The Songhai Empire, c.1464–c.1591 WJEC GCSE

Background: the establishment of the kingdom of Songhai in the Middle Ages

Learners should be aware of:

• the geographical, trading and religious context of West Africa
• the decline of the Mali Empire and the origins of the Songhai Empire

3.3.1 The early Songhai Empire under the Sonni Dynasty

• Sonni Ali and his leadership of the Songhai Empire, including:
  • his ancestry and accession to power
  • his religious beliefs and relationships with the Islamic scholars
• the importance of Sonni Ali’s military campaigns, including:
  • strategies and tactics
  • the seizure of Timbuktu in 1468 and Djenné in 1472, and their importance
• the nature and impact of Sonni’s rule, including:
  • his adaptable leadership style and the importance of inclusivity to the stability of the Songhai Empire
  • his death in 1492, and the end of the Sonni Dynasty under Sonni Baru at the Battle of Anfao, 1493.

3.3.2 The Askia dynasty, 1493–1528

• the emergence of Askia Muhammad including:
  • his early life and extensive education
  • his rise to power through the ranks
• Muhammad’s rule, including:
  • the overthrow of Sonni Baru
  • his promotion of Islamic education and Sharia law
• administrative reforms under Askia Muhammad, including:
  • political and administrative change; including centralised administration, the role of key officials and the promotion of a meritocracy
  • developments in military organisation.

3.3.3 The Golden Age of Songhai in the sixteenth century

• the economic prosperity of the empire, including:
  • the economic and cultural significance of the trans-Saharan trade routes, including the slave trade
  • the importance of market centres including Gao, Timbuktu and the currency system
• cultural and intellectual developments, including:
  • the advancements in poetry, literature and science, including the importance of manuscripts
  • Timbuktu and Djenné as centres of learning, including the development of libraries
• military advancements under the Askia dynasty, including:
  • the importance of the commitment to Islam in unifying the army
  • the organisation into divisions, specialisation and the professionalism of the Songhai army.

3.3.4 Life in the Songhai Empire in the sixteenth century

• the social organisation of the Songhai Empire, including:
  • the organisation of people according to social class
  • the role of women including artisan work and craftwork
• the culture of the Songhai people, including:
  • the importance of traditional dance, clothing, body art, music and storytelling
  • special events such as the Gani Festival and Askia Festival
• the significance of slavery, including:
  • the reasons for slavery within the empire including capture through warfare or debt
  • the uses of slavery in terms of labour and social status for the upper classes.

3.3.5 The decline and fall of the Songhai Empire

• the impact of leadership problems, including:
  • the succession problems faced after the death of Askia Daoud
  • the importance of regional rivalries including governors and military commanders
• the economic and environmental factors affecting the success of the empire, including:
  • the decline of trade routes
  • the impact of drought and famine
• the threat from Morocco and the collapse of the Songhai Empire, including:
  • Moroccan advantages and the Battle of Tondibi, 1591
  • the impact of the destruction of Timbuktu and the division of Songhai territory and the formation of smaller kingdoms.