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The Songhai Empire's Great Rivalry: Timbuktu vs Gao
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the political and cultural rivalry between Timbuktu and Gao, the two great cities of the Songhai Empire. They trace how Gao, as the imperial capital under Askia Muhammad, clashed with Timbuktu's fiercely independent scholarly elite. The conversation focuses on the pivotal year 1498, when Askia Muhammad attempted to impose direct control over Timbuktu's judiciary, leading to a standoff with the city's qadis. Lucas explains the role of the Koyra (Songhai royal court) and the Timbuktu ulama, highlighting how the city's scholars used…
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