West African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali & Songhai

Summary

This script delves into the rich history of West Africa, focusing on the Mali and Songhai Empires from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Highlighting legendary figures like Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa, it showcases their military prowess, cultural achievements, and economic influence through gold and trans-Saharan trade. The script also touches on the empires' architectural marvels, Islamic scholarship, and the intriguing tale of Abu Bakar II's possible voyage to America, reflecting the region's complex and vibrant past.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The djembe and delune drums of Mali are symbolic of the historical significance of the region, heralding the arrival of kings and warriors who dominated West Africa from the 13th century for over 300 years.
• 🏰 The Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire were renowned for their cultural richness and were admired across the world, with famous figures like Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, and Askia Mohammed playing pivotal roles in their development.
• 📚 Timbuktu was a center of scholarship, housing one of the world's largest universities and becoming a hub for Islamic learning and intellectual pursuits.
• 🛶 The Mali Empire's wealth was significantly based on trans-Saharan trade, with gold, millet, sorghum, and slaves being key commodities, and the Tuareg people playing a crucial role as nomadic traders.
• 💎 Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325 demonstrated the empire's wealth, as he spent lavishly and influenced the economy of Egypt, leading to a temporary devaluation of gold.
• 🛣️ The empires of Mali and Songhai were characterized by their vast territories and elaborate political power structures, with the Songhai Empire eventually eclipsing Mali in size and influence.
• 🌍 There are historical claims and debates about African explorers, possibly including Abu Bakar II, reaching the Americas before Columbus, suggesting early transoceanic trade links between Africa and the Americas.
• 🕌 The spread of Islam was a significant factor in the cultural and religious transformation of the Mali Empire, with leaders like Mansa Musa and Askia Mohammed promoting its adoption and practice.
• 📖 The University of Timbuktu was a major center for the production of books and intellectual exchange, with relationships with other learning centers across the Islamic world.
• 📜 The preservation of ancient manuscripts in private collections, such as that of Abdul Qader Mama, highlights the ongoing importance of safeguarding historical knowledge and cultural heritage.
• 🗽 The Songhai Empire's legacy of social cohesion, political stability, and scholarly achievement contributed to its respect and influence in West Africa until its decline in the late 16th century.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the djembe and delune drums in Mali?

The djembe and delune drums of Mali are significant as they herald the arrival of kings and warriors who dominated West Africa from the 13th century for over 300 years, symbolizing the beginning of the Mali and Songhai empires.

Who were the prominent kings of the Mali and Songhai empires?

The prominent kings of the Mali and Songhai empires included Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, Abu Bakar II, and Askia Mohammed.

What was the economic foundation of the Ghana Empire?

The Ghana Empire's economy was based mainly on gold, millet, sorghum, and slaves, trading with nomadic Tuareg and other Saharan merchants for salt, textiles, and exotic goods.

How did Sundiata Keita play a role in the Mali Empire's expansion?

Sundiata Keita, after a series of battles and strategic maneuvers, managed to recover territory from the old Ghana Empire and extend the boundaries of his empire, forming alliances and securing the allegiance of many kings.

What was the role of trans-Saharan trade in the Mali Empire's economy?

Trans-Saharan trade was crucial to the Mali Empire's economy, with merchants known as doulas controlling caravans that traded across the Sahara, exchanging gold for goods like salt and textiles.

What cultural changes did Islam bring to the Mali Empire?

Islam brought significant cultural changes to the Mali Empire, including the adoption of Islamic practices and the construction of mosques and other buildings in the Sudanese style.

What is the significance of Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325?

Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325 is significant because he brought a large amount of gold, which affected the economy of Egypt and showcased the wealth of the Mali Empire.

What is the historical controversy surrounding Abu Bakar II's voyage across the Atlantic?

The historical controversy surrounding Abu Bakar II's voyage is whether he was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean before Columbus, potentially establishing trade links with the Americas.

How did Askia Mohammed contribute to the Songhai Empire's development?

Askia Mohammed contributed to the Songhai Empire's development by promoting universities and centers of learning, establishing Islam as the state religion, and encouraging the production of printed material.

What was the fate of the Songhai Empire?

The Songhai Empire lasted until around 1590 when it succumbed to invasion by the Moroccan army, which sought to expand their own empire.

What is the importance of the Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu?

The Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu was an important center for Islamic scholarship and education, serving as a university with connections to other learning institutions across the Islamic world.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 The Rise of Mali and Songhai Empires 🎶

This paragraph introduces the Mali and Songhai Empires, highlighting their historical significance in West Africa from the 13th to the 16th century. It emphasizes the cultural richness and military prowess of the kings who ruled these empires, such as Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, and Askia Mohammed. The Mali Empire's emergence post the decline of the Ghana Empire and its economic prosperity based on gold, millet, and slave trade are discussed. The paragraph also touches upon the trans-Saharan trade with the Tuareg and the cultural and religious practices of the time, including the rise of Islam and the preservation of traditional animist rituals.

05:02

🛶 Sundiata Keita and the Mali Empire's Expansion 🛶

The second paragraph delves into the life and achievements of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire. It describes his exile, his strategic battles, and how he reclaimed his heritage to form alliances that expanded the empire's boundaries. The paragraph also discusses the economic aspects of the Mali Empire, focusing on the trans-Saharan trade and the influence of the Doulas merchants. It mentions the cultural artifacts, like terracotta statues, that reflect the pre-Islamic culture and the spread of Islam during Sundiata's reign, as well as the griot tradition of recounting history through verse.

10:03

🌊 Mansa Musa's Legacy and the Trans-Atlantic Voyage 🌊

This paragraph explores the reign of Mansa Musa, known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca and the economic impact of his gold distribution. It also presents the controversial theory of Mansa Musa's trans-Atlantic voyage, suggesting a pre-Columbian contact between Africa and America. The paragraph discusses the architectural and cultural developments during his rule, including the introduction of new building styles and the establishment of Timbuktu as a center of Islamic scholarship.

15:05

🏛️ Timbuktu's Golden Age and the Fall of Mali 🏛️

The fourth paragraph focuses on the golden age of Timbuktu under the rule of Mansa Musa, detailing the architectural legacy and the city's transformation into a hub of Islamic learning. It also outlines the political and economic decline of the Mali Empire following Mansa Musa's death, marked by dynastic struggles and the weakening of the empire's power and trade networks.

20:08

📚 Askia Mohammed and the Songhai Empire's Ascendancy 📚

The paragraph discusses the rise of the Songhai Empire and the reign of Askia Mohammed, who is credited with developing universities and centers of learning, and establishing Islam as the state religion. It highlights the empire's social cohesion, political stability, and scholarly achievements, as well as its economic expansion through successful irrigation projects.

25:11

📜 The Legacy of Timbuktu's Manuscripts and the Fall of Songhai 📜

The final paragraph celebrates the legacy of the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu, which cover a wide range of subjects from social sciences to traditional medicine. It tells the story of a local guardian of these manuscripts and the importance of preserving this heritage. The paragraph concludes with the fall of the Songhai Empire to the Moroccan army and reflects on the empire's lasting respect for its social, political, and economic achievements.

Keywords

💡Djembe

The djembe is a West African drum, often used in traditional music and ceremonies. In the video, it symbolizes the cultural heritage and historical significance of Mali, setting the tone for the discussion on the empires of Mali and Songhai.

💡Mali Empire

The Mali Empire was a medieval West African state that flourished from the 13th to the 16th century. It is central to the video's theme, illustrating the rise and dominance of West African civilizations, with Sundiata Keita as a key figure in its establishment and expansion.

💡Sundiata Keita

Sundiata Keita, also known as Sunjata, was the founder of the Mali Empire. His story in the script highlights the military and political prowess that led to the empire's formation, showcasing his role in overcoming the Ghana Empire and establishing Mali's dominance.

💡Timbuktu

Timbuktu is an ancient city in Mali, renowned for its historical significance as a center of learning and commerce. The script mentions it as a place where kings and scholars, such as Mansa Musa, contributed to its fame and development, emphasizing its cultural and economic importance.

