History and Citizenship

Rise and organisation of Trans-Saharan Trade

Activity 8.1

1. Use a dictionary to find the meanings of the following: 

(a) trans 

(b) trade 

2. Using an atlas, identify and list the major deserts of Africa. 

3. Describe the characteristics of desert climate.

One of the deserts that you have mentioned probably is Sahara Desert. Sahara Desert is the biggest desert in Africa. The Trans-Saharan Trade was conducted across it. 

Trans-Saharan Trade was carried out between North African Berbers and the West African Negroes. It was carried out across the Sahara Desert. Some historians suggested that the trade might have begun in the 2nd century. 

The volume of trade remained low until camels were introduced form Asia. After that the volume of trade increased. 

Fig. 8.1: A section of Sahara Desert: Trans-Saharan Trade took place across this desert

Furthermore, the trade gained momentum in the 7th Century when the Arabs conquered North Africa. The conquest forced the Berbers to migrate southwards. Consequently, it gave them a greater advantage to participate in the trade. By the 11th Century, a profitable trade had been developed. During this trade, the Berbers from North Africa acted as middle men.

Reasons for the rise and development Trans-Saharan Trade 

Activity 8.2

Case study 

Neza started a small retail shop in Kibuye Town. After three years, she turned it into a wholesale shop. It did not take long before she opened a very big supermarket to replace the wholesale shop. Currently, she hopes to start a new firm. 

State the possible reasons that may have led to the expansion of Neza’s business. 

For a long period of time, Trans-Saharan Trade was so remote and very backward. But with time, the trade came to grow and develop. The following factors show the reasons behind the growth and expansion of Trans-Saharan Trade.

(i) Introduction of Camels 

The introduction of camels greatly helped in its improvement, especially in the means of transport. In addition to the above, the camels could also carry large amounts of goods. They could also take long without drinking water. 

(ii) Emergence of West African empires

 Some of such important empires included Mali, Ghana and Songhai. The existence of such empires assured the traders of security. It also encouraged more people to join the trade. 

(iii) The conquest of North Africa by the Arabs

 This forced the Berbers to migrate southwards. They finally reached West Africa. That marked the beginning of the trade. Furthermore, they introduced a common language (Arabic). This encouraged the coming of more Arabs who participated in the trade thereby developing it.

(iv) The spread of Islamic religion in West Africa 

With the spread of Islam in West Africa, Muslim traders felt secure to carry out trade. Islam acted as a uniting factor. Islam also increased trade in Islamic books and Arabic textiles. 

(v) Re-production of different commodities by West and North Africa

 This led to the need of exchanging goods produced in the two regions. It eventually led to the development of the trade. 

(vi) The presence of the Tuaregs and Berbers 

The Tuaregs of the desert maintained wells and guided traders. 

(vii) High profits 

The trade grew because of the high profits that were involved. This attracted many more people to join. 

(viii)  Absence of natural barriers 

There were no natural barriers such as lakes and mountains between North Africa and West Africa. This made movement of goods and people easy. 

                                      Remember! 

Trans-Saharan Trade was done the same way trade is done today. The only difference is that there was no standard medium of exchange in form of money. 

The Organisation of Trans-Saharan Trade

Activity 8.3

Make a visit to a market near where you stay. 

1. Identify the people involved in trading activities. 

2. Write down a list of major goods sold in that market. 

3. Find out how the goods reach that market.

Just like any other trade, Trans-Saharan Trade had participants and specific goods of trade. It was well organised as can be seen in the following subheadings: 

1. Participants 

The groups of people which were involved in the trade included the following:

(a) The Berbers 

These were the people of North Africa. They played the following roles: 

• Controlling the trade 

• Providing capital 

• Organising the caravans across the desert 

• Employing the Tuaregs who acted as guides 

(b) The Tuaregs 

These were the people of the Sahara Desert. They played the following roles in the trade: 

• Providing water for the caravans 

• Providing food for the caravans 

• Acting as guides to the caravans across the desert 

• Providing labour in the salt mines 

(c) The Negroes

 These were the people of West Africa. They played the following roles: 

• Owning the gold mines 

• Providing agricultural products 

• Working as slave raiders 

• Providing security to the traders in West Africa 

• Acting as a market to European products 

(d) Europeans and Arabs

 They brought goods from Europe and Asia to North Africa. They exchanged these goods for West African products. 

