Explain how East African culture was impacted by trade in the Indian Ocean trade network.(1 point)

Responses

Muslims settled in southern Africa, sharing their ideas on political philosophy.
Muslims settled in southern Africa, sharing their ideas on political philosophy.

Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.
Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.

Portuguese traders settled on the African coast and spread Christian ideas.
Portuguese traders settled on the African coast and spread Christian ideas.

Indian merchants shared Hinduism with the Swahili, leading to a growth in the African Hindu population.

Indian merchants shared Hinduism with the Swahili, leading to a growth in the African Hindu population.

Traders from Asia and the Middle East settling in East Africa and sharing their cultural ideas, especially their religions, impacted the East African culture in the Indian Ocean trade network.

The correct answer is:

Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.

To understand how East African culture was impacted by trade in the Indian Ocean trade network, we need to look at the historical context. The Indian Ocean trade network was a network of maritime trade routes that connected the East African coast with the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and China.

During this period, traders from Asia, particularly Arabs, Persians, and Indians, established settlements along the East African coast. These traders not only brought goods, but also brought their cultural ideas, including their religions. They introduced Islam to the region, which had a profound impact on East African culture.

The spread of Islam in East Africa led to the adoption of Arabic as a written language and the development of Swahili, a language that emerged as a mix of Bantu languages and Arabic. Islamic customs, traditions, and practices, such as dress, architecture, and cuisine, also became part of the East African culture.

Moreover, the introduction of Islam introduced a new political and economic structure in East Africa. Muslim rulers established city-states along the coast, such as Kilwa, Lamu, and Zanzibar, which became important trading centers. These city-states thrived economically, attracting merchants from different parts of the world and facilitating cultural exchange.

Overall, the trade in the Indian Ocean network had a significant impact on East African culture, particularly through the settlement of traders from Asia and the Middle East. They brought with them their religions, languages, customs, and practices, which greatly influenced and shaped the cultural landscape of East Africa.