Ancient and Medieval Africa Museum

The Songhay kingdom of Gao becomes an important end point for trade across the Sahara.

Arab expedition crosses the Sahara desert and makes contact with the kingdom of Ghana.

Sanhaja chief Yahya ibn Ibrahim makes a pilgrimage to Mecca, leading to the founding of the Almoravids.

Soninke city of Kumbi, capital of Ghana, is sacked by an Almoravid army, sending the Ghana Empire into decline.

Berber Almohad dynasty overthrows the Almoravids in northwest Africa.

Susu ruler Sumanguru Kanté conquers the remnants of the kingdom of Ghana.

Sunjata and his Mande army defeat Sumanguru and establish the Mande state that becomes the Mali Empire.

Pilgrimage of Mansa Musa (r. 1312–37) to Mecca marks the highpoint of the empire of Mali.

The Arab traveler and geographer Ibn Battuta visits Mali and the court of Mansa Sulayman.

Mali Empire withdraws from Timbuktu and Gao.

Sii Sulayman Dama of the Kingdom of Gao captures Mema, signaling the decline of the Mali Empire.

Sii Ali Beeri conquers Timbuktu as he expands the Kingdom of Gao into the Songhay Empire.

Askia Muhammad the Great establishes a new Songhay ruling dynasty.

A Moroccan army invades Songhay, leading to the defeat of the Askia dynasty.