7. The Songhai Empire - Africa's Age of Gold

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Today, the Songhai Empire is all but forgotten by history. But this medieval kingdom was once the most powerful force in Africa.

Find out how this civilization grew up on the fringes of the Sahara Desert, among some of the most extreme conditions that nature can throw at us. Discover how it grew and flourished, passing through a process known as the imperial cycle, and learn about what ultimately caused its sudden and dramatic collapse.

Credits:

Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas

Voice Actors:

Jake Barrett-Mills
Rhy Brignell
Bryan Tshiobi
Pip Willett

[JerryScott]

Last year I decided to start watching History Videos while I walk 1.5 miles each day on my treadmill, 3, 30 minute sessions each day. I am up to close to 500 hours of viewing. Mentally I have been all over the world. Focused on all the different World Cultures. I will say that these videos are the absolute best I have seen, Few come close to the standards exhibited here. Thank you, you made me a richer 70 year old man.

[heehokuzunoha]

Pretty cool that you can find such thorough, high quality documentaries on YouTube these days. Compared to the made for TV documentaries that have obnoxious sound effects and loud, unfitting music the quality of this series is truly impeccable.

[Nierez]

I can't binge this. There is so much quality that I ponder over every video for a couple of days before moving on.

[reichhb]

This reminds me of what history channel used to be like. Back before ice road truckers and gold diggers. You have made my long work hours so much easier by giving me something to consume and research when I get home. I appreciate you Mr. Cooper!

[hadjaragado]

I am so happy to see this. I am Songhai and we were taught about this in school. I was always raised to know that I come from great people and great civilization. I am glad more people are taking about it.

[abdulkn]

As a West African, I really love this and how you've put this in proper context, laying it out in a way that helps us understand the geography of the place, its people and their society. This is amazing, even more so for someone like myself who knows this history and I must say, well done. There is a lot lot more African history that's just as intriguing as this. Please do more like this. Bravo! 👏🏾

[fatimamaiga]

As a Songhai, I am so grateful for this video. If it wasn't for it, I would of still been clueless of the Greatest Empire that my ancestors had built in west Africa. Thank you!

[catherinepalun]

I absolutely love this clear and concise, and gives an interesting story to all his videos ! I’m 75 and enjoy learning about history especially presented by this wonderful man. Thank you 🙏 so much. Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺.

[User]

In the old times, before the Internet and global media conglomerates, this is what documentaries used to be like. On PBS they were even this long and had zero adverts. This series is a standard to which we used to hold informational content. The world as it exists today feels like the tail end of one of these fallen civilizations.

[Talleyhoooo]

Amazingly presented, I can’t express how much this video has been life changing for me. It kicked off my personal research to map my family tree, and through sheer coincidence, I tracked it back to a captured soldier from the Songhai region, who came to the America in the late 1500’s. Discovering this part of my family’s story started with this video years ago, and it has brought so much to my life to learn about my connection to this phase of history. Thank you, this is the least that I can do.

[gideonjones]

"I have witnessed the ruin of learning, and its utter collapse."

Man, I teared up at that. At least some people still valued it enough to preserve what works they could. I kind of wondered if Timbuktu was a real place or not as a kid, can't believe I never knew it was basically a city sized library. And I thought the library of Alexandria was a big deal. Learn something new everyday, huh? Some things can't collapse forever.

[jamescolvin]

Your documentaries are the only series that I can wholeheartedly recommend to my students. Impeccable work. Your videos have a production quality above and beyond what is shown on any TV network.

[LetGoNoControl]

Just Imagining the battle between the Moroccans and the Songhai through the amazing narrating sends chills throughout my entire body. Great documentary and story telling

[nathanfry]

I have been facinated by history since I was a small child and searching for quality documentaries is a struggle. I previously finished the Sumarian episode and I am instantly in love with this series. This is the first time I will probably become a patreon supporter. The sheer quality of research, length, and subject matter is beyond match. Thank you so much for doing this.

[michaelclayton]

Could you do a video about Ancient Nubia? It has a long rich history and its criminally underrated and has been overlooked.

[redsail]

Absolutely brilliant! I spent a semester in Mali while in college and learned a lot about its history. I am always so disappointed with any documentaries of this region as they tend to be very condescending and Euro-centric. Finally, this documentary provides a more matter of fact and deeply researched and highly intelligent view.

[capusvacans]

To all involved with creating these docus from "Fall of civilisations" i have only one thing to say: "Thank you, your content is spectacular."

[nickinurse]

These docs have been so valuable in homeschooling my grandkids during covid. Thank you

[Azuroth]

Can we PLEASE get another one of these... This is amazing content! African empires don't get enough attention and these stories need to be shared.

[fuhkoffandie]

As far down as I can scroll down in the comments, people are thanking you, and just saying what I'm saying. What an awesome job. Extremely professional, detailed, and you touch on many sensitive topics pertaining to Africa, which is a continent not often talked about. A continent that has a connection with all of us. A continent that holds the key to our beginnings. Definitely a five-star production, my friend. Once again, excellent job.😁