Trans Saharan trade was the trade between North Africa, which was well known as Western Sudan, across the Sahara desert. It was also known as the Sahara caravan trade. This trade was also referred to as the pre-colonial interior trade and it started with the Berbers exchanging salt for gold with the Negroes in the Sahara.

 

 

No body knows for sure when trade across the Sahara desert between North and West Africa began but it was certainly already in existence at the time of the empire of ancient Greece which existed about 3000 years ago. The Trans Saharan trade is said to have begun in the second century AD. It could have started earlier than this period probably before the Birth of Christ (BC). However the volume of trade must have remained small until the introduction of camels in the 7th century. The camels made travel across the Sahara easier thus increasing the volume of trade. In the same period the Arab conquest of North Africa increased the momentum of the Trans Saharan trade. The documented history of the trade, and the days of its greatness, began with the rapid expansion of Islam from its birth place in Arabia.

The Berbers migrated southwards which gave them greater advantage to participate in the Trans Saharan trade. With the camels, they settled in the desert oases and the desert cities. The trade began as a silent or dumb trade and it was by simple barter means.

The Berbers established trading relations with the Sudanese or black inhabitants out of which grew the rich trade between North Africa and Sudan across the Sahara.

By the 10th and 11th centuries, a profitable trade had developed. This trade was controlled and financed by the Berber merchants who acted as middle-men. The items of the trade were gold, ivory, iron, hides, slaves, and kola nuts. These were exchanged with goods from North Africa like salt, cowrie shells, beads and perfumes.

Why Trans Saharan trade developed

The trade started developing from the 7th century and reached its peak between 14th and 16th century. The following are the reasons why the Trans-Saharan trade developed.

Firstly, production of different commodities led to the development of Trans Saharan trade. North Africa produced salt, copper and dates, beads, shells while West Africa produced gold, slaves, ivory and hides therefore the demand for these items led to the development of the Trans Saharan trade.

Secondly, the introduction of camels in the 7th century greatly contributed to the success of Trans Saharan trade. The camels greatly improved and quickened the development of the Trans Saharan trade. Camels were the most suitable animals for the desert because their feet prevent them from sinking too deep into the sand. The can also close their nostrils during the heavy storms. They store large quantities of water in their stomachs so that they can go for days without drinking water. They can eat even the most thorny desert vegetation and the food energy is stored as fat in their humps.

Thirdly, the emergence of kingdoms and empires in Western Sudan contributed to growth of Trans Saharan Trade. Examples of such kingdoms were Ghana, Mali, Kanem Bornu, Songhai and the Hausa states all contributed to the development of the Trans Saharan trade. The rulers of these empires ensured safety and security of the traders which encouraged the Trans Saharan trade.

The kingdoms and empires, given their high population provided market for all the commodities from North Africa and they as well supplied well processed goods to other areas.

The introduction of Islam led to the development of Trans Saharan trade. Islam encouraged the spread of Arabic language which made communication in trade easy. It also exposed West Africa to the out side world thus attracting traders and scholars from Arabia to Western Sahara.

The extension of the Trans Saharan trade southwards to the forest states led to its development. The forest region was rich in kola nuts and gold. This increased the value and volume of trade especially between the 14th and 15th century.

The demand for gold in North Africa and Europe and the need for salt in West Africa encouraged the development of the Trans Saharan trade. Eventually other items like firearms and beads from North Africa, the slaves and kola nuts from West Africa became part of this trade.

Organisation of Trans Saharan trade

The peoples of North Africa, the Savannah and forest regions of West Africa across the Sahara desert conducted trade across the Sahara desert hence the name Trans- Saharan trade.

Trans Saharan trade was organized and controlled by the Berber merchants of North Africa. They provided the capital, organized the caravans and planned the routes to use. The Berbers, Arabs and Negroes of Western Sudan were the prominent participants.

Caravan traders from North Africa came with Salt, copper for making tools and ornaments, brass vessels heads, they also came with cloths and cowrie shells. Their commodities were exchanged with Gold, Slaves and Kola nuts from the Negroes of the Savannah and forest regions.

However, in the beginning the system of trade was unique in that no language was used. Indeed it was called dumb or silent trade. The traders did not understand the language of each other. For that matter traders of either side placed items of trade in market centres and went to a hiding place. Traders from one side checked and if they were contented with the commodities placed against their items, they picked the salt, cloth if it was on the side of the Negroes and vice-versa. If not satisfied they made for the hiding place until the partners added on the items.

But with time the Arabic language became the language of transacting business, i.e. the Lingua Franca.

In the initial stages the system of trade was the Barter system because a commodity was exchanged for commodity. But as the trade advanced with time some kind of currency in form of cowrie shells was used as medium of exchange.

