Songhai's Hippo Hunters: The Sorko River Warriors

This episode dives into the Sorko, the riverine warriors and fishermen who formed the backbone of Songhai's navy and food supply. Lucas and Luna explore how the Sorko, originally independent Niger River communities, were absorbed into the empire under Sonni Ali and Askia Muhammad. They discuss the Sorko's mastery of hippo hunting, their role as ferrymen and fishers, and their transformation into the fari-mondio (imperial river fleet). The conversation also covers the Sorko's unique language, their animist traditions, and how their knowledge of the Niger's currents and islands made them invaluable for trade and warfare. Lucas highlights the Tarikh al-Sudan's accounts of Sorko culture, including the hiyo and kore festivals, and how the Sorko's autonomy eroded under Songhai rule. The episode also touches on the Sorko's resistance to the Saadian invasion in 1591 and their legacy in modern Nigerien communities. Finally, the hosts discuss the Sorko's connection to the hippopotamus deity and the ecological balance of the river. #Sorko #SonghaiEmpire #NigerRiver #HippoHunting #FariMondio #SonniAli #AskiaMuhammad #TarikhAlSudan #WestAfrica #RiverWarriors #Animism #Hiyo #Kore #SahelHistory #FexingoHistory #History #MilitaryHistory #IndigenousKnowledge Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo