The Soninke leaders of Ghana were able to create apowerful kingdom in West Africa by using theirmilitary strength and location—between the northernSaharan salt mines and the gold fields to the south-tocontrol a system of silent trade.The Soninke leaders of Ghana were able to create apowerful kingdom in West Africa by using theirmilitary strength and location—between the northernSaharan salt mines and the gold fields to the south-tocontrol a system of silent trade.
Silent trade occurred when North Africans andWangarans came to Ghana to trade gold and salt.Instead of meeting and negotiating face to face, theNorth Africans and Wangarans who spoke differentlanguages, used the Soninke as brokers, ormiddlemen, to protect the interests of both sides.Because of their geographic position, the Soninkewere able to carry on this system of trade and tax itsparticipants.Silent trade occurred when North Africans andWangarans came to Ghana to trade gold and salt.Instead of meeting and negotiating face to face, theNorth Africans and Wangarans who spoke differentlanguages, used the Soninke as brokers, ormiddlemen, to protect the interests of both sides.Because of their geographic position, the Soninkewere able to carry on this system of trade and tax itsparticipants.
As a result, the kingdom of the Ghana—and later Maliand Songhai—was able to acquire an enormousamount of wealth.As a result, the kingdom of the Ghana—and later Maliand Songhai—was able to acquire an enormousamount of wealth.