Table of Contents
How many provinces was Songhai divided into?
five provinces
The Songhai Empire was divided into five provinces each led by a governor. Under Askia Muhammad, all the governors, judges, and town chiefs were Muslims. The emperor had total power, but he also had ministers who ran different aspects of the empire for him. They also counseled the emperor on important issues.
How were provincial governments organized in Songhai?
Songhai society was organized according to a caste system. At the pinnacle of the system were the emperor and his family. Imperial authority was disseminated through political, social, and religious leaders.
What countries did the Songhai Empire cover?
The Songhai Empire replaced Mali as the most important empire in West Africa (covering modern states of Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea, Gambia, Algeria (south), Burkina-Faso, Ivory Coast)).
What part of West Africa did Songhai begin?
Songhai empire, also spelled Songhay, great trading state of West Africa (flourished 15th–16th century), centred on the middle reaches of the Niger River in what is now central Mali and eventually extending west to the Atlantic coast and east into Niger and Nigeria.
What was the Empire of Songhai originally part of?
Towards the end of the 13th century, it became part of the Mali Empire, but in the first half of the 15th century the town regained its independence and with the conquests of Sonni Ali (ruled 1464–1492) it became the capital of the Songhai Empire.
What was the empire of Songhai originally part of?
Where was the empire of Songhai located?
West Africa
The Songhai Empire was the largest and last of the three major pre-colonial empires to emerge in West Africa. From its capital at Gao on the Niger River, Songhai expanded in all directions until it stretched from the Atlantic Ocean (modern Senegal and Gambia) to what is now Northwest Nigeria and central Niger.
What kind of government did the Songhai Empire have?
The Songhai Empire lacked on modern weapons. The Songhai was a succession of dynasties that spread through portions of the present day. The central government observed a patrimonial dynastic system (that is, through the male line of succession), in which the ruler served as head of state, head of government, and commander of the armed forces.
Where was the Songhai Empire at its peak?
At its peak under his reign, the Songhai Empire encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in present-day Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Songhai empire in the west.
When did Songhai become the capital of Mali?
Towards the end of the 13th century, it became part of the Mali Empire, but in the first half of the 15th century the town regained its independence and with the conquests of Sonni Ali (ruled 1464–1492) it became the capital of the Songhai Empire.
How did Songhai influence the history of West Africa?
Travel and trade in Songhai Trade significantly influenced the course of history in West Africa. The wealth made through trade was used to build larger kingdoms and empires. To protect their trade interests, these kingdoms built strong armies.