Which was the main cause of the development of Swahili culture?

Question

The spread of Christianity
The gold-salt trade with Wesr Africa
Trade with the interior of East Africa
Trade across the Indian Ocean

Answer 1

The main cause of the development of Swahili culture was trade across the Indian Ocean. The Swahili city-states, which emerged along the East African coast, became key trading hubs that connected Africa with the Middle East, India, and parts of Asia. This trade led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices, significantly influencing the development of a unique Swahili identity that blended African, Arab, and Persian elements.