Ancient Ghana derived power and wealth from gold and the introduction of the camel during the Trans-Saharan trade ... southern terminus of the Saharan trade routes. Kumbi Saleh became the focus ...

Inhabited since 250 B.C., Djenné became a market centre and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was one of the centres for the propagation of Islam.