History of the World - Essay Example

Swahili culture differed from other people’s ways of life in numerous ways, though it occupied the central position of trade. These practices ranged from dialect to the mode of dressing where the men used to wear kikoi whereas women cotton lesos or bulbuls, which covered their bodies even their heads (Laska, 63). Primarily, this characterized the mode of dressing commonly preferred by Arabs and Indian women, which is evident at the coast at present (Luis).

Besides, the mingling of Arabs, Persians, Indians and later Portuguese, led to the emergence of a unique language (Kiswahili), which is particularly rampant in Eastern Africa. Since it was the sole language used by the then traders and facilitated better understanding in their midst (Laska, 63). Indian Ocean Exchange also led to the rise of diverse societal classes where the richest merchants ranked at the top (Luis). These merchants controlled the trade whereas the slaves assumed the lowest rank in the society. The settlement of Arabs on the African coast influenced coastal dwellers to adopt the Islamic religion where to the present Islam has dominated the region. Swahili culture has also given birth to an additional ethnic group besides those inhabited the East African coastal region; mainly associated with Arabian origin commonly known as Waswahili (Laska, 63).