Commerce

Trade has always been one of the strongest motive forces of social evolution, – may be the strongest. In classical times, a powerful confederation of Garamants emerged in Central Sahara; at that time, Sahara was not so dry as nowadays. The Garamants controlled trade roots connecting Tropical Africa with the Mediterranean. Control over trade roots served as the basis of the subsequent political entities that took shape along the southern edge of Sahara: Ghana, Mali, Kanem-Bornu, Songhay… Trade brought to the people the goods that nobody could produce locally. Such goods served as symbols of prestige, their accumulation was an important prerequisite for emergence of the nobility.

Alongside the long-distance caravan trade, there always existed modes local trade: at the village market, everyone could sell or exchange a part of one’s harvest for something else.

Cola nuts are still an important item of commerce in West Africa.  Cote d'Ivoire. A. V. Erman. 2007.