Swahili Vs West African Kingdoms Essay

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West Africa Kingdoms and the Swahili city states
The kingdoms of west Africa and the Swahili city states were both built off the main structural ideas, but developed differently into their own way of life. The kingdoms of west
Africa traded through camels in the Sahara Desert, while the Swahili city states traded by ship on the Indian Ocean. Both the west African Kingdoms and the Swahili city states each shared religious, political, and economical aspects.
The kingdoms of west Africa and the Swahili city states shared similar religious characteristics, while also owning some original to their own states. The Swahili city states were influenced heavily by the religion of Islam, while kingdoms of west Africa had large proportions of the
The kingdoms of west Africa expanded their territory, while the Swahili city states did not. The Sudanic states of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay all were conquest states who effectively controlled subordinate societies. Swahili city states’ size prohibited them from ever taking over any land, and were mainly just known as trading ports.
The kingdoms of west Africa and the Swahili city states each had their own economical distinctions, while also sharing some similarities. Both the west African Kingdoms and the
Swahili city states were based off trade and agriculture throughout their economy. The Sudanic states of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay all depended on gold as a major item in trade, while also having a large population of farmers. Swahili city states traded ivory, gold, iron, slaves, and exotic animals while also having coastal villages with farmers and fishermen in them. The kingdoms of west Africa traded through camels in the Sahara Desert, while the Swahili city states traded by ship on the Indian Ocean. West Africa used camels to transport their