Book Description:
The Epic of Askia Mohammed is a legendary oral narrative that chronicles the rise, reign, and legacy of Askia Mohammed I, one of the greatest rulers of the Songhai Empire in West Africa. Set during the empire’s golden age in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the epic blends history, myth, and Islamic tradition to tell the story of a warrior-leader who claimed the throne, expanded his empire, and undertook a monumental pilgrimage to Mecca.
Told for centuries by griots—West African oral historians—the epic celebrates themes of divine destiny, justice, leadership, and spiritual devotion. As Askia Mohammed consolidates power, reforms his kingdom, and brings Islamic scholarship to the cities of the Sahel, the story unfolds with heroic deeds, vivid characters, and moments of both triumph and reflection.
A cornerstone of Sahelian literature and identity, The Epic of Askia Mohammed offers a powerful glimpse into the values, politics, and spiritual life of precolonial West Africa.
