History Form One Notes – Development of Economic Activities and Their Impact
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TOPIC 3: DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES AND THEIR IMPACT
This chapter wil focus on the different economic levels of development achieved by man from
the period of pre-histry specifically enlightening on the thee-itchis of the continent of Affica
‘up 1o 1%h century. Also to examine the factors tat influenced the existed economic atvites as
well asthe impact of such activities on the respective society
‘The economic activities in pre-coloial Aftica
‘The environment as an entity docs influence economic activities and theresa strong relationship
between the environment and economic activities. Several economic activities developed
amongst the diferent people of Afica ranging fom:
+ Agriculture which involved the growing of crops and rearing of animals
+ Hlandrafsindusties which depended on skiss or hand to make and produce goods
+ Mining concerning withthe process of extracting underground minerals for man’s we.
+ Trading involving the buying and exchanging of goods and services.
+ Fishing, ambering, Hunting and gathering all hese differed fiom area to area. Basing on
the environment and the skills thatthe people living in a given community were gifed with
Agriculture
itis believed that in Arica, agriculture started about 6000 years ago. The use of discovered tools
and weapons led othe development of cop cultivation and domestication of animals. Tre plant
domestication probably began when the weakest plant were rejected and only seeds fom the
strongest plants were set aside for re-sowing mainly yielding grases (cereals) and the same
applied to animal domestication,
The Relationship between Agriculture, the Environment and Technological
Development
a
‘Show the relationship benween agriculture, the environment and technological development
Contributions of technological development to development of
agriculture;
[After through lok into diffrent agricultural practices that existed in AMfica, it is equally
paramount to know the contributions of technology to the development of agriculture in Aiea
The increased se of iron tools amongst the different societies of Aftia, led 10 the increase
of land for cukivation, which resulted into increased agricultural productivity. The food storage
skills insured an insurance against loss of fture crops Urough natural disasters such as drought
Mood thus food supply throughout the year. Some communities whose soils easily exhausted
developed the use of manure which renewed the land and thus increased production. The
development and use of irgation opened up the once un-clivaable to be productive for
agriculture once again.
Not only did the technological improvement contibute to the development of agriculture but
also the environment had the great bearing onthe development of agriculture in Arica
The reliable rainfall supplemented with the fertile soils in given areas resulted in the
development of pemmanent crop agscultre or culkivaton accompanied with increased
agricultural production
Pest free and disease fre areas were suitable for both crop and animal husbandry, 2s they
‘would atract settlement. Also in place is the availability of ron technology in given societies
‘making it possible forthe making of iron tools which advanced onthe methods of production
and this increased productivity
1 ensured man with reliable food supplies, The impacts of agricultural development are
immeasurable as it ensured man with reliable food supplies, permanent setlement, labour
specialization and surplus production and thus increase in population
Farming was not suitable in every environment, the disadvantage of sted farming may also
have been apparent trough farming could support a larger population; i let the people more
exposed tothe dangers of famine caused by natural disasters such as drought and hoods
»
The Types of Agricultural Practices in Africa
Explain the pes of agricultural practices tn Africa
Different types of agriculture developed in the different African
societies these included:
+ Permanent erop cultivation
+ Mixed farming
+ Pastoraism
+ Shifting cuivation
Successful agriculture depended on the ecology or natural fertility ofthe soi, adequate rainfall,
technical skis of the famers and the ability to find most suitable and succesful crops. However,
this was not a simple tak as it required patience and the ability to lea more fom experience. It
was the tral and error system
Permanent crop cultivation
This involved the growing of perennial cops as potatoes, bananas, yam, beans and maize on a
permanent basis. This was majorly employed in areas where there was extra land. Not every
society could practice this form of agriculture but the environment dictated the terms
‘Areas that received heavy and reliable ainfll were fee from pests and diseases, having fertile
sel did serve best for permanent crop cultivation. With the development of iron technology
societies which practiced this moved from communism to feudalism. In East Africa it was
iajrly practiced in the interlcustrine regions such as Buganda, Kagera Kenyan highlands,
Ankole around Mount Kilimanjaro, parts of Kigoma and rungwe. In West Afica in the Fant,
‘Yoruba, Ashanti He and Akwam,
With the development of permanent crop cultivation people begn to live in larger, more
permanent settlement, the permanence of stlementquickened the development of instrument
production, there were increase in population as a result of improved die, food supply became
ca
‘more regular and abundant, brought important social as well as technical changes many
developed into centralised stats for example Fant, Beni, Oyo and Meroe.
