Askia the great

1. By Omar, Jasmine, Juan Askia the great

2. Askia the great • Sunni Ali died in 1492 • His son Sunni Baru was not a Muslim so people thought he wasn’t going to support he empire • The leader of the people rebellion was a general named Muhammad Ture • After overthrowing Sunni Baru he took the title Askia, a title of high military rank and he became known as Askia the great

3. Religion and Education • Askia the great took his Muslim faith very seriously like famous ruler Mansa Musa • When he defeated Sunni Baru he made a pilgrimage in Mecca just like Mansa Musa • Askia worked to support education like Mansa Musa • The city contained universities, schools, libraries , and mosques • The famous university of Sankore had people all over west Africa study about mathematics, science , medicine, grammar, and law • Djenne became a center of learning, especially for medicine • Doctor discovered that mosquitoes spread malaria and they performed surgery on the human eye

4. Trade and Government • Timbuktu and Djenne were centers of learning and trading • Merchants came to these cities and to Gao • Most of Songhai traders were Muslim and as they gained influence in the empire such as Islam • Askia the great devout Muslim, encouraged the growth of Islam influence • He made laws that were similar to the nations across the Sahara • To maintain order, Askia made five provinces within Songhai • He removed local leaders and appointed new governors that were loyal to him • One governor ran the empire well he was gone • When he came back he had even more Muslim influence to the government • He made special departments such as offices, and he made the first professional army