Comercio

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West African Trade History; Arab TradersABAA

West African Trade History: Arab and Moorish Gum Traders Traveling by Camel Horse and Ox to Senegal 1748

1748ref. 143621748. Bellin Jacques Nicolas. Engraving of Arab and Moorish traders traveling to Senegal 1748 depicts the movement of gum through animal-borne commerce in eighteenth-century West Africa. Published in Histoire générale des voyages the scene identifies its subjects specifically as "Arabes et Mores" bringing gum to Senegal and shows the traders using camels horses and oxen for transport. The caption ties the image directly to the gum trade a commerce connecting inland producers and merchants with markets along the Senegal River and Atlantic coast. Bellin Jacques Nicolas. Arabes et Mores montés sur leurs Chameaux leurs Chevaux et leurs bœufs pour apporter des gommes au Senegal. From Histoire générale des voyages 1748. Overall page size 10 x 7.25 inches; image size 5.5 x 7.5 inches. The engraving shows a group of turbaned men in tunics traveling with camels horses and oxen. Some figures ride while the animals move as a caravan across the landscape. The printed caption below identifies both the travelers and their purpose: "Arabes et Mores montés sur leurs Chameaux leurs Chevaux et leurs bœufs pour apporter des gommes au Senegal" describing Arabs and Moors mounted on their camels horses and oxen to bring gum to Senegal. Published in 1748 the engraving records a European representation of the inland commercial networks supplying Senegal with gum particularly gum arabic during a period of expanding European competition for West African commodities. Its caption is unusually specific about the commodity destination traders and means of transportation connecting the figures and animals to a defined commercial activity rather than presenting them simply as generalized costume types. The combination of caravan transport and explicit reference to the Senegal gum trade provides visual evidence for eighteenth-century European descriptions of commerce between Saharan and Sahelian traders and the Senegal region. Some small markings in the margin. Overall very good condition. unknown books