LONG DISTANCE TRADE (CARAVAN TRADE)

The long distance refers to the pre-colonial economic activity that involved moving
long distances from the interior up to the east African coast. This trade is
sometimes referred to as caravan or interior trade which was carried out in east and
central Africa. The major participants were the Nyamwezi, Akamba, Yao,
Bunyoro, Buganda and the Cokwe. This trade had some foreigners like Arabs,
Asians and later Europeans.

FACTORS FOR ITS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The factors responsible for the growth and expansion of long distance trade were
both internal and external as per the following.

The increasing demand for the interior commodities contributed to the

development of long distance trade. It should be remembered that the interior
commodities like slaves, ivory, copper, gold and ostrich feathers were highly
demanded by foreign traders more so the Arabs and Indians ivory in particular was
demanded in India for making of bangs and piano keys. While the slaves were
needed to work on plantations and mining centres of Madagascar, Zanzibar and
Mauritania hence leading to the growth of long distance.

The increasing number of immigrants or influx of foreigners into the interior of

east and central Africa contributed to the growth of long distance trade. It should
be remembered that long distance trade developed majorly due to the coming of
foreigners more so Arabs and Indians by 1840. Many foreign traders like Arabs
and Indians had increased into the interior and most of them settled at Zanzibar and
Madagascar led by said sayyid. The Swahili traders known as Indian bayans came
in with a lot of capital and therefore became the major finances of the long distance
trade.
The abolition of slave trade in West Africa contributed to the development of long
distance trade in east and central Africa. In Africa as a continent abolition of slave
trade began from West Africa after the arrival of Christian missionaries. In West
Africa, the slaves were the major trade items during the trans-saharan trade and
trans-Atlantic slave trade. Therefore after abolishing slave trade in West Africa, all
the rich merchants and slave dealers like the Arabs and Portuguese moved into east
and central Africa to establish new slave trade markets hence leading to the growth
of long distance trade.

The existence of clear trade routes partly contributed to the development of long
distance trade. Many trade routes had developed in the interior which facilitated
the growth of long distance trade e.g. the northern trade route covered areas of
Mombasa across Kenya to Kamba land, the central trade route began from
bagamoyo and covered other areas of Tobora, Ujiji, Karagwe, Buganda and
bunyoro to collect slaves. The southern trade route covered areas of Malawi and
Tanganyika which was controlled by the Yao in collecting gold. Therefore due to
clear trade routes the long distance trade expanded or developed.

The high demand for essential imports or foreign commodities by the interior
people favoured the growth of long distance trade. It should be remembered that
many African communities like the Nyamwezi, Akamba, Yao, Buganda and
Bunyoro highly demanded for the imported goods like fire arms, clothes, gun
powder, beads, copper products like plates from Arabia, Asia and Europe.
Therefore due to the available demand for the imports by the interior people
contributed to the growth of long distance trade.

The general improvement in transport and communication contributed to the

growth of long distance trade. It should be remembered that before the (19 th the
common means of transport from the interior was basically human portage or use
of porters who moved long distances while carrying commodities on their
shoulders and backs but later the Swahili and Arab traders introduced animal
transport like the use of camels, horses and donkeys which were more faster than
human beings and could carry bulky commodities hence leading to the growth of
long distance trade.

The availability of adequate trade commodities favoured the growth of long

distance trade in east and central Africa. It is on record that during the long
distance trade or the required imports and exports were readily available like fire
arms, clothes, copper products, beads, ivory, slaves and ostrich feathers etc.
therefore all the merchants or traders whether importers or exporters were able to
get items of their choice and exchange was made possible. Therefore with enough
goods available favoured the growth of long distance trade.

The geographical nature or Topography of east and central Africa favoured the
growth of long distance trade. It should be remembered that most areas where long
distance trade operated like Nyamwezi, Buganda and Cokwe had no mountains or
physical barriers to block the movement of traders. Therefore being a flat plain
simplified the movement of traders in search for trade items hence leading to the
growth of long distance trade.

The development of many interior kingdoms and strong leaders partly contributed
to the growth of long distance trade. In the interior of east Africa, they were many
well developed kingdoms and their leaders who became cooperative and positively
welcomed foreign merchants. Such leaders included mirambo of Nyamwezi,
Mwanga of Buganda and kabalega of Bunyoro. They provided all the required
trade items such as ivory, gold, copper, slaves which were exchanged for guns and
clothes hence leading to the growth of long distance trade.
The arrival of said Sayyid Ibn sultan contributed to the growth of long distance.
Said Sayyid transferred his capital in Muscat to Zanzibar in 1840 and introduced
many reforms which increased the desire for slaves like clove plantations at
Zanzibar. Besides the above, he opened up other clove plantations and sugarcane
growing at Pemba, Mauritania and Madagascar. He also encouraged the demand
for ivory, copper and gold from the interior hence leading to the growth of long
distance trade.

The existence of high level of hospitality and cooperation from the interior leaders
contributed to the growth of long distance trade. It should be noted that most of the
interior leaders like Mutesa I of Buganda, Mirambo of Nyamwezi and Kabalega of
Bunyoro warmly welcomed foreign merchants or traders into their kingdoms. They
supplied them with all the required assistance in terms of security trade
communities and land on which their tents were constructed. Therefore with high
level of cooperation, long distance trade eventually developed.

