Songhai Empire
Songhai Empire Songhai | |||||
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The Songhai Empire, (ca. 1500) | |||||
Capital | Gao[1] | ||||
Languages | Songhai | ||||
Religion | Islam | ||||
Government | Monarchy | ||||
Sonni; Askia | |||||
- | 1468–1492 | Sonni Ali (first) | |||
- | 1588–1592 | Askia Ishaq II (last) | |||
History | |||||
- | Songhai state emerges at Gao | c.1000 | |||
- | freedom from Mali Empire | 14th century | |||
- | Sonni Dynasty begins | 1468 | |||
- | Askiya Dynastybegins | 1493 | |||
- | Songhai Empire destroyed | 1591 | |||
- | Dendi Kingdom | 1592 | |||
Area | |||||
- | 1500[2] | 1,400,000 km²(540,543 sq mi) | |||
- | 1550[3] | 800,000 km²(308,882 sq mi) | |||
Currency | Cowry (gold, salt and copper were also traded) |
The Songhai Empire, also known as the Songhay Empire, was a state located in western Africa. From the
early 15th to the late 16th century, Songhai was one of the largestIslamic empires in history.[4] This empire
bore the same name as its leading ethnic group, the Songhai. Its capital was the city of Gao, where a Songha
i state had existed since the 11th century. Its base of power was on the bend of the Niger River in present day
Niger and Burkina Faso.
The Songhai state has existed in one form or another for over a thousand years, if one traces its rulers from the
first settlement in Gao to its semi-vassal status under the Mali Empirethrough its continuation in Niger as the
The Songhai are thought to have settled at Gao as early as 800 CE, but did not establish it as the capital until
the 11th century, during the reign of Dia Kossoi. However, the Dia dynasty soon gave way to the Sonni, preceding
the ascension of Sulaiman-Mar, who gained independence and hegemony over the city and was a forbear of
Sonni Ali. Mar is often credited with wresting power away from the Mali Empire and gaining independence
for the small Songhai kingdom at the time.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Imperial Songhai
In 1340, the Songhai took advantage of the Mali Empire's decline and successfully asserted its independence
.[5] Disputes over succession weakened the Mali Empire, and many of its peripheral subjects broke away. The
Songhai made Gao their capital and began an imperial expansion of their own throughout the western Sahel. And
by 1420, Songhai was strong enough to exact tribute from Masina. In all, the Sonni Dynasty would count 18 kings.
[edit]Sonni Ali
The first emperor of Songhai was Sonni Ali, reigning from about 1464 to 1493. Like the Mali kings before him,
Ali was a Muslim. In the late 1460s, he conquered many of the Songhai's neighboring states, including what
remained of the Mali Empire. Sunni Ali quickly established himself as the empire's most formidable military
strategist and conqueror.[citation needed]His empire was the largest empire that Africa has ever seen.[citation needed]
During his campaigns for expansion, Ali conquered many lands, repelling attacks from the Mossi to the south
and overcoming the Dogon people to the north. He annexed Timbuktu in 1468, after Islamic leaders of the town
requested his assistance in overthrowing marauding Tuaregs who had taken the city following the decline of Mali
.[6] However, Ali met stark resistance after setting his eyes on the wealthy and renowned trading town of Djenné
(also known as Jenne). After a persistent seven-year siege, he was able to forcefully incorporate it into his vast
empire
in 1473, but only after having starved its citizens into surrender.
The invasion of Sonni Ali and his forces caused harm to the city of Timbuktu, and he was described as an
intolerant tyrant in many African accounts. According to the Cambridge History of Africa the Islamic historian
Al-Sa'df expresses this sentiment in describing his incursion on Timbuktu:
Sunni Ali entered Banana, committed gross iniquity, burned and destroyed the town, and brutally tortured
many people there. When Akilu heard of the coming of Sonni Ali, he brought a thousand camels to carry the
fuqaha ofSankore and went with them to Walata..... The Godless tyrant was engaged in slaughtering those
Sonni Ali conducted a repressive policy against the scholars of Timbuktu, especially those of the Sankore region
who were associated with the Tuareg. With his control of critical trade routes and cities such as Timbuktu, Sonn
i Ali brought great wealth to the Songhai Empire, which at its height would surpass the wealth of Mali.[citation needed]
In oral tradition, Sonni Ali is often known as a powerful politician and great military commander.[citation needed]
Whatever the case may have been, his legend consists of him being a fearless conqueror who united a great
empire, sparking a legacy that is still intact today.[citation needed] Under his reign, Djenné and Timbuktu were
on their way to becoming great centers of learning.[citation needed]
[edit]Askia Muhammad the Great
After taking the throne Muhammad is known as Askia the Great, even though he had no real right to be the king.
Not only was he not in the royal family blood line, he did not hold the sacred symbols which entitled one to
become a ruler. Furthermore, he was most likely a descendant of Soninke lineage rather than Songhay, which
means that by Songhay standards his family background would have not allowed him to be King. But Askia
managed to bypass that law and take the throne.
He organized the territories that Sonni Ali had previously conquered and extended his power as far to the south
and east. He was not as tactful as Ali in the means of the military, but he did find success in alliances, because
of these alliances he was able to capture and conquer more vastly. Unlike Ali however, he was a devout Muslim
. Askia opened religious schools, constructed mosques, and opened up his court to scholars and poets from
throughout the Muslim world. He sent his children to an Islamic School and enforced Islamic practices. Yet he
was tolerant of other religions and did not force Islam on his people.
Like Mansa Musa, Askia also completed one of the five Pillars of Islam by taking a hajj to Mecca, and, also like
the former, went with an overwhelming amount of gold. He donated some to charity and used the rest for lavish
gifts to impress the people of Mecca with the wealth of the Songhay. Islam was so important to him that upon
his return he recruited Muslim scholars from Egypt and Morocco to teach at the Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu
as well as setting up many other learning centers throughout his empire. Among his great accomplishments was
an interest in astronomical knowledge which led to a flourishing of astronomers and observatories in the capital.[8]
While not as renowned as his predecessor for his military tactics, he initiated many campaigns, notably declaring
Jihad against the neighboring Mossi. Even after subduing them he did not force them to convert to Islam. His
army consisted of war canoes, expert cavalry, protective armor, iron tipped weapons, and an organized militia.
Not only was he a patron of Islam, he also was gifted in administration and encouraging trade. He centralized the
administration of the empire and established an efficient bureaucracy which was responsible for among other
things tax collection and the administration of justice. He also demanded for canals to be built in order to enhance
agriculture, which would eventually increase trade. More importantly than anything he did for trade was the
introduction of weights and measures and appointing an inspector for each of its important trading centers.
During his reign Islam became more widely entrenched, trans-Saharan trade flourished, and the Saharan salt
mines of Taghaza were brought within the boundaries of the empire. Unfortunately as Askia the Great grew older
his power declined. In 1528 his sons revolted against him and declared Musa, one of Askia's many sons, as king.
Following Musa's overthrow in 1531, Songhay's empire went into decline. Following multiple attempts at governing
the Empire by Askia's sons and grandsons there was little hope for a return to the power it once held. Between
the political chaos and multiple civil wars within the empire it came as a surprise when Morocco invaded Songhay
unexpectedly. The main reason for the Moroccan invasion of Songhay was to seize control of and revive the
trans-Saharan trade in gold. The Songhay military, during Askia's reign consisted of full-time soldiers, but the
king never modernized his army. The Empire fell to the Moroccans and their firearms in 1591.
[edit]Culture
At its peak, the Songhai city of Timbuktu became a thriving cultural and commercial center. Arab, Italian, and
Jewish merchants all gathered for trade. A revival of Islamic scholarship also took place at the university
inTimbuktu[citation needed]. However, Timbuktu was but one of a myriad of the cities throughout the empire.
