Which statement best analyzes the impact of Indian Ocean trade on religious beliefs in Africa?(1 point)

Responses

Buddhism became the major religion of East Africa after merchants from southeast Asia settled there to be a part of Indian Ocean trade.
Buddhism became the major religion of East Africa after merchants from southeast Asia settled there to be a part of Indian Ocean trade.

Indian merchants formed settlements in North Africa, spreading Hindu customs.
Indian merchants formed settlements in North Africa, spreading Hindu customs.

Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.
Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.

Inspired by the voyages of Zheng He, Chinese merchants settled in Africa and spread Confucianism, leading to large pockets of Confucian populations there.

Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.

The statement that best analyzes the impact of Indian Ocean trade on religious beliefs in Africa is: Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.

The statement that best analyzes the impact of Indian Ocean trade on religious beliefs in Africa is:

Arab merchants settling on the Swahili coast influenced cultural diffusion, leading to larger Muslim populations in eastern Africa.

To arrive at this answer, one must analyze the historical connections between Indian Ocean trade and the religious beliefs in Africa. One could research the trade routes that connected the Arab merchants with eastern Africa, such as the Swahili coast. The interaction between these Arab merchants and the local populations would have led to an exchange of ideas and cultural practices, including religious beliefs. This process of cultural diffusion resulted in a larger Muslim population in eastern Africa.

By studying historical records, documents, and scholarly articles on the topic, one can gain a deeper understanding of the influence of Indian Ocean trade on religious beliefs in Africa.