Songhay+2

__Sonni Ali Ber:__
====Sonni Ali Ber was a Muslim ruler of the Songai Empire. He ruled from 1464-1493. Even though he was not favored by the people, he had many accomplishments, such as conquering many wealthy cities of trade like the mysterious city of Timbuktu, Jenne, as well as the remains of the Mali Empire. He had also taken the kingdom of Gao into his empire. He had a military based on a cavalry and a highly mobile fleet of ships and a navy of over 400 boats. He distrusted and mistreated Islamic scholars about the city of Timbuktu. He also had effective control of the Niger River trade of gold, kola, grain, slaves, and the trans-Saharan trade route system brought south caravans of slat and copper; there were also goods coming from the Mediterranean coast. In general, he made the Songhay Empire one of the greatest empires of medieval Africa.====

__Askia Muhammad Toure:__
====Askia Muhammad Toure was the emperor of the Songhay Empire in the 15th century. He expanded the empire signifigantly, making it the largest country in western Africa at this time. By doing this Askia Muhammad was able to make his country a center of trade and scholar. He increased trade by creating standadrized weights, measures, and currencies.His main goal was to create a strong Islamic Empire. He died in 1538 A.D. and his tomb is located in Gao,Mali.====

__**City- Gao:**__
====Gao was the capital of the Songhay Empire. Before that, it was a town in the Mali Empire by the Niger River. It was an important commercial center which involved the trans-Saharan trade route. Gao regained its independence from the Mali Empire with the help of the the conquests of Sonni Ali Ber, the rulerof the Songhay Empire.====

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__The Golden Age of Timbuktu:__
====Timbuktu was located on the northern part of the Niger River. It was previously ruled by the Mali Empire but was conquered by Sonni Ali (emperor) under the rule of the Songhay Empire. During the 15th and 16th centuries Timbuktu was the center for trade and scholar. The most important commerce were salt and gold. But books were also very important in trade. Since trade and scholar were very prosperous at this time Timbuktu became very rich.====

**__ Islam in West Africa: __**
The Songhai state had a strong emphasis on learning and scholars, particularly Muslim scholars who spread the religion throughout the empire. Many libraries and mosques were built and this attracted many Muslim scholars to the region, who taught the native people about Islam, also working to spread it. The Great Mosque of Jenne was the most famous mosque and remains the largest earthen structure, even today. Timbuktu was set up as a spiritual place of learning and trade, particularly with Muslim regions, and attracted scholars from all over the world. Leaders like Sonni Ali Ber and Askia Mohamed were Muslim, and Askia replaced native people with Arabs in positions like judges and administrators, making Sonhai law correspond with Mulim law, the Sharia. During this time, the spiritual Sufi branch of Islam grew and spread all over the continent.

__**Background on Songhai:**__
====The Songhai Empire was a large African Empire with roots dating back to the 700’s. It grew out of the previous empires Ghana and Mali. The Songhai Empire reached its peak during the 1400’s and 1500’s. Form large towns to the Kaw-Kaw kingdom, the empire continued to expand to become the powerful Songhai Empire in the 1500’s. In an area rich with Gold and salt, the Songhai controlled trade across the Sahara.====

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__Timbuktu:__
====Timbuktu was an impressive trade city Situated at a junction between three important trans-Saharan caravan routes. They traded gold, salt, slaves, and Kola nuts. The area was perfect for trade because it was near many natural salt and gold deposits. It was a huge Islamic city. Muslims worships at the Sankore Mosque.====