From ABC-CLIO's World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras Website

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From ABC-CLIO's World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras website https://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/ SONGHAI EMPIRE The Songhai Empire was the last and greatest of the three West African merchant empires that existed between 1000 and 1600. Songhai was carved out of the previous West African empires of Ghana and Mali, which ruled during 800 to 1230 and 1230 to 1464, respectively.

Centered on the trading city of Gao, the Songhai Empire reached beyond its predecessors' boundaries and—before its own demise—established a strong trading relationship with the Arab and European world.

Birth of the Songhai Empire

In 1464, Emperor Sunni Ali founded the Songhai Empire by conquering the Malian cities of Timbuktu and Jenne and the area of the Niger River bend. In 1492, Ali died, and Songhai power fell to his son, Sunni Barou.

However, Sunni Barou's reign was short-lived. Siding with the non-Muslim population, he quickly alienated the merchants and aristocracy of Songhai. Fourteen months later, a rebellious leader, Muhammad Ture (later called Askia), overthrew Sunni Barou and took over the throne.

Under Muhammad Ture, Songhai expanded rapidly into the Sahara, Mali, and the West African coastal area of Senegambia. To consolidate his new holdings, Muhammad instituted a centralized government, replaced local chiefs with family members, established a taxation system, and required conquered peoples to pay tribute to his court.

As a Muslim ruler, Muhammad Ture shrewdly expanded his power and in䎣uence into the Arab world. In 1497, Muhammad duplicated the legendary 1332 pilgrimage to Mecca by Malian ruler Mansa Musa and established diplomatic relations with Morocco and Egypt.

Additionally, the emperor brought back Muslim scholars to improve the university in Timbuktu and remodeled Songhai's laws and customs to adhere to stricter Muslim guidelines. By the end of Muhammad Ture's rule in 1528, Timbuktu had become a center of learning and subsequently attracted African, Arab, and European scholars.

A Long Line of Rulers

After Muhammad Ture, a long succession of rulers held power over the Songhai Empire. Askia Musa, Muhammad's son, overthrew him in 1528. However, because of his harsh rule, Askia Musa was killed in 1531. Muhammad Ture died in 1538. Three rulers—Bengan Korei, Askia Ismail, and Askia Issihak I—had short reigns before Askia Dawud took over in 1549. Ruling from 1549 to 1582, Dawud enjoyed a relatively peaceful and prosperous reign.

After the rule of Dawud, the Songhai Empire fell on hard times under the rule of several weak rulers—Askia Muhammad III, Muhammad Bani, and Issihak II. Inevitably, the empire fell into civil war and chaos. Additionally, Songhai's rule waned because of European traders from Portugal who diverted gold resources from the more traditional trading relationship with the Arab empires.

Viewing Songhai's decline as an advantageous opportunity, Moroccan forces decided to attack the vulnerable empire. In 1591, a Moroccan army with Spanish and Muslim mercenaries invaded Songhai.

Armed with Spanish cannons and muskets, the Moroccan forces soundly defeated the Songhai army and conquered the cities of Timbuktu and Gao. As a result, Songhai fractured and fell to the Moroccans and the predatory forces of the increasing Atlantic slave trade.

Oscar Williams