The Stampeding Cattle of Songhai

There have been other cases of animal warfare that have shifted the course of the conflict, but this is one occasion that has contributed to the fall of an empire. During the 16th century, the Saadi Dynasty of Morocco invaded the neighboring Songhai Empire. The two sides met in combat at the Battle of Tondibi on March 13, 1591. This was the first time that the Songhai encountered gunpowder weapons and they were clearly not prepared for them. In a foolish move, they decided to employ a strategy they had used before, which was to start their attack by unleashing a giant stampede of hundreds of cattle. The goal was to drive the animals through the center of the enemy lines, causing casualties and chaos.

Unfortunately for them, they did not predict the impact of gunpowder weapons on livestock. The smoke and loud noises startled the animals. Instead, they turned around and stampeded through the Songhai army, leaving it entirely exposed to the approaching Moroccans. The Songhai empire was destroyed soon after the Battle of Tondibi.

Date: March 13, 1591