5.3 Economic systems and trade in West African empires
4 min read•july 31, 2024
West African empires like Ghana and Mali thrived on . They controlled key routes, exchanging , , and slaves for goods from North Africa and beyond. This trade brought immense wealth and power to these kingdoms.
The gold-salt trade was especially crucial. Gold from West African mines was exchanged for salt from Saharan deposits. This commerce fueled the rise of great cities like Timbuktu and spread Islam across the region.
Trade Routes in West Africa
Ghana and Mali Empires' Control of Trade
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- The controlled trade routes between the Sahara Desert and the Senegal and Niger Rivers from the 8th to the 11th century CE
- Key trade cities included Kumbi Saleh, Awdaghust and Koumbi Saleh
- The , which lasted from 1235 to 1670 CE, controlled trade in the upper Niger River valley and the Sahel
- Timbuktu and Djenné were important trade centers
Major Trade Routes and Commodities
- Gold from the Bambuk and Boure goldfields was a major commodity traded by both the Ghana and Mali Empires
- The Koumbi Saleh to Sijilmasa trade route transported gold, and slaves across the Sahara Desert to North Africa in exchange for salt, copper, cloth and beads
- The Walata trade route linked the Mali Empire with the Hausa Kingdoms and Arab traders of the central and eastern Sahara
- The Taghaza salt mines supplied salt that was traded along trans-Saharan routes
Commodities of West African Empires
Gold and Salt
- Gold was the most important commodity in the trans-Saharan trade and a major source of wealth and power for West African rulers
- Ghana was known as the "Land of Gold"
- Salt from the Taghaza mines and other Saharan sites was a vital commodity for preserving food and human health in the sub-Saharan region
- Salt was often traded for gold, pound for pound
Other Key Commodities
- Copper was mined in the Sahara and traded to West Africa where it was used to make jewelry, coins, and ingots
- Copper was alloyed with gold to make brass
- Ivory from African elephants was carved into decorative objects and exported to North Africa, the Middle East and Europe
- Slaves were captured in wars and raids and traded across the Sahara to North Africa and the Mediterranean
- The slave trade expanded in the later centuries of the Mali Empire
- Textiles, beads, dates, and manufactured goods from North Africa and the Mediterranean world were traded to West Africa
West African Empires and Trans-Saharan Trade
Ghana Empire's Control of Trade
- The Ghana Empire's wealth and power depended on its ability to tax and control the trans-Saharan gold trade
- Ghana's capital Koumbi Saleh was a major terminus of the trade routes
Mali Empire's Expansion and Reputation
- The Mali Empire expanded its power by seizing the main trans-Saharan trade routes from the Ghana Empire
- Malian cities like Timbuktu became major centers of trade, Islamic learning and culture
- 's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 CE established Mali's reputation as a wealthy gold-producing empire
- Musa brought so much gold that its value declined in Egyptian markets
Role of Muslim Traders and Scholars
- North African Berber and Arab traders were the main carriers of the trans-Saharan trade
- Muslim scholars and advisors at the Mali courts facilitated diplomatic and commercial relations across the Sahara
- Control of the Taghaza salt mines and trans-Saharan trade routes enabled Mali to dominate the salt and gold trade and extract taxes and tribute from local chiefs
Impact of Trade on West African Empires
Economic and Political Impact
- Trade was the fundamental source of wealth and power for the Ghana and Mali Empires
- Taxes on trade funded the expansion of their armies and territories
- Control of trade routes enabled Ghana and Mali to become the dominant powers in the Western Sudan region of sub-Saharan Africa
Cultural and Religious Impact
- The gold trade stimulated the development of advanced urban centers and Islamic cultural institutions in cities like Koumbi Saleh, Timbuktu and Gao
- Timbuktu had a famous mosque and university
- Trans-Saharan trade facilitated the spread of Islam, Arabic literacy and Islamic law and scholarship into sub-Saharan West Africa
Dynastic Shifts and Decline
- The wealth from trade enabled Mali to absorb Ghana and the Songhai Empire to eventually absorb Mali
- But the empires declined as trade shifted to the coasts with the advent of European maritime contact in the 15th century
- The trans-Saharan slave trade had a negative impact on West African societies, and established a foundation for the later Atlantic slave trade
Key Terms to Review (19)
Agricultural Economy: An agricultural economy is a type of economic system primarily focused on the production and management of crops and livestock to meet the needs of the population. This system heavily influences trade practices, social structures, and cultural dynamics, particularly in regions where agriculture forms the backbone of sustenance and commerce.
Barter system: The barter system is an economic model where goods and services are exchanged directly for other goods and services without the use of money as an intermediary. This system relies heavily on the mutual needs of the parties involved, which is crucial for trade and economic interaction, especially in early societies.
