MMW 13 – Textbook Notes – The Trans-Saharan Trade & African Kingdoms and Empires,
ca. 800-1500 (PGS 272-283)
The Trans-Saharan Trade
Trans-Saharan trade: north-south trade across the Sahara
Camel important for travel
o Don’t need much water
o 25 miles per day carrying 500 pounds
o More efficient desert transportation
Facilitated spread of Islam
The Berbers of North Africa
5 century camel saddle
o But a merchant usually walked and guided the camel on foot
o Powerful political and military advantage
Determined who could enter the desert
Traveled at night when it was cooler
700-900 network of trade routes developed across Africa
Tuareg nomadic raiders liked to attack caravans
o Made agreements with them to avoid attacks
Sandstorms, water
Effects of Trade on West African Society
Stimulated gold mining
o Women also worked in the mines
Desire for slaves
o Worked in gold and salt mines
o Household slaves in demand among elite
o People captured in war were made into slaves
o Slaves recruited for Muslim military service
o Manumission: freeing of individual slaves, high death rates, assimilation of slaves
into Muslim society kept demand for slaves high
o Slavery not based on skin color
Development of urban centers
o Muslims settling to create caravan routes
o Families acting as middlemen
o Agriculture stimulated
o Craft industries stimulated
The Spread of Islam in Africa
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Berbers introduced to Islam and converted 8 century
o Trader Berbers carried Islam to sub-Saharan West Africa
Almoravids spreached in areas o Fundamentalist Berbers
o Rulers converted to protect themselves from Berbers, and also liking the
administrative techniques of the Muslims
Merchants converted to preserve elite status
Accelerated development in West Africa by teaching the techniques of Muslim empires
Muslims founded port of Mogadishu
African King
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