💡Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa was a 14th-century emperor of the Mali Empire, known for his wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca. The script describes his influence on the empire's prosperity and his role in elevating Timbuktu's status, including his architectural contributions and the spread of Islam.

💡Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire succeeded the Mali Empire as a major power in West Africa, lasting until the late 16th century. The script discusses its rise and the impact of rulers like Sunni Ali and Askia Mohammed, who shaped its political and religious landscape.

💡Sunni Ali

Sunni Ali was the first major ruler of the Songhai Empire, known for his military prowess and controversial reign. The script refers to his non-Muslim status and the resistance he faced from the scholarly community in Timbuktu, reflecting the religious and cultural tensions of the time.

💡Askia Mohammed

Askia Mohammed was a later ruler of the Songhai Empire who is credited with promoting Islamic learning and establishing it as the state religion. The script highlights his efforts in developing universities and learning centers, contributing to the empire's scholarly reputation.

💡Trans-Saharan Trade

Trans-Saharan trade refers to the historical trade routes across the Sahara Desert, connecting North Africa with West Africa. The script mentions this trade as a significant economic factor for the Mali Empire, involving commodities like gold, salt, and slaves.

💡Griot

A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, or praise singer, often preserving and sharing oral histories. The script notes the role of griots in recounting the history of the Mali and Songhai Empires, keeping the legacy of rulers like Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa alive.

💡Terracotta Statues

Terracotta statues are clay sculptures that have been used for various purposes, including religious rituals. The script describes these statues as reflecting the pre-Islamic culture of the Mali Empire, providing insight into the society's beliefs and practices before the widespread adoption of Islam.

Highlights

The Djembe and Delune drums of Mali herald the arrival of historical kings and warriors who dominated West Africa from the 13th century for over 300 years.

The Mali Empire and Songhai Empires are presented as the stuff of legend, admired for their culture and riches.

The Ghana Empire, which dominated the Manda area between the 4th and 11th centuries, was based mainly on gold, millet, sorghum, and slaves.

The Mali Empire emerged from the ruins of the Ghana Empire, with Sundiata Keita at its head, after a battle between two great warriors.

Sundiata Keita, the son of a hunchback woman, played a crucial role in building the Mali Empire through a series of battles and strategic maneuvers.

By 1240, Sundiata Keita had reclaimed his heritage and formed alliances to defeat the king of Soso, expanding the empire's boundaries.

Under Sundiata, the Mali Empire entered a new era of peace and prosperity, with cities like Timbuktu and Djenne flourishing.

Trans-Saharan commerce was a significant economic aspect of the Mali Empire, with merchants controlling caravans that traded across the Sahara.

Islam grew in importance in the region during the 8th century, but traditional religions and rituals remained prevalent.

Abu Bakar II, known as Mansa Musa, gave up his throne to pursue exploration and adventure, setting off across the Atlantic.

Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325 is noted for his lavish spending, which impacted the economy of Egypt.

Timbuktu became a major center of Islamic scholarship under Mansa Musa, with architectural developments reflecting his influence.

The Songhai Empire, which eclipsed the Mali Empire by the mid-15th century, was known for its vast territories and elaborate political power.

Sonni Ali, a non-Muslim ruler, led the Songhai Empire with a powerful army and navy, maintaining control over numerous kingdoms.

Oscar Mohammed, a later ruler of the Songhai Empire, focused on the development of universities and centers of learning, establishing Islam as the state religion.

The University of Timbuktu was renowned for its relationship with other universities, fostering intellectual exchange and the production of printed material.

The Songhai Empire lasted until around 1590, when it succumbed to invasion by the Moroccan army, but it was respected for its social cohesion, political stability, and scholarly achievements.

