The Ming Voyages -- Trade Goods

by Sally K. Church

The trade goods mentioned by Ma Huan are listed below. It is often difficult to distinguish between trade goods and products that are simply produced locally. They are combined here. (See this information in list form here.)

List of Trade Goods by Category
Textiles & Clothing beibo bi cloth cheli doule hemp-silk kaoni kerchiefs manzheti mahmal (cotton velvet) sakallat sanah-baf shata'er (chautar) silk xinbaiqindali woollens	Incense & Scent aloes ambergris beeswax benzoin Sweet benzoin camphor dammar dragon's blood frankincense jinyin incense lakawood liquid storax luohe su incense musk myrrh qielan incense rose-water sandalwood (white) sindarus (gum sandarac) sinking incense su incense (yellow su incense)	Food Products almond (badam) apples barley and wheat coconut dates durian ge root gourd-melons jack-fruit jiaozhang wine lime litchi loquat lotus seed-case mangjishi mango mangosteen mubiezi (momordica) rice sago sweet greens xiao pear
Gems & Precious Stones, Jewellry amber cat's eyes coral & coral beads diamonds fringe made of beads pearls mazgandi (garnet) tortoise-shell	Spices & Flavourings cardamoms chaulmoogra seeds garlic ginger nutmegs pepper turmeric	Animals giraffes ostriches Animal Products & Fish bonito fish henbirds kingfisher feathers sea liu fish
Medicines & Drugs areca nut (betel-leaf, binlang) cantharides mubiezi seeds (momordica) rhinoceros horn sulphur	Plant Products (not food) jiaozhang leaves magnolia flower liana nodes rose-wood sandalwood (red) sapan-wood	Metals copper coins flower tin gold coins luogu stone silver coins steel tin
Ceramics & Manufactured Goods porcelain mats spectacles	Art Objects archers' rings	Weapons bulatou (dagger)

Further Reading

For a detailed study of the Ming Voyages, see J. V. G. Mills, Ma Huan, Ying-yai Sheng-lan, "The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores," [1433], Hakluyt Society (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1970).