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Jan 1, 1060
Almoravids Invade Ghana
A Muslim group called the Almoravids attacked Ghana in the 1060s in an effort to force its leaders to convert to Islam. The people of Ghana fought for 14 years but unfortunately lost . The Almoravids weakened the empire by cutting off many trade routes and formed new trade partnerships with Muslim leaders. -
Jan 1, 1200
Ghana's Internal Rebellion
In about 1200 the people of a country that Ghana had conquered rose up in rebellion. Within a few years, the rebels had taken over the entire empire. Once in control, the rebels couldn't keep order and Ghana was attacked by one of its neighbors. -
Jan 1, 1255
Sundiata Dies
Sudiata died in 1255 and his son took the title of mansa, Sundiata conquered Ghana and many other nearby kingdoms to crate Mali. He greatly improved Mali and took contol of all the power in Mali, making himself mansa. -
Jan 1, 1324
Mansa Musa Left Mali on a Pilgrimage
Mansa Musa, Mali's most famous ruler, left Mali on a pilgrimage to Mecca to complete his spiritual Muslim duty. This trip made Mali and Mansa Musa famous. It also cause Islam to spread through West Africa. -
Jan 1, 1431
Tuareg Nomads Attack and Seized Timbuktu
In 1431, the Tuareg nomads from the Sahara, attacked and seized Timbuktu. Soon afterwood, the kingdom of Takrur in northern Mali declared its independence and gradually, the people living at the edges of Mali's empire broke away. -
Dec 8, 1464
Sunni Ali Becomes Ruler
Sunni Ali became the ruler of Songhai in 1464. He conquered the wealthy trade cities of Timbuktu and Djenne. He also encouraged all people in his kingdom to work together and brought peace and stability to Songhai. -
Jan 1, 1492
Sunni Ali Dies
Sunni Ali died in 1492 and was followed by his son, Sunni Baru who was not Muslim. However, most people of the empire were sp they rebelled against him. The leader of the people's rebellion was Muhammad Ture who became Askia the Great after overthrowing Sunni Baru. -
Jan 1, 1528
Askia the Great Lost Power to His Son
After Askia the Great lost power to his son in 1528, other askias ruled Songhai. The empire did not survive for long, though. Areas along the empire's borders started to nibble away at Songhai's power. -
The Moroccan Army set out to the Heart of Songai
THe Moroccan Army set out for the heart of Songai on 1591. They wanted control of the salt mones because they needed money from being ruined financially from defense. Songhai never recovered from the lost of Timbuktu and Gao and the income they produced. -
Ghana Builds an Empire
By 800, Ghana was firmly in control of Weat Africa's trade routes. Nearly all trade between northern and southern Africa passed through Ghana. Traders were protected by Ghana's army which kept trade routes free from bandits.
