AFRASO Lecture by Prof. Amirbahram Arabahmadi (Tehran University): "Civilizational and Historical Connections Between Iran and East Africa"

14. Dezember 2017
Campus Westend, Seminarhaus, SH 3.101, 4 pm - 6 pm

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming AFRASO Lecture: "Civilizational and Historical Connections Between Iran and East Africa" by Amirbahram Arabahmadi (Tehran University). The lecture will take place on December, 14th in room SH 3.101 (Seminarhaus, Campus Westend) from 4 pm - 6 pm.

Abstract:

Prof. Dr. A. Arabahmadi will analyze the migration of Shirazis from Iran to the East African coast during medieval times. Despite trade across the Indian Ocean having been their preoccupation, they promoted Iranian culture indirectly. Since Iran never participated in slave trade, Iranian culture was welcomed by local people. Hence, after the collapse of the Shirazi kingdom, traces of their culture and civilization were preserved by Swahili people of East Africa. Traces of Shirazi culture and civilization can today be found in Kenya, Zanzibar, Tanzania and Comoro. These traces find expression in the Kiswahili language, architecture, traditions, ceremonies, folklore, calendar, monuments and ethnic communities.

Short Bio:

Prof. Dr. A. Arabahmadi is professor for African Studies and is head of the Southern Africa Department within the Faculty of World Studies at Tehran University. He has researched intensively on civilizations and cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa especially the role of Iran across the Indian Ocean and East Africa. His research topics include: tangible cultural heritage of Iran in East Africa, cultural and civilizational impacts of Iranian migrants in East Africa, Afro-Iranians living in southern parts of Iran and Iranian Diasporas. He has participated in production of three documentary films regarding migration of Shirazis to East Africa’s coast, Sierra Leone and Mali. Persians of Zanzibar, Better Than Nothing and Burnt Books. He has also researched in Zimbabwe. He has published 18 books and 50 articles centering.