Songhai Empire
c. 1464–1591
The territorial extent of the Songhai Empire in c. 1500.
The territorial extent of the Songhai Empire inc. 1500.
CapitalGao;
Common languagesSonghai, Malinké, Mandinka, Fulani, Bozo, Soninke, Hausa, Mooré
Religion
Sunni Islam, Traditional African religions
GovernmentEmpire
(Emperor) 
• 1464–1492
Sunni Ali
• 1492–1493
Sonni Bāru
• 1493–1528
Askia the Great
• 1529–1531
Askia Musa
• 1531–1537
Askia Benkan
• 1537–1539
Askia Isma'il
• 1539–1549
Askia Ishaq I
• 1549–1582/1583
Askia Daoud
• 1588–1592
Askia Ishaq II
Historical eraEarly Modern Era
• Songhai state emerges at Gao
c. 1000
• independence from Mali Empire
c. 1430
• Sunni Dynasty begins
1468
• Askiya Dynasty begins
1493
• Saadian invasion of the Songhai Empire
1591
• The Nobles moved south to present-Niger and formed various smaller kingdoms
1591
• French depose last Askia of the Dendi
1901
Area
1550800,000 km2(310,000 sq mi)
Currency(Cowry shells, and gold coins)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Mali Empire
Gao Empire
Saadi dynasty
Pashalik of Timbuktu
Dendi Kingdom