The Kilwa Sultanate was a powerful trading empire located on the Swahili coast of East Africa, flourishing between the 10th and 16th centuries. Swahili, a Bantu language, developed as a lingua franca (common language) among traders from various parts of East Africa, including the Kilwa Sultanate.
Here's why Swahili was so important for the Kilwa Sultanate:
* Trade: The Kilwa Sultanate was a major trading hub, dealing in gold, ivory, slaves, and other goods. Swahili enabled traders from different regions and ethnicities to communicate and conduct business smoothly.
* Cultural Exchange: Swahili played a role in fostering cultural exchange and intermingling among different communities along the East African coast.
* Administrative Language: Swahili was also used in the administration of the Kilwa Sultanate, facilitating communication between the rulers and their subjects.
Therefore, Swahili was a crucial tool for the economic, social, and political success of the Kilwa Sultanate.