American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR)
2018
American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR)
e-ISSN :2378-703X Volume-02, Issue-06, pp-53-58 www.ajhssr.com Research Paper
Open Access
Dynamics of Trade and Market Management in Pre-Colonial West Africa: A Survey Research in Indigenous Economy Adeyinka Theresa AJAYI (Ph.D) Department of History and International Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria
ABSTRACT: This study examined the nature, form and methods of trade organization and market management in West Africa in the pre-colonial era. It submits that though West African economies in the precolonial period were largely driven by agricultural-related enterprises, their economic production, nonetheless, grew beyond mere subsistence level. This necessitated an exchange of commodities with neighbouring and some distant communities. This study identifies the different forms of markets among the peoples: local, regional and external. It further examines the modes of exchange and currency management technique before the coming of Europeans. The paper also highlights the role of the state in marketing and trade. It concludes that trade was well organised among indigenous West Africans while markets were well structured for socioeconomic advancement of the people.
I. INTRODUCTION One remarkable feature of the West African agricultural and industrial systems was that they operated above the subsistence level. All the sections of the economy were capable of generating surpluses, which were disposed through trade. This partly explains why trading and markets formed integral parts of the West African indigenous economy. There were others reasons for the existence of markets. No West African community was self-sufficient in its economy. The people in the savannah region needed coastal products such as salt and fish; and those in the coast also needed goods such as Shea butter, hides and skin produced in the savannah region. Even within the same region, location and geographical differences led to market variations on the goods produced (Falola, 1995). This alsopropelledand promoted trade. Within the same society, be it a town, village or a clan, division of labour and specialisation in economic functions encouraged the emergence and growth ofmarketing activities. The farmer needed tools and toolmakers needed food. The indispensability of trading and markets encouraged the need to develop the institutions which could facilitate commerce, namely transportation, trade routes and currency (Hodder and Ukwu, 1969). Trade Routes West Africa had many trade routes which fell into three categories. First, there were local routes linking the villages and towns in the same area together. Second, there were regional or inter-states trade routes. Third, there were international highways which linked many states and different regions together. Thus, West Africa was linked together by a complex network of routes. Many highways took off in the coastal region, passed through the vast hinterland and went northwards (Skinner, 1964). For example one highway started in Lagos, passed through Abeokuta, Ilorin, Bida, Zaria and Kano all in Nigeria. Another began in Accra, Kumasi, Salaga, and Mango up to Say on the Niger bend. Yet another began in Monrovia and passed through Mussardu, Keruan, Kanka, Bamako, Djenne to Timbuktu (Skinner, 1964). The trade routes presented some distinguishing characteristics. First the trade routes connected the whole of West Africa together. Those places which were not located on the major highways were linked by extensive feeder roads. Second, the routes were wide enough for people who travelled on foot or on animal. Most of the European travelers who made use of these routes especially in the 19th century remarked that they were “good”, “fine” and “adequate”. Finally, the routes were safe and secure except in period of wars. It was the primary responsibility of the rulers through which the routes passed to make them safe. Hence,it was common among affected states to patrol the routes and to appoint soldiers or hunters to accompany the traders. Meanwhile, thetrade routes were a means to an end, the end being to get to the marketcentres, which were a major aspect of the West Africa economy (Falola, 1995).
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