Songhai Empire
Definition
The Songhai Empire was a state that dominated the western Sahel in the 15th and 16th century. At its peak, it was one of the largest states in African history.
Analogy
Consider the Songhai Empire as Amazon.com of West Africa during its time. Just like Amazon dominates global e-commerce today, Songhai dominated trade across West Africa at its height.
Related terms
Askia Muhammad: He was an emperor of the Songhai Empire who expanded its territory and organized its government.
Trans-Saharan Trade: This refers to the trade across the Sahara Desert between Mediterranean countries and sub-Saharan Africa.
Gao: The capital city of the Songhai Empire, which served as a major hub for trans-Saharan trade.
"Songhai Empire" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (1)
- The Songhai Empire in West Africa was defeated by which state?
Resources
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