Transcripts

the djembe and delune drums of Mali

Herald the arrival on a historical stage

of the kings and warriors who were to

dominate West Africa from the thirteenth

century for more than 300 years a roll

call of men some military geniuses some

great innovators or patrons of

scholarship in the fame city of Timbuktu

enter the manda Kings Sundiata sunny

ali-bear Mansa Musa Abu Bakar II the

second and Oscar Mohammed kings of the

empires of Mali and Songhai we had Great

King the travel a lot we had a great

suggestion we have one of the biggest

university in the world until it - at a

time and formally this very important

area these Kings were to become the

stuff of legend and their empires

admired across the world for their

culture and riches story of Africa

history from an African perspective hot

9 the empires of Mali and Songhai

presented by you question

[Music]

the great empires of Mali and songhay

rose phoenix-like from the ashes of the

ruins of the old garner Empire which had

dominated the manda area between the

fourth and the 11th centuries the Ghana

Empire emerged from the mandate speaking

areas which today span Mali Mauritania

Senegal Guinea Gambia Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso Sierra Leone and Liberia

it's worth was based mainly on gold :

Utz millet sorghum high and slaves they

traded with a nomadic Tuareg zuv a

sahara desert who crossed the Sahel on

camels laden with salt textiles and

exotic goods but by the middle of the

11th century this Empire had begun to

crumble out of the ruins came new

empires which were even bigger and the

demise of one and the rise of others has

inspired many a griot

to put history to verse and recount the

turbulent history of this region

formerly the kings of Ghana extended the

kingdom all over the land inhabited by

the black man but the circle has closed

and the CCA of wackadoo are nothing more

than petty princes in a desolate land

today another Kingdom looms of powerful

[Music]

yeah

[Music]

[Music]

Jonjo in mandingo is a song dedicated to

the bravery of warriors and has been

saddled to all those devoted to

protecting the land and its people since

the era of the Empire of Mali according

to tradition the Mali Empire began after

a battle between two great warriors

Samoa

the king of so-so was according to

legend an evil sorcerer as well as a

strong soldier he had conquered Ghana

and many surrounding kingdoms around

1220 and extended his hold over many

peoples but within a few years he too

was forced to yield to the greater

military power of a rising Kingdom Mali

at the head of this emerging Empire was

a young warrior called Sundiata Keita

[Music]

