Sonni Ali, 1464-1492

1st King of Songhai Empire. Captured Timbuktu (1468) and Djenné (1475), and many others. Ruled over both urban Muslims and rural non-Muslims. Created a repressive policy against scholars of Timbuktu. Also a muslim

Songhai Empire (c. 1340-1591)

Thought to have settled at Gao, possibly in 800 CE. Took advantage of Mali Empire's decline. Strong Economic Trade existed throughout the empire. Known for its production of practical crafts and religious artifacts.

Clan System

The clan a person belonged to ultimately decided one's occupation. Common occupations were metalworkers, fishermen, and carpenters. The lower levels of the system consisted of mostly non-farm working immigrants, although they were occasionally allowed special privileges and could hold high positions in society. At the top were noblemen and direct descendants of the original Songhai people, following were freemen and traders. At the bottom were war captives and slaves.

Askia Daoud (1549-1582)

Succeeding his brother, with his rule the empire continued to expand and saw little internal tension. He organised a series of military campaigns against tributary territories of his empire. after his accession in 1578, Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur demanded the tax revenues from the salt mines. Ashiya Dawud responded by sending a large quantity of gold as a gift. His death began a struggle for succession that critically weakened the Empire, making way for the Moroccan invasion in 1591.

Askia Ishaq (1539-1549)

Ishaq was ruthless as a ruler and executed any official whom he considered as a threat. After a request from the Moroccan Sultan Muhammad Al-Arak to cede the salt mines of Taghaza, Ishaq I sent a group of 2000 mounted men to raid a market town in the Dara valley, intended as a show of strength.

Timbuktu

Timbuktu, during the Songhai Empire, became a thriving cultural and commercial center. Arab, Italian, and Jewish merchants all traded here. A revival of Islamic scholarship also took place.

Askia Muhammad the Great (1443 – 1538)

Technically, he had no right being king, as he was not of royal descent. Under his rule, he made his country the largest in West Africa's history, and resulted in rapid expansion of trade in Europe and Asia, the creation of many schools, and intertwined Islam into the Empire. Askia encouraged learning and literacy, ensuring that Mali's universities produced distinguished scholars, and allied himself with the scholars of Timbuktu.

Sonni Dynasty

A dynasty of Songhai rulers in West Medieval Africa, ruled by Sunni Ali Kulun. Last ruler was Sunni Baru until 1493. Askyia Muhammad I took over and established the Askyia Dynasty

Askiya Dynasty

Ruled the Songhai Empire at the peak of the state's power. It was founded in 1493 by Askia the Great. The Askiya dynasty ruled over Gao and the rest of the Empire until its defeat by a Moroccan invasion force in 1591. After the defeat, the dynasty moved south back to its homeland in the Dendi region.

Gao

 By the 15th century, with the conquests of Sonni Ali, the town became the capitol of the Songhai Empire. Collapsed in 1591 after the Moroccan invasion, who then chose to make Timbuktu their capitol. In 1845, the town became little more than a small, declining village.

Djenné

Closely linked with Timbuktu. Much of the trans-Saharan trade in salt, gold and slaves passed through Timbuktu into Djenné. Both were centers for Islamic scholarship. When the Portuguese established trading posts on the African coast, the importance of the trans-Saharan trade subsided, leading to Djenné's decline.

Morocco

 The death of Askia Daoud left Songhai in a weakend state. Ahmad al-Mansur of the Moroccan Empire took advantage of this and conquered Songhai

Portugal

The Portuguese established trading-posts along the Atlantic coast of West Africa in an attempt to tap into the overland trade in gold. This led to the decline of Djenné

Saadi Dynasty

 An Arab dynasty that ruled Morocco. Conquered the Songhai Empire in 1591

Dealing with criminals - Sharia

The moral code of Islam. It is considered the infallible law of God. An additional qadi was added, which had the power to grant a pardon or offer refuge. 

Government

Upper classes in society converted to Islam while lower classes often continued to follow traditional religions. Under Askia Muhammad, the Empire saw increased centralization. Learning was encouraged, and many schools were established.

Mali Empire

Mahmud IV, the last ruler of Mali, had three sons, but none ever took the throne.Under the command of Askia the Great, Songhai was able to conquer Mali in its weakened state.

Decline - Battle of Tondibi

The death of Askia Daoud left the Empire in a weak state, while the Saadi Dynasty was at it's peak. In search of new resources, it then turned its attention to Songhai, believed to be a gold mine. The Songhai calvary, although strong, lacked the weapons Morocco possesed (guns). Finding less resources in Gao, Morocco moved on to Timbuktu and Djenné. However, Morocco proved unable to hold control over the area.

Decline (Afterward)- Dendi Kingdom

After being defeated at the Battle of Tondibi by the Saadi forces (gained the upper hand with their weaponry), the city of Askia fled to Gao. Timbuktu and Djenné were later taken over by the Portuguese and Spanish.

Dendi Kingdom

Established from the people of the fallen Songhai Empire. The Askia Dynasty reorganized itself under a new king called Nuhu. Its new capitol became Lulami. However, it was not a stable nation, lasting only two and a half centuries.