The existence of fire arms or guns partly contributed to the development of long
distance trade. Most of the caravan traders from the interior like mirambo, Tippu
tippu, kabalega, Nyungu yam awe and mwanga were highly interested in acquiring
guns which could be used in raiding for slaves and killing elephants to get ivory.
The foreign traders of Swahili and Arab origin majorly brought in guns which were
highly demanded by the interior leaders. Therefore the availability of fire arms
favoured the growth of long distance trade.

Ref Qns.

1. Account for the development of long distance trade

2. Discuss the factors that favoured the growth and expansion of LDT.

ORGANISATION OF LONG DISTANCE TRADE

The long distance trade or caravan trade was highly organised during its operation
in the interior of east and central Africa. While analysing the organisation of the
caravan trade, the major components or items to be examined include the people
involved or participants, means of exchange, trade commodities, means of
transport and communication, major trading centres or meeting points and major
trade routes.

The long distance trade it had major participants from the interior and abroad or
foreigners. The people involved during this trade played a very important role for
its development from the interior the major participants included Yao, Nyamwezi,
Akamba, Kikuyu, baganda, Banyoro and Cokwe. Among the foreign participants
were the Arabs, Swahili, Asians, Indians and later the Europeans (portuguesed)
who provided all the required capital for the essential exports.

The long distance trade had many trade items which were readily available from
the interior and abroad from the interior the major exports of east and central
Africa were slaves, gold, copper, ivory, ostrich feathers and bee wax. The major
imports brought by foreign traders or merchants included fire arms or guns,
gunpowder, clothes, beads and copper products like bowls and plates which were
highly demanded by the interior communities like the Nyamwezi, Akamba,
Buganda and Bunyoro.

During the LDT the method of exchange was equally important which enabled
transaction to take place. It should be remembered that originally means of
exchange was barter system were physical commodities like ivory; gold and slaves
could be exchanged for other commodities like clothes and guns without the use of
money. But later the foreign merchants more so the Indian banyans and Arabs
introduced the use a cowries shells, beads and Indian rupees as the modern
medium of exchange or currency.
During the DT, means of transport was equally considered as an important item in
the organization. Originally the common means of transport was human portage
where the trade items from the interior to the coast were carried by porters or
slaves up to the coast. The slaves could carry other trade items on their heads,
shoulders and backs from the interior up to the east African coast through the
major trade routes. But later animal transport was introduced where camels and
donkeys were used as faster means of transport to carry bulky commodities or
trade items to the east African coast. In terms of communication, Swahili and
Arabic language were commonly used with the help of translators like chief
fundikira of Unyanyembe.

During the LDT, the foreign merchants like Swahili and Arab traders provided the
required capital which made this trade a success in east and central Africa. The
case in point were the Indian banyans who owned most of the financial institutions
or banks in places like Pemba, Zanzibar and Madagascar. All the items from the
interior could be taken to the above trading canters and exchange was made
possible due to the availability of the rich merchants.

While moving from the interior the slaves were taken in caravans or groups or
bundles for security reasons. The slaves moved in groups ranging from 200-
300people with chains on their hands to avoid escaping. Most of the slaves were
protected against the external robbers therefore moving in caravans provided
security during the LDT.

The major trade routs during this trade, were three which made this trade to
develop and expand. They included the northern trade route which began from
pagani and moved through Tanga up to Mombasa and later proceeded to other
areas which had trade items. This trade rout was over dominated by the Akamba
and majorly supplied ivory as their major export item.
The central trade route covered major areas like Bagamoyo, Nyamwezi and
akamba and it was the longest trade route because it was extended to major trading
centres of Ujiji, Tabora and L. Tanganyika. It moved into the interior areas to
collect slaves and later moved up to the east African coast which made this trade to
be highly organised.

The southern trade route was equally important in the organisation of the LDT.
This trade route began from the central town of sofala, kilwa and later moved into
the interior through Mozambique and L. Malawi. This trade route was over
dominated by the Yao and it majorly supplied slave along all the trade routes,
security was provided by the African communities and their leaders like Nyungu
Yamawe, kabalega and mwanga which made the trade successful.

IMPACTS OF THE LONG DISTANCE TRADE

The LDT brought many changes in the interior of east and central Africa which
were both positive and negative, political, social and economic as per the
following.

LDT led to high level of Urbanization in east and central Africa. It should be noted
after the development of the LDT and due to its high level of profitability, many
former trading centres surprisingly developed into important towns such as Ujiji,
Tabora, Bagamoyo, Pemba and Zanzibar. The above towns received modern
facilities inform of roads, hotels, lodges, security guards and safer dirnking water
however urbanization came along with its associated evils or dangers such as
prostitution, congestion and which craft for the first time in the interior.

