In what ways were the Swahili city-states involved in trade?
Finally, Swahili city-states also manufactured goods for both their own residents and for trade such as pottery, cloth, and highly decorated siwa, the typical brass trumpet of the region. Goods from Africa included: Precious metals – gold, iron, and copper. Ivory.
How did the Swahili influence trade?
As a consequence of long-distance trading routes crossing the Indian Ocean, the Swahili were influenced by Arabic, Persian, Indian, and Chinese cultures. They were also involved in the slave trade. These city-states began to decline towards the 16th century, mainly as a consequence of the Portuguese advent.
What did the Swahili coast trade?
Between 500 and 800 A.D. they shifted to a sea-based trading economy and began to migrate south by ship. In the following centuries, trade in goods from the African interior, such as gold, ivory, and slaves stimulated the development of market towns such as Mogadishu, Shanga, Kilwa, and Mombasa.
Why was the Swahili coast a center of trade?
African merchants from the Swahili coast used oceanic trade routes across the Indian Ocean to trade raw materials such as gold, ivory, and leopard skins to Eurasia for manufactured goods. goods were transported by ship using monsoon winds, and Islam came from Arabia to the Swahili coast. Songhai rose as a trade center.
Does the Swahili coast still exist?
This coastal region, which today stretches along the eastern edge of Africa from Somalia in the north to Mozambique in the south, is known as the Swahili Coast and is home to a unique culture and language—a multicultural polyglot of African, Arab, and Indian Ocean peoples.
How do say hello in Swahili?
There are basically five ways to say hello in Swahili: – nzuri (nZOOree) (fine) U hali gani? (oo HAlee GAnee) (how are you) – njema (fine) Shikamoo (a young person to an elder) – marahaba. For casual interactions: mambo?