Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 4
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Socio-political Structure of Songhai Empire (1464: 1492) Ad.
Topic: SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF SONGHAI EMPIRE
Subject Matter: Askia Mohammed I (AD 1493- 1528), His achievements, Expansion of the empire, Government of the empire, Central government, Regional Administration: Justice system based on sharia law

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Identify Askia Mohammed I and state his reign period.
Describe at least three achievements of Askia Mohammed I.
Explain how the Songhai Empire expanded under Askia Mohammed I.
Outline the structure of the central government of the Songhai Empire.
Discuss the role of regional administration in the Songhai Empire.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the leadership qualities of Askia Mohammed I.
Value the importance of an organized government in maintaining stability.
Recognize the influence of Sharia law on the justice system of the Songhai Empire.

Psychomotor Domain:

Draw a simple diagram illustrating the hierarchy of the Songhai government.
Locate the Songhai Empire on a map of West Africa.

Discuss the impact of a centralized government on the unity of an empire.
Relate the justice system of Songhai to modern legal systems.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for History.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Junior Secondary Schools.
Adeola, F. (2018). History for Junior Secondary Schools Book 2. Learn Africa Plc.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Songhai-empire
https://www.worldhistory.org/Songhai_Empire/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A map of West Africa showing the Songhai Empire.
Charts illustrating the government structure of the Songhai Empire.
Pictures of historical figures associated with the Songhai Empire, including Askia Mohammed I.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the political organization and governance of a significant West African empire. It enables pupils to learn about the contributions of key leaders like Askia Mohammed I and how a structured government can lead to stability and expansion.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of early African empires and the concept of governance from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF SONGHAI EMPIRE

Askia Mohammed I (AD 1493-1528)

Askia Mohammed I, also known as Askia the Great, was a powerful emperor who ruled the Songhai Empire from 1493 to 1528. He was a devout Muslim who strengthened Islam within the empire and reformed its administration.

Achievements of Askia Mohammed I

The following are some of the key achievements of Askia Mohammed I:

He expanded the Songhai Empire to its greatest size, conquering new territories.
He established a well-organized central government with various ministries.
He reformed the legal system, basing it on Islamic (Sharia) law.
He promoted trade and commerce, making Timbuktu and Djenné important centers of learning and trade.
He encouraged education and scholarship, attracting scholars from across the Muslim world.
He standardized weights, measures, and currency within the empire.

Expansion of the Songhai Empire

Under Askia Mohammed I, the Songhai Empire expanded significantly through military conquests. He launched successful campaigns against neighboring states, bringing vast territories under Songhai control. This expansion made Songhai one of the largest empires in West African history.

Government of the Songhai Empire

The Songhai Empire had a highly organized and centralized government structure under Askia Mohammed I. This structure helped in effectively managing the vast empire.

Central Government

The central government was headed by the Askia (emperor) and included a council of ministers and officials. Key positions included:

Askia: The supreme ruler, commander-in-chief, and chief judge.
Ministers: Officials responsible for various departments like finance, justice, agriculture, and defense.
Diara-farma: Head of the army.
Fari-mondio: Head of finance and taxes.
Korey-farma: Head of fishing.
Balama: Head of land and property.

Regional Administration

The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a provincial governor appointed by the Askia. These governors were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and enforcing laws in their regions. They reported directly to the Askia.

Justice System based on Sharia Law

Askia Mohammed I established a comprehensive justice system based on Sharia (Islamic) law. Judges (Qadis) were appointed in major towns to administer justice according to the Quran and Islamic traditions. This system provided a unified legal framework across the empire and ensured fair judgment based on religious principles.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils what they remember about ancient African empires and if they know any famous African rulers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their knowledge about ancient African empires and rulers like Mansa Musa.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the topic of West African empires.

Step 2: Askia Mohammed I and His Reign

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces Askia Mohammed I, stating his full name, reign period (1493-1528 AD), and his significance as a powerful emperor of Songhai.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and note down key details about Askia Mohammed I.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the identity and reign of Askia Mohammed I.

Step 3: Achievements of Askia Mohammed I

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the major achievements of Askia Mohammed I, such as empire expansion, government reforms, promotion of trade, and the establishment of Sharia law.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, ask questions, and write down the achievements.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the significant contributions of Askia Mohammed I to the Songhai Empire.

Step 4: Expansion of the Songhai Empire

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aids/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a map of West Africa to show the extent of the Songhai Empire under Askia Mohammed I, explaining how it expanded through military conquests.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map and understand the geographical expansion of the empire.
Learning Point: Pupils visualize and comprehend the vastness of the Songhai Empire under Askia Mohammed I.

Step 5: Central Government Structure

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the structure of the central government, detailing the role of the Askia and various ministers, possibly using a chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions about the different government roles.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the centralized administrative system of the Songhai Empire.

Step 6: Regional Administration and Justice System

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Question and Answer
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains how regional administration worked through provincial governors and discusses the implementation of the justice system based on Sharia law.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils engage in a question and answer session, clarifying their understanding of regional governance and the legal system.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the decentralized aspects of governance and the importance of the legal framework.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Who was Askia Mohammed I and when did he rule?
Mention three significant achievements of Askia Mohammed I.
How did Askia Mohammed I expand the Songhai Empire?
List two key officials in the central government of Songhai and their roles.
Explain the basis of the justice system in the Songhai Empire.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reinforcing the importance of Askia Mohammed I’s leadership and the well-structured Songhai government. The teacher assigns homework: “Draw a chart showing the central government structure of the Songhai Empire.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

Askia Mohammed I – The most powerful emperor of the Songhai Empire, who reigned from 1493 to 1528.
Songhai Empire – A large and powerful West African empire that flourished from the 15th to 16th centuries.
Sharia Law – Islamic law based on the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
Central Government – The main administrative body of the empire, headed by the Askia and his ministers.
Regional Administration – The system of governing provinces within the empire through appointed governors.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research other West African empires and compare their governance structures with that of Songhai. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and more direct guidance during discussions, focusing on core facts like Askia Mohammed I’s reign and main achievements.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have a clear map of West Africa to effectively demonstrate the expansion of the Songhai Empire. Encourage pupils to engage in discussions and draw parallels between historical governance and present-day systems. Emphasize the cultural and religious aspects, particularly the role of Islam and Sharia law, in shaping the empire’s socio-political structure.