By 1500, the Songhai Empire covered over 1.4 million square kilometers.[2][9]
[edit]Economy
Economic trade existed throughout the Empire, due to the standing army stationed in the provinces. Central to
the regional economy were independent gold fields. The Julla (merchants) would form partnerships, and the state
would protect these merchants and the port cities of the Niger. It was a very strong trading kingdom, known for
its production of practical crafts as well as religious artifacts.
The Songhai economy was based on a clan system. The clan a person belonged to ultimately decided their
occupation. The most common were metalworkers, fishermen, and carpenters. Lower caste participants
consisted of mostly non-farm working immigrants, who at times were provided special privileges and held high
positions in society. At the top were noblemen and direct descendants of the original Songhai people, followed
by freemen and traders. At the bottom were war captives and European slaves obligated to labor, especially in
farming. James Olson describes the labor system as resembling modern day unions, with the Empire
possessing craft guilds that consisted of various mechanics and artisans.[10]
[edit]Criminal justice
Criminal justice in Songhai was based mainly, if not entirely, on Islamic principles, especially during the rule of
Askia Muhammad. In addition to this was the local qadis, whose responsibility was to maintain order by following
Sharia law under Islamic domination, according to the Qur'an. An additional qadi was noted as a necessity in
order to settle minor disputes between immigrant merchants. Kings usually did not judge a defendant; however,
under special circumstances, such as acts of treason, they felt an obligation to do so and thus exert their
authority. Results of a trial were announced by the "town crier" and punishment for most trivial crimes usually
consisted of confiscation of merchandise or even imprisonment, since various prisons existed throughout the
Empire.[11]
Qadis worked at the local level and were positioned in important trading towns, such as Timbuktu and Djenné.
The Qadi was appointed by the king and dealt with common-law misdemeanors according to Sharia law. The
Qadi also had the power to grant a pardon or offer refuge. The Assara-munidios, or "enforcers" worked along the
lines of a police commissioner whose sole duty was to execute sentencing. Jurists were mainly composed of
those representing the academic community; professors were often noted as taking administrative positions
within the Empire and many aspired to be qadis.[12]
[edit]Government
Upper classes in society converted to Islam while lower classes often continued to follow traditional religions.
Sermons emphasized obedience to the king. Timbuktu was the educational capital. Sunni Ali established a
system of government under the royal court, later to be expanded by Askia Muhammad, which appointed
governors and mayors to preside over local tributary states, situated around the Niger valley. Local chiefs were
still granted authority over their respective domains as long as they did not undermine Songhai policy.[13]
Tax was imposed onto peripheral chiefdoms and provinces to ensure the dominance of Songhai, and in return
these provinces were given almost complete autonomy. Songhai rulers only intervened in the affairs of these
neighboring states when a situation became volatile; usually an isolated incident. Each town was represented
by government officials, holding positions and responsibilities similar to today's central bureaucrats.
Under Askia Muhammad, the Empire saw increased centralization. He encouraged learning in Timbuktu by
rewarding its professors with larger pensions as an incentive. He also established an order of precedence and
protocol and was noted as a noble man who gave back generously to the poor. Under his policies, Muhammad
brought much stability to Songhai and great attestations of this noted organization is still preserved in the works
of Maghrebin writers such asLeo Africanus, among others.
