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.