After 700 AD, Muslim Arabs, who followed the new religion of Islam, began to settle at some of the coastal towns of eastern Africa. They set up homes, married local African women, and had children. Many Africans in these coastal towns converted to Islam and began to practise the Muslim religion. The language on the east coast soon changed. African and Arab languages got mixed together to form a new language called Swahili. Swahili means ‘people who live along the coast’. The Swahili way of life was a mixture of Arab and African languages, culture and customs. 

The Swahili traders wanted gold and ivory, rhinoceros horn and tortoise shells from the African farmers. 

Swahili traders then traded with Arab merchants who sailed from the East in ships called dhows. Arab traders exchanged goods they brought from across the Indian Ocean like glassware, beads, cloth and carpets.

Mapungubwe became connected to other parts of the word by trade. This was the beginning of globalisation.

People’s journeys on foot: rocks,dangers, finding the way

Large groups of men from Mapungubwe walked to the coast and back again. They knew the footpaths and the routes. They used the stars in the night sky to guide them and help them find the way. They were good trackers and knew how to keep away from wild animals.

They carried the goods they wanted to exchange, like ivory, animal skins and gold. They hid the gold in porcupine quills to disguise it and to avoid being attacked by thieves.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY 1

Try this EduCandy game about TRADE if you are finished with the work in your books.

Trade Quiz: EduCandy 

EXTENSION ACTIVITY 2

Try this Quizziz quiz on this topic.