There were three major routes; the Tanghaza-Timbktu or Western route, the Ghadames-Air or central route starting from Tunisia and the Fezzan-Kawar or Western route from Tripoli.

The merchants acted as guides along the routes employed the Tuaregs in this trade; they also guided the Caravan traders where wells and pasture were available. They also guarded the Oasis.

Business was conducted in established market centres like Timbuktu, Jenne, Gao and Kano among others.

The great rulers of the Sudan were great organisers of trade. They gave the security and ensured the safety of the traders while in their dominions. Also the kings controlled the gold producing areas let alone safeguarding the routes of the trade.

Fez and Marrakesh in Morocco, Constantine in Algeria, Tunis and Tripoli were the Northern Termini of the caravan routes. While Jenne, Timbuktu, Gao, Kano Katsina were the Southern Terminal of the Trade caravans.

The great merchants of North Africa had agents in the Sudanic cities who conducted their trade and got goods and slaves ready for transportation North Africa.

Caravans always ranged from 50 men strong to hundreds of thousands strong. The journey across the Sahara took two to three months or about 70 to 100 days to complete. The caravan comprised of 80 men and over 200 camels.

In the desert, the Tuaregs were employed to guide and protect the merchants along routes, wells, oasis and pasture. The Tuaregs lived in the desert and knew its geography well.

The major items of the trade from the Sudanese states were gold, slave, kola nuts, ivory, honey and skins. From North Africa were salt, copper, glass, cloth, beads, camels and horse.

Originally, the means of transport was on foot until the 7th century AD when the camel was introduced. Actually the introduction of the camel greatly increased the volume of trade after all it was suitable for desert conditions because it had broader feet which do not sink in the sand. It could also travel long distances without drinking water.

The traders used defined routes which ran from the cities of North Africa to the commercial cities of the Sudan, there were four important trade routes. Where did these trade routes start and where did they lead to?

The first is the Western route. This route began at Marrakesh in Morocco through the salt mines of Taghaza to the gold mines of Wangara in the old kingdoms of Ghana through Jenne and Timbuktu. In the west of the region important routes led from the towns of Morocco, like Marrakesh and Fez, to the markets of Ancient Ghana. On the way they passed through Sijilmasa, Taghaza and Walata to Jenne. Smaller trails led to Awdaghast and other towns on the Senegal River.

The other one is the central route. It started from Tunis passed through Ghat, Agades to Katsina Kano in Huasaland. Through the centre of the region passed another trail (or rather group of trails). These trails connected Algeria with such towns as Jenne, Timbuktu and Gao. Another central route passed from Tunis or Tripoli through Ghadames, Ghat and Agades to Gao or Katsina and Kano.

The other one was southern route. It rotated between Awdaghost, Kumbi Saleh and the Walata trading were the safest and the most established. These had more reliable water and pasture for animals and traders. Therefore the merchants kept permanently on these routes.

And the last main route joined Cairo with Murzuk and then on through Bilma to the market centres of Kanem and Bornu.

Problems faced by the trans-Saharan traders

Language barrier was a major hinderance in Trans Saharan trade. The Berbers and the Arab traders did not know West African languages and vise versa, due to this, they resorted to silent trade. This was only solved with the introduction of Arabic which became a uniform language.

The second problem that affected Trans Saharan trade was water shortage. The caravan trade went through the Sahara desert where it was hard to find drinking water for traders and their animals. For example in 1805 a caravan of men and 800 camels perished in the desert along the eastern route.

Thirdly there was a problem of long and tiresome journeys. These journeys took three months to cross the desert, the merchants arrived tired and worn out and so did the animals.

Fourthly, there was a problem of extremely harsh climate. During the day there was extreme heat and at night, it was very cold. This made travelling very difficult.

Food shortages and supplies was another problem that affected Trans Saharan trade. Though merchants equipped themselves with food on many occasions they ran short of food for themselves and animals.

Trans Saharan trade was also affected the problem of sand storms. This was a hazard and it disorganized the caravan trade. Routes disappeared especially during heavy sandstorms therefore the traders were alert in case they strayed from the routes or else they got lost in the desert and died of thirst.

Traders were also affected by the problem of high taxes. The kings in West Sudan imposed high taxes which made commodities very expensive for example the Ghana king imposed rigid laws on the production and export of gold. This in fact slowed down the Trans Saharan Trade.

There was also a problem of insecurity and robbery. The caravans were usually attacked by armed robbers and this made crossing the Sahara desert very risky and dangerous.

Tropical diseases was also became one of the problems faced by the trans-Saharan traders. The traders were usually attacked by sleeping sickness and malaria as they approached the savanna and the tropical forest belt. Even their animals were victims of diseases.

