⚔️ Militarization and Foreign Contact: Transforming Warfare in Pre-Colonial Zambia

The militarization of Africa underwent significant transformations following contact with Arab traders and European powers.

🕋 From the 7th century CE onward, the spread of Islam across North and East Africa influenced military structures, trade, and governance.

⛵ From the 15th century CE onward, the arrival of Portuguese explorers along the West African coast intensified trade, introduced the transatlantic slave trade, and sparked military conflicts.

⚔️ Contact with outsiders led to the adoption of gunpowder weapons, which were initially used alongside traditional arms such as spears and bows, the latter still often being more effective at the time.

🏰 This contact also contributed to the establishment of permanent military forces.

Access to firearms resulted in increased wars for territorial expansion and boosted trade with foreign powers.