How it affects Africa today
Considered one of the greatest African empires, from the early fifteenth to the late sixteenth century, Songhai was also one of the largest empires in Western Africa, stretching all the way to present-day Cameroon. With several thousand cultures under its control, Songhai was clearly the largest empire in African history. Although it was taken over by Morocco in 1591, many of the same religious and social traditions remain today and that is why the Songhai group of people are so close because of their heritage and beliefs.
What kind of people occupy this area now
The Songhai who live in Niger call themselves the Kaado Songhai. Many of them fled to their present home after the breakup of the empire in 1591. It would seem the Songhai do not have any features that distinguish them from other West Africans. This is not true. Most have beautiful smiles, lacking the dental problems that come with having a mouth too small for one's teeth. Many Songhai have small tribal marks: either a small "x" on both cheeks or two small slashes on the upper cheekbone beside the eyes. Many outsiders would not even notice these marks. The women wear their hair in whatever style is fashionable at the time throughout West Africa. A woman will spend many hours reclining with her head int he lap of another woman while her hair is being intricately braided. If it can be afforded, may women like to have extensions in their hair. Although they spend many hours at a time doing their hair, if they wear it out in public it as seen as immodest so they wear scarves over top of their hair when out.
Songhai men usually wear modern Western clothes, but they seldom tuck the shirt into their trousers. It is considered immodest to show the shape of the behind, so they prefer long shirts. Many wear drawstring pants, rather like pajama trousers, with a long straight shirt reaching to the knees or the ankles. Only a few wear the long flowing robes of the Hausas. A simple embroidered hat tops off traditional outfits, but men often go without a hat when wearing Western clothes. A man probably has one outfit for work and one for dressing up. If he has steady employment, he likely has several outfits.
Children usually wear what would appear to be rags. They get one or maybe two new outfits a year. These outfits are played in, slept in, worn to school, washed and rewashed until they are quite literally threadbare. Their clothes are mostly western style.
Songhai men usually wear modern Western clothes, but they seldom tuck the shirt into their trousers. It is considered immodest to show the shape of the behind, so they prefer long shirts. Many wear drawstring pants, rather like pajama trousers, with a long straight shirt reaching to the knees or the ankles. Only a few wear the long flowing robes of the Hausas. A simple embroidered hat tops off traditional outfits, but men often go without a hat when wearing Western clothes. A man probably has one outfit for work and one for dressing up. If he has steady employment, he likely has several outfits.
Children usually wear what would appear to be rags. They get one or maybe two new outfits a year. These outfits are played in, slept in, worn to school, washed and rewashed until they are quite literally threadbare. Their clothes are mostly western style.