Muslim Identities in the Indian Ocean: The Ibadi Al Bu Sa’id of Oman during XVIII-XIX centuries

Since the end of the eighteenth century the Ibadi Al Bu Saʾid of Oman were recognised as the protagonists of an important empowering process towards the mercantile expansion on the oceanic coasts of Africa; therefore, there developed within the Indian Ocean cultural and religious connections represented by continuous migratory flows. The present study aims to re-read Asian groups movements and presences along the Swahili coast as well as their potential influences on local cultures, religions and societies. It should be noted that ethnocentric views – especially Eurocentric ones – have informed numerous studies for a long time, and sometimes still do. In this regard, most of the western-orientated studies and analysis on the role of Afro-Asian littorals and of their people throughout history often focused on external menaces, interests and priorities.