Songhai's Women of Power: Queens, Scholars, and Traders

Beyond the famous kings and generals, the Songhai Empire was shaped by remarkable women—queens, scholars, and merchants who wielded real influence. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the little-known stories of women like Queen Amina of the Hausa, who expanded her kingdom through trade and war, and the female scholars of Timbuktu who studied at Sankore Madrasa. They discuss the role of women in the trans-Saharan trade, managing salt and gold exchanges, and even leading diplomatic missions. Drawing on sources like the Tarikh al-Sudan and accounts by Leo Africanus, they reveal how Songhai's women navigated a patriarchal society to leave their mark on the empire's golden age. From the royal court in Gao to the markets of Djenne, this episode uncovers a hidden history of agency and resilience. #SonghaiEmpire #WomenInHistory #QueenAmina #Timbuktu #SankoreMadrasa #TransSaharanTrade #Gao #Djenne #TarikhAlSudan #LeoAfricanus #WestAfrica #MedievalAfrica #FemaleScholars #Hausa #Sahel #GoldTrade #SaltTrade #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo