The African Empire That Controlled Global Indian Ocean Trade

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]This wasn't myth.

[00:00:02]This was Kilwa [music] Sultanate.

[00:00:04]Founded in the 10th century by Ali ibn al-Hassan Shirazi, a Persian noble fleeing inheritance conflict in Shiraz.

[00:00:11]He bought the island [music] from a local Bantu ruler using enough cloth to encircle it.

[00:00:16]Then [music] destroyed its land bridge for defense.

[00:00:19]Kilwa didn't conquer with armies.

[00:00:22]It conquered [music] with trade.

[00:00:24]Gold from Zimbabwe, ships from India, merchants from Arabia.

[00:00:30]Even Ibn Battuta called [music] it one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.

[00:00:36]So, why don't they teach this?

[00:00:38]Echoes of Reborn Africa, subscribe for more.