World historyLesson 3 of 4 in the course Early Modern Africa and the Wider World

Swahili Coast Trade, Enslavement, and Political Power

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

The Swahili coast connected East Africa to a vast Indian Ocean trading network. This lesson explains how geography, seasonal winds, ships, migration, language, and religion helped coastal settlements grow into important port cities.

From the seventh century onward, settlements on the East African coast increasingly participated in Indian Ocean trade. The coast faced Arabia, India, and regions farther east, making it a natural meeting point for merchants and sailors traveling between Africa and Asia.

All flashcards

Monsoon winds
Seasonal winds that changed direction and made it possible to plan voyages between East Africa and India.
Dhow
A regional sailing vessel with planks sewn together using coconut fiber and a triangular lateen sail.
Swahili
A coastal language with Bantu grammar and vocabulary containing both Bantu and Arabic elements.
Kilwa's control of Sofala
Control of the mainland port gave Kilwa access to gold from the Kingdom of Mutapa.
Omani influence on Zanzibar
Omani power helped Zanzibar grow as a center of ivory trade and clove production.

Quiz questions

  1. What role did Sofala play in Kilwa's wealth?Answer: It served as the port through which Mutapa gold entered coastal trade.
  2. Which event marked a major turning point in the struggle against Portuguese power on the Swahili coast?Answer: Omani forces captured Fort Jesus at Mombasa in 1698.
  3. In what year did Britain abolish its slave trade?Answer: 1807
  4. What did Portuguese forces often do to rival traders' ships instead of trading on equal terms?Answer: They looted or sank the rival ships.

Based on World History Volume 2, from 1400 by Ann Kordas, Ryan J. Lynch, Brooke Nelson, Julie Tatlock (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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