Lastly was the development of handerats industries such as iron smelting. and social
differentiation
Mixed farming
This is an agricultural system which involves growing of crops and rearing of animals onthe
same piece of land. I evolved in areas which supported both pastraism and crop cultivation.
Crops grown in his agricultural practice included cereals such as mill, sorghum, cassava and
smaize animals kept included cate, goats, sheep, cows and donkey.
‘The mixed farmers existed because the areas they lived had unreliable rainfall and ther soils
could easily be exhausted so one thing ad to supplement the othe, Mixed farmers in East Africa
included the Gogo, Sangu, Sukuma, Kurya and Fipa in Tanzania, Luyia in Southwest Kenya, the
Basoga and Gisu of Easter Uganda, The relation of production was mainly communal with low
production, division of labour based on age and sex
The mixed farmers in Eat Aca demonstrated achievement in ther practices as they developed
centralised political organisations for example the Busoga in Uganda under Omuloki specialised
in diterem activities. Specialisation in these societies resulted into development of rade, a ist
‘twas among the mixed farmers and later it resulted in the formation of ong distance trade
Shifting cultivation
‘This involves spending a given period of time working on land and moving fom one area that is
exhausted to a new fiesh piece of land. It was mainly practiced by the people who lived in
sassland plateaus for example Miombo wood land savanna in central Tanzania were the rainfall
‘as itl and unreliable and the soil could be easily exhausted
These soils could support the growth of cassava, sorghum, maize, mile, cowpeas, pumpkins
plus many more other crops the rearing of ivestock was made difficult due to the fic tha these
areas were infected with iese flies and oter livestock diseases. The soils that easily became
exhausted necessitated people to move fom one place to another in search of the fertile piece of|
6
land. However people in some communities were living a settled life even if they were practicing
this type of agriculture.
Pastoralism
This involves the keeping of livestock. The herding of domestic animals (cattle, sheep oF goats)
‘hich were real and potential source of food particularly; milk, meat, animal skins and the herds
were also exchanged with the different neighboring societies,
‘Areas with semiarid and arid conditions like scanty rainfall, (rainfall that is just enough to
support the growth of pasture), poor soils which could only support pastoralism as the major
economic activity within the area. In East Aftica the dry areas include the lift valley areas of
Tanzania and Kenya comprising of societies like the Maasai, Nyaturu, Barbaig and the
karamanjong in Uganda
‘Where the people were largely pastoralists ther settlement tended to be less permanent as they
‘moved in search of varying season pastures and water
‘These people had no centralised political system they used the age set system in their production
and they also kept large herds because oftheir use value and prestige
How Agriculture Changed Man’s Life
Explain how agriculture changed man’s life
‘The development of agriculture changed man’s life in various ways, for instance;
‘+ with the development of permanent crop cultivation people began to live in permanent
settlement,
+ there was increase of population,
+ development of instruments of productions,
+ development of centralized states,
+ development of trade, and
+ thedivision of labour.
