Latest / The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History
The Songhai Navy: River Power on the Niger
While the Songhai Empire is often remembered for its cavalry and its scholars, the Niger River was its true backbone. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Songhai navy — the war canoes that patrolled the river from Gao to Djenne, the Sorko boatmen who crewed them, and the riverine tactics that secured Songhai's control of trade and tribute. From Sonni Ali's legendary fleet to the role of the 'hiyo' in military campaigns, we dive into how the Songhai used the Niger as a highway, a shield, and a weapon. We also look at the decline of river power after the Moroccan…
The skinny
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