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Songhai empire: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Gao empire • Songhay empire
Date 1401 - 1600

Photos

Map of Africa with the location of the historical Songhai region highlighted in bold red text in West Africa, near the Niger River, showing its position relative to the continent, Europe, and Asia.
Map of western Africa showing the greatest territorial extent of major historical states from the 11th to 16th centuries. The 14th-century Kingdom of Mali is outlined in green, the 16th-century Songhai Empire in purple, and the 16th-century Hausa Bakwai states in red. Major cities, rivers, and regional names are labeled within and around these territories.
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Related Topics and References

Topics
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Related Places

Gao: Tomb of Askia
Gao
Mali
Mali
Mali
country, Africa
Niger
Niger
country, Africa
Nigeria
Nigeria
country, Africa

Key People

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Muḥammad I Askia
Songhai ruler
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Sonni ʿAlī
West African ruler
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Aḥmad Bābā
Islamic author and jurist