9th century – 11th century
Western Sahara and Western Sudan
The Wargla–Ghana route connected the northern Saharan oasis of Wargla with Ghana through Sidjilmāsa and a chain of western Saharan markets. It was more important than the Wargla–Tādmekka route because Ghana stored gold from Bambuk and Buré. The corridor passed through Sidjilmāsa, El-Goléa, Tāmdūlt, Izil, and Awdāghust, with an alternative passage through Azukī or Tādmekka.
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The Story
The Wargla–Ghana route formed one of the major commercial corridors between the northern Sahara and the Western Sudan. Its northern gateway was Sidjilmāsa in Tafilālet, a major Saharan emporium through which gold and enslaved people from Ghana and Wankāra reached northern markets. Wargla merchants became active participants in this commerce rather than remaining simple way-station intermediaries.
The principal western branch passed from Wargla toward Sidjilmāsa, apparently through El-Goléa, and then continued southward to Tāmdūlt in Sūs al-Aqṣā. The stages named after Tāmdūlt were Izil, identified with Kēdiat d’Idjīl, and Awdāghust in southern Mauritania, where the ruins of Tegdaoust remain. Al-Zuhrī also records a passage through Azukī in the Mauritanian Adrar.
The route’s significance rested on the concentration of gold-producing regions and storage markets along its southern end. Ghana was a major storage place for gold from Bambuk and Buré, while Sidjilmāsa served as the principal northern terminus and gateway to the Sudan. Another branch reached Ghana through Tādmekka, linking the western and central Saharan systems.
9th century – 11th century
Western Sahara and Western Sudan
The Wargla–Ghana route connected the northern Saharan oasis of Wargla with Ghana through Sidjilmāsa and a chain of western Saharan markets. It was more important than the Wargla–Tādmekka route because Ghana stored gold from Bambuk and Buré. The corridor passed through Sidjilmāsa, El-Goléa, Tāmdūlt, Izil, and Awdāghust, with an alternative passage through Azukī or Tādmekka.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Wargla–Ghana route formed one of the major commercial corridors between the northern Sahara and the Western Sudan. Its northern gateway was Sidjilmāsa in Tafilālet, a major Saharan emporium through which gold and enslaved people from Ghana and Wankāra reached northern markets. Wargla merchants became active participants in this commerce rather than remaining simple way-station intermediaries.
The principal western branch passed from Wargla toward Sidjilmāsa, apparently through El-Goléa, and then continued southward to Tāmdūlt in Sūs al-Aqṣā. The stages named after Tāmdūlt were Izil, identified with Kēdiat d’Idjīl, and Awdāghust in southern Mauritania, where the ruins of Tegdaoust remain. Al-Zuhrī also records a passage through Azukī in the Mauritanian Adrar.
The route’s significance rested on the concentration of gold-producing regions and storage markets along its southern end. Ghana was a major storage place for gold from Bambuk and Buré, while Sidjilmāsa served as the principal northern terminus and gateway to the Sudan. Another branch reached Ghana through Tādmekka, linking the western and central Saharan systems.
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Other paths related to this story.