Caravan (travellers)

Caravans (pers. Karvan ) are large travel companies that were until the 20th century in particular on the caravan routes operated for centuries Middle East and Central Asia and North Africa go. Such companies could partially in 1000 and lead more camels, horses and donkeys with them.

Trade caravans came together merchants, who often operated barter. Their leader was called Karwan Bashi. Some of the main routes for trade caravans were the Silk Road from East Asia to the Mediterranean or the Incense Road from south Arabia to the Mediterranean.

To date, salt caravans have been preserved of the oasis Bilma and Fachi as well as in Mali of the Mine Taoudenni to Timbuktu in Niger.

Pilgrim caravans were faithful to the protection of the pilgrimage ( Hajj ) to the holy places (eg, Mecca, Medina, Karbala ), they were led by an Emir -el- Hajj. The most famous were the outgoing caravans from Cairo and Damascus to Mecca pilgrim caravans.