The Songhai Queen Who Ruled Timbuktu

When the Songhai Empire crumbled after the Saadian invasion in 1591, a woman stepped into power in Timbuktu. This episode tells the story of Queen Astou, known as the 'Queen of Timbuktu,' who led the city during the chaotic 17th century. We explore how she navigated the aftermath of the Moroccan occupation, the rivalry between the Arma (Moroccan soldiers who married into local families) and the native Songhai elite, and her diplomatic maneuvering with the Bambara kingdoms. Learn about the Tarikh al-Sudan's account of her rule, the challenges of leading a city in decline, and how her legacy challenges assumptions about gender and power in pre-colonial West Africa. #QueenAstou #Timbuktu #SonghaiEmpire #SaadianInvasion #TarikhAlSudan #Arma #Bambara #17thCentury #WestAfrica #FemaleRulers #MaliHistory #AfricanQueens #TimbuktuHistory #History #FexingoHistory #AfricanHistory #Scholarship #Resilience Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo