How Commodities and Routes Shaped the Trans-Saharan Trade History JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2
Lesson Plan: Organization and Strategies Employed for the Progress of the Trans-Saharan Trade
Subject: History
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 13–14 years
Topic: Organization and Strategies for the Progress of the Trans-Saharan Trade
Sub-topic: Commodities, Trade Routes, and Sources of Goods
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify the commodities traded across the Sahara.
- List the main trade routes used for the Trans-Saharan trade.
- Explain the sources of the traded commodities.
- Analyze the strategies that contributed to the trade’s success.
Keywords
- Trans-Saharan Trade
- Caravan
- Commodities
- Routes
- Borno
Set Induction
The teacher will show students pictures of some traded goods (e.g., gold, salt, spices) and ask them to identify where these goods might have come from and how they could have been transported across deserts.
Entry Behavior
Students have prior knowledge of the origin of the Trans-Saharan trade and key trade regions like North and West Africa.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Map showing Trans-Saharan trade routes
- Pictures of goods such as gold, horses, and ostrich feathers
- Textbooks with detailed trade history
Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students previously studied the origin and nature of the Trans-Saharan trade. This lesson builds on that by exploring trade routes and the organization of trade.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Map reading skills
- Analytical thinking
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- “A History of Africa” by J.D. Fage
- JSS 3 History Textbook
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- World map (focusing on Africa)
- Printed trade route diagrams
Content
A. Commodities Traded
The following goods were transported along the Trans-Saharan routes:
- Slaves: From West African regions.
- Horses: Imported from North Africa.
- Gold: Mined from the goldfields of West Africa (e.g., Ghana, Mali).
- Ostrich Feathers: Collected from the savannah and desert regions.
- Salt: Extracted from Saharan mines like Taghaza.
- Spices: Imported from Asia and the Middle East.
- Leather and Textile: Produced in Kano and other West African centers.
B. Trade Routes
There were three major routes:
- Borno-Tripolis Route:
- Connected Borno (Nigeria) to Tripoli (North Africa).
- Used to transport slaves, spices, and gold.
- Kanem-Borno-Sudan Route:
- Linked the Kanem-Borno empire to Sudan.
- Used for the exchange of horses and slaves.
- Kano-Fezzan Route to Morocco:
- Connected Kano in northern Nigeria to Morocco via Fezzan.
- Known for transporting leather, textiles, and salt.
C. Sources of Commodities Traded
- Slaves: Captured from West African communities and sold to North African markets.
- Gold: Sourced from ancient goldfields in Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
- Salt: Mined in Taghaza and Bilma.
- Horses: Imported from North Africa, mainly through Tripoli.
- Spices: Came from the Middle East and Asia.
- Leather and Textile: Produced in cities like Kano.
15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options
- The __________ route connected Borno to Tripoli.
a) Kano-Fezzan
b) Borno-Tripolis
c) Kanem-Sudan
d) Fezzan-Morocco - One key product from West Africa was __________.
a) Silk
b) Gold
c) Coffee
d) Iron - Salt was mined in the __________ region.
a) Bilma
b) Sahara
c) Sahel
d) Kalahari - __________ feathers were popular in the Trans-Saharan trade.
a) Peacock
b) Ostrich
c) Eagle
d) Dove - __________ was a product imported from North Africa.
a) Gold
b) Horses
c) Slaves
d) Textiles - The __________ trade route connected Kano to Morocco.
a) Kano-Fezzan
b) Kanem-Borno
c) Cairo-Marrakech
d) Kano-Sudan - Spices were imported from __________.
a) Asia
b) Europe
c) West Africa
d) South America - One key slave market was located in __________.
a) Kano
b) Tripoli
c) Timbuktu
d) Fezzan - __________ was used to preserve food.
a) Salt
b) Gold
c) Spices
d) Leather - The Trans-Saharan trade peaked between the __________ centuries.
a) 7th and 9th
b) 10th and 15th
c) 16th and 18th
d) 19th and 20th
15 FAQs with Answers
- What goods were exchanged in the Trans-Saharan trade?
Slaves, gold, salt, horses, and textiles. - What were the major trade routes?
Borno-Tripolis, Kanem-Borno-Sudan, and Kano-Fezzan routes. - Where was gold sourced from?
West African regions like Mali and Ghana. - Which commodity was used to preserve food?
Salt. - Who controlled the trade routes?
Berbers and local merchants. - What animal was vital for the trade?
Camels. - Where was leather mainly produced?
In Kano. - Why were horses important?
They were used for transportation and warfare. - What was the role of Kano in the trade?
It was a hub for leather and textile production. - What role did the Sahara play?
It was crossed by caravans to transport goods.
Presentation
- Step 1: Review the students’ understanding of the origins of the Trans-Saharan trade.
- Step 2: Explain the organization, trade routes, and commodities.
- Step 3: Engage students in a map activity, asking them to trace the trade routes.
Teacher’s Activities
- Display the map of Africa and highlight the routes.
- Discuss the sources of key commodities.
Learners’ Activities
- Identify and label trade routes on a blank map.
- Discuss how each product contributed to the trade’s progress.
Assessment
- List three products traded in the Trans-Saharan trade.
- Name the major routes used for trade.
- Explain the role of Kano in the trade.
10 Evaluation Questions
- Which route connected Kano to Morocco?
- What was the main product from Taghaza?
- Who imported horses into West Africa?
- Name one product traded from West Africa.
- What role did camels play in the trade?
- Which empire was involved in the Kanem-Borno route?
- Where were ostrich feathers sourced?
- What was used to preserve food in the trade?
- How did leather contribute to the trade?
- Name two products imported from Asia.
Conclusion
- The teacher will review key points and provide feedback on students’ assessments.