- Tripoli-Murzuk-Bilma-Njim-Kano.
- Tripoli-Ghadames-Ghat-Aghades-Katsina-Kano.
- Tunis-Wargala-Gadames-Ghat-Aghades-Katsina-Kano.
- Ceuta-Fez-Marrakesh-Sijilmasa-Tuat-Takedda-Gao.
- Ceuta-Fez-Marrakesh-Sijilmasa-Tuat-Timbuktu.
The development of trade in the big West African cities (Economically)
Caravan trade routes route played vital role to the changes of West African Economic, such Sadaqah, Zakat and prohibition of Riba. This because Muslim preachers followed such routes and propagates Islamic teachings.
Articles of trade in the trade centres
West Africa
Gold, kolanut, ivory and slaves.
North Africa
Salt, Beads, camels, cloth, metal ware, and horses. - Major West African cities became centres of trade as a result of trans-Sahara trade routes.
- Timbuktu was a centre of trade that had links with trade routes that started from different points and met there.
- Kaukau was also connected with international trade points through the famous caravan routes started from North Africa and other West African centres.
- Kano was connected to trade centres which started from Tunis and Tripoli.
- Borno was also connected with three major trade routes starting from Cairo, Tunis, and Tripoli. There were also minor route from Kano to Katsina.
Emergence of such trade cities as Islamic cities centres of learning (Educationally) - With coming of Islam to West Africa through traders, the cities of commerce in West Africa turned into learning centres.
- Scholars followed trade routes in order to visit centres of learning to acquire educations.
- Some of the famous mosque in the centres were turned into renowned universities such as Sankore mosque in Timbuktu.
- Books were written and copied for sale to other areas.
- A class of professionals emerged such as judges and scribes who were employed by either rulers or traders.
Impact of Islam on the life of the West African Empires (Socially) - Before coming of Islam, the social life of West Africa was governed by traditional beliefs.
- Some of the traditional beliefs and practices were;
a. Traditional religion conditioned the social behavior of West African people.
b. Social relations between people were governed by tribal or related to a clan.
c. Africans were superstitious people.
d. Marriage were contracted according to tribal norms and usage.
e. Men were superior to women.
f. Drunkenness was common among some communities.
Impact of Islam on the African Society - It introduce the concept of proper covering of the whole body among people (decent dress).
- Islam categorized food into Halal and Haram.
- Public and private celebrations were overhauled.
- African customs and habits were also overhauled.
- African languages were enriched by Islam.
- The world view of Africans was changed by Islam through Islamic civilization and ideas that came along with Islam to West Africa.
Impact of Islam on intellectual activities in West Africa (Historically) - West African people no language or written communication.
- History of the area was passed through oral transmission from generation to generation.
- When Islam came, it introduced literacy in Arabic language to the people of the Africa.
- They, therefore learnt how to read and write.
- Scholars amongst them who were historically minded started write down the history of West Africa.
- Therefore, the writing of history of West Africa started with the coming of Islam to the West Africa.
The significance of the above impacts; the significance of these role/impacts includes the following; - Spread of Islam through peaceful means with ease.
- Spread of Islamic learning and civilization in West Africa.
- Spread of principles and ideas of Islam that made Muslims responsible human beings.
- Providing an opportunity of exchanging of articles of trade.
- Creation of diplomatic relationships between North Africa and West Africa.
Lessons from the impact of Islam in West Africa - Introduction of literacy among the people of West Africa.
- Emergence of centres of learning in cities of West Africa.
- Providing government of West African empires with manpower in the civil service.
- Simplification of interpreters and introducing the idea of interpretation, and record to town businesses.
DANGI BAGUDU 