Askia Mohammad Benkan

Who is Askia Mohammad Benkan?

Askia Mohammad Benkan, also Askiya Muhammad Bonkana, ruled the Songhai Empire from 1531 to April 1537. After Mohammad Benkan's uncle, the founder of the dynasty, Askia Mohammad, had grown old, his son Askia Musa deposed him in a bloodless coup, assuming the throne himself.

Shocked by Musa's ruthless actions to eliminate rivals Musa's brothers conspired together and killed him. Its was during this chaos that Benkan, the Kurmina-fari and son of Umar Komadiakha, was able to seize control from Alu and take the position of Askia.

To secure his position Benkan then banished Askia Mohammad, his paternal uncle to the island of Kangaba, in the River Niger to the west of Gao. He appointed his brother Uthman to his former position as Kurmina-fari. The Tarikh al-Sudan contains this description of his court:

Askiya Muhammad Bonkana furbished the court splendidly, enlarging it, adorning it, and embellishing it with more courtiers than ever before. He supplied sumptuous garments, different types of musical instruments, and male and female singers. He gave out abundant largesse and benefactions. During his reign divine favours were bestowed, doors were opened, and blessings poured forth.