Wild animals also proved a serious threat to the trans-Saharan traders. This was a threat especially as the caravans approached the Savannah and tropical forest belt. On many occasions, the wild animals disrupted the trade caravans.

Another problem faced by the trans-Saharan traders was that of Currency and medium of exchange. Initially the trade was by barter. This caused a problem of establishing equivalence in relation to value and quantity.

Accommodation was a problem faced by the trans-Saharan traders. This was so especially in the desert areas where there was no permanent lodging facilities. Though tents were used in times of heavy storms, they were not reliable. In other words, accommodation was not conducive in the desert.

Why the Trans Saharan trade lasted long

Firstly, there was no competition. The Trans Saharan trade enjoyed the position of monopoly for 15 centuries it was the only major trade in the region.

Secondly the trade was profitable to those who participated in it. The merchants and the middlemen who were at the centre of the Trans- Saharan trade obtained a lot of profit. Therefore they could not leave the trade despite the numerous risks involved.

Thirdly, they traded in essential commodities. The Trans-Saharan trade was a major source of essential commodities for example salt and cloth which could not be produced internally therefore this accounted for its survival since these goods were on demand.

Fourthly, there was assured security provision. Most of the trade caravan routes remained secure and free from armed robbers. Though there were some few cases of this, the trade still survived.

The introduction of camels made Trans Saharan trade to last longer. It was introduced in the 7th century AD. This increased the volume of trade and improved the means of transport and it was easy to cross the desert.

Another factor was the existence of gold. West Africa was a source of gold that time, there are some regions were it was just untouched. The empires of West Africa remained the only source of gold thus the survival of the Trans Saharan trade.

Lack of natural barriers enabled Trans Saharan trade to survive longer. The trade caravans were not faced with mountains, deep valleys, impenetrable forests, swamps etc, this made it easy to travel and trade across the Sahara.

Fertile grassland enabled the people especially in the Sahara and the forest belt to produce enough food for the population especially the traders. The surplus would be sold.

Barriers to coastal penetration by the Europeans and existence of tropical diseases made it difficult to penetrate the interior from the sea, for this reason therefore the Trans Saharan trade, was not interrupted for quite a period.

Lack of any technological advancement also made the trade to survive for a long time. Between the 5th and the 15th centuries there was no major technological discovery which could change the course of Trans Saharan trade or threaten it. It was for this reason that it survived this period.

Why the trade declined

Towards the start of the 19th century, the Trans Saharan trade had almost disappeared. In the first instance the conquest of Songhai by the Moroccan forces in 1590 helped to create chaos in Western Sudan. This political instability reduced the volume of trade and even disrupted it.

Secondly, the discovery of the sea route from the Mediterranean Sea to the West African coast contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. Gold, Ivory and Ostrich feathers formerly carried along the caravan routes of North Africa were now transported more cheaply and quickly by the sea to the Northern markets.

Increased commercial activities also contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. Europeans appeared frequently on the coast of West Africa. This changed the direction of the trade from the north to the south. A case to note is that by the 17th century gold exports to the southern West Africa coast increased while the exports northwards declined.

Cheap European manufactured goods sold in West Africa contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. West African states and markets were flooded with cheap and high quality items such as salt from Europe which competed with the poor quality salt from Taghaza. This destroyed the salt trade across the desert. Other high quality goods such as cloths flooded West Africa.

Similarly, the slaves who were being taken across the Sahara were now being shipped to the Americans across the Atlantic Ocean.

Discovery of new sources of gold in the world contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. The discovery of gold in USA and the far East diverted the attention of these sources changing political conditions in Western Sudan.

High taxes and rigid restrictions contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. The West African rulers imposed tough regulations and heavy taxes on the Trans Saharan trade which greatly affected it.

Tropical diseases contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. As the caravans approached the savanna and tropical areas, they faced malaria and sleeping sickness. With this, trade became more risky and insecure.

The establishment of colonial rule dealt a mortal blow to what was left of the Trans-Saharan Trade. They abolished slave trade, imposed strict laws and emphasized legitimate trade.

The abolition of slave trade contributed to the decline of Trans Saharan trade. With its abolition by the Europeans, the Trans Saharan trade was deprived of one of its principle commodities (slaves). It is worth noting that the slaves maintained the oasis, the wells of the desert and also assisted in preparing the caravans.

The Tuareg invasions also became a disturbing influence of what was left of the remnants of the trade. The conquest and overthrow of Songhai by the Moroccan invasion created insecurity and there was increased robbery especially the Western trade route.

Significance of Trans-Saharan trade

Trans Saharan trade led to growth of empires and states. Revenue derived from the Trans Saharan trade was used by the kings to create and expand empires like Ghana, Mali and Songhai. The leaders of Ghana, in 990 conquered Audaghost while those of Mali and Songhai extended their conquests in the Sahara as far as Tanghaza, Takedda, the gold and copper producing areas, thus leading to the expansion and growth of the Sudanic states.