7
Handicrafts,Industries and Mining in Pre-Colonial Africa
Handcraft canbe defined as the art of using your skills and hand to designs and fashion things,
cis an activity done with on’s hands requiring artistic skils. Such goods may include tools,
baskets, and cloth to mention but a few. In pre-colonial Aftica different hand crafts industries
emerged as man specialized onto other activites apart fom agriculture, These included iron
making industries, basketry, spinning and weaving cloth making, carving, canoe making and
‘The Meaning of Handcrafts, Industries, and Mining
Explain the meaning of handcraft, industries, and mining
Mining industries:
[Ate industries which involve the proces of extracting underground minerals such as copper,
sold, tn and salt mining industries
‘An industry isa place where transformation of raw materials into finished goods is carried out
‘The natural resources that existed in a given society determined the nature of industries to be
found in a given ara,
‘The Types of Industries and Their Advantages in Pre-Africa
Differentiate the types of industries and their advantages in pre-Africa
‘Types of industries
+ eon industries
+ Saltmaking
+ Copper industry
+ Handerafs industries
Iron industries.
38
‘The discovery of ron resulted in drastic socio-political and economic changes. The people who
‘were dealing in iron were called blacksmiths a person whose job i to make and repair things
sade with ron, lars how to identify rocks containing ion oe
In the way of trying to maintain monopoly over the knowledge of iron making it was kept as a
secret and in many societies it was even situaised (made a religious thing). Different society had
different beliefs as many believed that the women were not allowed 10 fumace as it was
presumed that the ron would be spoilt
Methods of obtaining and processing iron:
Blacksmiths identified the rocks that were bore ion ore collecting them and smelting the iron
found in the trenches or clay furnaces. They had to use charcoal fuel and maintained the high
temperatures in the furnaces by fanning the live charcoal with bellows. The smelted iron was
then shaped into diferent forms and tols like spear heads, knives, axes, panga and wire. The
places where the ion industries were found included the Venda people of Northern Transvaal
the Mashona people of Zimbabwe, the eso of Eastem Uganda, slong Kilambo falls, Futa
Djalon, Meroe and many others.
Salt making industries
Salis not only a food ingredient but was also used to preserve food. The increased use of salt
resulted into the development of rade and agriculture as sal led to more fod production, the use
of salt was found in almost all communities asi was important in diffrent communities,
Methods of obtaining and processing salt:
‘There are Four methods of obtaining and processing satin different communities, these included
Traditional method
Under the tradition method salt was obtained from the reds growing in marshy areas, gathered,
died and burnt wo ashes, The ashes were then collected, filtered and the liquid was boiled to
»
evaporate, the residue was used as sal. The Manganja people settled along Lake Nyasa
commonly used this metho.
Mining of salt bearing rocks
Rocks contained sat was dug out and the crystals were used. In ete the rocks that contain salt
are identified and are dug ou, its probably the most commonly used method of obtaining and
processing salt. Place were itis used include Kasse, Bilma, Taghaza Katwe and many others
Boiling and evaporation
Under this method asthe spring waters boil underneath the eat’ surface, they do evaporate and
spl over the land surface where they cool to form salt erystals which crystals ae used as salt
‘This was commonly practiced in Uvinza, Shinyanga and also among the Vends people.
Developed among the coastal regions
‘Along the coastal regions salty waters were trapped into pans and let to evaporate the heat ofthe
sun. The erstal that di remain behind afer the evaporation of sty waters were then used as
salt
Gold industries
Gold is one of the most precious minerals and it was not found in every aca as other minerals
‘hich makes it precious and valuable. The communities that mined gold showed drastic soca,
political and economic developments
Methods of obtaining and processing gold
Panning method
This method was commonly cried out along the river beds where alluvial gold was extracted. It
‘was somehow tiresome as people had to ty several times in order to obtain the mineral. This
‘method was common among the Sabi people living along river Zambezi
0
Shaft method
This method was commonly used inthe areas with gold veins. Here the gold was dug out by
sing wooden, stone and iron hammer, then collected in wooden baskets and taken to fumaces
‘were it was tured int different omaments such as bangles, earings plus many more
Copper industries
The copper industry is believed to be the oldest industy that existed in almost all pre colonial
African societies. Different societies did participate to the industries due to the fact that the
copper existed in their communities
Methods used in obtaining and processing copper
Identification of a copper belt
“The copper was dug out and then taken tothe Furnaces where it was smelted. Th smelted copper
‘was tumed into diferent tools which were relatively important tothe society for example wire
traps, knives axes ee. the areas that carried out this included places where the copper belt were
found for example the Katanga copper belt and Kasese
Handcrafts industries
Cloth making industries (weaving and spinning):
‘Those industries were concerned with making clothes and developed in areas where cloth
‘making materials were available. Spinning and wearing, making of bark -cloth developed in
areas with cotton and appropriate tee barks.
