The Rise and Fall of Swahili States

Overview

The Swahili civilization was a fascinating and complex system-a group of advanced cultures with large economic networks, international maritime trade, and urban sophistication. This book documents the growth of Swahili civilization on the eastern coast of Africa, from 100 B.C. to the time of European colonialism in the sixteenth century. Using archaeological, anthropological, and historical information, Chapurukha M. Kusimba describes the origins of this unique and powerful culture, including its Islamic ...
See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers.
Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (1) from $50.50   
  • Used (1) from $50.50   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$50.50
Seller since 2013

Feedback rating:

(0)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Acceptable
1999 Hard cover Fair. Hardcover; may have some highlighting or annoations; tiny bit of water damage to a couple of the pages, does not affect text just a slight discoloration on ... the edge of page; some wear to the cover. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 240 p. African Archaeology, 1. Audience: General/trade. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Lawrence, KS

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by
Sending request ...

Overview

The Swahili civilization was a fascinating and complex system-a group of advanced cultures with large economic networks, international maritime trade, and urban sophistication. This book documents the growth of Swahili civilization on the eastern coast of Africa, from 100 B.C. to the time of European colonialism in the sixteenth century. Using archaeological, anthropological, and historical information, Chapurukha M. Kusimba describes the origins of this unique and powerful culture, including its Islamic components, architecture, language, and trading systems. Incorporating the results of his own surveys and excavations, Kusimba provides us with a remarkable African-derived study of the rise and collapse of societies on the Swahili Coast.

Author Biography: The Field Museum, Chicago

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

African-American Archaeology
This volume presents an excellent summary of the state of Swahili archaeology. Dr. Kusimba...is to be congratulated for all his efforts to make what could be seen as esoteric knowledge in modern Africa directly relevant to contemporary Kenyans and others.
— Adria LaViolette, Department of Anthropology, University of Virginia
Antiquity
Undoubtedly this is a highly significant publication. It is the first general synthesis by an archaeologist of the archaeology, history and ethnography of the communities which have flourished along Africa's Indian Ocean coastline.... More significantly, this book is produced by one of the new generation of African scholars whose collective talent will shape the future of archaeology on the continent.... In the context of contemporary knowledge systems within Kenya and along the Swahili coast, this volume is likely to have a much more profound influence on the way people draw on the past and think about themselves than would a comparable work on Europe or the USA. This book can make a difference.
— Andrew Reid, (Institute of Archaeology, University College London)
Anthropos
As an archaeologist of African origin, he has combined his extensive knowledge of the Swahili language and culture with a meticulous research methodology to arrive at an original study from a perspective that that is primarily Africa-centered. In this regard, The Rise and Fall of Swahili States is indeed a pioneering work of inestimable value to Africa in its continuing quest to reclaim its history.
— Alamin Mazrui
International Journal Of African Historical Studies
An excellent summary of the archaeological data involving the emergence and unfolding of this captivating civilization through the first 1300 years.
— Randall L. Pouwels, (University of Central Arkansas)
Journal Of African History
Dr Kusimba of the Field Museum of Natural History engage most if not all of the major issues in the contemporary archaeology of the East African Coast, and the book is therefore a major contribution to the field.... The book succeeds in its goal to 'help unravel the myths' concerning the Swahili, and it provides a much-needed overview of the archaeology of the Swahili coast. It should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the history and archaeology of eastern Africa.
— Thomas H. Wilson, (Beloit College)
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780761990512
  • Publisher: AltaMira Press
  • Publication date: 5/28/1999
  • Series: African Archaeology Series , #1
  • Pages: 240
  • Product dimensions: 6.36 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.79 (d)

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Maps, and Tables 7
Foreword 9
Preface 13
1 The Place of the Swahili Coast in the World 19
The Swahili Coast
The Swahili Language
The Swahili People
The Identity of the Swahili and the Origins of Their Culture
Swahili Society
The Colonial Period and Swahili Identity
The Swahili Coast in Western Historiography
A Historical Chronology
The Development of Social Complexity on the Swahili Coast
2 The Archaeology of the Swahili Coast 43
Colonialism and Colonial Perceptions
Notes Toward a History of Archaeology on the Swahili Coast
3 The Swahili Coast 67
A Background in Coastal Geography
The Resources of the Swahili Coast
Indigenous People of the Swahili Coast
4 Before the Swahili States 89
The Earliest Settlements
The Second Phase of Coastal Settlement
The Role of Ironworking on the Swahili Coast
The Ethnicity of the Precolonial Population
The Identity of the Prehistoric Swahili
5 The Swahili Civilization 117
Swahili Coast Settlement Patterns
The Swahili Economy
Interregional Trade and Islam
Swahili Coast Society
The "Foreigness" of the Coastal Elites
The Layout of Swahili Settlements
6 The Colonial Period and the Demise of the Swahili States 155
Local Politics in the Sixteenth Century
Portuguese Conquest of the Swahili Coast
Omani Rule and Changing Ethnic Identities on the Swahili Coast
7 Conclusion 179
Some Thoughts on State Formation and its Demise
Afterword 199
Bibliography 205
Author Index 225
Subject Index 228
About the Author 237
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)