Trans Saharan trade led to increased wealth. The rulers and the participants of the Trans Saharan trade became very rich and their standard of living improved.

The trade provided the supply of effective means of warfare such as fire arms, camels, cavalry, horses and metals suitable for the manufacture of arms such as arrowheads, which escalated warfare. These strengthened the military forces of West African states thus providing means of making war.

The well-equipped Sudanic armies enabled the politicians to secure trade routes, crush rebellions against their rule, and protect their citizens from outside attack and to conquer neighbouring people.

Trans Saharan trade led to the fast spread of Islam. The Arabs and Berbers were Muslims and while conducting trade they spread the word of Allah to the people of Western Sudan. In fact this accounts for the Muslim population in West Africa.

Together with Islam went the building of schools and Mosques thus introducing literacy in West Africa. This led to Islamic education and literacy.

Islamic culture was introduced and developed due to the spread Trans Saharan trade. The Arab merchants and Berbers brought about wearing of veils, Friday prayers, the Hijja to Mecca, building of mosques and Islamic schools where Arabic language was taught.

Also due to the Trans Saharan trade, even the Arabic language was introduced as the Lingua Franca because it was used in schools and in preaching.

Trade introduced into Western Sudan, the employment of well educated Muslim traders whom the trade attracted into the Sudan, as advisors and civil servants which brought efficiency and rule of law and justice.

There was intermarriage between the people of West Sudan, the Berbers and the merchants. There emerged a population of Negroes and Hamitic people in West Africa.

Trans Saharan trade led to the development and growth of towns. Small villages and settlements that started as collection and resting centres like Jenne, Timbuktu, Kumbi Saleh and Gao became big cities.

The Trans-Saharan trade linked North Africa and Western Sudan. It turned the Sahara desert, one of the world's formidable barriers of communication into a bridge linking West Africa to the rest of the world in particular Europe and the Arab world.

Trans-Saharan trade stimulated the exploitation of natural resources, for example the production of gold at Wangara and salt mining at Tanghaza and Taodine in West Africa. Other resources were copper, iron and agricultural materials.

Trans Saharan trade led to the increase in food crop production. The trade encouraged food and agricultural production. The food stuffs produced were exported northwards to feed the caravans on their way to and from Sudan.

This trade promoted the development of the textile industry, especially in the forest states like Dahomey.

Camels were introduced as a result of Trans Saharan trade. A camel was well suited for the desert conditions, it would go for days without food or water, it carried a big load and its flat feet easily cope with the sand in the desert and the long legs could cover long distances in the short time, therefore the camel improved transport in West Africa.

The Trans Saharan trade led to the development of highways and roads. The routes used by the merchants in the Trans Saharan trade developed into important highways which today link many countries in West Africa.

The Trans Saharan trade encouraged foreigners who permanently settled in West Africa. The majority came as traders, others as visitors or scholars invited by rulers which increased the population and wealth of West Africa.

It destroyed the livelihood of the Tuaregs as it declined or collapsed. After all the Tuaregs depended on the Trans Saharan trade to provide a service as guides and potters.

In the success of Trans Saharan trade, different groups of people played different roles which were specifically important towards the success of that long distance trade between the North and West Africa.

The Berbers

They organized and controlled the Trans Saharan trade, they provided capital, goods and organized caravans across the Sahara. They also controlled the salt mines of Taghaza, Taodine and Biima. They bartered salt for gold from the south. The goods supplied by the Berbers included salt, cloth, cowrie shells, copper, beads and other luxurious goods. They introduced camels to solve the problem of transport across the desert. They built prosperous cities in North Africa such as Marrakesh, Tunis, Tripoli and Cairo. These have remained important business centres up to the present day.

The Tuaregs

The Tuaregs controlled the four routes of the desert that is the Western, the eastern, central and southern routes. They acted as guides across the desert in the Trans Saharan trade. They also guarded and provided security to the caravan traders to and from Western Sudan. Besides that, the Tuaregs also maintained and kept well the oasis and wells in the desert. They could also assist in the provision of accommodation and directing the caravans to areas where there is pasture.

The Negroe Africans

These acted as middlemen between the forest region and North Africa. They collected the commodities of the trade from the forest region to the trading centres and also arranged accommodation for the merchants.

The Africans supplied gold, slaves, ivory, kola nuts and skins in the Trans Saharan trade. They also controlled the gold mines of Wangala for example in Ghana which they bartered for salt from the north.

They also built major cities as a result of participating in the Trans-Saharan trade for example Jenne, Gao, Timbuktu. Even empires such as Ghana, Mali and Songhai became strong as a result of the Trans-Saharan trade.