African Canadian Studies
Early African Civilizations: Songhai and Benin
The Ancient Civilization of Songhai:
 The next kingdom to rise to power in Western Africa was Songhai. In 1468 the Songhai
leader, Sonni Ali, captured the city of Timbuktu. This event was in effect the founding of
the empire of Songhai.
 This kingdom was located along the Niger River and eventually became even larger than
Mali. These former hunters and farmers united into a regional trading network.
 The center was Gao, but the territory was increased by Sonni Ali’s use of horse. Songhai
control went deep into the desert.
 Timbuktu became a great center of learning. Scholars from the Muslim world came to
study.
The Ancient Civilization of Benin:
 The kingdom of Benin started to develop in the tenth century. It began as an important
city. It has a central palace and a social system built around trade with Africa and Europe,
a royal family and elaborate administration. It also had a strong army.

By the 1400’s the city was a walled fortress complete with wide streets and nice houses.
 Many of West Africa’s kingdoms would see great change with a new form of contact with
Europeans that developed in the sixth century…. the slave trade.
SCO: Student will be expected to examine the political, economic and social systems
of ancient African kingdoms (Kush,Aksum, Ghana, Mali, etc.)