SONGHAITimbuktu-a center for Trade

Introduction

Great trading kingdoms were developing in West Africa around the same time that city-states were developing in East and North Africa.

The power of the West African kingdoms was based on the trade of salt and gold.

People need salt to survive in the hot climate of West Africa and there were no local sources of salt in the region. North Africa had plenty of salt and no gold. A brisk trade between North and West Africa quickly grew.

The Beginning

Circa 700 the Kingdom of Songhai stretched from the Senegal River to the Niger River.

After Mansa Musa died, the Kingdom of Mali declined and Songhai became more powerful.

It ruled neighboring states and became a larger kingdom than Mali.

Trade

Rulers controlled important trade routes and wealthy cities.

Songhai controlled trade across the Sahara.

Being located along 2 rivers served as a means of transportation to allow trade to thrive.

The city of Gao became the most important trade and commercial center in Songhai.

Kings

Sunni Ali was the first king of Songhai. He married the Queen Mother of Jenne and Jenne became an important city in the Songhai empire. This established Songhai as a leading power.

In 1464 he began the conquest of his neighbors. He conquered lands along the Niger River.

Askia Muhammed ruled from 1493 to 1528. He was a skilled military leader and he made the army of Songhai modern. It was the first time in West Africa that there was a full time army.

Symbols of Power

A wooden stool supported with an ancestral figure was a symbol of royal power.

Large tombs were built to honor the kings who had died.

Kings surrounded themselves with learned men, doctors, lawyers and students.

The kings reestablished the religion of Islam in Songhai.

Growth and Development

Timbuktu again became a center of Muslim culture, as it had been in the Kingdom of Mali. It became the center of Islamic learning.

The University of Sankore was located in Timbuktu and became known for its scholarship and commerce.

Greek and Latin manuscripts were used regularly.

Gold was used to build new mosques.

Decline

The Moroccan Army defeated Songhai c. 1591. Even though Songhai had a full time army, Morocco crushed them because they had an arquebuses, a type of gun.

Were they successful?

For awhile They were wealthy

from the salt trade Had a system of laws

based on… The Qu’ran

TIMBUKTU became an important center of learning!

Yes, Timbuktu is a real place!