What did Mali and Songhai trade?
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were three of the greatest western African trading states. These three Western African states dominated the trade of gold, salt, and merchandise between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The internal strength of these West African empires was what made the gold trade so successful.
Did Songhai trade gold and salt?
Gold & Salt The Songhai Empire grew very wealthy thanks to its control of trading posts along the Trans-Saharan Trade Route, including Jenne and Timbuktu. Perhaps the most famous and lucrative economic activity of the Songhai Empire was the trade of gold for salt. Salt was prized for its ability to preserve food.
What was the major trade hub of Songhai?
Two major cities, Timbuktu and Gao, were major hubs for trade, and helped the empire grow. The Songhai Empire had many innovations that were revolutionary for the location and the time period. They standardized the weights, measures and currency to alleviate trade differences.
What did the Songhai Empire import?
They exported gold, salt, kola, palm oil, nuts, ivory, spices, precious woods and slaves. They imported textiles, horses and luxury goods. This solidified Songhai’s role as a leader in the trans-Saharan trade system and also assisted in supporting internal trade. It was a very strong and powerful trading kingdom.
Who did Songhai trade with?
Portugal, Spain, France and Britain were the key players in this slave trade, which lasted for more than 400 years. Because Portugal was the first to establish itself in the region and to enter treaties with West African kingdoms, it had the monopoly on the slave and gold trade.
Who did the Songhai trade with?
What language did Songhai speak?
Zarma (Djerma), the most widely spoken Songhay language with two or three million speakers, is a major language of southwestern Niger (downriver from and south of Mali) including in the capital city, Niamey. Koyraboro Senni, with 400,000 speakers, is the language of the town of Gao, the seat of the old Songhai Empire.
What did Songhai people eat?
The Songhai Empire’s diet was very traditional. The main staple food was millet which was consumed in three ways. First people at it as a pancake…