Economic conditions in the city of Wadān from the fourth to the sixth century AH: A study of agricultural, pastoral, craft and industrial activity

Abstract

This research examines the economic conditions in the city of Waddan from the 4th to the 6th centuries AH (10th to 11th centuries CE). The city of Waddan is a historical city located in central Libya, in the Jufra region. It is distinguished by its rich history in various fields and was among the first Libyan cities to be entered by Muslims during the reign of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (may God be pleased with him). It was conquered by the Arab commander Uqba ibn Nafi al-Fihri (may God have mercy on him).

The city's economy relied primarily on the marketing of dates and grains. It depended on trade caravans heading north or south of the Sahara, becoming a meeting point for these caravans. From Waddan, goods would depart for the north and the lands south of the Sahara, thus becoming an important commercial center in North Africa, linking the cities of the Mediterranean with Central Africa.

Its inhabitants practiced agriculture, especially the production of dates, grapes, pomegranates, grains, and figs, in addition to some traditional crafts and industries such as pottery, ironwork, leather tanning, and woodworking. The city of Wadān was renowned for camel breeding, as camels were essential to the lives of the Bedouin. Camels were raised in large numbers, alongside sheep, goats, and horses. Many Arab and foreign travelers visited Wadān and wrote about it in their accounts and diaries, including al-Yaʿqūbī, al-Bakrī, al-Hashayshī, al-Idrīsī, Jacques Terry, al-Hasan al-Wazzan, and many others.

Wadān was distinguished by its vibrant trade, which revitalized its markets. It was connected to a network of caravan routes, becoming a meeting point for merchants from the interior oases, sub-Saharan Africa, and Mediterranean coastal cities. This contributed to providing all the goods, commodities, and daily necessities for the city's inhabitants.

The varieties of dates grown in Wadān were numerous, including Khadhraī, Hamrāī, Barnī, Tafsert, and Awrīq. The city's inhabitants cared for the date palms and preserved them using various methods, both fresh and dried, for extended periods. With these features, the location of Wadane was given commercial importance, acting as an active trading center between the northern regions and the countries south of the Sahara, and supplying caravans with their needs of security, guards, and guides.