Question

How did the Songhai use religion to legitimize their rule

Answer 1

The Songhay empire was located south of the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River, meaning that its culture was based on a mixture of West African traditions, but Islam still stood as the law of the land and came before everything else. The government system was based on Sharia law, where strict rules and regulations were taken from the Qur'an. The emperor utilized loyal Muslim governors and town chiefs to control the five provinces of the empire. In 1468, Timbuktu, a trading post for salt and gold, was added to the Songhai Empire as the center of Islamic faith in Africa.

Answer 2

The Songhai culture became a blend of traditional West African beliefs and the religion of Islam. Daily life was often ruled by traditions and local customs, but the law of the land was based on Islam. The slave trade became an important part of the Songhai Empire.