Songhai Empire

geographical name

Song·​hai Empire ˈsȯŋ-ˌhī How to pronounce Songhai Empire (audio)
variants or Songhay Empire
a former Muslim empire that was established circa 1000 and was centered on the Niger River town of Gao (now in Mali)

Note: At its greatest extent, early in the 16th century, the Songhai Empire stretched from the Atlantic into present-day Niger and Nigeria. It fell to Moroccan forces in 1591.

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Cite this Entry

“Songhai Empire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Songhai%20Empire. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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