Throwback Thursday

It's Thursday, time for a throwback. Transportation is basis for  economic, social and political development in most societies as it exhibits a closer relationship to the style and quality of living of the society. In the olden days before invention of bicycle,motor bikes and cars walking was the mode of transportation.  People  used to travel by walk. It is said that the oldest sandals in the archaeological record are 7,500 years old but its also like that protective footwear existed before then.

Mans first means of movement were his legs, and this apparently limited his area of influence as he then operated a society, which could be termed ''closed''.

Although since the Industrial era, there has been a trend of walking less and driving more, recent history indicates resurgence in walking. More people recognize it as a good way to improve their health, make short trips and get more in touch with their surroundings.
 But when he started a settled life with the domestication of animals and plants, he realized that his immediate environment could not satisfy all his multiple desires and worries. He had to seek for answers to some of his problems or needs in other areas probably different from his. Most importantly, there was also the need for the exchange of goods and services with neighbors since different environments produced different crops and services. Different mode of transportation were therefore introduced.

Despite the  introduction of motorized transportation system such as cars, buses and lorries, camels, oxen, horses,donkeys remain important means of transportation.
The first form of foreign trade in Nigeria was the Trans Sahara trade in which camels were used as a means of Transportation. They are still being used as a means of transportation till date in Katsina, Yobe and Borno states.

Apart from their use by the nomads who are continuously seeking grazing and water, animals are employed in transporting farm produce to local market.
In the olden times horses were used for war, personal transport, courier services, important ceremonies and social events and for transporting harvested products.

The oxen is a castrated male cow which is stronger, it grows faster and gets fatter than the rest of the cattle because it cannot perform its natural functions so all it does is eat and drink water.
It was used for cargo transport during nomadic movements. People also used them for ploughing farms.

I love donkeys and for some reason my ex bestie used to call me donkey and I used to call her Shrek *smiling*. Anyways, throughout the world donkeys are used as pack animals carrying loads on their backs with a saddle. This is a cheap and easy way of transporting goods, especially over rough and hilly terrain.

After reading some history books I decided to post this here...Enjoy reading!