Famous spinning and weaving societies in Aftica include Yoruba people of West Africa
Sumbawanga in Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique as wel asthe people found in Lake Rukwa
valley in Tanzania as for bak cloth areas North of Lake Victoria, intelacutrine socites for
example in Buganda they used the Mvule tre to make (Olubugo) bark cloth which was very
expensive and it was only the rch and the nobles who could afford it
a
Basketry and carpentry
Closely associated with agrarian socicics whose style of life was more complex and
sophisticated and in places that were privileged with palm and spesial reeds holding vessels
specialised in the making of baskets and mas plus special leather work was needed for making
leather clothes, sandals, bags, nd beddings fom animal skins and hides. ts associated with
pastoralists such s Tuareg, Beja, Aa and Somali who made tents.
Canoe making
‘The art of making canoes developed! in acas bordering lakes, rivers and oceans. Different
societies who carried this had ther mnjor economic activity ws ishing which in many cases
supplemented agriculture
This therefore means that nature of resources available ina given society determined the nature
of handcraft industry preset in that society
Trade in pre colonial Africa
Trade refers tothe exchange of goods or services with money or cher goods or isthe buying and
selling of goods
‘The development of agriculture brought important economic changes as people were now able to
produce surplus food which is more than needed to feed their own immediate family thus the
surplus could be traded between neighboring setlement in exchange for raw materials xuries
and other items nt produced within the community
1 it char tht scien are not fully sf sufcont. Therefore, interactions say between
pastoralists with cultivators and agrculuraists with caflsmen inorder to exchange goods are
required. The major means of distributions from one hand to another were through gifs, ibutes
The exchanges cared ont were not simed at geting profit but it was afer the wie value of
commodities and also strengthening relations. For example a person who exchanged his cate
with mit was notin search of profit
2
Before the emergence of groups of people who specialised in trade the exchange system was
barter this involved the exchange of goods for goods.
[As societies developed trade development was also inevitable basing on the fact that some
societies were not having specific resources which could only be obtained through the exchange.
Increase in surplus production supplemented wit the development of industries, the presence of
safe routes and the regional specialisation not forgetting the love for adventure cemented the
<evelopment and expansion of trading activities in pre colonial Africa,
‘The expansion of trading activites resulted into two major types of trade emerging in pre
colonial Afiica
1. ‘The local trade (internal exchange relations). This developed within given community
2 Regional trade (long distance trade). Where there emerged groups of people who
specialized and could buy goods from producers in order to sell them later ata profit.
‘The Uses of Different Types of Minerals in Pre-Colonial Africa
Explain the uses of different types of minerals in pre-colonial Africa
All in all the handerafts and mining industries had far reaching effects to the communities and
societies of pre colonial Affica. Increased food production was evident as tool of production was
improved up on through the technological development, trade was also increased as the volume
of food traded and the demand increased this in tum acted as a source of income to many
societies which later rose socially, politically and economically more settled populations and
communities new political system and organizations, the blacksmith became recognized,
influential and famous people in the society, the iron tools could dig and cut faster and deeper
than the stone tools and many others.