Sundiata Keita the son of a hunchback

woman had been prevented from taking his

rightful place on the throne of his

father's land of jnana in present-day

Guinea at the age of 18 he fled into

exile with his mother and siblings

professor tabouleh is the director of

the National Ministry of Arts and

Culture in Bamako Mali as Thais Sundiata

played a very important role in the

building of the Empire of Mali not every

information you know the old from the

griot after a series of battles and

strategic maneuvers he managed to

recover mandate territory from the old

Ghana Empire and extend the boundaries

of his empire even further by 1240 he

had not only returned to me Ani to

reclaim his heritage

he had also formed alliances to defeat

the king of us also be for Shunyata

there is just real Kingdom in a Monday

from Mali to Guinea to Gambia to Senegal

name you hear most I mean either Sanjaya

because he was with Bill Doyle vampire

of muddy by the time he was 30 many

kings depended on Sundiata for their

security and indeed their sovereignty

they paid him tribute and in a great

ceremony in kanga bah a historic State

for the Monday near the footage Alan

mountains in Ginny's Highlands twelve

kings of the Savannah proclaimed their

allegiance to Sundiata and he was hailed

monster or Emperor under him the Capitol

neon II and other cities such as Gen a

general entered a new glorious era of

peace and prosperity

dr. Samuel Sidibe is the director of the

National Museum in Bamako important

economic aspect of this ah Speer was was

given by the trans-sahara and commerce

people comes from North Africa for the

father and buy the gold buy slaves and

could to North Africa with this gold on

this claim trade increased through the

work of the doulas the merchants who

controlled the caravan traded across the

Sahara and under sand yatta the

foundation was laid for other even

greater developments and new changes by

the eighth century Islam was growing in

importance in the region people still

practiced traditional religion and many

rituals were still being performed to

appease the gods and Sundiata did not

encourage his people to behave otherwise

the National Museum in Bamako holds a

number of terracotta statues which

reflected this pre Islamic culture have

his knife touches coming from GOG no

dating from the 13th century it is touch

it

linked to animus tradition and we know

that at this period Islam were becoming

very important progenies you know this

touch it has been discovered with the

original have disappear maybe just to

say we are not now enemies but we broke

the head to just say okay this touch is

no more useful for us

my name kolcaba cara de casa da Jolly

manual karate by the time of Sundiata is

death islam had spread throughout the

Empire of Mali sweeping away many

ancient customs such historical events

are the raw material for the aerations

of the griot such as sorry oh dear but I

firmly here she sings in praise of

Sundiata is descendant and the next

great Marlene Emperor

Abubakar II the second Abubakar ii often

known as man de bourree was perhaps one

of the shortest serving of the Malian

rulers who gave up his throne in pursuit

of exploration and adventure by setting

off across the Atlantic once ever waka

the second is the only African who has

trade to go to America before Chris of

column professor Ali lcd is the chief

historian responsible for establishing

the city of Timbuktu as a world heritage

site

so glass in the mandate sing songs about

the history of abu bakr ii and

expedition he has a guised

because he sent his boats from jericho

karate is the project coordinator for an

organization called the quest for Abu

Bakr the second set up to delve into

this fascinating but controversial

chapter in Mali in history we actually

don't want to bring forward the fact

that I work at the second was the first

to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean we know

through evidence that the Vikings from

Norway have been there long before and

also the Chinese they have been there

around year 1000 but a workers crossing

was around the 14th century 13 and 12

this was some 150 years

for Columbus Arab historians were

certainly keen to relate the story of

this fantastic voyage Alomari

wrote about this expedition has told to

him by abu bakar successor

Mansa Musa in 1325 I our source and Musa

how the kingdom fell to him and he said

we belong to a house which hands on the

kingship by inheritance the king who was

my predecessor did not believe it was

impossible to discover the furthest

limit of the Atlantic Ocean and wish

vehemently to do so so he quipped 200

ships filled with men and the same

number equipped with gold water and

provisions enough to last them for years

and said to the man depleted to lead

them do not return until you reach the

end of it alas one ship did return the

captain on board reported that he turned

back when he'd seen a mighty current in

the open sea swallowing the other ships

in a mighty wave but the sultan

disbelieved him then the swords and got

ready two thousand ships one thousand

for himself and the men whom he took

with him and one thousand for water and

provisions he left me to deputize for

him and embarked on the Atlantic Ocean

with his men that was the last we saw of

him and all those who were with him and

so I became king in my own right it has

been said in some books that when

Christopher Columbus went back to Spain

