Sailing Around Erythraean Sea: Seventeen

The unknown sailor is now in Rhapta, an ancient city, of which modern day Rufiji was a part, and villages surrounding it were unmarked, because they must have been uninhibited; the size of human population was very small. Continue to read:

There are imported into these markets the lances made at Muza especially for this trade, and hatchets and daggers and awls, and various kinds of glass; and at some places a little wine, and wheat not for trade, but to serve for getting the goodwill of savages. There are exported from these places a great quantity of ivory, but inferior to that of Adulis, and rhinoceros horn and tortoise shell (which is in great demand after that from India) and a little palm oil.

My Search:-

1. Wheat was imported from india to furnish the needs of tribal leaders who were the local chiefs. They were not dependent on it, but rather used it as a luxury. Tribal people relied on millets, sorghum and yam. Wheat consumption signified wealth and status.

Look at the way how the trade influence the culture of the society. New crops are introduced influencing local cuisine and cultural practices.

2. Look at the export items to India: Rhinoceros horn and tortoise shells were in great demand in Indian subcontinent.

Tortoise shells were used in ancient societies in Indian subcontinent for the following purposes:-

1. To make decorative objects like jewellery (necklaces, ear rings etc.); Ornaments (combs, hairpins)

Inlays for furniture and boxes.

2. Musical instruments: It was used in the making of stringed instruments like Veena and Sitars.

3. Drums and percussion instruments.

4. It was used in traditional ayurvedic medicine 

Likewise Rhinoceros horn were used in Ayurvedic medicines, as an aphrodisiacs, and also to embellish jewellery, and as a ritual and ceremonial object.

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