East Africa

King Ezana of Aksum made this religion the official religion of the kingdom.

• Buddhism

• Islam

• Animism

• Christianity

This East African great trade city was rich and powerful through gold trade. You can still see the impressive stone-walled structures where the rich and powerful leaders and their families lived, still standing today.

• Congo River Basin

• Sudan

• Great Zimbabwe

• South Africa

Identify the location of the Kingdom of Aksum on the map

Why was East Africa a good location for trade?

Answer explanation

East Africa was a good location for trade because the Red Sea connected it with other bodies of water (Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean).

These bodies of water could carry Africa's resources around the world.

As trade increased in East Africa, how did the culture change?

• Muslim merchants began to control the trade.

• Swahili people left the area and migrated south.

• Most people became poorer and had more difficult lives.

• Large numbers of Indians began settling in the area.

Identify the location of the Swahili city states.

Answer explanation

How did Swahili become the culture of East Africa?

• It was brought by the Christians in the area.

• It was brought by Indian traders who migrated to East Africa.

• It was imported from Spain by Arabic traders.

• It was a combination of the Arabic Muslim and East African cultures.

Independent cities that also control surrounding villages and towns.

• city-state

• hub

• monsoon

• sultan

Why did city-states arise along East Africa’s coast?

• to strengthen India’s control of East Africa

• to control trade across the Indian Ocean

• to provide adequate food for the growing population

• to provide room for the growing number of Bantu

What major trading rival did Aksum defeat around a.d. 350?

• Kilwa

• Kush

• Sofala

• Indian

Answer explanation

Aksum conquered Kush around A.D. 350