TRANS SAHARA SLAVE TRADE

Summary

This episode explores the trans-sahara slave trade, an older and less known form of African enslavement that spanned over 20 million Africans across the Sahara to the Middle East. It discusses the trade's origins, the harsh journey slaves faced, and its impact on African kingdoms, including the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa. The script also touches on how European awareness of Africa's wealth led to the transatlantic slave trade and colonization.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script discusses the trans-sahara slave trade, which is distinct from the transatlantic slave trade.
• 📚 The trans-sahara slave trade is the oldest form of slave trade in Africa, dating back to 1000 BCE.
• 🛣️ Trade routes across the Sahara were established for goods like gold, salt, and textiles.
• 🔗 The spread of Islam facilitated communication and trade between African and Arab traders.
• 🔢 It's estimated that over 20 million Africans were enslaved through the trans-sahara trade.
• 🐫 The journey across the Sahara was perilous for slaves, with many dying from dehydration and harsh conditions.
• 👥 Women captured often became sex slaves or concubines, while some men were trained as soldiers.
• 🏺 The Mali Empire, particularly under Mansa Musa, was a powerful kingdom that benefited from the slave trade.
• 💰 Mansa Musa's wealth in gold was so vast that he influenced the gold market in the Mediterranean.
• 🌐 European explorers were drawn to Africa's wealth, which eventually led to the transatlantic slave trade and colonization.
• 📖 The script invites viewers to stay tuned for more historical exploration in the upcoming season.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the discussed episode?

The main focus of the discussed episode is the enslavement responsible for over 20 million Africans across the Sahara to Egypt, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East, known as the trans-sahara slave trade.

How does the trans-sahara slave trade differ from the transatlantic slave trade?

The trans-sahara slave trade is older and involved the movement of slaves across the Sahara Desert to North Africa and the Middle East, whereas the transatlantic slave trade involved the forced exodus of Africans to the Caribbean and other parts of Europe.

When did the trans-sahara slave trade begin?

The trans-sahara slave trade dates as far back as 1000 BCE.

What were the main items traded across the Sahara before the slave trade?

Before the slave trade, items such as foodstuff, gold, and salt from the rich old mines of North Africa were traded along the Sahara routes.

How did the spread of Islam affect trade across the Sahara?

The spread of Islam in West Africa, especially in areas close to the Sahara, bridged the communication gap between traders of African and Arab origin and fostered more trade across the desert.

What was the estimated number of Africans enslaved through the trans-sahara slave trade?

Contemporary historians believe that over 27 million Africans were enslaved through the trans-sahara slave trade.

What were the conditions like for slaves crossing the Sahara?

Slaves endured scorching sun, cold nights, sandy walkways, sandstorms, and often went for days without food and water. Dehydration killed more slaves than their slave masters did.

What was the role of camels in the trans-sahara slave trade?

Camels, referred to as 'desert limos', were used to reduce the distance of the journey across the Sahara, but the slaves still had to endure harsh conditions.

What was the Mali Empire known for during the time of Mansa Musa?

The Mali Empire, under Mansa Musa, was known for its wealth, extensive territories, over 400 cities, universities with Arabian scholars and architects, and its famous capital, Timbuktu.

How did Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca affect the gold market in Egypt?

Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca, where he spent extensively and gave away large amounts of gold, is believed to have created a financial recession in Cairo for the next 10 years, potentially devaluing the Egyptian gold market.

What was the impact of the trans-sahara slave trade on the later transatlantic slave trade and colonization of Africa?

The trans-sahara slave trade led to the rise of powerful kingdoms, which in turn caught the attention of Europeans, leading to the realization of Africa's vast wealth. This eventually gave birth to the transatlantic slave trade and later, the colonization of Africa.