Final answer:
African commodities that entered the Indian Ocean trade through the Swahili city-states were gold, ivory, and slaves. These states engaged in trade by utilizing monsoon winds to connect with Arabia, Persia, and India, and further with Southeast Asia and China.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commodities in Swahili City-States Trade
Through the Swahili city-states, a range of African commodities entered into the Indian Ocean trade. These included gold, ivory, and slaves, amongst other valuable items such as iron, copper, salt, ebony, sandalwood, tortoise shells, and animal hides. Goods from the interior were exchanged for products from Arabia, Persia, and India such as spices, silk, and porcelain, which then could be traded further to Southeast Asia or China.
The Swahili city-states capitalized on the monsoon winds to establish seasonal trade with areas along the Indian Ocean, further strengthening their position as significant hubs in the East-West trade. Swahili merchants engaged actively with traders across the Indian Ocean, resulting in a vibrant exchange of cultures and goods.
Particularly prominent in this trade network were gold from Sofala, which contributed to the rise of city-states such as Kilwa, and the role of enslaved Africans who were primarily sourced from within the African continent. This trade, driven by monsoon winds and the resourceful use of dhows, connected Africa with international markets in a significant historical episode of global commerce.