Omani Conquest of Eastern Africa
At a glance:
- Series: Magill’s Guide to Military History
- Categories: Military History, Economics
- Subcategories: Trade, Commerce, Invasions, Raids, Conquests, Sieges, Islam, Muslims, Mosques
- Curriculum: African History, Middle Eastern History
- Geographical Location: Saudi Arabia, Africa, Oman
- Date: 1631-1730
Article abstract: At issue: Control of Indian Ocean and Red Sea trade. Result: Portugal was driven from eastern Africa, north of Mozambique; Islam became an important cultural force in East Africa.
Background
The loosely organized trading principalities of the eastern African coastline—known to Arabs as the Land of Zenj—had been closely linked to Islamic Indian Ocean trade routes since the eighth century. African ivory was an especially prized international commodity, and the coastal cities also exported ambergris, mangrove poles, slaves, and gold....
[The entire page is 866 words long]