[edit]Decline
Following the death of Emperor Askia Daoud, a civil war of succession weakened the Empire, leading Sultan
Ahmad I al-Mansur of the Saadi Dynasty of Morocco to dispatch an invasion force (years earlier, armies from
Portugal had attacked Morocco, and failed miserably, but the Moroccan coffers were on the verge of economic
depletion and bankruptcy, as they needed to pay for the defenses used to hold off the siege) under the eunuch
Judar Pasha. Judar Pasha was a Spaniard by birth, but had been captured as an infant and educated at the
Saadi court. After a march across the Sahara desert, Judar's forces captured, plundered, and razed the salt
mines at Taghaza and moved on to Gao. When Emperor Askia Ishaq II (r. 1588-1591) met Judar at the
1591Battle of Tondibi, Songhai forces, despite vastly superior numbers, were routed by a cattle stampede
triggered by the Saadi's gunpowder weapons.[14] Judar proceeded to sack Gao, Timbuktuand Djenné,
destroying the Songhai as a regional power. Governing so vast an empire proved too much for the Saadi
Dynasty however, and they soon relinquished control of the region, letting it splinter into dozens of smaller
kingdoms. The Songhai people themselves established the Dendi Kingdom.[15]
[edit]See also
- Za Dynasty
- Sonni Dynasty
- Askiya Dynasty
- Saadi Dynasty
- Mali Empire
- Dendi Kingdom
- Songhai languages
- List of Sunni Muslim dynasties
[edit]References
- ^ Bethwell A. Ogot, Africa from the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century, (UNESCO Publishing, 2000), 303.
- ^ a b hunwick 2003, pp. xlix.
- ^ Taagepera 1979, pp. 497.
- ^ http://www.africankingdoms.com African Kingdoms
- ^ Haskins, Benson & Cooper 1998, pp. 46.
- ^ Sonni ʿAlī.(2007). Encyclopædia Britannica. Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ The Cambridge History of Africa, Vol 5: University Press, 1977, pp 421
- ^ Medieval Islamic Civilization: L-Z, index. By Josef W. Meri, Jere L. Bacharach. pg. 764
- ^ Malio 1990.
- ^ Olson, James Stuart. The Ethnic Dimension in American History. New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc., 1979
- ^ Lady Lugard 1997, pp. 199-200.
- ^ Dalgleish 2005.
- ^ Iliffe 2007, pp. 72.
- ^ http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsAfrica/AfricaNiger.htm History Files
- ^ http://www.africanholocaust.net/africankingdoms.htm#songhay African Kingdoms Songhay
[edit]Sources
- Dalgleish, David (April 2005). "Pre-Colonial Criminal Justice In West Africa: Eurocentric Thought Versus Africentric
- Evidence.". African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies 1 (1). Retrieved 2011-06-26.
- Haskins, James; Benson, Kathleen; Cooper, Floyd (1998). African Beginnings. New York City: HarperCollins. pp. 48
- Pages. ISBN 0-688-10256-5.
- Iliffe, John (2007). Africans: the history of a continent. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-68297-5.
- Hunwick, John (1988). Timbuktu & the Songhay Empire: Al-Sa'dis Ta`rikh al-sudan down to 1613 and other
- Contemporary Documents. Leiden: BRILL. pp. 480 pages. ISBN 90-04-12822-0.
- Lady Lugard, Flora Louisa Shaw (1997). "Songhay Under Askia the Great". A tropical dependency: an outline of the
- ancient history of the western Sudan with an account of the modern settlement of northern Nigeria / [Flora S. Lugard].
- Black Classic Press. ISBN 0-933121-92-X.
- Malio, Thomas A. Hale. Followed by The epic of Askia Mohammed / recounted by Nouhou (1990). Scribe, griot, and
- novelist : narrative interpreters of the Songhay Empire. Gainesville: University of Florida Press. ISBN 0-8130-0981-2.
- Taagepera, Rein (1979). Social Science History, Vol. 3, No. 3/4 "Size and Duration of Empires: Growth-Decline
- Curves, 600 B.C. to 600 A.D.". Durham: Duke University Press.
[edit]Further reading
- Isichei, Elizabeth. A History of African Societies to 1870. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Print.
- Shillington, Kevin. History of Africa . 2nd . NY: Macmillan, 2005. Print.
- Cissoko, S. M., Timbouctou et l'empire songhay, Paris 1975.
- Lange, D., Ancient Kingdoms of West Africa, Dettelbach 2004 (the book has a chapter titled "The Mande
- factor in Gao history", pp. 409–544).
[edit]External links
- African Kingdoms
- Rise and Fall of the Songhai Empire
- The Story of Africa: Songhay — BBC World Service
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