he went along with some spares lances on

tip of Homer there were some gold they

were made a lab analysis of those gold

and it revealed that this coal have the

same consistency as gold found in Monday

area and also Columbus confessed that he

met there some black traders who are

doing some commercial negotiations with

Indians these

statements bring me to say that either

black people have reached the American

continent or somehow the Indians came to

Africa if Abu Bakar II ii did succeed in

reaching America it raises the

tantalizing prospect that Africans and

Indians had developed trading links 600

years ago more than a century before

European explorers claimed to have

discovered the Americas yet as exciting

as the story is the custodians of oral

history in Mali have been silent about

an African landing in America before

Columbus the griots

didn't see weather up worker ii did as a

deserving act for most of them they just

feel as if I work at the second was just

a traitor because he left his kingdom

and he trusted someone with the ruling

and went across the sea what for they

said it's an act of betrayal yet if not

for the abdication of Abu Bakar II the

second the Monday would not have reaped

the benefits of his successor Mansa Musa

or conquer Moosa as is known by some has

been described as one of the most

colorful personalities in West African

history he embraced Islam wholeheartedly

and Islam came to dominate many facets

of society during his reign this is how

al omari recalled Mansa Musa's

pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325 he left his

country with hundred loads of gold which

he spent during his pilgrimage he

forwarded to the royal treasure in Egypt

many Lords of unworked native gold and

other valuables this man flooded Cairo

with his benefactions merchants of

misery and Cairo have told me of the

profits they made from the Africans Gold

was at a high price in Egypt until they

came but from that time its value fell

and he cheapened in price and has

remained cheap

reason of the large amount of gold which

they brought into Egypt and spent there

however Mansa Musa earned a reputation

both home and abroad for more than

lavish spending and the ability to cause

rampant inflation in the remote city of

Timbuktu in northern Mali nestling

amidst the Saharan desert sands

monuments to the architectural legacy

that man samosa introduced still stand

today proud and tall among the sand

dunes are many mosques and other

buildings in the so called Sudanese

style that the king promoted we had a

big mosque called ginger a bear that was

built and it was financed by the king

haku Musa Musa Musa when he went to the

coordinates to Mecca in 1325 when coming

to break from that privilege he's

troubled by Cairo where he met an

architect from Andalusia a wood is hack

si Lee he gave him 40 thousand mythical

of gold to Butte this mosque so he

brought a lifestyle from Saudi Arabia

and from Egypt building in the Mali

Empire was never the same again

now structures in yani Timbuktu and Gow

were to be razed built out of mud and a

stone called Jennifer II such

architecture drew the praises of many

travelers from near and far but this was

not the only legacy he left behind

because of Mansa Musa the Amba of Mali

was known overseas and the AMPA Mahdi

had a diplomatic relation with some

European countries you know like a span

and you know previant probably France so

this is another big legacy don't people

don't see in 1375 shall five only one of

his maps Timbuktu was located and there

was on the same map a picture of Cancun

Elsa holding a piece of gold on that map

this ancient map commissioned by the

king of Spain can still be seen today in

the National Library in Paris

is housed and certainly though he

reigned for just over 25 years within

this time Mansa Musa managed to

transform Molly from a prosperous

Kingdom reliant on strong trading links

with the Berbers and other merchants to

a spectacular Empire which was the rival

of others in the world in the 14th

century under Mansa Musa it could be

said that the Marleen Empire

consolidated its glory and power and

reached its zenith it was through him

that faith in one God took precedence

and Islam became the religion of state

across the whole land even though it was

largely confined to the elite and not

practiced by the masses the Islamic

character and structure of the Empire

nevertheless took shape laying the

foundation for the others who were to

follow

[Music]

under Mansa Musa Timbuktu became one of

the major centers of Islamic scholarship

under a group of people who for

centuries had been persecuted for their

pursuit of knowledge by the end of the

11th century according to some

historians the former city of wall after

which does exist nowadays in Mauritania

was called view by the end of the 11th

century the scholars of Bureau were

cited by the Americans by the Berber

people and the key means symbol to to

get refuge so they found their own

sector called Bianchi Kunda and that

sector was a part of some query which

was also the quarter and the mosque by

1332 Mansa Musa was dead his death was

the beginning of the end of the mauryan

empire a series of dynastic struggles

for the throne occurred against a

background of economic decline as miley

weakened Tuareg sand Saharan merchants

were beginning to rebel against paying

tribute to the inefficient and weak

Malian Kings

[Applause]

