Swahili Worlds in Globalism

The Swahili coast was a hub of globalism and political and economic transformations, where people, inventions, and innovations migrated, adopted, and evolved, shaped by social and economic interactions of actors along the coast, inland, and beyond the Indian Ocean.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element delves into the intricate tapestry of a medieval African urban society, a remarkable product of the complex interplay between African communities that thrived in the region spanning from 100 BCE to 500 CE. It challenges the conventional narratives that attribute urbanism and state formation in Africa to external agents, instead highlighting the profound influence of indigenous cultures and communities. East Africa, both in the past and present, played a vital role within the broader expanse of the Indian Ocean. During the transformative periods of the Tang-Sung-Yuan-Ming and Islamic Dynasties, spanning from 600 to 1500 CE, globalism converged with political and economic upheavals, shaping the landscape of the Swahili coast. As the gateway into and out of eastern Africa, the Swahili coast became a bustling hub where people, ideas, and innovations flowed in both directions, fostering a dynamic exchange of cultures and ideas. It is essential to recognize that the Swahili peoples' agency and distinct characteristics cannot be solely attributed to Islam. Rather, their unique character emerges from the intricate social and economic interactions of a diverse range of actors along the coast, in the inland regions, and even beyond the boundaries of the Indian Ocean. This multifaceted tapestry of influences has contributed to the rich and diverse heritage of the Swahili people, making them a testament to the resilience and creativity of African societies.

ISBN-13: 9781009074056