Latest / The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History
The Koyam: Songhai's Slave Soldier Caste
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Koyam, the elite slave-soldier caste that formed the backbone of the Songhai military. From their origins under Sonni Ali to their pivotal role in Askia Muhammad's campaigns, Lucas explains how these warriors, often recruited from conquered peoples, became fiercely loyal royal bodyguards and administrators. The discussion covers their unique status—neither fully free nor enslaved—their training, and their eventual betrayal during the Saadian invasion. Lucas draws on accounts from the Tarikh al-Sudan and other sources to show how the Koyam…
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