Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.
Buddhism became the major religion of East Africa after merchants from southeast Asia settled there to be a part of Indian Ocean trade.
Indian merchants formed settlements in North Africa, spreading Hindu customs.
Inspired by the voyages of Zheng He, Chinese merchants settled in Africa and spread Confucianism, leading to large pockets of Confucian populations there.
1 answer
The statement that best analyzes the impact of Indian Ocean trade on religious beliefs in Africa is:
Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.
This accurately reflects the historical context, as the Indian Ocean trade facilitated the exchange of not just goods but also ideas and religions, with Islam spreading significantly along the coastal regions of East Africa due to the influence of Arab traders.
