SONGHAI

Location

• Songhai was located in Western Africa
• Also on the bend of the Niger River

HISTORY #1

• From the mid 1500 to late 1600 centuries The Songhai empire was one of the largest islamic empires
• The Songhai empire was also known as the Songhay Empire
• Founded in 1375
• Gold trade flourished in the 1400s
• Large settlement of scholars and traders in Timbuktu

Government

• Upperclass in society converted to islam while lower class often continued to follow tradition religion

Facts

• The Songhai Empire was led by the ethnic group that was know as the Songhai people
• The power of the empire was based on the Niger River

History #2

• in 1591 an moroccan army equipped with firearms defeated Songhai troops, spelling the end of the empire
• The Songhai people themselves established the Dendi Kingdom.

Askia Mohammed

• Was also known as Askia the Great
• He encouraged Literacy and education