Explain how East African culture was impacted by trade in the Indian Ocean trade network. (1 point)

Question

Indian merchants shared Hinduism with the Swahili, leading to a growth in the African Hindu population.
Portuguese traders settled on the
• African coast and spread Christian ideas.
Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.
Muslims settled in southern Africa,
• sharing their ideas on political philosophy.
Highlight the answer

Answer 1

Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.

The Indian Ocean trade network facilitated significant cultural exchanges, particularly through the interactions between East African societies and merchants from diverse regions. This led to the introduction and blending of various cultural elements, including languages, art, and religious practices, most notably Islam and, to a lesser extent, Hinduism. The presence of these traders enriched the local culture and contributed to the development of the Swahili culture along the coast.