Final answer:
The adoption of Islam as the official religion of the Songhai Empire led to the blending of Islamic practices with traditional African beliefs, a process called syncretism that preserved ancient belief systems in a new Islamic context.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Islam became the official religion of the Songhai Empire, it had several effects on religious practices in the area. Among the most significant outcomes was that many people began to mix Islamic practices with traditional African beliefs, a process known as syncretism. Islam spread in Africa notably through trade and migration, often in conjunction with traditional commercial and administrative activities.
Islam's flexibility and adaptability facilitated such syncretism. For instance, in societies that practiced polygamous marriages, Islam's acceptance of polygamy compared to Christianity's emphasis on monogamy made it more attractive and easier to integrate into existing social structures. This blending of religious traditions allowed for the continuation of ancient African belief systems alongside new monotheistic faiths, creating distinctive local forms of Islam that incorporated elements such as ancestor worship.
Ruling elites in sub-Saharan Africa who adopted Islam often blended it with their indigenous practices, making use of Muslim merchant-scholars for administrative tasks when local languages lacked written form. This increased the profile of Islam and encouraged further conversions while still enabling the preservation of traditional religious customs.