Scientists from the University of South Florida, Harvard and York University analyzed the ancient DNA of the Swahili people and found that the vast majority of male ancestors were from Asia and female ancestors were from Africa. Research published in the journal Nature.
Scientists analyzed DNA extracted from the remains of 80 ancient Swahili burials. The DNA belonged to people who lived about 800 years ago. Scientists obtained permission to excavate from Swahili representatives.
They found that ancient Swahili was both African and Asian. The vast majority of male ancestors were from Asia, mainly Iran, but also India. The Persian roots of Swahili were known earlier and the Indian component was discovered for the first time. The female ancestors were mostly of African descent. In a later period, the Swahili people mixed with the African Bantu ethnic group.
Despite the marriage, the descendants spoke an African language rather than an Asian language. This led researchers to conclude that African women had a great influence in the formation of culture and were the main holders of economic and social power.