African trade routs

The civilizations that were in Medieval Africa were all based on trade. The trade routs were so successful African leaders were peace makers instead of warriors. Caravans from North Africa crossed the Sahara beginning in the seventh century. Gold from West Africa was traded for something the West Africans wonted even more: salt. Salt was used as a flavoring, a food preservative. The first people to make the trek across the desert were the Berbers of North Africa, who brought their strict Islamic faith across the Sahara. The Berbers changed many of the merchants of West Africa beliefs. They did not accept the Muslim belief in one God. The sands of the Sahara Desert could've been a major problem to trade.