Here's a breakdown:
* Bantu languages: Swahili's foundation is in the Bantu language family, which are spoken across sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, it is believed to have originated from the coastal Bantu languages of East Africa.
* Arabic: Arabic influence came from the long history of trade and interaction between Arab traders and the Swahili-speaking communities on the East African coast. This influence is seen in Swahili's vocabulary, grammar, and script.
Therefore, the blending of these two cultures, through trade and interaction, led to the development of the Swahili language we know today.