Songhai (Askia)

Songhai Empire
Map by Firaxis
Leader	Askia
Start Bias	Avoid Tundra
Religion	Islam Sunni (HR)
Geography & Social Data
Empire Name	Songhai Empire
Demonym	Songhai
Capital	Gao
Mod Support
Government	Monarchy
Culture	Saharan
Civ IV Traits	Aggressive, Protective
Map Labels Language	African
Magical Girl	Askia Sino
Civilopedia
Civilopedia	Here

Songhai led by Askia is a civilization available in vanilla Civilization V. It does not require any DLC.

Uighur_Caesar's Songhai under Sonni Ali gives this civilization a new Unique Ability and Building Effects.

Overview

Songhai

The Songhai Empire was a civilization that flourished in West Africa during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Songhai first appeared near the city of Gao; later, the Songhai gained Gao's neighbors along the Niger river - Timbouctou and Jenne. All three of these river cities were vassals of the Malinese Empire and before that the Ghana Empire. In the early 14th century the Songhai gained independence from the Mali, and over the next two centuries it expanded, eventually becoming the largest empire in African history.

Askia

Moḥammad ibn Abī Bakr Ture, also known as Moḥammad I Askia (reigned 1493–1528), welded the central region of the western Niger into a single Songhai empire, the largest in African history. Although he fought several military campaigns, he is primarily remembered for reorganizing, modernizing and bringing stability to the Songhai. He is also remembered for making a famous pilgrimage to Mecca.

Askia ruled for some thirty-five years. In 1528, old and blind, he was deposed by one of his sons, dying some 10 years later. He is judged to be an extremely competent administrator, his reign a golden age for religion and knowledge in Western Africa. While not a great general, he was able to expand his empire and to hold on to what he had taken until age robbed him of his powers. Overall, Askia is generally considered to be one of the best sub-Saharan rulers in history.

Dawn of Man

Art by Firaxis

May the blessings of God, who is greatest of all, be upon you Askia, leader of the Songhai people! For many years your kingdom was a vassal of the mighty West African state of Mali, until the middle of the 14th century, when King Sunni Ali Ber wrested independence from the Mali, conquering much territory and fighting off numerous foes who sought to destroy him. Ultimately, his conquest of the wealthy cities of Timbuktu and Jenne gave the growing Songhai empire the economic power to survive for some 100 years, until the empire was destroyed by foes with advanced technology - muskets against spearmen.

King Askia, your people look to you to lead them to glory. To make them powerful and wealthy, to keep them supplied with the weapons they need to defeat any foe. Can you save them from destruction, oh King? Can you build a civilization that will stand the test of time?

Introduction: I am Askia of the Songhai. We are a fair people - but those who cross us will find only destruction. You would do well to avoid repeating the mistakes others have made in the past.

Defeat: We have been consumed by the fires of hatred and rage. Enjoy your victory in this world - you shall pay a heavy price in the next!

Unique Attributes

• Vanilla
• with Sonni Ali's Songhai installed

Songhai (Askia)
Art by Firaxis River Warlord Receive 3 times the amount of Gold from Barbarian encampments and pillaging cities. Land units gain the War Canoe and Amphibious promotions, strengthening them while embarked.
Art by Firaxis Mandekalu Cavalry (Knight) No penalty vs Cities -9% Production cost (110 vs 120)
Art by Firaxis Mud Pyramid Mosque (Temple) +2 Culture No maintenance

Songhai (Askia)
Art by Firaxis Chronicles of Timbuktu Great Scientists create a Manuscript (unique Great Work of Writing that also yields Science) upon birth if there is a slot available. Great Works increase Gold received from International Trade Route for both parties.
Art by Firaxis Mandekalu Cavalry (Knight) No penalty vs Cities -9% Production cost (110 vs 120)
Art by Firaxis Funerary Mosque (Temple) +2 Culture Contains a slot for a Great Work of Writing. +2 Great Scientist points per incoming International Trade Route. No maintenance. No Crime. (CID)

City List Gao Tombouctu Jenne Taghaza Tondibi Kumbi Saleh Kukia Walata Tegdaoust Argungu Gwandu Kebbi Boussa Mopti Bamako Wa Kayes Awdaghost Ouadane Dakar Tadmekket Tekedda Kano Agadez Niamey Torodi Ouatagouna Dori Bamba Segou

Spy List Ahmadou Ayub Badru Bokhari Guedado Adhiambo Chinaka Laila Mariama Oni

Music

Peace Theme	War Theme
Civilization V Official Soundtrack - Songhai Theme - Gambian Folk Song (Peace)	Civilization V Official Soundtrack - Songhai Theme - Gambian Folk Song (War)
Gambian Folk Song by Michael Curran and Geoff Knorr	Gambian Folk Song by Michael Curran and Geoff Knorr

Mod Support

Events and Decisions

Recruit Scholars for the Sankoré University

In order for Songhai to truly be great, we must not neglect the cultural and intellectual needs of our people. Let us recruit Scholars to staff the Sankoré Madrasah and the many other centres of learning within the nation.

Requirements/Restrictions:

• Player must be Songhai
• Player must have researched Education
• May only be enacted once per game

Costs:

• 100  Culture
• 300  Gold
• 2  Magistrates

Rewards:

• +1  Science and +1  Culture from every Mud Pyramid Mosque

Police our Trade Routes

Our army needs gold to support it, gold which we earn through trade. We would do well to dedicate some of our troops and funds to protecting our merchants; helping to ensure a continual flow of money into the Songhai Empire.

Requirements/Restrictions:

• Player must be Songhai
• Player must have at least 2 Trade Routes
• May only be enacted once per era

Costs:

• 200  Gold
• 2  Magistrates

Rewards:

• Receive a Military Unit for every Trade Route

Unique Cultural Influence

"Our people are now buying your bogolan shirts and playing the Kora. I worry the rest of the world will also succumb to the influence of your culture."