ABSTRACT
The new Songhoy dynasty of the Askyas began in 1494 with the death of Sonni Ali Ber and ended in 1591 with the Moroccan invasion. Historical chronicles claim that Askya Mohammed I is of Soninke ancestry from Fouta Toro in the area that is now Senegal. His father was Boubacar Sylla, and he was called Mohammed Boubacar Sylla before he became Askya. (In the Songhoy language this word “askya” is a sign of protest: “You will never be the king”.) Askya was, in fact, a Sillinké. His mother, Kassey, was one of Sonni Ali Ber’s sisters. It is this double heritage that makes Askya Mohammed I the link or the bridge between the Songhoy people north of Mali and the Soninke people west of Mali, and more importantly, he is also a bridge between today’s Republic of Mali and Senegal in this current period of sub-regional African integration.
