The Songhai Horse Trade That Reshaped the Sahel

Long before the Songhai Empire rose to power, horses were transforming warfare and politics across the Sahel. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Mali Empire's cavalry enabled their conquest of Songhai and how Songhai itself became a horse-breeding powerhouse under Askia Muhammad. They discuss the famed Mali horses that carried farari warriors into battle, the Tuareg trade routes supplying mounts from North Africa, the cost of maintaining a cavalry—each horse requiring its own soldier and supplies—and how Songhai's ability to breed horses in the Niger floodplains gave them a military edge. Along the way, they touch on the Mossi cavalry raids, the role of the fari-mondio in managing horse taxes, and the surprising fact that African horses, like the Barb, were prized across the continent. This episode reveals how an animal shaped the destiny of empires in West Africa, from the battlefield to the economy. Tune in for a fresh angle on Songhai history. #SonghaiEmpire #WestAfrica #HorseHistory #MaliEmpire #Farari #Cavalry #Sahel #NigerRiver #AskiaMuhammad #Mossi #Tuareg #BarbHorse #HorseTrade #AfricanHistory #MilitaryHistory #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo