History along the Coast

Although the Kenyan interior was marked by early and frequent tribal migrations, the coastal region evolved in a very different manner. The rugged terrain of the interior was a natural barrier isolating the coast from tribal activity. Coastal inhabitants, therefore, were greatly influenced by Arabs and Persians who came to the East African coast to trade.

During the first century, a Greek merchant named Diogenes recorded one of the first descriptions of the Kenyan coastal region. He noted "men of the greatest stature, who are pirates and at each place have set up chiefs." The coastal chiefs were likely Arab traders who settled in coastal communities and intermarried among the Bantu tribes. Here, native and foreign cultures blended to create a new language and distinct community called Swahili. The Swahili were Kenya's primary link with the world at-large trading animal skins, ivory, agricultural produce, and slaves with ships from the middle east and China.

Another critical influence on the coastal communities was the assimilation of religious refugees. Divisions within Islam forced Arab immigrants to search for a new homeland and many found safety on the coast of Kenya. Much of the distinctive architecture, narrow streets, and numerous mosques that characterize Kenyan coastal cities today have their roots in this immigrant influence.

From the 8th century onward, the coast was regularly visited by Arabs and Persians who imported glass, textiles, and wine and exported ivory, rhinoceros horn and slaves. The Swahili civilization continued to thrive and the coastal towns quickly evolved into wealthy city-states ruled by sultans. Although this wealth was based on trade goods from the Kenyan interior, no attempt had been made at this point in history to conquer land or create settlements anywhere beyond the confines of the coastal region.

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