Traders Exchange Goods in Ghana
Trace how silent barter and gold-salt trade made Ghana's capital Kumbi one of West Africa's greatest markets in Grade 7 medieval history.
Key Concepts
Ghana's capital, Kumbi , had one of West Africa's largest markets. Merchants from the Sahara gathered there to trade salt and other goods. This city was the center of the empire's great wealth.
To trade for gold, merchants used a special system with the Wangaran people. They left salt at a specific location and then left. The Wangarans would then leave a fair amount of gold in return. This silent barter allowed the Wangarans to protect the secret location of their gold mines.
Common Questions
What was silent barter and why did Ghana use it?
Silent barter was a trading system where merchants left goods at a location and departed, allowing the Wangaran people to leave gold in exchange without direct contact. The Wangarans used this method to protect the secret location of their gold mines. It allowed trade to occur without revealing valuable information.
Why was Kumbi important to the Ghana Empire?
Kumbi was the capital city of the Ghana Empire and home to one of West Africa's largest markets. Merchants from across the Sahara gathered there to trade salt and other valuable goods. The city's marketplace was the economic center of the empire's great wealth.
What goods were exchanged in Ghana's gold-salt trade?
The primary goods in Ghana's trade were salt from North Africa and gold from West African mines. Salt was so valuable in the region that it was traded ounce-for-ounce with gold. This exchange made Ghana enormously wealthy and powerful.