Question

In what ways did ethnic diversity play a role in the development of the Swahili Coast compared to in Ethiopia?

Answer 1

As a general rule a Coast becomes the center of trade as ports are built & ships (with merchandise) sail form here. Hinterland areas are served too. Hence there is always interaction with people across the globe of diverse culture, languages, ethnicities. Some of these visitors primarily for the reason of trade settle at such places, intermarry effacing distinct ethnic lines. Concurrently in an effort to preserve these diverse traditions the new entrants display proclivities to cultural activities that enrich the local culture. Thus Coastal cities evolved into great cultural centres bred by the heightened prosperity (due to trade & commerce).
Ethiopia is a land-locked country at higher altitudes that makes communications & travel difficult if not impossible. The demands on such infrastructure & its lack impoverishes communities there while on the coasts they thrive. Lack of communications doesn't attract outsiders & the ethnic purity of the population is preserved more as a result. Lack of population hybridisation makes them conservative. Swahili Coast is an exception like all other coasts.
Swahili Coast is a melting pot of ethnicities in which Arab seamen dominate along with various African tribes (they all look alike for Western eyes) along Coast. A dweller on Coast develops traits of cosmopolitan outlook, easy adaptability in customs, manners & even marital matters. the There was considerable slave trade from the coast, mainly to Arab world & Indian subcontinent as well as at a lower level to SE Asia.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

i still have it

Answer 5

The Byzantine Empire served two very important historical functions:

Preservation of Roman and Greek Culture - When the Roman Empire in the West collapsed in 476, many libraries and places of learning were destroyed in the chaos and much of the knowledge that had been gained under the Greek and Roman civilizations was lost. However the eastern half of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine, survived. As a result the Byzantine served to preserve much of the Greek and Roman advancements for Western Europe. Most significant was the preservation of Roman law by Emperor Justinian, the Byzantine's greatest emperor. Justinian codified and deciphered the Roman law codes and also expanded upon the existing codes. As a result, these law codes were preserved and have become the basis for the legal systems of many Western countries.


Cultural Diffusion - Not only did the Byzantine help preserve Roman and Greek culture and Christianity but the Empire also spread these ideas to other parts of the world. During the Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries, Western Europeans making their way to the holy land had to first pass through the Byzantine Empire. As a result they brought many of those ancient Greek and Roman accomplishments back to Western Europe.

Answer 6

anything else?

Answer 7

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