What was so significant about Songhai?
Songhai achieved expansion under the ruler of Sonni Ali. The Songhai Empire was very successful in almost everything she did. They did very well with the mining and trading of gold as well as salt. In the 1460's Songhai conquered many of the neighbouring states around them. After the Sunni King, Sonni Ali came into power, he helped take over Mali. The urban areas of the empire were dominantly Islamic, while the non-urban areas were not.
Askia Muhammad Toure was the leader following Sonni Ali, who created a new dynasty called the Askia. He also continued the imperial expansion that Sonni Ali had begun. When standard weights, currency, and measures wee introduced, the Songhai became united. Muslim judges, were chosen to run the legal system the islamic way. Majority of the Songhai people did not convert to muslim, but about 97% kept their traditions religious.
Askia Muhammad Toure was the leader following Sonni Ali, who created a new dynasty called the Askia. He also continued the imperial expansion that Sonni Ali had begun. When standard weights, currency, and measures wee introduced, the Songhai became united. Muslim judges, were chosen to run the legal system the islamic way. Majority of the Songhai people did not convert to muslim, but about 97% kept their traditions religious.