The Swahili Coast: Architectural Heritage of a Cosmopolitan East African Enclave

Swahili architecture, shaped by extensive Indian Ocean trade from the 8th century onward, reflects a cosmopolitan cultural heritage that has been underexplored by architectural scholars. This study highlights how maritime exchanges with Arabs, Persians, Indians, Chinese, and Malays influenced Swahili vernacular architecture, creating a unique regional idiom distinct from other Indian Ocean styles. By employing a comparative analytical approach using qualitative research tools, the paper emphasizes the significance of understanding this pre-modern globalization's impact on Swahili settlements before contemporary tourism alters their perception. The findings underscore the need to move beyond romanticized tourist presentations, preserving the architectural legacy as a testament to early global interactions.

Sakr, M., & Dabaieh, M. (2024). The Swahili Coast: Architectural Heritage of a Cosmopolitan East African Enclave. Proceedings Africa24 Conference. https://doi.org/10.4995/africa24.2024.19087