Answer:
The Swahili city-states in East Africa were unique in a number of ways. One of the most notable was their association with gold, which was abundant in the region and was used to adorn the leaders of the city-states. Another unique aspect of the Swahili city-states was the strong Arab presence, which resulted in the widespread adoption of Islam and the emergence of a new Swahili language that blended elements of Arabic with native African languages. Additionally, the city-states were known for their large stone buildings, which were constructed without the use of mortar, and for the cultural and intellectual achievements of their leaders, such as Mansa Musa, who built the city-states into centers of learning and artistic excellence.