The Askiya Dynasty's Naval Ambitions on the Niger

Timbuktu: Africa's Forgotten Center of Knowledge — Fexingo History · May 1, 2026 · 4m · transcript

We all know Timbuktu as a desert city of scholars and gold, but few remember that the Songhai Empire built a formidable navy on the Niger River. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Askiya dynasty's little-known riverine fleet—how it controlled trade from Djenné to Gao, transported troops and salt, and even fought battles on the water. They look at the role of the hi-koi, the Songhai admiral, and the devastating impact of the Moroccan invasion's river blockade. Along the way, they uncover the story of a 16th-century naval campaign against the Mossi kingdoms and the strategic…