11th century – 15th century
East African coast and western Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean trade network described here linked Swahili coastal towns and islands with markets around the Arabian Sea and the wider ocean. Its operation depended on monsoon winds, maritime skills, local exports such as gold, ivory, and iron, and imported ceramics, glass, beads, and other goods. Manda and Kilwa occupied successive central positions in the East African segment.
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The Story
The East African coastal trade described in the extract depended on the geographical coincidence between the coast and the zone affected by monsoon winds. This environment made seasonal sailing across the Indian Ocean possible and supported the growth of towns whose prosperity rested on maritime exchange. Navigation developed alongside fishing and seafood gathering, with advances in boat-building and navigational astronomy.
The network carried local products outward and imported goods inward. Gold, ivory, iron, agricultural products, pearls, shells, turtle shell, amber, and fish formed part of the coastal economy, while ceramics, glassware, beads, and other luxury goods arrived from overseas. Imported goods could acquire high value in local markets, whereas abundant exports such as gold and ivory could experience lower prices because traders assumed that supplies could be replenished.
In the twelfth century, the main flow to and from Africa apparently passed through the Lamu archipelago and Zanzibar, with Manda as the leading centre in that zone. After the thirteenth century, most trade evidently went through Kilwa. The broader chain of named ports included Merca, Brava, Malindi, Mombasa, Pangani, Unguja, and Sofala, illustrating a connected though regionally differentiated coastal system.
11th century – 15th century
East African coast and western Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean trade network described here linked Swahili coastal towns and islands with markets around the Arabian Sea and the wider ocean. Its operation depended on monsoon winds, maritime skills, local exports such as gold, ivory, and iron, and imported ceramics, glass, beads, and other goods. Manda and Kilwa occupied successive central positions in the East African segment.
Continue exploring
The Story
The East African coastal trade described in the extract depended on the geographical coincidence between the coast and the zone affected by monsoon winds. This environment made seasonal sailing across the Indian Ocean possible and supported the growth of towns whose prosperity rested on maritime exchange. Navigation developed alongside fishing and seafood gathering, with advances in boat-building and navigational astronomy.
The network carried local products outward and imported goods inward. Gold, ivory, iron, agricultural products, pearls, shells, turtle shell, amber, and fish formed part of the coastal economy, while ceramics, glassware, beads, and other luxury goods arrived from overseas. Imported goods could acquire high value in local markets, whereas abundant exports such as gold and ivory could experience lower prices because traders assumed that supplies could be replenished.
In the twelfth century, the main flow to and from Africa apparently passed through the Lamu archipelago and Zanzibar, with Manda as the leading centre in that zone. After the thirteenth century, most trade evidently went through Kilwa. The broader chain of named ports included Merca, Brava, Malindi, Mombasa, Pangani, Unguja, and Sofala, illustrating a connected though regionally differentiated coastal system.
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