Morocco's Jewish Merchants: The Trans-Saharan Trade Link

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the crucial role of Jewish merchants in Morocco's trans-Saharan trade network. From the 8th century through the Saadian era, Jewish traders linked Sijilmasa and Tafilalt with Timbuktu and the goldfields of West Africa. They discuss the rise of the Tafilalt Jewish community, the Ibn Yaish family's influence as viziers, and the challenges under Almohad persecution. The episode highlights the economic integration of Jewish and Muslim merchants, the role of the dhimmi system, and the decline of the trade routes after the Portuguese coastal expansion. Specific figures include the 12th-century traveler Benjamin of Tudela and the merchant Ibn Yaish. The conversation touches on archaeology at Sijilmasa and the legacy of mellahs as commercial hubs. #Morocco #JewishMerchants #TransSaharanTrade #Sijilmasa #Tafilalt #Timbuktu #BenjaminOfTudela #IbnYaish #Almohad #Saadian #Dhimmi #Mellah #GoldTrade #Maghreb #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #NorthAfrica #Almoravid #Idrisid Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo