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Reasons for the Rise of Songhay Pages 32-41 - Coggle Diagram
Reasons for the Rise of Songhay
Pages 32-41
Leader: Sonni Ali (1464-1492)
Known to be an "empire leader"
Sonni Ali was also remembered as a diplomat.
He successfully prevented Portugal from forming an alliance with the Mandika by granting Europeans trade concessions to the coast.
An ambitious ruler and military leader
Mainly had his reputation from his conquest based in the Niger waterway- found and organised boatmen in the river in a navy fashion.
Organising a river navy was particularly useful as military campaign bordered the river.
It became a large
economic instrument
as it brought in conquest.
The army of Songhay was made up of professional soldiers divided into cavalry and infantry. The cavalry wore iron breastplates and the infantry were armed with spears, arrows and shields. The total army comprised of nearly 30,000 infantry and 10,000 horsemen.
A court wherever he was and almost always at the head of an advancing army
When Sonni Ali drowned in 1492 it became clear that the most significant factor for Songhay's growth and strength was a result of the personality of the leader.
The importance of Timbuktu
Sonni Ali needed to conquer Djenne and Timbuktu in order to control the trading network.
1469- a massive army arrived on the port of Kabura, taking Timbuktu without a fight. Sonni Ali set up his own headquarters in Kabura.
Timbuktu can be seen as evidence to present Sonni Ali as a successful military leader.
He conquered Djenne, which gave him command of gold. Djenne became an important trading center for Songhay
The siege of Djenne nearly led to the starvation of the Songhay army until Djenne surrendered. Sonni Ali married the Queen mother which united them.
Sonni Ali's treatment of Muslims
Within Timbuktu, the richest and most powerful Muslims wanted the city to be kept out of Sonni Ali's hands, driving out clerics. Sonni Ali retaliated by killing Muslim leaders.
His mistreatment of Muslims has been deemed to be because he ruled in a time where Islam was not rooted outside of large cities.
Political purpose of the treatment
- Sonni Ali found he was supported by original Songhay cities. Sonni Ali therefore wanted to make it clear that he did not tolerate any mistreatment of the Songhay people.