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I had an idea while listening to Roots (the audiobook). There were a number of kingdoms in West Africa that rose and fell. But what if one of the empires didn't fall. I want to work with Songhai, since it was a contemperary to Europe's beginning conquest of the world. In reality, it fell in 1591, due to a Moroccan Invasion, that ended with the destruction of Goa.

What if the invasion failed, and Songhai survived. I'm envisioning a state that can survive colonization and continue on until today, like Ethiopia (hence the name). I'm not planning on a Super Power or economic giant (though Songhai would have oil reserves), but a moderately industrialized state that can bargain as equals with European powers.

Any thoughts? Or better yet, anybody have information on Songhai more than Wikipedia offers?
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