The culture of the Swahili coast had unique characteristics emerging from the diversity of its founders.
The Swahili coast was essentially an urban civilization which revolved around trade activities .
A few individuals in the Swahili coast were wealthy and made up the elite, ruling class.
These elite families were instrumental in the fashioning of Swahili urban life by establishing a Muslim ancestry, embracing Islam, financing mosques in the region, stimulating trade, and practicing the seclusion of women.
The majority of the people in the Swahili coast were less wealthy and engaged in such jobs as clerks, craftsmen, sailors, and artisans .
The Swahili culture is predominantly Islamic by religion.
Archeological records have shown that mosques in the Swahili cities were built as early as the eight century CE.
Muslim burial grounds of similar age have also been discovered .
Despite being predominantly Muslim, the culture was distinctly African as indicated by the Swahili language used.
This language was largely African characterized by many Arab and Persian words.
Irrespective of their economic status, the Swahili drew a clear difference between them and the people from interior of the continent whom they considered as uncultured.
For the elite, this distinction was important in selling into slavery Africans from neighboring, non-Muslim communities .
Fish and shellfish are common in the Swahili coast's food due to its proximity and reliance on the coast.
 In addition, coconuts and many different spices as well as tropical fruits are often used.
The Arabic influence can be seen in the small cups of coffee that are available in the area and the sweet meats that can be tasted.
The Arab influence is also seen in the Swahili language, architecture, and boat design including food as aforementioned.
The culture of the Swahili coast had unique characteristics emerging from the diversity of its founders. The Swahili coast was essentially an urban civilization which revolved around trade activities . A few individuals in the Swahili coast were wealthy and made up the elite, ruling class. These elite families were instrumental in the fashioning of Swahili urban life by establishing a Muslim ancestry, embracing Islam, financing mosques in the region, stimulating trade, and practicing the seclusion of women. The majority of the people in the Swahili coast were less wealthy and engaged in such jobs as clerks, craftsmen, sailors, and artisans . The Swahili culture is predominantly Islamic by religion. Archeological records have shown that mosques in the Swahili cities were built as early as the eight century CE. Muslim burial grounds of similar age have also been discovered . Despite being predominantly Muslim, the culture was distinctly African as indicated by the Swahili language used. This language was largely African characterized by many Arab and Persian words. Irrespective of their economic status, the Swahili drew a clear difference between them and the people from interior of the continent whom they considered as uncultured. For the elite, this distinction was important in selling into slavery Africans from neighboring, non-Muslim communities . Fish and shellfish are common in the Swahili coast's food due to its proximity and reliance on the coast.  In addition, coconuts and many different spices as well as tropical fruits are often used. The Arabic influence can be seen in the small cups of coffee that are available in the area and the sweet meats that can be tasted. The Arab influence is also seen in the Swahili language, architecture, and boat design including food as aforementioned.
Swahili coast