WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Songhai empire, also spelled Songhay, great trading state of West Africa (flourished 15th–16th century), centred on the middle reaches of the Niger River in what is now central Mali and eventually extending west to the Atlantic coast and east into Niger and Nigeria.

Detailed explanation-2: -From the 13th to 17th century, West Africa was home to the great Mali Empire. Established by King Sundiata Keita, the kingdom united several smaller, Malinké Kingdoms near the Upper Niger River.

Detailed explanation-3: -By 1469 the Songhai had control of the important trade ‘port’ of Timbuktu on the Niger River.

Detailed explanation-4: -Like Ghana, Mali lay along the upper Niger River. This area’s fertile soil helped Mali grow. In addition, Malis location on the Niger allowed its people to control trade on the river. Through this control of trade, the empire grew rich and powerful.

Detailed explanation-5: -Songhai became independent of Mali, and rivalled it as the leading power in West Africa. The Songhai had settled on both banks of the middle Niger River. They established a state in the 15th century, which unified a large part of the western Sudan and developed into a brilliant civilisation.