As an impact, this trade led to the emergency of powerful political leaders and
states in east and central Africa. It should be remembered that during the LDT
some African leaders became very rich due to the profits gained from the sell of
slaves, ivory and gold. Noteable among such leaders included kabalega of
Bunyoro, Mwanga of Buganda, Ngungu Yamawe and chief fundikira of
unyanyembe all became so powerful before the development of the LDT. The
leaders were very unpopular and economically backward in east Africa.

As an impact, the LDT led to the spread of new cash crops into the interior of east
and central Africa. Before the development of LDT people in east and central
Africa over depended on their traditional food crops such as millet, sorghum,
cassava and maize which were grown on subsistence basis or small scale basically
for home use. But during the LDT crops like wheat, rice, barley and dates was
spread into the interior and were grown on plantation basis using modern farming
methods for the market.

The LDT negatively led to massive loss of lives or population decrease in east and
central Africa. It should be remembered that during the LDT many people lost
their lives while others more so the energetic men and women were taken as trade
items abroad. Most of the Arabs and Swahili traders majorly wanted slaves to work
on their plantations and mining centres. This became common among the Yao,
akamba, Nyamwezi and Buganda. Before the existence of LDT, the above
communities were densely populated.

As an impact, the LDT led to high level of insecurity, turmoil and public unrest in
east and central Africa. During the LDT most of the foreign traders were looking
for slaves which involved burning villages and hunting in the forest to get
elephants for ivory which were deadly wild animals. Besides the above, some
African leaders like kabalega and Ngunge Yamawe had acquired guns from Arabs
which they used during the slave raids hence increasing the level of insecurity in
the interior.
As an impact, the LDT led to wide spread of Islam into the interior of east and
central Africa. The Arab and Swahili traders encouraged massive conversion of
many people to join Islam and abandon their traditional beliefs. Before the
development of LDT, Islam was a religion which was not popular in the interior
and most people believed in traditional religion in the interior the spread of Islam
started from major trading centres of Ujiji Tabora and Bagamoyo. But later it was
spread to Pemba, Zanzibar and Buganda hence the impact of the long distance
trade.

As an impact, this trade encouraged the spread of Arabic and Swahili languages
among the people of east Africa. It should be remembered that at the beginning of
this trade, there was language barrier were most of the foreign merchants could not
understand local languages like luganda. They therefore used signals while
carrying out busnz and it was regarded as dump trade due to lack of clear means of
communication. Therefore spreading Arabic and Swahili languages as a medium of
communication became an impact of the LDT.

As an impact, this trade accelerated to the scramble for and partition of Africa. It
should be remembered that through the trade routes, i.e. LDT opened up the
interior of east and central Africa to the colonial masters i.e. this trade exposed the
economic potentials like minerals, cash crops, ivory and fertile soils to the outside
world. Besides the above, all the former trade routes used during the LDT became
modern high ways which the colonial agents like missionaries, explorers and
traders used while invending the African continent hence leading to African lioss
of independence.

The LDT led to the spread of new European manufactured commodities into the
interior of east Africa. After the development of long distance trade, many foreign
merchants came into east Africa with their manufactured goods like guns, glasses,
beads and clothes which were highly depended by the interior people. Before the
existence of LDT people in the interior had their local products like arrows, spears
and back cloth. Therefore the importation of manufactured goods greatly improved
on people’s standards of living. But on the sad note, important destroyed most of
the African small scale industries like iron working, basket making and black smith
hence the impact of the LDT.

LDT led to the introduction of new foreign cultures and customs in east and central
Africa. This became a reality as a result of the inter marriages, between Africans
and the foreign merchants i.e. Arabs and Swahili traders. The case in point was the
chief fundikira’s daughter got married to Bargash’s son which gave rise to new
Swahili culture in the interior of east Africa. Besides the above, the practice of
Islamic culture became common like sharia dressing for both men and women
hence the impact of the LDT.

As an impact, the LDT led to the emergency of powerful military organisations or

machinery in east and central Africa after the arrival of Swahili and Arab traders.
Many African leaders acquired modern military skills and weapons e.g the Ruga-
Ruga of the Nyamwezi, Abarusura of the Bunyoro became very powerful under the
command of Nyungu Yamawe and Kabalega of Bunyoro. In Zanzibar there was
the movit warriors well armed with modern weapons acquired from said Sayyid.
Before the existence of LDT such powerful military machineries or organizations
were not there in east and central Africa.

The LDT disrupted most of the economic activities in the interior of east Africa. It
should be remembered that during the slave raids and hunting for elephants caused
massive insecurity which interfered with trade, agriculture and other economic
activities which came to a stand still. In along run the decline in agriculture caused
prolonged famine and starvation, poverty and generally poor standards of living.
Before the occurrence of the LDT, the above economic activities were booming in
east Africa.

The LDT led to the establishment of strong and powerful kingdoms in the interior
of east and central Africa. During this trade many African leaders became rich
more so the slave dealers and built powerful kingdoms the case in point was
Buganda under Mwanga and Bunyoro under Kabalega which became strong and
organised kingdoms after benefiting from the sell of slave and ivory. They
controlled the major trade rates and collected enough taxes or tributes hence the
impact of the LDT.

REF Qns;

1. Examine the impact of the caravan trade on the people of east and
central Africa
THE END