Question

Although most in Ghana were farmers cultivating sorghum and rice, other cities grew in prominence. Explain the significance of Timbuktu to Mali.

a. Timbuktu was a major center for the production of textiles.
b. Timbuktu was a hub for the gold trade, attracting merchants from across the world.
c. Timbuktu was renowned for its impressive mosques and centers of learning.
d. Timbuktu served as the primary port for trade with European nations.

Answer 1

Timbuktu was significant to Mali for its impressive mosques and centers of learning, its role as a hub for the gold trade, and its thriving textile industry.

Step-by-step explanation:

Timbuktu is significant to Mali for several reasons:

1. Timbuktu was renowned for its impressive mosques and centers of learning. It served as a major hub for Islamic education and attracted scholars, teachers, and students from across the region. The town was home to many madrasas (religious schools) and had a vibrant book trade, with thousands of books written in Arabic and other languages.
2. Timbuktu was a hub for the gold trade, attracting merchants from across the world. The rulers of Mali, including Mansa Musa, profited greatly from the gold trade, and Timbuktu became a center for international trade. Merchants from North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East flocked to the city to engage in commerce.
3. Timbuktu was a major center for the production of textiles. The city had a thriving textile industry, producing fabrics that were highly valued in trade. These textiles, along with gold, salt, and other commodities, contributed to the economic prosperity of Mali.