Swahili
means ‘coastal’ in Arabic, and the Swahili coast
refers to Tanzania’s coastline, a beautiful
and historic region rich in history, natural
beauty, art and culture. Ancient Greek manuscripts
show that the east coast of Africa was visited
by sailing vessels in classical times. In the
ninth or tenth centuries came -Shirazi Persians
from modern-day Iran, sailing their ancient
dhows across the Indian Ocean.
Chinese,
Japanese, Russian and Indonesian merchants and
pirates, traders and adventurers, all arrived
over the centuries during which the Swahili
coast was the centre of a thriving commercial
civilisation, with its own language, economy
and artistic traditions. When Europe was still
floundering in the dark ages, the light of eastern
civilisation had fallen on the Swahili coast,
unknown to the rest of the world.
Today, reminders of the Swahili coast’s magnificent
past can be found up and down the length of
Tanzania. The brass-bound chests and heavy wooden
doors of the Swahili empire are found far inland,
imported originally by the Arabic slave traders
who led caravans into the interior in search
of fortune. On the coast itself, crumbling mosques
nestle among palm trees by white beaches and
Persian baths lie ruined in the remains of ancient
villas.
