Describe the organization of the Trans - Saharan trade.
Answer:
- It involved traders from North Africa and people of North Africa and people of
West Africa.
- The people involved were Arabs and barbers from the North Tuaregs from the
desert and the people of West Africa.
- Arabs in the North organized the caravans. Preparations were made in advance to have enough
goods food especially indigenous foods.
- Departure dates were set after the end of the rainy season when the storms were
minimal.
- The Berbers and Tuaregs acted as guides and provided security in the desert.
- The traders moved in caravans of up 1000 camels for security in the desert.
- In the south the traders stayed for up to three months selling goods.
- If they had not finished selling the goods by the end of the three months they hired local agents to continue selling goods and buying others on their behalf.
- The local agents also maintained good relations with local rulers by giving them gifts and paying tribute.
- In return the local rulers offered Security to the traders. They also regulated the precaution and supply of gold.
- From the North they brought salt, copper, needles, spics, beads, glassware, horses, clothes, daggers, firearms e.t.c.
- There Were several trade routes that were used by traders.