Reflections in a golden ball (2) and conclusion of the lecture

Continued examination of goods exported from sub-Saharan Africa. The medieval Islamic slave trade: how can we characterize the spaces of slavery predation, and on the basis of what data ? Externalization of predatory slavery and the resistance of victim societies : based on Arab sources and oral traditions (the epic of Soundjata), we can develop a historical model for understanding the Ghâna-Sûsû-Mâli sequence. Another complex question : what are the figures for the trans-Saharan Islamic slave trade ? A review of estimates provided by several authors. Social trajectories of captives, freedmen and communities of African origin in the Islamic world and beyond : review of literature concerning Mauritania and Morocco (haratines and gnawa), the rest of North Africa, India. Other exported commodities : ivory, rock crystal, ostrich feathers. Examination of goods imported into sub-Saharan Africa : copper (and alloys), salt. Discussion and commentary on map (by Raymond Mauny) of salt production methods in West Africa. Other commodities : clothing, fabrics. Examination of a version of the Kilwa (Tanzania) origin story. Shells and glass beads. An overview of sites, sequences and the geochemical study of provenances. Chinese porcelain in East Africa, brassware (mainly Mamluk) in West Africa : material evidence of high-luxury imports, part of a global conversation between political elites, reshaping tastes, expectations, signs of prestige and insignia of power.