Editing Mozambique (section)

===Swahili Coast===
[[File:Slaves ruvuma.jpg|thumb|Arab-Swahili slave traders and their captives on the [[Ruvuma River]]]]
From the late first millennium AD, vast [[Indian Ocean trade]] networks extended as far south into Mozambique as evidenced by the ancient port town of [[Chibuene]].<ref name="Sinclair2">{{cite journal|last1=Sinclair|first1=Paul|last2=Ekblom|first2=Anneli|last3=Wood|first3=Marilee|title=Trade and Society on the Southeast African Coast in the Later First Millennium AD: the Case of Chibuene|journal=Antiquity|year=2012|volume=86|issue=333|pages=723–737|doi=10.1017/S0003598X00047876|s2cid=160887653}}</ref> Beginning in the 9th century, a growing involvement in Indian Ocean trade led to the development of numerous port towns along the entire East African coast, including modern day Mozambique. Largely autonomous, these towns broadly participated in the incipient [[Swahili culture]]. Islam was often adopted by urban elites, facilitating trade. In Mozambique, [[Sofala]], [[Angoche]], and Mozambique Island were regional powers by the 15th century.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rathee|first=D.|date=2021|title=Hunt for Oil in Offshore Angoche, Mozambique|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.2021605026|journal=Fifth EAGE Eastern Africa Petroleum Geoscience Forum|pages=1–5|publisher=European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers|doi=10.3997/2214-4609.2021605026|s2cid=236669258}}</ref>

The towns traded with merchants from both the African interior and the broader Indian Ocean world. Particularly important were the gold and ivory caravan routes. Inland states like the [[Kingdom of Zimbabwe]] and [[Kingdom of Mutapa]] provided the coveted gold and ivory, which were then exchanged up the coast to larger port cities like [[Kilwa Kisiwani|Kilwa]] and [[Mombasa]].<ref>Newitt, Malyn. "Mozambique Island: The Rise and Decline of an East African Coastal City" 2004.</ref>