Songhai's Great Conspiracy: The Plot That Nearly Toppled Askia Dawud episode artwork

EPISODE · May 12, 2026 · 4 MIN

Songhai's Great Conspiracy: The Plot That Nearly Toppled Askia Dawud

from The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History · host Fexingo

In 1549, Songhai Emperor Askia Dawud faced a palace conspiracy so audacious it threatened to unravel the empire. His own brothers, led by the ambitious Askia el-Hadj, plotted to seize power. But Dawud, known for his piety and cunning, uncovered the plot before it could strike. This episode dives into the drama: the secret meetings in Gao's royal palaces, the testimony of a loyal court eunuch named al-Filali, and the brutal aftermath. We explore how Dawud's response—executing some conspirators while pardoning others—revealed the delicate balance of power in Songhai. Luna and Lucas discuss what the Tarikh al-Sudan tells us about this near-coup, and how it shaped Dawud's long reign. From the role of the imperial council to the fates of the plotters, this is a story of loyalty, betrayal, and survival in one of Africa's greatest empires. #SonghaiEmpire #AskiaDawud #PalaceConspiracy #TarikhAlSudan #Gao #WestAfricanHistory #AskiaElHadj #AlFilali #1549 #CoupAttempt #ImperialPolitics #AfricanEmpires #Sankore #SonghaiSuccession #EunuchsInHistory #AfricanHistory #History #FexingoHistory #WestAfrica #SunniAli Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In 1549, Songhai Emperor Askia Dawud faced a palace conspiracy so audacious it threatened to unravel the empire. His own brothers, led by the ambitious Askia el-Hadj, plotted to seize power. But Dawud, known for his piety and cunning, uncovered the plot before it could strike. This episode dives into the drama: the secret meetings in Gao's royal palaces, the testimony of a loyal court eunuch named al-Filali, and the brutal aftermath. We explore how Dawud's response—executing some conspirators while pardoning others—revealed the delicate balance of power in Songhai. Luna and Lucas discuss what the Tarikh al-Sudan tells us about this near-coup, and how it shaped Dawud's long reign. From the role of the imperial council to the fates of the plotters, this is a story of loyalty, betrayal, and survival in one of Africa's greatest empires. #SonghaiEmpire #AskiaDawud #PalaceConspiracy #TarikhAlSudan #Gao #WestAfricanHistory #AskiaElHadj #AlFilali #1549 #CoupAttempt #ImperialPolitics #AfricanEmpires #Sankore #SonghaiSuccession #EunuchsInHistory #AfricanHistory #History #FexingoHistory #WestAfrica #SunniAli Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

NOW PLAYING

Songhai's Great Conspiracy: The Plot That Nearly Toppled Askia Dawud

0:00 4:33

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History?

This episode is 4 minutes long.

When was this The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History episode published?

This episode was published on May 12, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In 1549, Songhai Emperor Askia Dawud faced a palace conspiracy so audacious it threatened to unravel the empire. His own brothers, led by the ambitious Askia el-Hadj, plotted to seize power. But Dawud, known for his piety and cunning, uncovered the...

Can I download this The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!