Songhai's Scribe: The Man Who Wrote History

The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History · Oct 2, 2026 · 6m · transcript

While Songhai is often remembered for its warriors and river fleets, its true legacy may lie in the ink of its scholars. This episode explores the vital role of the scribes and historians who served the Askia court, particularly focusing on the oral traditions that would later be written down by Ibn al-Mukhtar and his contemporaries. We examine how the empire’s legal and administrative systems were preserved through meticulous record-keeping, and how figures like Ahmad Baba used their pens to defend Islamic scholarship against Moroccan invasion. From the bustling markets of Gao to the quiet…