Religion
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The main religion of the Songhay empire was Islam. Although the earlier inhabitants continued their traditional African religions like magic and paganism. Sunni Ali Ber who was the ruler of the empire during the Sunni dynasty grew up in a community where people worshipped spirits and their religious leaders were said to be sorcerers. Sunni Ali knew how to practice sorcery which is why he was known as the sorcerer king. During his reign, Timbuktu's inhabitants who were mainly Muslims did not believe that they should be under the authority of the Songhay leaders and rebelled against Sunni Ali. Thus, Sunni Ali led an expedition to Timbuktu and crossed the river. He allowed his troops to burn part of the city and kill many people as punishment for Timbuktu's defiance.
This led to the religion conflict in the Songhay empire during the sunni dynasty. This bitter religious conflict between the Songhay leaders and the Muslims did not die with Sunni Ali. In accordance with Songhay law and tradition, Sunni Ali's son, Baru succeeded him and the Muslims hated him, like Sunni Ali, he was only a Muslim by name. He did not practice his religion wholeheartedly like the other Muslims. He refused to pray five times a day which is one of the sacraments of Islam. This angered the Muslims of the empire and plotted to dethrone him.
Sunni Baru was dethroned by the Muslims led by a religious leader named Muhammad Toure in 1493. This was the start of the Askiya dynasty. Askiya was a great religious leader. He was a devouted muslim. During his reign, the Muslims and non-Muslims were treated equally.
Today, the majority of the Songhay people practice their traditional religions like magic. These people were called Sohanti.
This led to the religion conflict in the Songhay empire during the sunni dynasty. This bitter religious conflict between the Songhay leaders and the Muslims did not die with Sunni Ali. In accordance with Songhay law and tradition, Sunni Ali's son, Baru succeeded him and the Muslims hated him, like Sunni Ali, he was only a Muslim by name. He did not practice his religion wholeheartedly like the other Muslims. He refused to pray five times a day which is one of the sacraments of Islam. This angered the Muslims of the empire and plotted to dethrone him.
Sunni Baru was dethroned by the Muslims led by a religious leader named Muhammad Toure in 1493. This was the start of the Askiya dynasty. Askiya was a great religious leader. He was a devouted muslim. During his reign, the Muslims and non-Muslims were treated equally.
Today, the majority of the Songhay people practice their traditional religions like magic. These people were called Sohanti.