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Mansa Musa's Salt: The Hidden Wealth Behind the Gold
Everyone knows Mansa Musa was rich in gold. But what if the true engine of the Mali Empire's power wasn't gold at all? This episode dives into the salt trade—the silent, strategic commodity that made the empire indispensable. We trace the grueling caravans to Taghaza, the salt mines in the Sahara where slaves extracted slabs of rock salt under brutal conditions. We explore how salt was more valuable than gold in the Sahel, used as currency and essential for survival. Lucas and Luna discuss the geography of salt routes, the role of the farba (imperial officials) in controlling…
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