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Gold was one of the most valuable resources in the Songhai Empire and played a major role in the empire’s wealth and power. Songhai controlled major gold mines and trade routes, exporting gold across the Sahara to North Africa and beyond. The gold-salt trade helped connect West Africa with the wider Islamic world, promoting cultural exchange and economic growth. This nugget represents Songhai's economic strength and its role in global commerce.

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Salt was as valuable as gold during the height of the Songhai Empire. It was essential for preserving food and maintaining health, especially in the hot West African climate. Salt was transported from the Sahara Desert by camel caravans and traded in cities like Gao and Timbuktu. This artifact symbolizes Songhai’s strategic position in trans-Saharan trade and its mastery of desert commerce.

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Timbuktu was a major cultural, educational, and trading center in the Songhai Empire. It housed famous institutions like the Sankore University and attracted scholars, traders, and travelers from across Africa and the Middle East. The map highlights Timbuktu's importance as a center of learning, religion, and commerce. It reflects how Songhai contributed to Islamic scholarship and African intellectual history.

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Griots were traditional storytellers and oral historians in West Africa who preserved the history and heritage of the people. A griot’s scroll or oral account would contain tales of Songhai’s great leaders, battles, and achievements. These stories were passed down through generations and helped maintain cultural identity. This artifact reflects the importance of oral tradition in preserving the legacy of the Songhai Empire.

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Askia Muhammad was one of Songhai’s most influential rulers, known for expanding the empire and reforming its government. He strengthened Islam in the empire by building mosques and supporting scholars, and he organized a strong bureaucracy to manage the vast territory. A portrait of him represents the empire’s political power and religious devotion. His reign marked a golden age in Songhai’s history.

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Coleman, John. “Songhai empire | History, Facts, Map, & Fall.” Britannica, 13 May 2025, https://www.britannica.com/place/Songhai-empire. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Exhibition Guide.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 30 January 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2020/sahel-art-empire-sahara/exhibition-guide. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Songhai Empire.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songhai_Empire. Accessed 5 June 2025.