• Improved commercial practices → Increased the reach and volume of trade along this trade route

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• Expansion of Mali Empire → More people were drawn into the trans-Saharan Trade Route

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• Islam spread via North African merchants → Many West Africans converted to Islam but retained their indigenous African traditions

• Improved commercial practices increased the volume of trade

  • Camels were used as they could hold heavy loads & survive long without water → Very useful in the desert

  • Caravanserai were roadside inns where merchants rest for the night

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• Mali Empire facilitated trans-Saharan Trade​

  • Mali empire traded goods like gold & ivory → Became very rich & prosperous

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• Islam spread to West Africa via North African Merchants → Many West Africans converted to Islam but retained some indigenous African traditions

  • Some West Africans converted to Islam to forge better relations with Islamic North African Merchants

  • Those who converted didn't fully follow Islamic sharia law & retained some indigenous African traditions

    • Most West African Muslims didn't follow Islamic ideals of women subordination

  • Mansa Musa was inspired by Islam and built mosques & Islamic schools in West Africa to promote Islam

Islam

Gold

Ivory

Salt

Slaves

Books