The Asiatic Bias in the Historiography of the East African Coast
Author(s)
Amiji, Hatim M.
Abstract
Western historians have largely overlooked the continental African foundation of the history and society of the East African coastal region. Following descriptions by Arab geographers and foreigners and misled by local chronicles, they have tended to credit Arabs, Persians, and other Asians with settling the area in separate communities and developing civilization along the East African coast. East African society tended to assimilate the outsiders, while influencing the history of South Asia.
