The+spice+trade.

The Spice Trade The spice trade is a commercial activity which involves merchandising of spices, incense, herbs, drugs and opium. Some of the involved countries are Egypt, Arabia, Somalia, India and Persia. The Cambridge History of Africa 1975: Each year, twenty Egyptian ventured the Red Sea each year with different spices; Cinnamon, Cassia, Cardamom, Ginger and Turmeric. Hindu and Buddhist religious establishments of Southeast Asia came to be associated with economic activity and commerce as patrons entrusted large funds which would later be used to benefit local economy by estate management, craftsmanship and promotion of trading activities. Buddhism, in particular, traveled alongside the maritime trade, promoting coinage, art and literacy. Islam spread throughout the East, reaching Maritime Southeast Asia in the 10th century; Muslim merchants played a crucial part in the trade.

Added by Jørn: For the role of the area presently know as Liberia in the spice trade - check out the following links: on the "Pepper Coast": @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_Coast on melegueta pepper: @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grain_of_paradise