HIST 2401 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Tuareg People, Musa I Of Mali, Idris Alooma
20 Feb 2016
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Document Summary
Trans-sahara trade and empires of the sahel (c. 400-1600) The spread of islam in west africa. Carrying salt, which was a big commodity for trade. Introduction of camels in 500, debates about who brought the camel in the sahara. Domestication of the camel gave new trading possibilities. The area involved in the trans-sahara trade is divided into different belts. South had the forest (forest belt), very thick forest area, contributed gold for trade, some of the best gold contributing areas around (akan and bure), also had kola and slaves. Sahel area/zone, located near niger river (transportation for trade), where all the trade and business happened, contributed agricultural goods. Sahara dessert, was much smaller and less dry than today, provided salt for trade, crossing this area was not easy (huge operations) Northern africa, goods were luxury goods (for the wealthy), weapons (swords from north africa), horses (always a prime trade), textiles, books (writings related to islam)
