From the eighth century onwards, the Muslim townsfolk of North Africa were well aware that fifty stages away across the desert to the south lay a land inhabited by black people which was the source of gold, ivory and slaves.
And soon the passing caravans began to be swelled by.
For the Muslims, the black slaves were in their midst as laborers and soldiers, servants and concubines.
It was no mere rumor stemming from occasional journeys of special daring, as it had been in the time of Herodotus.
From the eighth century onwards, the Muslim townsfolk of North Africa were well aware that fifty stages away across the desert to the south lay a land inhabited by black people which was the source of gold, ivory and slaves