Cultural Exchange: Cultural exchange refers to the mutual sharing and blending of cultural practices, ideas, and values between different societies or groups. This process is often facilitated through trade, migration, or exploration, leading to the adaptation and transformation of cultural elements across regions.
Ghana Empire: The Ghana Empire was a powerful West African kingdom that thrived from around the 6th to the 13th century, known for its wealth and trade, especially in gold. It played a crucial role in establishing trade routes across the Sahara and connecting North and West Africa, fostering economic and cultural exchanges.
Gold: Gold is a precious metal that has been highly valued for its rarity, beauty, and utility in trade, currency, and jewelry. In various African economies before 1800, gold played a pivotal role in shaping trade networks, facilitating commerce, and establishing wealth among empires and societies.
Guild system: The guild system was a medieval economic framework where artisans and merchants organized themselves into associations, or guilds, to regulate their trades and protect their interests. These guilds played a crucial role in maintaining quality standards, providing training for apprentices, and controlling the market dynamics within specific industries. In the context of West African empires, this system facilitated trade, skilled labor, and economic collaboration among craftsmen and merchants.
Ivory: Ivory is a dense, white material derived from the tusks and teeth of animals, primarily elephants, which has been highly valued for its beauty and durability throughout history. It played a significant role in trade networks and economic systems across Africa, influencing cultural exchanges and the growth of various societies.
Mali Empire: The Mali Empire was a powerful West African state that flourished from the 13th to the 16th centuries, known for its wealth, culture, and significant role in trans-Saharan trade. The empire's rise was closely linked to its abundant resources, particularly gold, and its embrace of Islam, which shaped its political, economic, and cultural development.
Mansa Musa: Mansa Musa was the ninth emperor of the Mali Empire, reigning from 1312 to 1337, and is best known for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, which showcased the wealth and power of Mali. His rule marked a significant period of prosperity, cultural flourishing, and the expansion of trade routes across West Africa.
Merchant class: The merchant class refers to a social and economic group that consists of individuals engaged in trade and commerce, playing a crucial role in the economic systems of various societies. This class often facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, contributed to urbanization, and helped establish trade networks, especially in regions with rich natural resources and growing empires.
Monetary exchange: Monetary exchange refers to the process of trading goods and services using a medium of exchange, typically money, which facilitates transactions between parties. In the context of economic systems and trade in West African empires, monetary exchange played a crucial role in promoting trade networks, enabling the flow of goods such as gold, salt, and textiles, and supporting the growth of powerful empires through enhanced commerce.
Salt: Salt is a vital mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, playing an essential role in human diets and various economic systems. In the context of trade and empires in Africa, salt became a highly sought-after commodity, driving extensive trade networks and influencing power dynamics among societies. Its significance extended beyond mere consumption, as it was crucial for food preservation, a critical factor in sustaining populations, and supporting trade routes.
Silk Road: The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that connected the East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas. It was not just a single road but a series of interconnected paths that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, influencing economies and societies along its route, including those in West Africa through various trade exchanges.
Sundiata Keita: Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire in the early 13th century and is celebrated for his role in unifying the Mandinka people and establishing a powerful kingdom in West Africa. His story is not only a historical account but also a legendary narrative that embodies themes of resilience, leadership, and cultural identity, which are crucial for understanding the rise and expansion of the Mali Empire and its significant economic systems.
Trade diaspora: A trade diaspora refers to a community of merchants and traders who settle in a foreign land while maintaining connections to their homeland, often engaging in commerce across cultural and geographic boundaries. This phenomenon often leads to the establishment of networks that facilitate trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas, significantly impacting both the host country and the traders' original regions.
Trade surplus: A trade surplus occurs when a country's exports exceed its imports, resulting in a net positive balance in trade. This situation is crucial for economic health, as it can lead to increased national wealth and strengthen the currency. In the context of West African empires, trade surplus played a vital role in their economic systems and facilitated the growth of powerful states through the accumulation of resources.
Trans-Saharan Route: The Trans-Saharan Route refers to a series of trade pathways that connected North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating the movement of goods, people, and ideas across the Sahara Desert. This route played a crucial role in the economic systems of West African empires, allowing for the exchange of valuable commodities such as gold, salt, and ivory, which were essential to both regional economies and the broader global market.
Trans-saharan trade: Trans-saharan trade refers to the extensive network of trade routes that connected sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa and beyond, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture. This trade was crucial for the economic and social development of various empires in West Africa, shaping their structures and influencing political dynamics across the Sahara Desert.
Urbanization: Urbanization refers to the process through which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas, often as a result of economic development and the growth of trade. This shift leads to changes in social, economic, and cultural dynamics, making cities centers of commerce and innovation.