April
26
/ 2019
The Songhai Empire dominated West Africa between the 15th and 16th centuries. This empire was a successor state of the powerful, centuries-long Mali Empire. The weakening of Mali rule allowed the Songhai to rebel and form their own empire and it became the largest state in West Africa. But internal problems and external invasions eventually brought the Songhai Empire down too. The Songhai Empire was centered around the city of Gao, where they had already established themselves since around the 9th century. The city, however, only became the capital of the Songhai in 1010. This rise in status, along with its strategic location on the Niger River, soon turned the city into an important trade center. It is also in
