Much earlier than the island of Zanzibar became the main trading point on the eastern African coast, the island of Kilwa Kisiwani leaded for centuries the trade of African and oriental goods in the region. These trading activities began at Kilwa as soon as in the IX century, and extended for seven centuries under the management of Arab traders until the Portuguese conquerers came in 1505. Trade of gold and iron from Zimbawe, ivory and slaves from Tanzania, and textils, spices and porcelains from India and the Far East, made Kilwa the ... (more)