Trade in Pre-Colonial Africa
‘The Basis of Trade in Pre-Colonial Africa
Explain the basis of trade in pre-colonial Africa
Local trade
a
‘This was conducted fom the village among the homogenous community, it did not require
specific places to at a8 a markets, there was no need of middle men as goods passed freely from
the hands of producers to consumers.
Many pre colonial Afican socites at first developed this trade as it availed them with the
commodities they needed with much ease. People living within a given community exchanged
commositis amongst themselves inorder ofl the missing link; for example, cultivators could
exchange their food withthe livestock from the pastoralists, other commodities exchanged
included iron oos, ornaments, animal skins and agricultural produce
Generally speaking, the exchange which started with the intention to cement the existing social
bonds amongst the diferent societies resulted in the growth of several industries, simulation of
production for goods required inthe exchange. It also led tothe inrease in incomes of the
People who actively participated in the rade, the emergence and development of relationships
among people of different localities for example the Sukuma trading withthe Maasai and also
the availabilty f all goods in the community brought about by increased production and the
expansion in the exchanges.
The Types of Trade, Types of Commodities and the Societies Involved
Ten herpes of trade, pes of commodities andthe societies involved
Regional trade
Trade between East and Central Aca started from the Ist millenium AD as they traded in
raffia cloth, ivory and hides, copper from Katanga exchanged with sal from Uvinza
‘This was concemed withthe exchange of goods wih people ffom different regions. This called
for specialisation and dealt withthe commodities which were relatively scarce and geographical
un evenly distributed among the people of diffrent ethnic groups. Regional ade involved
differen regions in the trading process. In East and Central Affica it came to be known as long
distance trade while in West Africa it was called tans Saharan trade
Long Distance Trade
“
Its called long distance trade simply because it was carried out long distance as peopleltraders
hhad to move for long distance going on exchanging goods with other societies and the major aim
was to get profit for example a salt traders was exchanged salt foe hoes not because he wanted to
tse hoes but he wanted re sll them at a profit later
Professional traders (trade being their major occupation) came from Yao, Chewa and Bissa of
Central Aftica. Imbangala and vimbundu from Angola, Dyula merchants and the Marabouts of
West Affica. In East Affica the Nyamwezi, Yao and Kamba were famous long distance traders,
through trading and supplying ivory, slaves and copper to the exterior of East Aftica Indian
‘ocean coast. This organisation required fixed places to act as markets and the use of middlemen
asthe entrepreneurs.
In East Aftica it was mainly carried out during the dry season and during the rainy season they
settled down for agricultural activities
By the10th century AD the Yao and Chewa were exporting ivory and iron to the coast. The
‘Shona of Zimbabwe exported ivory and gold to the coast which were then exported to the Far
East and then return they imported glass wear, cowrie’s shells, beads, cotton cloth and porcelain
from the far and Middle East. They used organised caravans for security reasons and distance
standard currency such as bars of ron or copper and slabs of salt.
“The long distance trade was a blessing for many societies in East and Central Aftica as it gave
rise to the notorious and professional long distance traders like Tip Tippu, Mzilikazi, and Mlosi
ete
In addition to that prominent rulers such as Muteesa of Bugnanda, Mirambo of Unyamwe,
Kimweri of Usambara and Mkwawa of the Uhehe were able to conquer and rule weaker and
neighboring societies. All this was facilitated by the acquisition of fire arms and ammunition
‘hich were important commodities from the East coast
Expansion and consolidation of various kingdoms for example Buganda, Bunyoro, Yao and
[Nyamwezi led many of the participants to became very rich and famous from the huge profits
that were enjoyed from the trade
4s
“The trade acted asa stepping sone for the spread of Islam inthe interior of Eat Aca. Many of
the traders preaching Islam atthe same time carrying their trading activities. Slave trade paved
its way tothe interior asthe interior was exposed to trader
‘The Trans Saharan Trade
Trans Saharan trade is also sometimes referred os caravan trade, It was earied out across the
Sahara desert The trade involved different zones ranging from forest ie. involving the forest
states such as Benin, Oyo, Kanem Bornu and many more, the savannah belt which involved the
Wester Sudanic states such as Ghana, Mali and Songhai, the Sahara desert and the North
Aiea, the Mediteranean word and Europe
Factors for the rise of the Trans Saharan Trade (causes)
‘The introduction and use of the camels, which were introduced in Afica during 100A.D.
