In Europe a lot of historians have worked on African history for the period after the continent came under colonial rule. But little has been written about African states contemporary to the European medieval period, i.e. before the Europeans arrived in Africa. Especially the history of south-eastern Africa has been mostly the domain of white southern African researchers, archaeologists, historians and „discoverers“ in the 19th and for the major part of the 20th century. Only since the independence of Zimbabwe has a new generation of African researchers come to the fore. But their work has been largely neglected in European literature.
The author tries to bridge this gap. The work is particularly interesting as it tries to correlate the findings of three disciplines: History, Archaeology and Ethnology. With the latter’s particular subject of oral traditions Ethno-History can make a strong contribution, where written sources end. Archaeology is important as early African societies did not produce written records. But there is one element of sources which can help to go back in time from there: the writings of Islamic travelers and reporters, which give rich evidence of the connections of their world to the south-eastern African region from the 8th century onwards.
Putting all these elements together the author gives a clearer picture of the formation of states in that region of Africa and the role they played, after they contacted global trade which centered around the Indian Ocean rim, before the Portuguese and later other European powers destroyed that network of independent partners and replaced it by their own protectionist colonial rule. More work has to be done.
Heinrich Bruellau, a historian at heart, had to earn his living as a manager and consultant. His many travels led him to Zimbabwe and other countries of the region, whose liberation struggle he had supported from the beginning. He followed on the lead of his historian gene to engage with researchers of the region. He even had the honour of meeting Peter Garlake, the great old man of Zimbabwean archaeology, in his home, but also got encouragement from Dawson Munjeri, who is now the representative of Zimbabwe at Unesco.
With this book, he is inviting researchers to invest more work into the global trade network of the medieval period in order to get a better understanding of the importance of the African contribution to world trade long before it was subjected to subjugation by colonialism.
Table of Contents
- Introductory Paper: Arab-African Trade Relations – before the arrival of the Portuguese as mirrored in the writings of Arab geographers and travelers with special reference to the gold trade of Great Zimbabwe and Sofala
- Part 1: Aspects of the History of Zimbabwe – Sources, Methods and Results of Archaeology, History and Ethno-History for the period from the beginning of the Late Iron Age until the 18th century
- List of Maps and Figures
- Some Personal Remarks
- Introduction
- Archaeology of the Region: Sources, Methods and Results
- Documentary History of South Eastern Africa with Special Reference to Arab and Early Portuguese Sources
- Ethno-History of Zimbabwe and Mozambique - Oral Tradition as History
- Preliminary Conclusions from a Synthesis of the Findings of Archaeology, Documentary and Ethno-History in Zimbabwe and Adjacent Areas - Summary and Outlook
- Notes to Chapters 1 - 5
- Sources of Maps and Figures
- Part 2: The “Empire of Monomotapa” – Socio-Political and Economical Aspects of State Formation in Southern Africa
- List of Maps and Figures
- Introduction
- General Research Problems in the History of South-Eastern Africa
- Available Sources on the Mwenemutapa State
- The Economic Base of the Mwenemutapa State
- The Changamire State or Rozvi Empire
- Some Preliminary Theoretical Conclusions on the Nature of the State Formation of the Mwenemutapa State
- Notes
- Origins of Maps and Figures
- Part 3: The Role of “Zanj” and “Sofala” in the Medieval World Economy – from the 7th to the 16th century as reflected in Arab and related documentary sources
- Introduction
- Ancient Sources
- The Non-European Perspective
- The Importance of Antique Sources in Arab Geography and the Arab Context of the Zanj
- Early Arab-Zanj Interaction
- Early Arab Reports
- The Later Phase of the Arab Documents and Other Writings
- The Contribution of Archaeological Evidence
- The Transition Phase from Islamic to Portuguese Supremacy
- European Geographical Perspectives of the Medieval Period
- Some Preliminary Conclusions
- List of Maps and Figures
- Sources of Maps and Figures
- Notes
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the pre-colonial history of southeast Africa, specifically focusing on trade patterns and state formations in the region before the arrival of Europeans. The analysis avoids Eurocentric biases and incorporates archaeological, documentary, and oral historical sources.
- The role of the Indian Ocean trade network in shaping southeast African societies.
- The development and characteristics of pre-colonial states in the region, particularly the Mwenemutapa and Changamire states.
- The interplay between different cultural groups (African, Arab, Persian, and Indian) in the region's trade and social structures.
- The economic base of pre-colonial southeast African societies, including agriculture, pastoralism, and mining.
- The process of state formation in the context of southeast Africa, considering ecological and social factors.
Chapter Summaries
Introductory Paper: Arab-African Trade Relations – before the arrival of the Portuguese as mirrored in the writings of Arab geographers and travelers with special reference to the gold trade of Great Zimbabwe and Sofala: This introductory paper examines Arab and other non-European sources to understand pre-1500 trade between southern Africa and the Indian Ocean rim. It analyzes existing scholarship, highlighting the recent archaeological focus on the Swahili Coast and its importance. The paper further explores the role of gold in the regional trade, noting that its significance wasn't paramount initially and that the trade was predominantly managed by Islamic and Indian traders who kept the origins of their goods secret.
