Part 7: The Fall of the Songhai Empire The Rise and Fall of the Songhai Empire: A Memoir from Ancient Mali

The Songhai Empire had reached its peak in the 16th century, but its decline began shortly after. The empire was weakened by a series of internal and external factors.

The first factor was the death of Askia Muhammad I in 1528. He had been the driving force behind the empire’s expansion and his death left a power vacuum that was filled by his sons, who were not as capable as their father. This weakened the empire’s ability to defend itself against external threats.

The second factor was the rise of the Moroccan Empire. In 1591, the Moroccan army invaded the Songhai Empire and captured its capital, Gao. This marked the beginning of the end for the Songhai Empire.

The third factor was the rise of the Fulani people in the region. The Fulani were a nomadic people who had been living in the region for centuries. They had been largely ignored by the Songhai Empire, but as the empire weakened, the Fulani began to assert their power. They eventually conquered the Songhai Empire in 1612.

The fall of the Songhai Empire marked the end of an era in the region. The empire had been a major power in the region for centuries and its fall left a void that was filled by the Fulani people. The Fulani would go on to establish their own empire, the Sokoto Caliphate, which would last until the late 19th century.

The fall of the Songhai Empire was a major event in the history of the region and its legacy can still be felt today. The empire had been a major power in the region and its fall had a lasting impact on the region’s politics, culture, and economy.