Transit markets in the Asante hinterland in the late nineteenth century

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Periodical article

Title:	Transit markets in the Asante hinterland in the late nineteenth century
Author:	Arhin, Kwame
Year:	1974
Periodical:	Odù: Journal of Yoruba and Related Studies
Issue:	9
Pages:	5-22
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	Ashanti international trade
Abstract:	This study is an attempt to describe the main features of the venues of trade exchanges between, on the one hand, Asante (Ashanti) and other peoples of modern central and southern Ghana and, on the other, Hausa, Mands and Messi caravans in Asante hinterland in the late nineteenth century. It appears that these trade venues may be correctly designated as 'transit' markets. After describing their principal features, the author discusses the question how far they fit into the well-known classes of African markets established by P. Bohannan and G. Dalton, Eds., in the Introduction to 'Markets in Africa' (Evanston, 1962). The paper concentrates on Atebubu and Kintampo. The evidence of the author's field work there is compared to accounts by Lonsdale (1882), Kirby (1883-84), Binger (1889-90) and Ferguson (1890). Sections. The establishment of the markets - Traders and their trade goods - Market institutions - The political framework of transit markets - The dissolution of the transit markets - Conclusions. Notes and ref., maps.