Part 1: Aspects of the History of Zimbabwe – Sources, Methods and Results of Archaeology, History and Ethno-History for the period from the beginning of the Late Iron Age until the 18th Century: This section synthesizes archaeological, historical, and ethnohistorical findings concerning Zimbabwe's history. It critically examines the impact of colonial ideology on historical research, discusses the development of archaeological research (particularly focusing on Great Zimbabwe), and analyzes Arab and Portuguese documentary sources alongside oral traditions. The chapter highlights the complexities of Zimbabwean history and the ongoing debate surrounding its development.
Part 2: The “Empire of Monomotapa” – Socio-Political and Economical Aspects of State Formation in Southern Africa: This section delves into the socio-political and economic structures of the Mwenemutapa state. It explores the challenges of analyzing African societies through theoretical frameworks, examining the Mwenemutapa state’s origins in oral traditions and Portuguese documents. The chapter analyzes the state's economic base, the relationship between rural production and trade, and the three phases of Mwenemutapa-Portuguese interactions. The influence of the Changamire state is also considered, providing a comparative perspective on state formation in the region.
Part 3: The Role of “Zanij” and “Sofala” in the Medieval World Economy – from the 7th to the 16th century, as reflected in Arab and related documentary sources: This chapter investigates the role of the "Zanj" coast and Sofala in the medieval world economy using Arab and related sources. It examines ancient sources detailing trade in the Indian Ocean, analyzes the non-European perspective, including the Bantu migrations and potential Indonesian influence, and explores the importance of Arab geography. It further details early Arab-Zanj interactions, including the Zanj rebellion, and examines later Arab documents that provide detailed accounts of trade and the growing influence of Islam. Finally, it compares the Arab perspective with that of the early Portuguese, revealing the limited knowledge of Europeans regarding the complexities of the Indian Ocean trade network before their intrusion.
Keywords
African Kings, World Trade, Pre-colonial South-East Africa, Indian Ocean Rim, Great Zimbabwe, Monomotapa, Sofala, Zanj, Arab Geographers, Portuguese Sources, Oral Tradition, Archaeology, State Formation, Trade Networks, Economic Systems, Bantu Migrations, Islamic Influence, Ethno-History.
Frequently Asked Questions: Arab-African Trade Relations and the Pre-Colonial History of Southeast Africa
What is the main focus of this academic preview?
This preview offers a comprehensive overview of pre-colonial Southeast African history, specifically focusing on trade relations and state formations before European arrival. It utilizes a multi-faceted approach, integrating archaeological, documentary (Arab and Portuguese sources), and oral historical data to present a less Eurocentric perspective.
What sources are used in this analysis?
The analysis draws upon a wide range of sources, including archaeological findings, writings of Arab geographers and travelers, early Portuguese documents, and oral traditions. This interdisciplinary approach aims to provide a more complete and nuanced understanding of the historical period.
What are the key themes explored in this work?
Key themes include the role of the Indian Ocean trade network in shaping Southeast African societies; the development and characteristics of pre-colonial states like the Mwenemutapa and Changamire; the interaction between African, Arab, Persian, and Indian cultures; the economic base of these societies (agriculture, pastoralism, mining); and the processes of state formation in the context of Southeast Africa.
What specific regions or states are examined in detail?
The work examines the history of Great Zimbabwe, Sofala, and the "Zanj" coast, along with a detailed analysis of the Mwenemutapa and Changamire states. The focus is on understanding the socio-political and economic structures of these entities.
What is the significance of the Arab and Portuguese sources?
Arab and Portuguese sources provide crucial insights into the pre-colonial period, offering valuable information about trade routes, economic activities, and political structures. The analysis critically examines these sources, acknowledging their potential biases and limitations, while also comparing them to archaeological and oral historical data.
What is the importance of oral traditions in this study?
Oral traditions are considered a vital source of information, providing complementary perspectives to written documents. They are analyzed alongside archaeological and documentary evidence to construct a comprehensive picture of the past.
What is the methodology employed in this research?
The research employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating findings from archaeology, history, and ethno-history. It emphasizes a critical examination of sources and avoids Eurocentric biases.
What are the main conclusions or arguments presented in this work?
The work argues for a more complex and nuanced understanding of pre-colonial Southeast Africa, moving beyond simplistic narratives and incorporating diverse perspectives. It emphasizes the importance of the Indian Ocean trade network, the complex nature of pre-colonial states, and the diverse cultural interactions in the region.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key terms include: African Kings, World Trade, Pre-colonial South-East Africa, Indian Ocean Rim, Great Zimbabwe, Monomotapa, Sofala, Zanj, Arab Geographers, Portuguese Sources, Oral Tradition, Archaeology, State Formation, Trade Networks, Economic Systems, Bantu Migrations, Islamic Influence, Ethno-History.
What is covered in each part of the text?
The text is divided into three parts: Part 1 focuses on the history of Zimbabwe using archaeological, documentary, and ethnohistorical methods. Part 2 examines the Mwenemutapa state, its socio-political and economic aspects, and the process of state formation. Part 3 analyzes the role of the Zanj and Sofala in the medieval world economy, drawing heavily on Arab and related documentary sources.
- Citar trabajo
- Heinrich Bruellau (Autor), 1999, African Kings and World Trade. State Formations and Trade Patterns in pre-colonial South-East Africa, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379570
