Songhai Flashcards
Where did Songhai establish itself near?
The Niger River
What are the main reasons for the rise of the Songhai Empire?
- Rise/leadership of Sonni Ali
- Decline of Mali
- Geography and cavalry
Evidence of the decline of Mali
After its peak in 1320s, a series of reverses afflicted Mali and Songhai began to show increasing signs of independence by 1400. Mali was a very large, complex and decentralised state, with 36 sultans/provincial rulers.
What did Al-Sa’di say about the size of Mali
its lands were so extensive that the ‘‘ruler of Mali brought Songhai, Timbuktu, Mema and Baghama and their territories under his sway to as far as the salt sea [Atlantic].’’
What was the problem with this vast expansion/political power?
This political power came at the cost of a violent expansionist military force which bred resentment. Military command spilt between commanders in south and north , who in turn had officers dispatched on raids to restore order.
What was the consequence of this ‘‘outsourcing’’ of military power?
'’Led to tyranny, high-handedness and the violation of people’s right in the latter days of their rule’’. Growth of resentment + challenges to Mansas’ rule, more complicated by inability to exert centralised authority over area size of Western Europe.
Evidence for decline of Mali (2)
General rebelliousness form growing raids from Tuareg nomads from desert regions, very damaging. Seized control of Timbuktu 1433-4
Faced attacks also form Mossi people and Songhai peoples
Give some of Sonni Ali’s achievements which contributed to the rise of the Empire
Came to the Songhai throne in 1464. Exchange of letters between later ruler and Al-Maghili describe how he ‘‘sought power’’ and ‘‘rose up against Songhai’‘on his father’s death fighting until he ‘‘gained dominion’’.
Wreaked violence across the Niger River.
Timbuktu Campaign - 1468 - 1st major campaign, sources suggest he violently ravaged the city and persecuted the Ulema.
- Jenne Campaign (1473), uses Sorko fishermen to create first WA Nazy of 400 wooden boats, 6 month siege and then married the Sultans widowed mother
What are some of the atrocities Sonni Ali is said to have committed in Timbuktu?
- Forced mothers to grind baby with pestle and mortor
- Cut feotuses from mothers wombs
- Executed noble daughters in Kabara
- Slaughtered Ulema
- Destroyed manuscripts
- Enslaved Muslims
- 5 waves of pogroms against Ulema
What was the major cause of discord between Sonni Ali and the Ulema?
He perceived them as allies of the previously ruling Tuareg and potentially disloyal to him
What did he seek to create to consolidate the surrounding area around Jenne after the siege?
Sought to create a cordon sanitaire (guarded border) for protection. Returned to punitive war strategies, especially against the Fulani tribes.
What did he do after warring the Fulani people?
Turned attention Southwards to Mossi people, who liked to raid Niger River cities a lot from their homeland along the Volta River. Let them fight the Walata (another kingdom bear Timbuktu) as this was beneficial to him and destructive to them. Mossi-Koi resumed raids on NR bend, SA gathers army and defeats him 1483. Mossi remain independent but powerless to threaten.
Evidence to show Sonni’s Ali’s domination over the Mali Empire
1492, Songhai had supplanted Mali, controlled a huge crescent of fertile land over 2000km
What was an important reform introduced by Sonni Ali?
He changed the way agricultural tribute was to be paid to the suzerain of the empire. Malian practice had been to charge each individual for the assigned plot of land. He changed this with a system that grouped people together as a village and the village was collectively responsible for a fixed amount of tribute.
Why did Songhai begin to rise in the 10th century?
Because of its role in Trans-Saharan trade. In Gao, traders exchanged Saharan salts for, gourds, wax, honey, iron goods and cloth.
Strength of Songhai military
Extensive use of armoured cavalry with lances/spears which could close great distances rapidly and strike down foot soldiers with lethal momentum
Strength of Songhai military (2)
Infantry equipped with bows and arrows, swords and other blades. Elite soldiers wore metal breastplates. Blacksmiths experts in their craft and produced best iron weapons which outmatched their enemies.
Advantages of Songhai geography
Regions around Goa one of most fertile in Sahel –> best for breeding horses for strong cavalry
When did Sonni Ali die?
1492
When did Mohammed Ture succeed the throne?
1493, 4 months ater SA’s death
Where was Mohammed Ture before he became Askia?
Tondi-farma of the ‘‘rock’’ province in Western Songhai, mountainous area.
What are the theories for Sonni Ali’s death?
- Drowning from a river flash-flood
- Poisoned by Mohammed Ture with the support of the Ulema
Mohammed Ture had military experience but what would have made it difficult for him to succeed?
- Did not have royal lineage
- Soninke not Songhai ethincity
- Majority of the army supported Sonni Baru
Name some of the ethnicities in the Songhai Empire
Mande, Mandika, Soninke, Tuareg, Dogon etc
What was a role of the Songhai military?
Critical in maintaining network of vassalage, tribute and subordiantion to imperial core. When militarys attention was diverted to civil conflict, other ethnic groups/kingdoms tended to break away
What important military reforms did Askia Muhammed implement?
