Page 61 - Key to Social Studies 3

Merchants sailed between Africa and

Asia through the Indian Ocean. This helped

the existence of trade on the coasts of East

Africa. Some Arab merchants made their

homes there. People living there were

called “Swahili,” or people of the shore.

Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Mogadishu were

Swahili cities in the north, while Lamu and

Kilwa were other important port cities in

the south.

The cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa

developed over thousands of years. Gold,

ivory, and other goods made many of these

civilizations wealthy. These communities

met a lot of di erent cultures from around

the world. Arabs made an impact on

Sub-Saharan Africa that can be seen until

today.

Let’s Research!

Divide yourselves into two groups: Africa and Asia. Research how trade

between both continents took place. Points to look for:

• What were the main products traded?

• Which nations and civilizations were involved in those trades?

• What changes did these trades make to East Africa and the Sub-Saharan

African region?

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