Timbuktu was situated at the crossroads of the Transsaharan trade routes between the salt mines in the north (represented by the purple triangle on the map below) and the gold mines(represented by yellow squares) in the south. (Timbuktu is represented by the red dot)
Source: Fairfax County Public Schools website, Brooks Widmaier Acting as a major trading post, Timbuktu flourished on the profits made when goods changed hands among traders in the city.
The Saharan crossing was perilous but that did not deter North African traders from undertaking the journey, and making a stop at Timbuktu. Why?
They wanted gold, specifically, gold dust, from Baru, which was situated at tributaries of the Upper Niger river(refer to map above). It was in great demand among North African traders and was also exported to Europe. Barter trade was prevalent then. Gold was most commonly exchanged for rock salt, taken from pits in Central Saharan areas such as Taghaza and Taodenite. The ratio of exchange was 1 : 1, one cup of salt for one cup of gold dust. So it seemed that salt was as valuable as gold in the middle ages, at least in Africa.
A point to note is that both gold and salt did not originate from Timbuktu, but merely passed through the city in trade exchanges. The Europeans probably did not know this up to the 19th century. Many believed that Timbuktu was Eldorado, paved with gold. There were several of them who made the arduous journey in search of this city. Those that survived the journey were probably disappointed by what they saw. There was no gold of course!
Despite the popularity of gold trade, it seemed that the most lucrative trade was not in gold but in BOOKS. Sources state that there was a king that bought a dictionary for the price of two horses. This practice was common because book purchasing was a sign of prestige and wealth. Kings and scholars would get their supplies from merchants arriving from the north.
There were other types of goods transported to northward as well. These goods included slaves, ostrich feathers, tropical produce and cola nuts.
Timbuktu's trading system depended on trustworthy networks with the North African trademen. It also relied on the legal frameworks that provided the regulations for orderly trade. Timbuktu's trading activities were rather complex They often involved bribery, goods left in trust, agents and even currency exchanges. Cloth, cowrie shells and gold were some of the types of currency used.
An example to of business correspondence to highlight the complexity of trading in Timbuktu:
'You will find the amount of which I speak with Maliki Hamma. He would like...to take my two bars of salt which you know about. You can bring him the watermelon which is with her, to give it to Samba Oumran because he is coming to me. You can give Samba the price of the metal knife..'
In my opinion, the abovementioned excerpt is a reflection of the intricate web of trade relationships the merchants had with one another. These business links contributed to the vibrancy of trade in Timbuktu and helped develop the city's economy.
Next >> Timbuktu's Intellectual Wealth
