TANZANIA

"Traditional" Zanzibar

One of a chain of Swahili City-States along the East African coast from southern part of what is now Somalia to northern part of what is now Mozambique

Ruling groups largely of Arabic and Persian origin from Hadramaut (around what is now Yemen and Oman) and what is now Iran

Trading and slaving societies

Swahili culture and language developed from blending of African influences (often elements brought in by household slaves) and Arabic influences.

Zanzibari rulers -- showing Omani/Hadramaut attire
(click for larger image)
image from Zanzibar website

Muslim society with some women who are veiled/secluded women and others who are not. See images on a page with an excellent collection of historical photographs from which the following image of women on the main road in Zanzibar from 1901 is borrowed:

Main Road Zanzibar 1901
(click for larger image)

Traded gold and ivory obtained from the empire of Monomatapa, whose capital was the Great Zimbabwe (peak was 1000 to 1400 AD)

Sailed dhows as far east as India and China

Declined after Vasco da Gama arrived in 1498, returned in 1505 and sacked Swahili coastal cities.

Wars and rulership changing between Omanis and Portuguese

Slaving continued