The city of Gao was the home of the Sorko people who established the Songhai empire. Its dates of primarily influence lasted only from 1450-1581 AD. However it did become the largest of the Western Sahel empires. Its growth corresponds with the decline in Mali’s power. While Mali was a constant enemy, Songhai armies also conducted campaigns against the Tauregs, Mossi and Hausa City States. Its first significant victory which made it a regional power was when the Sorko captured Timbuktu from the Tauregs in 1468. To the south the Songhai conducted a war with the Mossi tribes from 1465 until 1493. They crippled Mali power with a successful siege of its capital Djenne in 1473. The Mali war continued but consisted mainly of raids. The long war with Mali ended with victory in 1540.

A Jihad against their pagan neighbors was conducted in 1492-93. In 1501, the army shifted to a core of ‘slave ghulum soldiers’. The quick collapse of the Songhai Empire was a direct result of a Morocco campaign in 1591. The small Moroccan army included a large number of European mercenaries armed with firearms. This force of 4-5000 men crushed the much larger, estimated at 70,000 men, Songhai army.

The Songhai army was considered a professional standing army with quick reaction forces stationed throughout the empire. Naval control of the Niger River was essential to the army’s ability to respond. One of the highest positions within the government was the “Commander of Canoes (Boats)”. Cavalry consisted of light horsemen riding bareback carrying two javelins and one spear. Armored cavalrymen used a lance, sword and shield.

Medieval Empires of Africa's Sahel

Historical Background
Ghana
Mali
Songhai
Kaneum-Bornu
Minor Powers of the Region