Swahili architecture

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Swahili architecture is a style of building along the Eastern and Southeastern coasts of Africa. Previously thought by many scholars to be essentially of Arabic or Persian style and origin; archaeological, written, linguistic, and cultural evidence instead suggests a predominantly African genesis and sustainment. This would be accompanied later by an enduring Arabic and Islamic influence in the form of trade, inter-marriage, and an exchange of ideas.^[1] Archaeologist, Felix Chami notes the presence of Bantu settlements along the East African coast as early as the beginning of the 1st millennium. They evolved gradually from the 6th century onward to accommodate for an increase in trade, population growth, and further centralized urbanization.^[2] Architecture included arches, courtyards, isolated women's quarters, the mihrab, towers, and decorative elements on the buildings themselves. The Great Zimbabwe ruin complex in Zimbabwe shows links to the coastal style. Many ruins may still be observed near the southern Kenyan port of Malindi in the Gede ruins (the lost city of Gede/Gedi).^[3]