Question

Africa

You have read that, from about 900 to about 1500, three great trading kingdoms arose in West Africa: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. During this same period, other great trading centers were growing on the opposite side of the continent, along the eastern coast of Africa. And, as in West Africa, Arab Muslim traders helped trade centers grow in the region known as East Africa.

By about 1100, Arab Muslim traders who traveled by ship were trading up and down the entire coast of East Africa. They traveled between Africa and China, India, and other nations along the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The traders brought such goods as silk, cloth, and porcelain to Africa. From Africa, they took gold, ivory, artworks, and slaves.

Over time, many of these traders settled in Africa. As a result, city-states developed there. A city-state is a large, independent city that has its own ruler and laws. All of the East African city-states earned their wealth through trade. Two of the more powerful city-states were Kilwa and Mombasa.

The people of these city-states developed a remarkable new culture. It was a unique mix of traditional black African and Arab cultures. This culture was called Swahili. Swahili is also the name of the unique language they spoke—a mix of African Bantu languages and Arabic.

The city-states of East Africa prospered from the early 700s through the 1300s. Like the kingdoms and cities of West Africa, the city-states of East Africa were thriving societies. Their contributions to culture, language, and trade became part of the proud tradition that is African history.

Practice 7: City-States in East Africa

Choose the letter of the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Where did trading city-states emerge?
along Africa’s eastern coast
along Africa’s southern coast
along Africa’s northern coast
along Africa’s western coast
What were two important city-states in Africa?
Ghana and Mali
Songhai and Askia
Kilwa and Mombasa
Swahili and Mali

Answer 1

1. A — along Africa’s eastern coast
2. C — Kilwa and Mombasa