The arrival of the first Arabs in the territory of Tanzania
Initially, pre-Islamic Arab settlements on the territory of modern Tan-
zania were temporary and entirely associated with trade. Arab mer-
chants exported ivory, tortoise shells, rhino horns and coconut oil
from Africa, and in return they brought tools and weapons made of
iron and glassware to the local population (Bennett 1978: 6). A new
significant influx of Arabs to the coast of East Africa took place after
the emergence of Islam. Local Arabs (first settlers, already assimilated
by local population) were also converted to Islam; over the centuries,
they were followed by waves of Muslim migrants consisting of Ara-
bian Arabs, Persians, Indians, Syrians and others. Mainly they were
traders using the paths connecting African and Arabian coasts of the
Indian Ocean. The spread of Islam had a positive effect on trade (since
it is the only world religion perceiving trade positively), it contributed.