WHI-Chap19-Timbuktu

Timbuktu

Timbuktu was a prosperous trade city in the northern Niger River valley (in modern Mali) from c. 800 – 1500 C.E. Along with Gao to the east, Timbuktu was one of the largest trade cities in sub-Saharan Africa. Gold, ivory, and slaves from the lands to the south were traded for horses, cloth, small manufactured goods, and salt from North Africa at Timbuktu, which became rich by taxing goods passing through the trans-Saharan trade network. Salt was crucial to the tropics because of its use as a seasoning and, most importantly, a method of preserving food. Timbuktu’s prominence as a trans-Saharan trade entity emerged during the surge of trade activity that began after the introduction of camels by Muslim Arabs to sub-Saharan Africa. The success of Timbuktu as a trade mediator provided income and commerce to sub-Saharan nations and empires (see Ghana and Mali). (T&E pp. 488-489)

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