MMW 13 Lecture 6: Lecture 6
LOOK AT LECTURE 5 NOTES
Meaning of "littoral"
Literally and figuratively
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The Permeability of a Littoral Culture
Polycentric network of Swahili Cities
System of reciprocity rather than hegemony (in terms of how
people related to each other)
Prominence of Mogadishu and Somali cities in the 12th
century
More in the northern part of the Swahili Coast
Closer to some of the Persian merchants coming
in
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Traders would come in with their goods and
deposit them into warehouses in Mogadishu and
the Dhow (smaller ships) would transport the
goods farther down the coast
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Later prominence of Kilwa and southern cities in the 13th
century
After 12th century when larger ships start to sail down
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Introduction of the trade with interior
Gold, ivory
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The Rhythm of the Winds
N.E. Monsoons (Kas Kazi in Swahili)
Prevailing winds usually from November to Marsh
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S.W. Monsoons (Kusi in Swahili)
Return journey
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Blew mostly from April to August
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Practical implications for trade network
All merchants understood their 'niche' (polycentric)
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Lecture 6
Friday, April 13, 2018
10:04 AM
Document Summary
System of reciprocity rather than hegemony (in terms of how people related to each other) Prominence of mogadishu and somali cities in the 12th century. More in the northern part of the swahili coast. Closer to some of the persian merchants coming in. Traders would come in with their goods and deposit them into warehouses in mogadishu and the dhow (smaller ships) would transport the goods farther down the coast. Later prominence of kilwa and southern cities in the 13th century. After 12th century when larger ships start to sail down. Tight schedule of the winds forced all parties to maximize efficiency. Different parties filling a niche in highly dynamic, polycentric, and porous system. *gates and ports were seen as gateways for new possibilities and ideas. Lecture 6 notes: trade network in west africa. What stimulated trade in west africa before the european intervention? a. Salt going south and some produce from the "lusher" areas were going to the north.
