I was immediately captivated. Who were these people? Why were they traveling in such a hot, dry place? Where were they going? What did they carry with them? What would they return with?
I had always assumed that ancient people wouldn't do such a "foolish thing"—cross such a vast desert. But then I discovered that they not only did it, but they did it for centuries.
So, I decided to learn more: What exactly is the Trans-Sahara Trade?
How Big is the Sahara?
Let's start with the Sahara Desert. It's located in northern Africa and is the world's largest hot desert. How big is it? It's roughly the size of the entire United States.
When I first looked at the map, I had no idea. To the north lies the Mediterranean Sea, home to cities, ports, and farmland. To the south lies West Africa, with its forests, rivers, and villages. And in the middle? A vast expanse of yellow, barren, simply labeled "Sahara Desert."
Yet, even in this desolate place, hundreds of years ago, people traveled back and forth daily, carrying goods on foot and on camels.
They weren't traveling for pleasure or adventure; they were out for business.
What routes did the merchants take?
At first, I thought these people were just wandering, going wherever they pleased, leaving their mark. But after some research, I realized that wasn't the case at all.
They followed fixed routes. These routes weren't drawn on maps, but were carved out step by step by generations of people, on foot and with their camels.
These routes had one thing in common: Each section connected to an oasis.
What is an oasis? It's a place with water in the desert. It might be a well or a small patch of palm trees. For merchants, it was a lifesaver. Without water, both man and camel would perish. Therefore, the caravans had to know exactly where the next oasis was and how far it was. They relied on the sun, the stars, the wind, and experience to navigate. Without compasses or cell phones, they never got lost.
There were several main routes:
Route from Morocco
The starting point was Sigir-Massa, a small town in southern Morocco. From here, the caravans headed south, first to Taghaza, where a large salt mine existed. The salt was cut into bricks, each weighing dozens of kilograms. The route then continued through the heart of the desert, ultimately reaching Timbuktu. It was a bustling city, bustling with people trading goods.
Route from Tunisia
This route departed from Tunisia, passing through the oasis town of Ghadames, and then continued south, joining other routes. The merchants on this route were primarily Berbers from North Africa, who were particularly familiar with the desert.
Route from Egypt
This route is more easterly, starting in Egypt, passing through the Fezzan region of Libya, and finally reaching Lake Chad. The goods transported along this route varied, such as leather, grain, and even slaves.
These routes were not straight, but rather winding, circumventing oases. Sometimes a single journey could take months.
What did they actually transport?
The textbook says, "They traded salt for gold." Sounds simple, right? But in reality, there were many more items being traded.
Goods shipped south
- Salt: This was the most important. There were no salt mines in West Africa, but people would get sick if they didn't eat salt. Therefore, salt was extremely expensive, sometimes a piece of it could be exchanged for its weight in gold!
- Cloth: North African wool and linen were beautifully colored and durable. African kings and wealthy people loved to wear these.
- Food: Products like dried dates, beans, and wheat. These were durable and suitable for long-distance transportation. Horses: West African armies needed good horses, so North Africans would ship them there for sale.
Copper and glassware: Decorative items like bracelets and cups were very popular with the locals.
Books and paper: As Islamic culture spread, many scholars sought to read Arabic books, and these became commodities.
Goods shipped north
Gold: This was the most valuable commodity. West Africa had numerous gold mines, especially in present-day Ghana and Mali. People in Europe and the Middle East coveted Africa's gold.
Ivory: Elephant tusks were a luxury item in North Africa and Europe, used for decorative purposes.
Pepper and spices: West African pepper has a strong flavor, and North Africans favored it in their cooking.
Leather: Belts and shoes made from cowhide were of high quality.
Kola nuts: These are seeds from a plant that boost energy. In Islamic countries, many people chewed them, much like coffee is consumed today.
Slaves: This was the most depressing part. Some captured people were sold as mercenaries and sent to North Africa or the Middle East. This history is painful, but we can't pretend it never happened.
How were caravans organized?
Do you think it was just a few people leading a few camels? No.
A large caravan might have hundreds of camels, with hundreds of people traveling together. There would be a leader, guards, camel drivers, and water managers.
Each camel could carry 150 to 200 kilograms. They are uniquely suited to the desert: they can go for days without water, their wide paws don't sink into the sand, and they can withstand the cold at night.
But desert travel is still dangerous.
- The weather changes rapidly, from oven-like heat during the day to icehouse-like cold at night.
- Sandstorms can be so turbulent that the wind can make it impossible to see.
- Bandits also lurk near oases to steal goods.
- The biggest fear is getting lost or running out of water. If one takes the wrong path, the entire group could perish in the desert.
Therefore, caravans had to plan every day's itinerary. Departure times, rest periods, and the amount of water to carry were all determined before departure.
It Was More Than Just Buying and Selling Goods
Many people believe that the Trans-Saharan trade was simply "trading gold for salt." But in reality, it brought more than just goods.
Religion Spread
Islam gradually spread to West Africa through these trade routes. Merchants promoted their faith while conducting business. Later, many West African kings converted to Islam, built mosques, and sent people to North Africa to study.
Cities Developed
Cities like Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné flourished thanks to the frequent stops of caravans. They became markets, schools, and cultural centers. Timbuktu even had an ancient university that taught mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.https://fairytales.cc/how-did-trans-saharan-trade-work-routes-and-goods-they-carried/
Language and Culture Exchanged
As people from different places met more frequently, they began to learn each other's languages. North African Arabic influenced West African languages, and music, clothing, and architectural styles also influenced each other.
Why do I think this is so remarkable?
I used to see the words "Trans-Saharan Trade" in history books and just flipped over them. I thought it was just a simple sentence.
But when I truly learned about it—drawing routes, examining maps, researching, and imagining the men and women trudging under the scorching sun—I realized the immense effort behind it.
They had no cars, no cell phones, no weather forecasts. Yet, relying on experience and courage, they traversed one of the world's most inaccessible regions and carried on their trade for centuries.
They were not just merchants; they were explorers, navigators, and survival experts.
Furthermore, this trade network transformed Africa. It allowed gold from the South to flow globally and culture from the North to reach the African interior. Without these camel caravans, West African kingdoms might not have been as powerful, nor might cities have flourished.
Finally, I want to say:
Next time you see the words "gold," "salt," and "camel," don't just dismiss them as history lesson points.
Think about this:
Who was carrying those salt bricks? Who was driving that long caravan of camels?
Who was counting the days beneath the stars, waiting for their next sip of water?
They weren't characters in a story; they were real people. They measured the desert with their footsteps and connected the north and the south with their perseverance.
This wasn't just about trade; it was a true record of human courage and ingenuity.