Songhai Empire's Currency Revolution Under Askia Muhammad

In this milestone 100th episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Songhai Empire under Askia Muhammad Toure transformed its economy from barter to a sophisticated currency system based on cowrie shells, gold dust, and copper. They discuss the standardization of weights and measures, the role of the dyula merchants, the famous 'cowrie shell standard' that linked the Niger River economies, and how this monetary system facilitated trade across the Sahel and into North Africa. The episode contrasts Songhai's approach with earlier Mali Empire practices and examines the vulnerability that reliance on imported cowries created. Specific details include the cowrie-to-gold exchange rate recorded by Leo Africanus, the use of copper manillas in the south, and the government's role in guaranteeing gold dust purity. The conversation also touches on how the currency system survived the Moroccan invasion through the Dendi successor state, and why modern historians debate the extent of Askia Muhammad's direct reforms. #SonghaiEmpire #AskiaMuhammad #CowrieShells #GoldDust #CurrencyHistory #WestAfricanHistory #SahelTrade #Timbuktu #Gao #LeoAfricanus #Dyula #NigerRiver #EconomicHistory #MonetarySystem #Manillas #Dendi #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo