Latest / The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History
Songhai's Iron Industry: The Forgotten Foundries of the Sahel
When you think of Songhai, you probably think of gold, salt, or Timbuktu's scholars. But the empire was also a powerhouse of iron production. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how West African smelters transformed the Sahel's laterite soils into weapons, tools, and currency that underpinned imperial power. They trace the industry from the ancient smelting sites of the Dendi region to the massive centers near Gao, where Songhai's farari cavalry relied on high-carbon steel for their swords and spearheads. Along the way, they discuss the ingenious bloomery furnaces that used…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.