The Songhai Empire's Salt Trade: Gold of the Desert

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Songhai Empire's control over the trans-Saharan salt trade, focusing on the pivotal salt mines of Taghaza and Taoudenni. They discuss how salt was mined by enslaved laborers, traded ounce-for-ounce with gold in markets like Gao and Timbuktu, and used to solidify Songhai's economic power under Askia Muhammad Toure. The episode covers the harsh conditions of the mines, the role of Tuareg middlemen, and how the Saadian invasion of 1591 targeted these salt routes. Lucas explains the logistical challenges of salt caravan travel, the use of salt as currency in the Sahel, and the eventual decline of the trade after the empire's fall. Specific terms include Taghaza, Taoudenni, jangali, dyula, Wangara, and Takedda. #SonghaiEmpire #SaltTrade #Taghaza #Taoudenni #AskiaMuhammad #TransSaharanTrade #Sahel #Timbuktu #Gao #GoldTrade #Tuareg #SaadianInvasion #WestAfrica #MedievalAfrica #EconomicHistory #TradeRoutes #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo