What led to the development of the Swahili language in Africa?
A. the blending of indigenous and Arab cultures through trade in West Africa
B. the blending of indigenous and Arab cultures through trade over the Indian Ocean
C. the blending of indigenous and European cultures through trade in West Africa
D. the blending of indigenous and European cultures through trade over the Indian Ocean
B. the blending of indigenous and Arab cultures through trade over the Indian Ocean
The development of the Swahili language in Africa was influenced by the interaction between indigenous Bantu-speaking populations along the East African coast and Arab traders from the Middle East and Persia. This interaction, which occurred through trade over the Indian Ocean, led to the emergence of a unique language known as Swahili, which incorporated elements of both Bantu and Arabic languages.