The main cause of the development of Swahili culture was the interaction between Arab traders and the Bantu-speaking peoples of the East African coast. Arab merchants began trading along the East African coast in the 9th century, introducing Islam, new technologies, and goods to the region. Over time, a new coastal culture emerged that blended elements of Arab, Persian, Indian, and African traditions, creating the unique Swahili culture that we know today. The Swahili language, a blend of Bantu and Arabic, also developed as a result of this cultural exchange.
