Gao-Songhai mythology

The Mythology Gao-Songhaï brings together the myths and legends of Kingdom of Gao and of theSonghai Empire

The Songhai are a river valley people Niger living mainly from working the land and crafts. They are an important ethnic group in Mali, Niger and northern Benign.

According to the sources, there are multiple variants in the spelling: Songai, Songay, Songhaïs, Songhay, Songhays, Songhoi, Songhoy, Songhrai, Songhray, Songoi, Sonhrai, Sonhray, Sonrai, Sonray, Sonrhai, Sonrhay.

The Songhais are an ancient people of West Africa. The Songhai Empire experienced significant influence at the end of the 15th^e and at the beginning of the xvi^e century.

The Songhai Empire was initially a small kingdom spread along the Niger River. At vii^e century, it was the kingdom of Gao, later becoming a vassal of the empires of Ghana and Mali. It becomes an empire during the xv^e century. At its peak, the Songhai Empire extended over part of present-day Niger, Mali and part of Nigeria.

• Culture and Myths by Jean Rouch
• Songhay Pantheon