Trans-Saharan Trade
by: Colby H, Garrett S, and Madeline G
Interactions Between Human & Enviornment
- Camels were used as a way of transportation is this dry and arid enviornment because of their distinct ability to hold water for a long time
- Most of travelling occured at night because of the intense heat
- Salt was constantly mined along this trade route & these areas where mining occured is where rest stops were established
Development and Interaction of Culture
- Traded with Ethiopians
- Rise of Ghana empire increased trans-saharan trade
- Supplied lots of salt
- Major turning point was introduction of camel
- Many in the Ghana empire converted to Islam due to lots of trade with muslims along the route
State Building, Expansion, Conflict
- People of western and central Sudan took advantage of the long trade route by setting up a series of states, empires, and city states. They ranged from the Atlantic Coast to Lake Chad. These were all monarchies who thrived off of the wealth of this expansive route
- Fatimids often warred with Baghdad Abbasids because they were Shi'a and the Abbassids were Sunni. Almoravids had conflict with the Spanish Christians.
Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economics
- Establishment of monetary systems in western Sudan such as cotton, gold, kolanuts, and salt
- Empires wanted to expand territories to take control of production spots such as Ghana to Audughost
- Gold was the most desired commodity on the trans saharan route and salt was also very important
Development of Social Structures
- Berbers led trade routes, guided the caravans of camels, and the nomads through the desert
- Monarchies formed with varying degrees of administrative complexity
- Heavy slave movement and trade along route
- Slaves were at the bottom of social hierarchy, and rich sucessful rulers at the top
Important Dates and Groups
- Groups: Ghana, Arabs, Europeans, West Africans, North Africans, Mali Empire,
- Dates: peaked between 8th and 17th century, Gold trade with Ghana in the 5th century, caravans travels popular following 8th century, battle of Tondibi in 1591 caused decline of the trade route