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The Expansion of Islam and Trade in Africa | Africa's Great Civilizations | PBS LearningMedia

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The period from the eleventh through seventeenth centuries represents a golden age in Africa with an expansion of trade, commerce and prosperity. On the east coast, Swahili merchants took advantage of trade winds to engage in trade relations with the Middle East, India and China.

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Having learnt about Mwaka Koga, how does the New Year reflect a mixture of cultures? 

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Having learnt about Mwaka Koga, how does the New Year reflect a mixture of cultures? 

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Based on your understanding of the Swahili coast and people so far, how did Swahili people adapt Islam into their lives? (Provide examples). 

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Based on your understanding of the Swahili coast and people so far, how did Swahili people adapt Islam into their lives? (Provide examples). 

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Mazin - Arabian traders brought Islam to the Swahili Coast

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Mazin - Arabian traders brought Islam to the Swahili Coast

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They don't become Arabs but they are Swahili people who practice the Islamic faith.  They did adopt Islam but they "Africanized" it.  The Swahili people did see Islam in terms of its religious value but also that it helped them in the trading market.  They also developed their own language called Ki Swahili.  It is an African language with words from Arabic as well.  Because they also had to read the Quran, it brought literacy in Arabic.  They could write the history of their own towns and it contributed to "the advancement of their culture."

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Arabian traders brought Islam to the Swahili coast - then they adopted Islam and Africanized it. The Islam practiced on the coast is pretty distinctive. - treat the dead, mark burials, the physical space of mosque and what they put in the most - very dependent on. They say that being a part of the Islam network gave them more opportunities. They developed their own language called Key Swahili (which has some words in Arabic). It also brought literacy in Arabic because the necessity to read Quran led to Quran classes where the alphabet was taught. Arabic was used to write poems and history, which led to the advancement of the culture.

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The New Year reflects a mix of cultures because the African people would sing their local songs and recite 'Allahu Akbar.' They also had some idea of spiritual understanding which is something present in Islam as well. Additionally, there's dancing and celebrating which has a mix of both cultures.

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Husnain and Shiza - Swahili culture took elements of Arabic, Persian, and even Indian culture. When we look at the Mwaka Koga, the day begins with one bathing in the sea, this is also a Hindu practice (if I'm not mistaken). Swahili culture also practiced these different elements of culture through poetry, music, festivals, and architecture. I believe that the different songs recited or different dances shown were perhaps of the different the cultures (i.e. perhaps Arabic, Persian, Indian music/dances)