Describe the organisation of long distance trade in east Africa

Answer 1

Long distance trade in East Africa was organized through a network of merchants and traders known as the Swahili Coast. This network stretched from the Horn of Africa to the Indian Ocean and included the coastal cities of Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Zanzibar. Merchants and traders used a variety of methods to transport goods, including sailing ships, caravans, and dhows. Goods were exchanged through barter, with gold, ivory, and slaves being the most common commodities. The Swahili Coast was also a major hub for the slave trade, with slaves being exported to the Middle East and India. The Swahili Coast was also a major center for the Islamic faith, and Islamic law and customs heavily influenced the organization of long distance trade in East Africa.