It was situated at the cross-roads of three major trade routes between West Africa and Tripoli, Alexandria, and Cairo to the northeast(classfied under Trans-saharan trade). The city was an active trading post where salt, gold and slave trade thrived.
This made me wonder:
How could one city in such a lucrative position, suffer such a steep decline? And become the sleepy town it is now, mostly depending on tourist dollars to maintain the livelihood of its people.
Apparently, one of the reasons was the reducing popularity of the Transsaharan trade (in which Timbkutu played a significant role)from 16th century onwards. The Portugese discovered an easier trade route via the West African coast, that allowed them to bypass the scorching and treacherous Sahara Desert, as well as Timbuktu.
However, what arguably contributed most to the economic downfall of Timbuktu, was the Moroccan invasion. A major event of this conquest was the 'Battle of Tondibi' which took place in 1591.
The Moroccans set their sights on taking over the Songhay Empire(of which Timbuktu was a part) at the time because of its gold mines. Led by Sultan Ahmad I al-Mansur Saadi, the Moroccans overcame Songhay's army, charged into Timbuktu and looted the place, almost emptying it of its resources.
Even after the Moroccans left, Timbuktu remained in the doldrums, as it was raided by the Bambara, Peul and Tuareg tribes. The droughts and famines faced made matters worst for the Timbuktu inhabitants. As a result, the population dwindled from 100,000 during its Golden Age, to a mere 30,000 today.
Next >> Afterthoughts
