THE SONGHAI EMPIRE

B Y :

T R E N T M I N C H

B R I A N A J U A R D O

H O G A N J O N E S

E R I K A G O O D M A N

W A D E G A R D N E R

A L E X D A V E N P O R T

Rose in the wake of the Mali

Sake Muhammed expanded through jihads.

Rulers used Islam to unite the empire and justify their rule

RISE OF THE SONGHAI

People and

Structures

• Government was more centralized then the Mali government.

• The Songhai Empire was divided into five larges provinces:

- each with its own governor

- Islamic courts

- Professional fighting force

• The Government was a political hierarchy was similar to the caste system of Hindu societies:

Top= Descendants of the original Songhai people

Second= The KING

Third= Free people

Bottom= War captives and slaves

THE POWER OF THE SONGHAI GOVERNMENT

The kingdom didn’t last long

In 1585 they seized the salt mines in Taghaza.

Conquered Gao and Timbuktu.

When the Moorish civilization declined in North Africa the demand of trades declined.

Drought and disease also contributed to the decline of the empire

NORTH AFRICAN ISLAMIC EMPIRE OF MOROCCO