22 Facts About Swahili coast

Swahili coast is a coastal area of the Indian Ocean in East Africa inhabited by the Swahili people.

Areas of what is today considered the Swahili coast were historically known as Azania or Zingion in the Greco-Roman era, and as Zanj or Zinj in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese literature from the 7th to the 14th century.

The Swahili coast has a distinct culture, demography, religion, and geography, and as a result—along with other factors, including economic—has witnessed rising secessionism.

Early on, those living on the Swahili coast prospered because of agriculture helped by regular yearly rainfall and animal husbandry.

The communities settling along the Swahili coast shared archaeological and linguistic features with those from the interior of the continent.

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The Swahili coast largely exported raw products like timber, ivory, animal skins, spices, and gold.

Many different ethnic groups were involved in the Indian Ocean's trade network especially in the western part of the Indian Ocean, Swahili coast being included, Muslim merchants dominated trade due to their ability to fund the construction of vessels.

The monsoon winds were less strong and reliable as one travelled further South along Africa's Swahili coast resulting in settlements being smaller and less frequent towards the South.

Previously, it was believed that the coins from the Swahili coast were of Persian origin, but now it is recognized that these are in fact indigenous coins.

However, archaeological digs reveal that the culture of the Swahili coast people living on these islands was adapted to trade and their maritime surroundings quite early on.

One of the main exports along the Swahili coast was gold and in the 13th century the city of Kilwa took control of the gold trade from Banadir in modern-day Somalia.

Swahili coast encouraged the creation of clove plantations as well as the settlement of Indian traders.

Until 1890 the sultans of Zanzibar controlled part of the Swahili coast known as Zanj which included Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.

Culture of the Swahili coast had unique characteristics emerging from the diversity of its founders.

The Swahili coast was essentially an urban civilization which revolved around trade activities.

The majority of the people in the Swahili coast were less wealthy and engaged in such jobs as clerks, craftsmen, sailors, and artisans.

Archeological records have shown that mosques in the Swahili coast cities were built as early as the eight century CE.

Irrespective of their economic status, the Swahili coast drew a clear difference between them and the people from interior of the continent whom they considered as uncultured.

Swahili coast is the lingua franca of East Africa and the national language of Kenya and Tanzania in addition to being one of the languages of the African Union.

Swahili coast syntax is very similar to that of other Bantu languages as, like other Bantu languages, Swahili coast has five vowels .

The majority of Muslims on the Swahili coast are Sunni, but many people continue non-Islamic traditions.

Swahili coast Mosques are typically smaller than elsewhere in the Muslim world and have little decorations.