Mali Empire's Takedda Copper and the Saharan Trade Web
The Mali Empire: The Richest Civilization in History — Fexingo HistoryPlay episode
Show notes
Long before Mansa Musa's gold dazzled Cairo, Mali's true economic engine may have been copper. This episode traces the mines of Takedda, a remote Saharan settlement where azurite and malachite were smelted into trade bars that crossed the Sahel. Lucas and Luna explore how Takedda's copper was hoarded by the Wangara merchants, used in ceremonial regalia, and even minted as currency by the Mali court. They follow Ibn Battuta's 1353 visit to Takedda, where he described a thriving community of 3,000 slaves working the mines. The episode also examines the archaeological evidence from Tegdaoust, where copper ingots shaped like crosses were found — a standard weight system that facilitated long-distance exchange. Was Takedda the real wealth behind Mali's power? And why did the mines decline after the 15th century? A revealing look at the metal that built an empire. #MaliEmpire #Takedda #CopperTrade #SaharanTrade #IbnBattuta #Wangara #MansaMusa #Dyula #Teghaza #Tegdaoust #CopperIngots #Smelting #Sahel #Mining #MedievalAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #TradeRoutes Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
