Zoroastrians in Africa

Hvalrossen

Is it possible for Zoroastrian migrants to settle in Africa after the Islamic conquests? In areas such as the Ethiopian Highlands, Somali Coast, Swahili Coast and Madagascar. I assume that in order to reach these destinations, prospective migrants would need an economic incentive in addition to religious concerns. If not why not simply settle in India, or stay as minority in Islamic lands, or convert to Islam themselves? Involvement in trade is a necessary prerequisite to become knowledgeable of the existence of Africa, additionally it would provide economic incentive to further interactions with local traders and authorities. Eventually some Zoroastrian(s) may decide to settle if it is possible to see a more prosperous future there. The existence of a community would in itself encourage more migration.

Do you consider my suggestion as plausible or possible?
 

Hvalrossen

Dathi THorfinnsson said:
OTL
academic.oup.com

Zoroastrians in East Africa

Abstract. This chapter examines the situation and history of Parsis in East Africa, particularly in Zanzibar and Kenya. It suggests that Parsis came to East Afr
academic.oup.com academic.oup.com

Parsers from India, not Persians directly, and mostly in Zanzibar,....
Click to expand...
What I wondered was if a "new" Zoroastrian community could form in East Africa, or perhaps multiple in different regions. Perhaps one Zoroastrian community in Madagascar, another on Zanzibar, Pemba and the Swahili Coast, and yet another one in the Ethiopian Highlands.

Similar to this post in https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...new-ethnic-groups-of-the-world.459094/page-19
Hvalrossen said:
Uajemi
Language: Swahilli, Persian
Ancestry: Zorastrian migrants, local africans
Religion: Zorastrianism
The Uajemi are descendants of Zorastrian migrants from what had been the Sassanid empire. Because of a lack of women, early Uajemi society was characterised by widespread marriages between local women and Zorastrian men. In the years since first settlement and consoldidation of the Uajemi community, the community has taken a more endogamous character.

Across East Africa the Uajemi are known as merchants, craftsmen and fishermen. Much of the population is concentrated in cities. Though many Uajemi live in fishing villages, where they combine fishing with small scale agriculture. Outside the coast almost all Uajemi live in urban settlements. Where they provide various skilled services. Allthough the Uajemi are foremost known for their prominent role in trade.

Among themselves Uajemi's speak a Persian influenced Swahilli dialect. Middle Perisan has also remained in use as the communities liturgical language. Even though the Uajemi Persian dialect has diverged from 'mainland Persian', it is still mostly inteligble.
Click to expand...

The abstract also makes the observation that most Parsi migrants from India to East Africa came for professional reasons. Which is to say they were motivated by economic push/pull factors. I think that if a Zoroastrian community was to form somewhere between 8-13th century in this area it would have to be for similar reasons. It is also likely that the Zoroastrian migrants would come via India, and not directly from Iran or Central Asia. From India they would be more connected to the Indian Ocean trade, and perhaps a branch of the Zoroastrian migrants that became known as Parsi's or their descendants could branch out to East Africa?

Do you think a Zoroastrian community could appear in East Africa sometime between the 8th and 13th century? With their own language, not speaking Gujarati as the Parsi's do, or Persians as Iranian Zoroastrians do. Perhaps they would speak a dialect of Swahili, a Malagasy language, Somali or perhaps Oromo?
 
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Hvalrossen

Anyone with knowledge of trade between India, the Middle East and East Africa prior to European exploration, and later dominance of regional trade? Do you think that the level of trade between these three regions were large enough for a community of 500-1000, or merely 50-100 migrants to migrate across the sea? If a community of Zoroastrian migrants had moved to East Africa, would it be able to carry on their faith tradition?
 
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