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Identify ONE cultural influence Muslim traders had on Sub-Saharan Africa.

a) Preservation of indigenous languages
b) Introduction of new artistic styles
c) Cultural homogenization
d) Rejection of foreign customs

User Mfisch
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Final answer:

Muslim traders introduced new artistic styles to Sub-Saharan Africa through the spread of Islam, influencing traditional practices and creating unique cultural expressions.

Step-by-step explanation:

One cultural influence Muslim traders had on Sub-Saharan Africa was the introduction of new artistic styles. The advent of Islam in the region facilitated the trans-Saharan trade, bringing not only a shared set of customs, laws, and language, but also a beacon for learning and the arts. Prominent to this was the establishment of Timbuktu as a center of Islamic study that sparked a cultural and educational renaissance. Furthermore, Islam's introduction led to the Africanization of the faith, where traditional beliefs such as ancestor worship and spirit appeasement were incorporated, creating a distinct and unique form of Islam on the Swahili coast. This synthesis of traditions is noticed in their unique grave-marking habits and the presence of traditional offerings in mosques, exemplifying a new artistic and cultural expression.

User Alberto M
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