Timbuktu



Timbuktu was founded by a Tuareg woman called Buktu. While she was grazing her heards and flock during the dry season she found an oasis near the Niger River, she called that oasis Timbuktu (litteraly Buktu's well). She decided that she would set up a camp and dig a well. Very soon Timbuktu became an important stop for nomads and caravans travelling in the sahara. Even though the Tuareg people founded Timbuktu, the merchents were the ones who set up market stalls and made it a meeting place for people traveling by camel. Towards the first milenium C.E. the the Ghana Kingdom had taken control of the long distance gold and salt aswel as slaves a valuable goods like Kola nut trade. From the north thousands of camel caravans brought salt to Timbuktu where merchents would transport it down the Niger to different parts of Africa. Gold was brought up the river from the south. Timbuktu was given to the Mali empire. Timbuktu soon became a major trade center that connected west Africa and north Africa. Islam was introduced by Arab mechents in west Africa travelling along the Saharan caravan routes in early 9th centure and gradualy influenced west africa through migration of muslim merchents, scholars and settlers. By trading with north Africa west Africa became an important player in activities of region. West Africa provided the gold that everyone depended on, so without loosing their african character West Africa eventualy became part of the islamic world.

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