Camels replaced horses and donkey as they were more resistant o desert conditions and could
also move faster to the deser. This therefore facilitated the development ofthe trade as a more
efficient means of transport had ben introduced
Polical development that during the 7th and 16th century. This includesthe Western
Sudanic states whose rulers promoted the expansion ofthe trade. They ensured this by giving a
leading hand, security, Feedom of movement and also encouraging people 1 prepare the goods
that were necessary inthe trade a thing that did not existed before
‘The conquest of North Africa by the Arabs, between 641 and 708 the Arabs conquered North
Alfica,atraders naturally they introduced their trading system and on tp ofthat they increased
the use of camels in North Aficaand inthe Sahara desert.
Development of production, in various regions ofthe Sudanic zone the production increased it
meant thatthe supplies of commodity to be used inthe trade were available. As no single
community is self-sufficient this meant that the different communities had to depend on each
aster fo various raw materials and goods.
Organization of the trade:
“6
commodities weds diferent regions had diferent commediies that they concentrated on, fom
Europe and Muslim North Africa included manufactured goods, textile, copper, silver, woolen
arms, bras, in and horses
From the Sahara were salt mined at Bila, Taghaza,Taoden, ijl and Awli copper mined at
Takeda, tobacco and dates inclusive
‘The savannah region had mille, sorghum, wheat, gum and ostich feathers and livestock as wel
as gold that were mined from Wangara
The forest zone was well known for gold mines at Akan and Lobi,kola nuts ivory and the
slaves
The first medium of exchange was the barter system where goods were exchanged for goods but
‘as the people became professional traders the medium of exchange also changed the traders
started using cowries and at a late tage they started using the French franc and then the Spanish
and Australian dollars
As caravans were organised they had to follow specific trade routs that gave them a sense of
direction on ther way through the trade. The major trade route that was used inluded;
+ From Ghat and Tripoli to Ehyot
+ From Ghana to Morocco via Audaghast
+ From Timbuktu to Tunis va Taghaza,
+ From Born to Tripoli
+ From Kano to Tunis and Tripoli via Agades
+ From Timbuktu to Tunis via Wangala, Ghademes and Ghat
‘The Impact of the Following Types of Trade: Local Trade, Regional Trade
“Appraise the impact ofthe following pes of trade: local trade, regional rade
Impacts of the Trans Saharan Trade
a
Contributed to the formation of West Affican states and kingdoms, the profits that were raised
from trade helped in the development of different states, these were got through the taking over
charge or control over the trade routes and every one using that route had to pay tax or tributes.
For example Ghana Empire conquered Audaghast in 990 A.D. in view of controlling the salt
‘mines in that area, Mali and Songhai extended their contol as far as Taghaza and Takedda for
economic reasons. I is therefore true to say that trade facilitated the rise and consolidation of the
different sates.
‘The spread of Islam was greatly accelerated by the Trans Saharan Trade in West and North
Aftica. The traders were serving two masters at a go as they were traders and also acted as
teachers of Islam (evangelists) a thing that improved on the literacy rates inthe region
Growth of towns and cities, due tothe trade many areas which were once villages turned into
towns in what is known as urbanisation. Small villages turned into lage towns and cities such as
Kumbi Saleh, Gao, Kano, Jenne, Timbuktu plus many others
Improvement of political administrations, the caravan trade also improved political
administration of the different kingdoms through the use and employment of well educated
‘Muslim traders who had been attracted by the trade. Many of the states were also applying the
Islamic ways of administration in thei different areas or jurisdiction
Exploitation of natural resourees, as the influx of the Whites increased, this marked the
beginning ofthe exploitation of natural resources that were endowed in Africa Itis also believed
that this was the time of unequal exchange between Africa and Europe began.
Provision of constant and regular source of income, The attractive profits from trade provided
constant and regular source of income for the different states. This was mainly raised from the
custom duties that imposed on the imports and over goods of great politcal importance such as
horse and the different metals that were imported into the sate,
‘Trade also provided the sources for undertaking wars of conquest and expansion through the
supply of effective means of war fare, such as horses and metals that could be used in the making
and designing arms as spears, arrows head and axes.
4“
‘The Trans Saharan Trade
This was the trading relation between the people of Wester Sudan (Sudanic/Savannah region)
and the people of North Africa passing across the Sahara desert. Camels were used as the means
of transport during this trade. Societies that participated in the Trans Saharan Trade included
‘+The Berbers of North Aftica and brought them to West Aftica via the Sahara desert.
‘+The Arabs and the European stationed in the Mediterranean costs of North Africa. These
supplied goods to the Berbers and Tuaregs who in turn sold them to the people of West Africa
“The said Arabs and purchased the items brought from West Afiica,
+The West African tribes of both the Sudanic region and the forest regions to include the
Mandika, Fulani, Hausa, Edo ete. these supplied items to the Berbers and Tuaregs who crossed
the Sahara and purchased the items brought from North Aftica,
Commodities involved
From North Africa the commodities were:
+ Cotton and silk clothes
+ Swords
+ Guns and gunpowder
+ Horses, ete
from West Africa the commodities were:
+ slaves:
+ ostrich feathers
+ kola nuts
+ Gold
«
+ Salt
+ Food stuff
“Trans Saharan trade was firstly carried out through barter system and thereafter some media of
exchange like cowres shells, silver, coins, ee. replaced the barter system,
Trade routes
“The Trans Saharan Trade was catred out via the routes namely
+The western routes
+ The Central route
+ The Bastem route
‘The Wester route emerged from Fez in Morocco via Siljlmasa, Taghaza, Taoden, Walata, and
‘Audaghost up to Timbuktu. This route was famous because of salt mines at Taghaza and gold
‘mines Wangara,
‘The central route emerged at Tunis in Tunisia via Tuat, Taotek, Tadmekket, Timbuktu, Gao, and
Kano up to Katsina
“The Eastern route to the other hand emerged from Triplin in Libya, Alexandria and Cairo in
Egypt to Bilma via Murauk, Ghat and Agades. This route was significant because of salt mines
in Bilma,
Factors for growth of Trans Saharan Trade
Several factors contributed to the growth and development of Trans Saharan trade, These
include:-
+ Political stability in both North Africa and West Affica, hence a conducive ground forthe
trade activities to flourish
+ The desire by European traders of such items as ivory, gold and slaves which were tobe
obtained only from Western Sudan,
so
+ The desire of European commodities by the people of Western Sudan.
+ Production of surplus commodities such as kola nuts, salt, fish and other food stufTsin
‘Westem Sudan. These had to be exported to other regions including NorthAmerica
+ The introduction and use of camels as animals of transportation, these were able tocarry
‘huge quantities than horses and human porters, They were also tolerable indesert conditions.
Factors for the fall of Trans Saharan Trade
By the second half of the 19th century the trans Saharan trade was almost collapse of this trade
was a result of the following factors:
+ Introduction of trans Atlantic trade which altered the trade route of Trans Saharan Trade,
+ The emergence of other sources of salt and gold needed by European traders due
toopening up of mines in the Americas.
+ Scarcity of water in the desert discouraged the voyages via the desert.
