Definition: Kilwa (also called Kilwa Kisiwani) is the name of an archaeological site on the Kilwa Kisiwani island off the coast of Tanzania, in the region known as the Swahili Coast.
Kilwa was a very important trade center between about AD 1100-1853. One of the principal ports of trade on the Indian Ocean, trading gold, ivory, iron and coconuts from southern Africa, including the Mwene Mutabe south of the Zambezi River, for cloth and jewelry from India, and porcelain from China.
Kilwa was a very important trade center between about AD 1100-1853. One of the principal ports of trade on the Indian Ocean, trading gold, ivory, iron and coconuts from southern Africa, including the Mwene Mutabe south of the Zambezi River, for cloth and jewelry from India, and porcelain from China.
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For more detailed information including references, see the article Kilwa Kisiwani: Medieval Trade Center of Eastern AfricaAlso Known As: Kilwa Kisiwani
