Latest / The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History
The Sorko Navy: Songhai's Secret Water Warriors
While Timbuktu’s libraries often steal the spotlight, the true backbone of the Songhai Empire was its control of the Niger River. This episode uncovers the Sorko, a distinct ethnic group who served as the empire’s naval force and riverine police. We explore how their mastery of the inland delta allowed Songhai to enforce trade monopolies, collect taxes on gold and salt, and maintain internal security long before European contact. Through the lens of the hiyo, their specialized flat-bottomed boats, we see how water power shaped West African history. Listeners will discover the daily life of…
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