+ Eruption of wars jihad) in the Maghreb region particularly Morocco, This disrupted the
trade
+ Colonisation of West African states by European powers in the last quarter of
9thcentury deteriorated the trading relations with North A\tica
Effects of the Trans Saharan Trade
‘The Trans Saharan Trade had toa lot of effects as follows:
+ It led to development and growth of towns and cities in both North Africa and
theWestem Sudan, example being Walata, Kano, and Timbuktu et
+ It led to emergence of rich merchants classes in Westem Sudan a these merchants
accumulated alot of wealth from the trade
+ Ited tothe spread of Islam, Arabic culture and language in Westen Sudan,
st
+ Iled to intermarriage between the people of Westem Sudan, the Arabs and AffoArabs
from North Ai.
+ ted tothe growth and consolidation of Sudan states namely Ghana, Mali, Songhaiand
Kanem Boru. H simulated the state of warfare between Westem Sudanic sates and forest
states duet the deste for slaves,
Mining and hand craft industries
Mining
This isthe extraction of minerals fom the underground parent rocks. By the period before and
around the 19th century, minerals that were being mined in Affca include the following
+ Copper
+ Gold
+ tron
+ Bronze
+ Silver
+ salt
Most of the minerals were to be taken to handcraft industries where they were then processed
imo diferent items, Some other minerals such a salt were to be consumed diretly while some
other minerals were tobe used as media of exchange in trading activities.
Prominent areas in Africa where mining activities were being practiced include the fllowing:~
+ Katanga in Zaire where there were copper mines.
+ Tibikapa in Zaire, Machi, Lusu, Klambo fll and Ingombe iede
+ Gokomere, Mabven, Malapiti and Chivi in the Limpompo valley of Zimbabwe iron
wasmined
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+ Mashona and Matebele lands in Zimbabwe as well as Ashanti in Ghana where gold
wasbeing mined,
+ Uvinza in Westem Tanzania and Taghaza in Mauritania where there were extraction
ofsats
Hand crafts industries
These were factories that manufactured different items through the use of machines operated
‘manually (by hand), Such industries include those that dealt with metal works namely:
+ Iron processing industries
+ Copper processing industries
‘+ Salt making industries
The said metal working industries were mainly located near their respective mining areas.
Prominent societies that were experts in metal works include:
+ The people of Chipembe, and Kalomo in Zambia, the people of Mwavarambo,Phopo and
[Nkope Bay in Malawi as well as the Yoruba and the Edo of Nigeriawho were experts in iron
smelting industries.
+ The Shona and Ndebele of Zimbabwe, the Akan and the Asante of Ghana whowere
{famous in gold coast smithing industries.
+ The Manganja of Malawi and the people of Taghaza were experts in salt making
industries.
Other industries apart from metal work industries dealt with cotton and raffia cloth making
among the Fulbe, the Felleme and Trakrur of Senegal and among the societies Guinea and
Zimbabwe.
Other industries were those dealing with Basketry, Pottery and wood carving. Wood carving
industries were common among the Makonde of Tanzania and the Yoruba of Nigeria,
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Items made from the said handeraft industries were to be sold in exchange with other products
like agricultural produets, animal produets ete.
THE MAP OF TRANS SAHARAN TRADE ROUTES
BASIC ASSIGNMENT/ACTIVITIES TO DO
1, Define the following terms Technology Agriculture Trade Environment Development
2. List the four agricultural processes that were caried out among the different societies in
East Africa
3. Mention any four advantages and effects of agriculture to the different Afiican societies.
4. Mention the diferent handcraft that existed in pre colonial African societies.
5. Outline the different types of trade that where present in the pre colonial African
societies
6. What factors contributed to the development of trans Saharan trade?
7. Mention the different regions that participated in the Trans Saharan trade,
8. Mention four notorious and professional long distance traders
9. List the different methods in the obtaining and processing of salt in the pre colonial
African societies,
10, What factors gave rise to the Trans Saharan trade?
11. List four principles of trade routes that were used in trans Saharan slave trade.
12, What were the impacts or effects of tans Saharan trade?
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