THE IMPACT OF THE LONG DISTANCE TRADE
The Long Distance Trade had both positive and negative effects.
Some societies accumulated wealth, kings like Mirambo, Nyungu ya mawe and even Kabalega grew rich. They used this wealth to strengthen their military machinery.
There was expansion of territories. This was as a result of the wealth which they used to buy guns and then fight the weak states. This is why the Nyamwezi became a big empire. There was insecurity in the area. This was caused by the constant raids on neighbours for slaves. The captured people as war captives, were sold off as slaves.
There was loss of lives as a result of the slave raids, weaker states tried to defend themselves and in the process people were killed. Large numbers of people had died by the end of this trade.
There was spread of the Swahili culture in the interior. This was because the Arabs who had gone in the interior intermarried with the Africans forming the Swahili race. Even the Swahili who went to the interior interacted with the Africans. In the process, the Swahili culture was spread. Men put on turbans while women veils.
The interior of East Africa was opened to the outside world. The tribe of the interior slowly created strong trading contact with the Arab world, Europe and America. Later European industrial products were introduced into the interior through coastal Arabs and Swahili traders.
The Islamic religion was slowly introduced into the interior and today remains a significant religion in East Africa. Originally it was a religion of the coastal people but through trading contacts, the interior people were converted.
There was urbanisation of East Africa. the originally trading posts expanded in size due to increased trading activities and later became trading towns that is Tabora, Ujiji, Bagamoyo, Tanga, Kilwa among others.
The long distance trade introduced monetary system to replace the barter system of trade that is new forms of currency came in use example cowrie shells, coinage and later paper currency/money.
The caravan routes facilitated European penetration into the interior, that is they were used by explorers and Christian missionaries Arabs and Swahili were also employed as guides by the explorers and Christian missionaries.
The high level of organization and the success of long distance trade is a clear indicator of how well planned the pre-colonial African societies were.
The Long Distance Trade led to the introduction of new goods e.g. guns, beads etc in East Africa.
It promoted friendship and co-operation among East African communities and this ensured peace and prosperity.
Intermarriages between Arabs, Swahili and Africans occurred leading to the production of half-castes.
Long Distance Trade routes became modern high ways that have eased transport in East Africa up to date.
It led to the exploitation of resources e.g. Minerals by foreigners hence East Africa lost her resources,
Industries were established at the coast to process trade items that led to the growth of industries of East Africa.
It led to the introduction of Cowrie shells and coins as a means of exchange that facilitated and quickened trade.
Chiefs in East Africa obtained a lot of wealth, which improved their standard of living.
Some kingdoms declined and grew weak due to raids and war e.g. Busoga.
It led to the emergence of special skills e.g. the Baganda specialised in bark cloth making while the Banyoro in iron working.
Long Distance Trade increased insecurity and instability due to raids for slaves. This destabilised the interior.
Famine emerged due to constant wars and slave raiding.
There was loss of culture and identity as the Arabs introduced new cultures that were adopted by the majority.
African technology was destroyed by the new and advanced Arab or Asian skills.
This trade attracted Europeans who later colonised East Africa.
The prosperity of the Long Distance Trade led to the abolition of slave trade.
Commercial farming increased to meet the increasing demand for raw materials e,g, wheat, rice, maize, cassava.
The standard of living among trading people improved because of the new goods acquired and the profit of the trade.
It led to the depletion of the elephant population because of the increasing demand for ivory.
We are examining the topic are the following sub topics.
Factors that led to the growth ofthe long distance trade
Problems faced by the long distance traders
Role of the Baganda in Long Distance Trade
The Yao in the long distance trade
The Impact of long distance treade
Reasons for the collapse of Long Distance Trade
Why did the Arabs had little interest in the interior of East Africa up 1840?