>>>On your map please locate and label your map to show where the Songhai Empire was found.
Introduction
In 1464, Sultan Sunni Ali, ruler of the Songhai people, captured Timbuktu and brought the upper Niger river under his control. The Songhai grew rich from trade across the Sahara,particularly trading gold,salt, nuts and slaves and soon was the largest of Africa's trading centers. The Songhai expanded trade to Europe and Asia, and established an elaborate system of taxation and communication to govern its large kingdom.
Achievements and Advanced
The Songhai Empire was the largest African empire ever. They had many, many cultures under their rule; thousands to be more precise. The Empire was the largest under the Emperor Askia Muhammad. At their largest time the Songhai Empire had an army of 35,000 soldiers.The urban areas were mostly Islamic, however, the rural areas were a mixture of religions. 97% kept their traditional religions. There were Qadis in control of the justice systems. The Qadis were Muslim judges. The Songhai had a standard for currency, measurements, and weights.
Culture
Songhai languages are said to be the first languages to be developed in the region of the Nilo-Saharan. Songhai languages are spoken by 3 million people still today, for the most part, along the Niger River, in the Republics of Mali, Niger, and Benin. Since the region was once under the control of France, there are Songhai French-speakers. Songhai is well known for weaving blankets and mats called “terabeba” these elaborated blankets feature geometric designs.
Leaders (Accomplishments)
Under the leader Askia Muhammad, who ruled for 37 years the Songhai Empire grew. He made Gao the capitol and appointed directors of finance, justice, agriculture, water, and forests. He divided the empire into provinces and appointed a governor to each. He created a permanent paid army and set up a tax system. He made Islam the official religion of the empire. He also created regulations about Islam, so it would be practiced correctly. This had the side effect of making Islam less popular. His reign ended badly; even before he died his sons were fighting over control of the empire.
Economics
Songhai Empire was considered the leader in the Trans-Saharan trade system and had domination in the commodities salt and gold. Salt was a precious commodity, sometimes as valuable as gold. Songhai had dominance in the slave commerce. The main trading points are located in ports along the Niger River. These ports had the protection of the State. The currency was standardized within the Empire’s land, so Songhai economy could be homogenized. Taxes were paid by each province of the Empire and taxes were also charged over the trade going through the Kingdom of Songhai.
Demise
Despite its riches and power, the kingdom of Songhai lasted only about 100 years. In 1591, the ruler of Morocco, hearing of Songhai's wealth, invaded West Africa. Although the Songhai army was larger, the Moroccans used gunpowder and muskets to defeat the Songhai, who fought with arrows and spears. The fall of the Songhai marked the end of the great West African Kingdoms before the arrival of Europeans.
Impact on Today
Documents
Document 1
The Town and Kingdom of Gao
"Here are very rich merchants and to here journey continually large numbers of Negroes who purchase here cloth from Barbary [North Africa] and Europe. The town abounds in grain and meat but lacks wine, trees and fruits. However, there are plenty of melons, lemons and rice. Here there are many wells, which also contain very sweet and wholesome water. Here also is a certain place where slaves are sold, especially upon those days when merchants assemble. A young slave of fifteen years of age is sold for six ducats [gold coin, slightly smaller than a mithqal] and children are also sold.
The king [Askiya Muhammad] of this region has a certain private palace in which he keeps a large number of concubines and slaves, who are watched by eunuchs. To guard his person he maintains a sufficient troop of horsemen and foot soldiers. Between the first gate of the palace and the inner part, there is a walled enclosure wherein the king personally decides all of his subjects' controversies. Although the king is most diligent in this regard and conducts all business in these matters, he has in his company counsellors and such other officers as his secretaries, treasurers, stewards and auditors."
Description of Africa, Leo Africanus (1550)
The Town and Kingdom of Gao
"Here are very rich merchants and to here journey continually large numbers of Negroes who purchase here cloth from Barbary [North Africa] and Europe. The town abounds in grain and meat but lacks wine, trees and fruits. However, there are plenty of melons, lemons and rice. Here there are many wells, which also contain very sweet and wholesome water. Here also is a certain place where slaves are sold, especially upon those days when merchants assemble. A young slave of fifteen years of age is sold for six ducats [gold coin, slightly smaller than a mithqal] and children are also sold.
The king [Askiya Muhammad] of this region has a certain private palace in which he keeps a large number of concubines and slaves, who are watched by eunuchs. To guard his person he maintains a sufficient troop of horsemen and foot soldiers. Between the first gate of the palace and the inner part, there is a walled enclosure wherein the king personally decides all of his subjects' controversies. Although the king is most diligent in this regard and conducts all business in these matters, he has in his company counsellors and such other officers as his secretaries, treasurers, stewards and auditors."
Description of Africa, Leo Africanus (1550)
Document 2
Document 3