Latest / The Songhai Empire: Africa's Powerful Forgotten Kingdom — Fexingo History
Songhai's Trans-Saharan Trade: Gold, Salt, and the Niger River Economy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the economic backbone of the Songhai Empire: the trans-Saharan trade networks that connected West Africa to the Mediterranean and beyond. They discuss the crucial role of gold from the Bambuk and Bure fields, the salt mines of Taghaza and Taoudenni, and the bustling markets of Gao and Timbuktu. Lucas explains how Songhai sultans like Askia Muhammad and Askia Dawud managed trade routes, imposed taxes, and regulated currency—including cowrie shells and copper mitqals. The conversation touches on the importance of the Niger River as a highway for goods…
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