15th century – 15th century
Songhay and Mema
Sonni Silmān Dāma was a Songhay ruler who conquered Mema around the middle of the fifteenth century, when the power of Mali had weakened and Mema had enjoyed several decades of independence. He is described as the predecessor of Sonni ʿAli the Great. His conquest ended the Mema dynasty and devastated the country.
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The Story
Sonni Silmān Dāma appears in the history of Mema as a Songhay ruler active around the middle of the fifteenth century. His intervention occurred after Mema had become independent for several decades during the decline of Mali’s power. The changing political balance enabled Songhay to extend its authority into the former Mema state.
Sonni Silmān Dāma conquered Mema and put an end to its ruling dynasty. The source describes the country as destroyed in the aftermath of the conquest, marking a sharp break with Mema’s earlier role as an important Soninke successor state.
He is identified as the predecessor of Sonni ʿAli the Great. The conquest therefore places Sonni Silmān Dāma within the process by which Songhay replaced Mali and consolidated power across parts of the western Sudan.
15th century – 15th century
Songhay and Mema
Sonni Silmān Dāma was a Songhay ruler who conquered Mema around the middle of the fifteenth century, when the power of Mali had weakened and Mema had enjoyed several decades of independence. He is described as the predecessor of Sonni ʿAli the Great. His conquest ended the Mema dynasty and devastated the country.
Continue exploring
The Story
Sonni Silmān Dāma appears in the history of Mema as a Songhay ruler active around the middle of the fifteenth century. His intervention occurred after Mema had become independent for several decades during the decline of Mali’s power. The changing political balance enabled Songhay to extend its authority into the former Mema state.
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