Salt of the Desert Sun

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Focusing on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the study delves into the intricate relationship between ecology, technology, and social structure in the salt industry of the Sokoto Caliphate and Borno. It highlights how production relied on slavery, free migrants, and artisan workers, while a complex marketing network facilitated the trade of salt alongside textiles, grain, and livestock. This analysis uncovers immigration patterns and social mobility, providing valuable insights into the social history of central Sudan and the broader implications of political and economic influences on the salt trade.