16th century – 18th century
Morocco, Sahara, Niger Bend, Senegal Valley, and forest regions
The trans-Saharan trade network connected Morocco and the central Maghrib with the Western Sudan through caravan roads, Niger Valley routes, and links to the Senegal and forest regions. Despite political upheaval after the Moroccan conquest, trade remained a major economic activity, carrying salt, gold, slaves, ivory, textiles, gum arabic, kola nuts, religious works, firearms, and other goods, as well as ideas and religious affiliations.
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The Story
Trans-Saharan commerce remained rooted in the geography and social organization of the Maghrib and Sahel even after the Moroccan conquest and the expansion of European maritime trade. The road from Dar'a to Taghaza became the royal commercial route after 1591, but disturbances following the death of al-Mansur redirected merchants toward Sus and Tafilalet. The broader network therefore changed in emphasis without disappearing.
The western or Atlantic route connected southern Morocco and Mauritania with the Senegal Valley and the Bambara kingdoms. Caravans from Shinguetti and Waddan reached Saint-Louis through Trarza, Galam through Brakna country, and Hodh along the Dhar track. From Hodh, tracks continued toward Kaarta and Segu, while Moorish caravans traveled as far as Segu, Banamba, and Nyamina; Sansanding served as the principal commercial center of Bambara trade.
The eastern route began in Tafilalet, crossed Tuat, and connected at Timimun with routes from the central Maghrib. After In-Salah and Tidikelt, caravans crossed Ahnet and Tanezruft before reaching Azawad and the Kunta encampments. Timbuktu was supplied by this corridor, with diatigu providing hospitality, transport, and armed protection; many journeys continued onward to Jenne.
A Jula network linked Jenne with the forest regions and gold- and kola-producing countries. One route ran south-west toward Bure or Wurodugu, while another went south-east toward Kong and Asante. Kong supplied kola nuts and gold from Lobi and the Gold Coast, and Jula traders exchanged these products for salt from Taoudenni, cotton goods, and European manufactures. The network thus joined Saharan, Sahelian, savanna, and forest economies.
16th century – 18th century
Morocco, Sahara, Niger Bend, Senegal Valley, and forest regions
The trans-Saharan trade network connected Morocco and the central Maghrib with the Western Sudan through caravan roads, Niger Valley routes, and links to the Senegal and forest regions. Despite political upheaval after the Moroccan conquest, trade remained a major economic activity, carrying salt, gold, slaves, ivory, textiles, gum arabic, kola nuts, religious works, firearms, and other goods, as well as ideas and religious affiliations.
Continue exploring
The Story
Trans-Saharan commerce remained rooted in the geography and social organization of the Maghrib and Sahel even after the Moroccan conquest and the expansion of European maritime trade. The road from Dar'a to Taghaza became the royal commercial route after 1591, but disturbances following the death of al-Mansur redirected merchants toward Sus and Tafilalet. The broader network therefore changed in emphasis without disappearing.
The western or Atlantic route connected southern Morocco and Mauritania with the Senegal Valley and the Bambara kingdoms. Caravans from Shinguetti and Waddan reached Saint-Louis through Trarza, Galam through Brakna country, and Hodh along the Dhar track. From Hodh, tracks continued toward Kaarta and Segu, while Moorish caravans traveled as far as Segu, Banamba, and Nyamina; Sansanding served as the principal commercial center of Bambara trade.
The eastern route began in Tafilalet, crossed Tuat, and connected at Timimun with routes from the central Maghrib. After In-Salah and Tidikelt, caravans crossed Ahnet and Tanezruft before reaching Azawad and the Kunta encampments. Timbuktu was supplied by this corridor, with diatigu providing hospitality, transport, and armed protection; many journeys continued onward to Jenne.
A Jula network linked Jenne with the forest regions and gold- and kola-producing countries. One route ran south-west toward Bure or Wurodugu, while another went south-east toward Kong and Asante. Kong supplied kola nuts and gold from Lobi and the Gold Coast, and Jula traders exchanged these products for salt from Taoudenni, cotton goods, and European manufactures. The network thus joined Saharan, Sahelian, savanna, and forest economies.
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