The Songhai Empire rose to power in West Africa during the 15th century, expanding through military conquests and trade. Under rulers like Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad, Songhai grew into a vast empire with a centralized government and thriving economy.

Songhai's success was built on agriculture, trans-Saharan trade, and control of key cities like Timbuktu. However, overextension, internal conflicts, and external threats like the 1591 Moroccan invasion led to the empire's decline and eventual fall.

The Songhai Empire

Rise and expansion of Songhai

• Sunni Ali (1464-1492) conquered the Songhai city-state of Gao in 1468 and began expanding the empire through military conquests
  • Captured important trading cities (Timbuktu, Djenné) which brought wealth and prestige to the empire
  • Established centralized government with a professional army to maintain control over conquered territories
• Askia Muhammad (1493-1528) took power after Sunni Ali's death and further expanded the empire
  • Conquered Hausa states and Tuareg tribes, increasing Songhai's territory and influence in the region
  • Implemented administrative reforms such as appointing governors to oversee provinces and establishing a system of taxation to generate revenue for the empire
  • Promoted Islam as the official religion by building mosques, madrasas (Islamic schools), and encouraging Islamic scholars to settle in the empire, which strengthened ties with the Muslim world

Economic foundations of Songhai

• Agriculture formed the backbone of Songhai's economy, with fertile lands along the Niger River supporting cultivation of crops (millet, sorghum, rice)
  • Fishing also an important economic activity, providing food and employment for many people
• Trans-Saharan trade routes made Songhai cities (Timbuktu, Gao) major trade centers connecting West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean
  • Goods traded included gold, salt, slaves, ivory, and kola nuts from West Africa in exchange for textiles, horses, and luxury goods from North Africa and Europe
• Trade within the empire facilitated by the Niger River serving as a major transportation route, with smaller trade routes connecting various regions
• Currency in the form of cowrie shells and gold dust used for transactions, with the mithqal (standardized gold coin) introduced by Askia Muhammad to streamline trade

Centralized government and trade

• Songhai established a centralized government to effectively manage its vast territory
• The empire controlled key trade routes, particularly those involved in the gold and salt trades
• Islam played a crucial role in facilitating trade and diplomacy with other Muslim states

Decline and fall of Songhai

• Overextension and internal weaknesses contributed to Songhai's decline, as the large size of the empire made it difficult to control and regional rivalries and ethnic tensions weakened unity
• Political instability and succession disputes following Askia Muhammad's death led to frequent coups and assassinations of rulers, undermining the empire's stability
• External threats and invasions, particularly the Moroccan invasion of 1591, dealt a severe blow to Songhai
  1. The Moroccan army, equipped with firearms, defeated the Songhai forces
  2. The Moroccans sacked Timbuktu and other major cities, disrupting trade and weakening the empire
  • The Bambara and Fulani rebellions took advantage of Songhai's weakened state, further eroding its power
• Economic decline resulted from disruption of trade routes due to political instability, the shift of European trade towards the Atlantic coast, and the depletion of gold reserves in West Africa, all of which undermined Songhai's prosperity