Arab traders

Definition

Arab traders were merchants from the Arabian Peninsula who played a significant role in early Indian Ocean trade networks. They facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between regions bordering the Indian Ocean.

Related terms

Silk Road: An ancient network of trade routes connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean region.

Trans-Saharan Trade: A network of trade routes that connected West Africa to North Africa and Europe.

Swahili Coast: The coastal area of East Africa where Arabic culture blended with local Bantu cultures due to long-term interactions with Arab traders.