this is juju singing praises to the king

and brave fighters of songhai the Empire

which by the middle of the 15th century

eclipsed smiley someone bye-bye even

much bigger than the unbirth Molly so

was really huge

you know territories Grimm probably you

know from an idea almost two of the

Atlantic questions and was probably one

of the most elaborated political power

in West Africa

one of the first prominent songhai Kings

were Sonny Ali bear his reign was short

but significant unusually for a West

African ruler during this period he was

a non Muslim who continued to practice

traditional religion leading a powerful

army and navy he earned the reputation

as a ruthless commander yet he retained

control over a vast and powerful empire

and the loyalty of millions of subjects

within the numerous kingdoms they

dominated I think people just in pure

coconuts you know V domination of this

song we're on fire and then they will

pay the taxes prove Empire mr. lawyer

because you can fund pitifully you can

create easily so they did they recognize

the Salama as a central power people

they protect them although maintaining

their own cultural identity and paying

allegiance to this growing songhai

empire not everyone was happy the

capital city was located in Gow about

350 miles east of Timbuktu

Timbuktu was a learning center and let

me tell you that there was a kind of

opposition which won the population

Timbuktu and Sonny Olivia because most

of a population here were Muslims and

Sunni Arab air was in an enemies but in

the month ality of local people he was a

magician he was a criminal in 1468

he has occupied Timbuktu

all the scholars who were against his

entrance in Timbuktu were either

arrested deported or killed many

scholars fled Timbuktu to avoid death

Sonny Ali band's reputation as a

tyrannical leader who rejected Islam and

persecuted Muslims marred the more

positive aspects of his legacy so Oliver

is having his own cultural identity

he has African values but the first

thing he did is the political

organization the land was well organized

he came up with a panel project that was

linking Timbuktu for example to a part

of Mauritania he can also heat another

project close to Timbuktu for the

farmers though his canal project

remained a pipe dream his plans for

building dikes to irrigate the land for

farmers within parts of the Empire were

successful they said song I on a path of

economic expansion that was developed by

his successors it's not clear who

directly succeeded Sonny ali-bear but by

the late 15th century the Empire was

being led by Oscar Mohammed a man who

wrought changes most notably in the

development of universities and centres

of learning and establishing Islam as

the religion of state to be practiced

not just by the elite but by the masses

[Music]

he develops collages because Oscar get

along very well you know this

intellectual Sunday which was team up to

let you kind of think about already

University has a similar campus you know

like we see today you can have several

Learning Center in a town and each

Willie my each scholar has a lot of kids

coming to him and learning from him

Sankara mosque in Timbuktu also served

as the University the students were

grouped in four different sets of

different levels and each set would

study for an hour to time while the

other students took classes in the

Quranic schools we had 180 Quranic

schools in Timbuktu by that time and

each corner schools is counting an

average of 75 or 80 students students

came from everywhere the University of

Timbuktu was having relationship with

Toledo in Grenada in Andalusia Spain

with kill one in Tunisia the university

of al-azhar in Egypt and other

universities in Saudi Arabia

Zaria in Nigeria and color book writing

and book binding were lucrative

businesses and Oscar Mohammed encouraged

the production of printed material the

Sankore mosque where such books were

read still stands and there were no

longer houses books it's still a center

for worship I'm gonna give you a small

idea about the Sun color mosque the

architectural style is a Sudanese one

they use mark okay if you see where we

have 25,000 students in the past the egg

of the UH Trish was eliminated the

mosque and its guiding people from the

desert from the city they they have a

special lamp they put it inside okay to

show to people the city itself this is

this is pathetic sometimes the megaphone

is dating from 1998 this one being the

FAL this this mosque was dating from the

14th century nowadays people use

speakers to let more people hurry about

the appeal for the player Abdul Qader

mama owned some of the books and

manuscripts rescued from the old library

in University in Timbuktu his family has

owned a private library of ancient

manuscripts dating back to the 13th

century and hundreds of the delicate

leather-bound illuminated tomes are now

housed in rows and rows of dusty iron

chests in a storeroom in his house one

cut the man's physical body first gate

to encourage a tone Cathy you're gonna

get on Karuma

you wanna buddy take a hit from a young

age I've been really interested in the

old manuscripts I am very proud that I

am protecting them and looking for a way

to save all these manuscripts sometimes

people look at me like I'm a foolish guy

because I'm interested in these old

manuscripts they'd said to me don't you

have anything to do but this but

probably they don't know the importance

of heritage as you can see our mayor

kill Monica Lee the song way tamasha

tell all the manuscripts are Arabic

manuscripts but we have some manuscripts

translated into some Roy Thomas check

Fulani pearl

these are dealing with social sciences

Quranic studies astronomy a jibra and so

on and I've learned especially from

those dealing with traditional medicine

professor Ali lcd is in no doubt as to

the greatness of the man who promoted

such religious teaching and scholarship

Oscar Mohammed he has proved that

somewhere in Africa is possible not only

to come up with Empire but also to have

their own political system their own

society but also to create and to

rewrite also their own history

the Songhai Empire lasted till around

1590 when it finally succumbed to

invasion at the hands of the moroccan

army seeking to expand their own empire

but while it lasted songhay at its

height had won respect for its social

cohesion political and economic

stability and scholarly achievement as

empires in the west of the continent

were rising and falling people in other

parts of Africa were going through their

own exciting and turbulent cycle

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