Sonni and Askia Dynasty

Question 1

Sucess of Sonni Ali

Answer 1

• 1464 expansion from gao to beyond djenne and tuareg islands in north
• 1468 captured timbuktu major islamic city and intellectual hub
• 1472 conquered djenne after prologed seige 777
• led military campaigns against tuareg and mossi - control over key regions
• advanced militairy - battle canoes, calavrly, metal breastplates
• by death in 1492 after 28 year rule songhay powerful polity

Question 2

Failures of sonni ali

Answer 2

• nominal muslim did not permit enforcement of sharia + enslaved muslims and retained non-islamic customs
• achknolweged ramadan prayed and fasted but still superficial
• hostiltiy with timbuktu scholars - hated him and some were persecuted for their ally with tuareg

Question 3

Succeses and Failures of Sonni Baru 1493-1528

Answer 3

• his faction won battle on angao april 2nd 1493
• muslim faction opposing him - internal political polarization

Question 4

Muhammed Ture’s successes

Answer 4

• legitmized rule by undertaking the hajj to mecca in 1496, travelling with a large retinue 1500 ppl and measure, which gained recognition from Abbasid Caliph of cairo - boosted authority over the “lands of takrur”
• consolidated power over the middle niger region after his return - uniting empire under islamic legitimacy
• militairy campaigns: annexed katsina and kano in 1514
• improved relations with ulema
• '’splendily appointed’’ his court with luxury garments and singers

Question 5

Askia Dawud 1548-82 succeses

Answer 5

continuted cultural improvements by establishing an imperial library

described as a born leader and generous

support for scholars - calligraphers copying books for him and gifts to scholars

Question 6

askia dawud failures

Answer 6

• reign marked by episodes violent civil strife - factions competeting
• intenal divisiosn cultimated morrocan invasion 1591