The most accurate response to explain how East African culture was impacted by trade in the Indian Ocean trade network is:
Traders from Asia and the Middle East settled in East Africa and shared their cultural ideas, especially their religions.
This response highlights the significant cultural exchange that took place due to the interactions between traders from diverse regions, which included the exchange of religious beliefs, languages, and customs. The settlement of traders contributed to the development of a rich, multicultural society along the East African coast, particularly among the Swahili city-states.