to African culture, and the Songhai Empire was no exception. Pottery making, weaving, jewelry, and sculpting with clay, terracotta, metal were highly appreciated.

FAQs

When did the Songhai Empire rule?

The Songhai Empire began its rule in 837 CE.

What type of government did the Songhai Empire have?

The Songhai Empire had a monarchial system of governance.

What are the important events that happened in Songhai?

The reign of Sunni Ali and the Askia dynasty are some of the notable happenings of Songhai. Moreover, the Moroccan invasion and the depletion of the Empire are key stances of the culture.

What was the Songhai Empire known for?

The Songhai Empire was known for its great trading network and its position as the last largest Empire of pre-colonial Africa.

How did the Songhai Empire fall?

The Songhai empire collapsed after successfully thriving for 800 years. The Empire was overcome by Moroccan invasion due to political chaos and internal strife amongst Songhai rulers

What made the Songhai Empire powerful?

The contributions of Sunni Ali were paramount in establishing the Empire's status. He established the Empire, conquered the most significant cities, battled with major threats, and generated much of the wealth for later successors to thrive on.

What are the three achievements of the Songhai Empire?

The top three achievements of the Songhai Empire are as follows:

Crafting Timbuktu into a rich city for trade and education.

Trading connections.

Well-equipped army.