Moved away from conscription model of SA where every nhabitant was a potential solider, to one with a professional standing army
Songhai military under Askias continuation
Continue to rely on backbone on lightly-amoured cavalry, naval force, ironn weapons despite international move towards gunpowder tech
What benefits did the Askias sponsorship of Timbuktu provide?
1) Additional source of legitimacy for rightful rule fo Askia dynasty internally (directed to Islamic trading elite) and externally to other Muslim leaders in the Mghreb and ME
2) Provided a legal framework (sharia), consistent set of legal principles
3) Put Songhai on the map as a centre of Islamic jursiprudence, recognition from Abbasids/Ottomans
4) Establishment of more complex theoretical structures to justify war against neighbouring kingdoms on the basis on ‘bilal al sa’ iba’- ungoverned land (eg. lesser jihad against the pagan Mossi)
What are the 2 pillars on Songhai economy?
(Trans-Saharan) Trade and Agriculture
What went south from the Maghreb, Mediterranean, Egypt etc to Songhai cities of Gao + Timbuktu?
Taghaza salt, Horses, Metalwork, Cloth, Books, Agadez Copper
What economic reforms were made by the Askias?
- Introduced standarised weights for merchants/traders across empire so exchange of commodiites would be more trustworthy
- Qadis appointed and located in all major trading centres to resolve disputes and ensure sharia trade
What is the evidence of Askia Dawoud’s piety?
Memorise the Quran, good relationship with the Ulema , gave them copies of manuscripts
Evidence of prosperity during his reign -
the product from his plantations over Songhai exceeded in some years, 4000 sacks of grain
How did agricultural systems work?
The prince had a fanfa (chief of slaves) and slaves. Under the order of some fanfa were 100 slaves, others 20, 40, 60, 80
Importance of slavery for agriculture
Dawoud had a plantation w/ 200 slaved and 4 fanfa, under orders of Missakoulallah who did a tour of all 4 sides of the harvest field (Highly systemised and complex structure)
Important of slavery
1) growth of urban areas requiring support
2) Growth of army, navy, cavalry - entire slave-worked estate south of NRB dedicated to meeting needs of military and admin
What else (apart from agriculture + mercantile) was Songhai renowned for?
Craftsmen and Artisans
How was ones occupation determined?
Clan/caste knowledge of job passed from gen to gen
Give some examples of caste crafts in Songhai
Fishermen, carpenters, metalworkers, artists, musicians
What did the lower castes usually become?
Farm labourers
What title did Askia Muhammed get after going on Hajj and being recognised as legitimate by the Abbasid Caliphate?
Sultan of Takrur
Why was the Songhai economy vulnerable?
Because it grew wealthy from its position as a ‘‘middleman’’ in Trans-Saharan trade (gold + salt)
Why was the Songhai economy vulnerable? [2]
Portugal emerged as a naval power in late 1400s/1500s. Their est of maritime trade routes to WA began to undercut importance of TST + Songhai’s wealth. Portuguese carracks first capable of sailing open ocean
Give some of the key political achievements of the Askias
Stable, went on Hajj without threats, more separation of powers with emergence of Sounna, development of key offices to help w/ governing
Give some of the key political limitations of the Askia’s
Lack of meritocracy, rapid turnover of Askias
Give some of the economic limitations of the Askias
No naval development, caste, lack of flexibility leads to resentment
Give some of the long term political reasons for Songhai’s decline
1) Excessive power of the Askia
2) Succession crises
When were the succession crises?
1528-49 (Post AM)
1582-88 (Post AD)
Why did Morocco pose a threat to a weakening Songhai?
It began to stake claims on lucrative resources such as the Taghaza salt mines
Explain how the Moroccans began to threaten Songhai
1540 - Sultan tells Askia Ishaq I to cede mines, who responds by raiding 🇲🇦 village
1556 - Occupy mines and kill Askia rep
1578 - Al-Mansur requests tax rights - bought off w/ 47kg gold
1586 - 🇲🇦 force brief occupation of mines again w/ 200 musketeers
Moroccan decision to invade
Al-Mansur requests tax rights - Ishaq intemperate rejection, spear + iron shoes
Response: dispatch invasion force in Nov 1590
Outline Al-Mansur’s invasion force:
- 1500 light cavalry
- 2500 infantry (muskets from Ottomans)
- 8000 🐫 + 1000 🐴
8 English canons (Good international relations)
What happened on the way to the invasion?
Judar Pasha + army capture, loot, destroy Taghaza salt mines
Where did the Songhai and 🇲🇦 armies meet?
Battle of Tondibi (1591) north of Gao
Outline Songhai forces
9700 infantry
12,500 cavalry
Vastly outmatch 🇲🇦
Outline the events of the battle
The bulk Songhia infantry annihilated by 🇲🇦 gunpowder.
What happened after the battle?
Al-Mansur refuses £20 mill gold, 🇲🇦 armies sack, loot destory Goa, Timbuktu, Jenne, take huge gold to Marrakesh
What appended to Songhai after 🇲🇦 attempted to rule it with a puppet Askia
Split into a dozen petty kingdoms because the cores had been destoryed
What did Al-Sadi say of the Moroccan takeover?
Accomplished in the ‘‘twinkling of an eye’’
