Askia Muhammad and the Rise of Songhai Scholarship

Timbuktu: Africa's Forgotten Center of Knowledge — Fexingo History · Apr 25, 2026 · 7m

In this episode, we explore the pivotal reign of Askia Muhammad and the institutionalization of Islamic scholarship in Songhai. We discuss his pilgrimage to Mecca, his collaboration with scholars like Al-Maghili, and the creation of a state-sponsored university system in Timbuktu. We also delve into the role of women scholars, such as the poet and jurist Nana Asma'u, and the daily life of students at Sankore. The episode highlights how Songhai under Askia Muhammad became a center of learning that rivaled Cairo and Baghdad, and how the empire's collapse in the 16th century led to the…