2. Items or goods traded in Trans-Saharan Trade

The major products which were involved were in two forms:  

(i) Goods from North Africa to West Africa 

(ii) Goods from West Africa to North 

Africa Goods from North Africa to West Africa included weapons, clothes, beads, medicine and salt. 

Goods from West Africa to North Africa included the following: 

• Gold 

• Ivory

• Silver 

• Skins and hides 

• Food stuffs  

• Slaves 

• Kola nuts 

• Ostrich feathers

Fig. 8.2: Kola nuts and ivory 

They initially practised barter trade. Later, they introduced cowrie shells as a medium of exchange. Barter trade proved to be inconvenient and unreliable. 

Fig. 8.3: Cowrie shells 

3. Trade routes used during the trade

There were four major routes. These were:

 • The western route from Fez to Sijilmasa, Taghaza and ended in Timbuktu. 

• The central route from Ghadames up to Kano in the south. 

• The eastern route from Tripoli to Bilma up to Lake Chad in the south.

• The route from Egypt to the western parts of Africa. However, this was not commonly used.

Fig. 8.4: Trans-Saharan Trade routes

4. Means of transport during Trans-Saharan Trade

At the beginning, traders used to move on foot while carrying out trade (head portage). Later in the 4th Century, camels were introduced and eased means of transport. This greatly increased the volume of trade. Camels were suitable for desert conditions in addition to carrying heavier load.

Fig. 8.5: Trade caravan

Problems faced by the traders during the Trans-Saharan Trade 

Activity 8.4

Visit a nearby trading centre. Have a dialogue with the traders on the following: 

1. How they pay taxes 

2. The problems they encounter as they run their businesses 

3. How they keep security for their goods 

Write down your findings in your note books.

Any trader may face challenges during trade. The traders you visited and talked to must have confirmed this to you. Traders who participated in the Trans-Saharan Trade faced some challenges. The challenges have been discussed below. 

(i) Language barrier: The traders could not communicate easily while transacting. So, they used signs and gestures. The use of signs and gestures was not very effective. 

(ii)  Long distance: It could take 2-3 months to travel from North Africa to West Africa and coming back. 

(iii)  Water shortage: Oases were few and far, and located far apart. They could sometimes dry up. 

(iv)  Sand storms: Strong desert winds disturbed the traders. 

(v)  Inadequate weights and measures: This made it difficult to determine the weights of goods in order to find their value. 

(vi)  Barter trade: It had challenges such as transportation means, storage facilities and determination of values of goods. 

(vii) Locating routes: The traders also faced a problem of locating routes that they were to follow. This was because they did not have compasses to use. 

(viii) Harsh climate: The problem of the harsh climate also disrupted the trade activities. It was extremely hot during the day and very cold during the night. 

(ix) Inadequate facilities: Storage facilities were inadequate. Some of the goods could get spoilt, especially agricultural goods. 

(x) Heavy goods: Some of the goods they carried were very heavy and transporting such goods became difficult.

(xi) Heavy taxes imposed on the traders also limited the traders’ profits. 

(xii) Civil wars also put the lives of the traders at a big risk. Some could get killed while crossing such areas. 

(xiii) Dishonest traders could disappear without paying or supplying goods agreed upon. (xiv) Highway robbers could steal the goods from the traders or even kill them. 

(xv) Wild animals such as hyenas, snakes, lions and leopards scared and on some occasions killed the traders. 

                                                  Important! 

The Rwandan government is emphasising standardisation culture or quality principles. This is to ensure that its citizens get the best quality products for a worthy cost. This helps to overcome problems like those experienced during the Trans–Saharan Trade. During that time, people gave in much for less. For example, beads for gold, and a gun for hundreds of people (slaves).

Effects of the Trans–Saharan Trade

Activity 8.5

Discuss the socio-economic importance of the market you visited in Activity 8.3 to the community.

The market you visited above serve similar importance like the TransSaharan Trade. Both provide employment opportunities and foster economic development in terms of taxes. The effects Trans-Saharan Trade were:  

(i)  The trade led to the exploitation of African resources such as minerals, ivory and agricultural products. That led to their exhaustion. 

(ii)  It led to the introduction of new commodities in West Africa such as beads, clothes and guns. 

(iii)  It led to the development of many trading centres/towns that grew into big cities. Such centres were Tripoli, Fez, and Timbuktu.

(iv)  It led to the development of trade routes that have become permanent roads till today.

(v)  The trade also provided employment opportunities to many people such as guides, guards and porters. It improved their standards of living. 

(vi)  Many people who participated in the trade became rich. For instance, kings of West Africa and the Arabs. 

(vii)  The trade also created a lot of suffering to the Africans. Most of them were taken into slavery. 

(viii) It also led to depopulation of many areas due to slavery. 

(ix)  It led to the introduction of Islam into West Africa. This was due to the participation of many Arabs in the trade. 

(x)  It led to intermarriages between the Arabs and the Africans. This gave rise to a new race of coloured Africans. 

(xi)  It led to the spread of Islamic education. For example, Islamic universities were established in Mali and Songhai. 

(xii) The trade also brought many Arabs into West Africa. These Arabs settled there permanently. 

(xiii)  The trade also created a lot of insecurity as guns were brought in big numbers. 

(xiv) It also brought Islamic architecture into West Africa. Most of the buildings resembled those of the Islamic world. 

(xv)  It introduced camels into North and West Africa. The camels were the major means of transport. 

(xvi)  It led to the decline of local industries because of the introduction of cheap foreign goods. 

(xvii)  The trade led to the rise and expansion of empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. This was because the empires got a lot of wealth in form of taxes from the trade. 

(xviii)  The Arabic culture including language, dressing and cooking was introduced. 

(xix)  The trade created a permanent relationship between North and West Africa, and the Arab world. 

(xx)  It led to the European colonisation of Africa because European powers wanted to stop slave trade.

Reasons for the decline of the Trans–Saharan Trade

Activity 8.6 

Propose steps that can be taken to avoid business failure.

Any trading activity may collapse due to certain factors. Trans-Saharan Trade also declined due to the following factors: 

(i)  Slave trade was abolished and thus Trans-Saharan Trade could not continue. Slaves were an important item of the trade. 

(ii)  The introduction of cheap European goods made the African goods to lose market. This led to the decline of Trans-Saharan Trade. 

(iii)  Increasing insecurity along the trade routes also discouraged the traders leading to its decline. 

(iv)  The trade declined because of the discovery of gold in other parts of the world.  For example, the discovery of gold in America. 

(v)  It also declined due to the constant shortage of water. Most oases dried up. 

(vi)  The death of important kings led to the decline of the trade. Such kings included Mansa Musa of Mali Empire and Askia Mohammed of Songhai Empire. 

(vii)  The trade declined because of the downfall of some West African empires. Such empires included Mali, Songhai, and Ghana. 

(viii) The rise and development of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade led to the decline of Trans-Saharan Trade. Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was more profitable than Trans-Saharan Trade. 

(ix)  The trade also declined because of high taxation imposed on the traders in West Africa. High taxation reduced their profits. 

(x)  The discovery of the sea route through the Mediterranean Sea to West Africa also led to its decline. 

(xi)  There was a shortage of raw materials such as gold and ivory. This led to the decline of Trans-Saharan Trade. 

(xii)  The colonisation of Africa by the European powers made these Europeans to become controllers of Africa. This led to the decline of Trans-Saharan Trade.

                                                Remember! 

Trade is conducted for purposes of profits. When profit is well managed through savings and investments, it creates positive socio-economic changes on society. It changes people’s standards of living, increasing savings and reducing dependency ratios.

Revision questions

1. Describe the organisation of Trans-Saharan Trade. 

2.  Examine the factors for the growth and development of Trans-Saharan Trade. 

3. Highlight the challenges that the traders faced during the TransSaharan Trade. 

4. Analyse the factors for the decline of Trans-Saharan Trade. 

5. Discuss the effects of Trans-Saharan Trade.