Songhai people
The Songhai people (autonym: Ayneha) are an ethnolinguistic group in West Africa who speak the various Songhai languages. Their history and lingua franca is linked to the Songhai Empire which dominated the western Sahel in the 15th and 16th century. Predominantly adherents of Islam, the Songhai are primarily located in Niger and Mali within the Western Sudanic region (not the country). Historically, the term "Songhai" did not denote an ethnic or linguistic identity but referred to the ruling caste of the Songhay Empire known as the Songhaiborai.[6] However, the correct term used to refer to this group of people collectively by the natives is "Ayneha".[7][8] Although some Speakers in Mali have also adopted the name Songhay as an ethnic designation,[9] other Songhay-speaking groups identify themselves by other ethnic terms such as Zarma (or Djerma, the largest subgroup) or Isawaghen. The dialect of Koyraboro Senni spoken in Gao is unintelligible to speakers of the Zarma dialect of Niger, according to at least one report.[10] The Songhay languages are commonly taken to be Nilo-Saharan but this classification remains controversial: Dimmendaal (2008) believes that for now it is best considered an independent language family.[11]
For other uses, see Songhai.Ethnonyms[edit]
Alternative spellings: Songai, Songay, Songhay, Songhay, Songhoi, Songhoy, Songhrai, Songhray, Songoi, Sonhrai, Sonhray, Sonrai, Sonray, Sonrhai, Sonrhay.
The correct pronunciation of "Songhai" in the Songhai languages is ”Soŋai”, with the "ng" representing a velar nasal sound (the "ng" sound is produced by raising the back of the tongue to the soft part of the roof of the mouth, creating a resonant nasal sound). The term "Sonrai" is a result of French influence, stemming from their difficulty in pronouncing the original word accurately.
However, Songhai people collectively identify themselves as "Ayneha," meaning "I speak," and the Songhai (Songhaiborai) are a subgroup within the Ayneha. This distinct self-reference contrasts with the prevalent classification often encountered in Western literature. It may have been influenced by the Songhai word's popularity, given that the Songhai Empire was named after the ruling caste, the Songhaiborai, which is a subgroup within the broader ethnic Ayneha community.
Zarma people
Songhaiborai
Dendi people
Wogo people
Kurtey people
Igdalen people
Ingalkoyyu people
Arma people
Belbali people
Arma people
Idaksahak people
(1493–1529): founder of Askia dynasty, Emperor of Songhai Empire, Caliph and Amir al-Mu'minin of Land of black.
Askia Muhammad
Askiya Mohammad El haj (1582–1586): emperor of .
Songhai Empire
Askiya Muhammad Bani (1586–1588): emperor of .
Songhai Empire
: Zarma King
Zarmakoy Sambo
: Military President of the Republic of Niger (1974–1987) and Head of the CMS, High Supreme Military Council (exceptional regime).
Seyni Kountche
:Prime Minister of Niger from 27 November 1997 to 3 January 2000, head of NEPAD since 2009.
Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
: Army corps general, Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy. President of Niger from 18 February 2010 to 7 April 2011.
Salou Djibo
(15th–16th centuries): Daughter of Emperor Askia Muhammad I, wife of Sultan Muhammad Rumfa of the Sultanate of Kano, Queen of Kano, initiator of the office of Madaki in the Hausaland and grandmother of Sultan Muhammad Kisoki.
Madaki Hawa Askya
Doctor Aben Ali (14th–15th centuries), Doctor at the Imperial Court of , Doctor to Princess Salma Kassay, Doctor to Charles VII King of France on March 4, 1419, Founder of the traditional medicine Office in Toulouse, France.
Gao
(1468–1552) Scholars of Timbuktu, Askia Muhammad I secretary, author of Tarikh al-fattash from Songhai Koyraboro subgroup.
Mahmud Kati
(1523–1593): Sheikh, teacher of Sankore Madrasah, Philosopher, Arabic grammarian, from Songhai Koyraboro subgroup.
Mohammed Bagayogo
(1594–1655), son of Mahmud Kati and grandson of Askia Muhammad I,scholar, cadi of Djenné and author of Tarikh al-Sudan, from Songhai Koyraboro subgroup.
Abdrahamane Sa'adi
(1556–1627), (culturally and linguistically Songhai, descended from Berber and Songhai ancestors), Teacher, Jurist, Scholar, Arabic, Grammarian of Songhai Empire and Saadi Sultanate, from Songhai Koyraboro subgroup.
Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti
(unknown–1533), Islamic scholars of North Africa and West Africa, jurist and teacher in Timbuktu, Kano, Katsina and Marrakesh, from Songhai Belbali subgroup of Tabelbala.
Makhluf al-Balbali
(born 1958), prime minister of Mali in 2017
Abdoulaye Idrissa Maïga
Nigerien politician
Mohamadou Djibrilla Maïga
Nigerien film director and actor
Djingarey Maïga
Abdoulaye Maïga, in 1960 and Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Rumania in 1964
ambassador of Mali to the United States
(born 1981), appointed interim prime minister of Mali in August 2022
Abdoulaye Maïga (officer)
Burkinabè footballer
Boureima Maïga
(born 1988), Malian professional footballer
Abdoulaye Maïga (footballer)
(born 1975), Senegalese/French actress
Aïssa Maïga
(1940–2005), Senegalese writer
Aminata Maïga Ka
(born 1958), prime minister of Mali 2021–2022
Choguel Kokalla Maïga
Nigerien diplomat. She was Niger's Ambassador to the United States from 2006 to 2010
Aminatou Maïga Touré
(born 1996), Ivorian footballer
Habib Maïga
(born 1995), Malian/Russian footballer
Mamadou Maiga
(born 1987), Malian footballer
Modibo Maïga
(born 1946), prime minister of Mali 2004–2007
Ousmane Issoufi Maïga
(1954–2022), prime minister of Mali 2017–2019
Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga
(born 1996), Russian basketball player
Zhosselina Maiga
Beninese footballer
Abou Maïga
Nigerien Minister of Justice (2000–2001)
Ali Sirfi Maïga
Ghanaian filmmaker
Abdul Salam Mumuni
Malian singer and musician (1939–2006)
Ali Farka Toure
Nigerien filmmaker
Rahmatou Keita
Nigerien-French actress
Magaajyia Silberfeld
Malian singer and guitarist
Vieux Farka Touré
Malian singer (1959–2018)
Khaira Arby
Nigerien Singer
Mali Yaro
Nigerian entrepreneur and CEO of Rufaida Drinks LTD
Tukur Yusuf
Malian Singer
Baba Salah
Malian Singer
Thialé Arby
Nigerien Singer
Moussa Poussy
Nigerien actress
Zalika Souley
Nigerien athlete
Abdoul Razak Issoufou
Malian politician who served in the Government of Mali as Minister of Finance from 1993 to 2000.
Soumaïla Cissé
Nigerien politician
Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye
Nigerien politician
Moussa Moumouni Djermakoye
Nigerien diplomat, government minister, and journalist. Ambassador to the United Nations(1980–1983). Secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity(1985–1988)
Ide Oumarou
Nigerien physicist
Abdou Moumouni Dioffo
Nigerien politician
Barcourgné Courmo
Nigerien politician
Foumakoye Gado
Nigerien footballer
Boubacar Haïnikoye
Nigerien army general
Salifou Modi
Ghanaian politician
Ali Maiga Halidu
Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist
Alhaji Salamu Amadu
Ghanaian businessman and founder of Global Haulage Company and The Royal Bank, Ghana