What is Songhai Empire?
[[File:SONGHAI empire map BLANK.PNG|thumb|Map of The Songhai Empire]] The '''Songhai Empire''' dominated the western [[Sahel]] in the 15th and 16th century. At its peak, the empire was one of the largest in both [[Islamic]] and [[African]] history. The Songhai people were the ruling elite in the empire. [[Gao]] was the capital of the empire. Other important cities in the empire were [[Timbuktu]] and [[Djenné]], conquered in 1468 and 1475 respectively. Trade flourished in those towns. Initially, the empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty (c. 1464–1493), but it was later replaced and then ruled by the Askiya dynasty (1493–1591). After, the death of Sonni Ali and Askia Mohammed the empire was ruled by weak leaders and the Moroccans weakened and destroyed the empire. {{hist-stub}} [[Category:Former empires]] [[Category:Former monarchies of Africa]] [[Category:Empires in Africa]]