Activity: Trans-Saharan Trade Letter
You are an African trader who has just been taught to speak and write in Arabic from an Arab merchant in
your local African city.
You are about to embark on the journey of your life across the Saharan Desert. Your goal is to interact with
other traders from Africa, Arabia and Europe, trade products amongst each other, and most importantly to
survive!
Using the map above of Africa and your notes, you will write a letter home as an African trans-Saharan
trader. Describe your adventurous journey, the importance of the trans-Saharan caravan trade, and how
Arab merchants spreading Islam have influenced you.