Za Kusay

Za Kusay/Kusoy also known as Muslim-dam^[1] (fl. 11th Century) was a Songhai king of the Gao Empire, who is known for converting to Islam in 1009 or 1010 CE.^[2] Za Kusay was the 15th ruler of the Gao Empire.^[1] It is possible that during his reign the capital of the Gao Empire moved from Kukiya to Gao, possibly because it was closer to caravan routes connecting the Sahel region.^[3]

References

1 2 Sankore: Songhai Empire (PDF). p. 1.
↑ Badawi, Zeinab (2024). An African History of Africa. Penguin. p. 203. ISBN 978-07-535-6014-3.
↑ "15.4: The People of the Sahel". Humanities LibreTexts. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2026-07-20.

[:0-1] 1 2 Sankore: Songhai Empire (PDF). p. 1.

[2] Badawi, Zeinab (2024). An African History of Africa. Penguin. p. 203. ISBN 978-07-535-6014-3.

[3] "15.4: The People of the Sahel". Humanities LibreTexts. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2026-07-20.

[1]

[2]

[3]

This page was redesigned at the edge.

References