Two groups of people who rivaled the Portuguese for the control of the East African coast.

1. The Omani Arabs: The Omani Arabs were a powerful maritime force in the Indian Ocean and competed with the Portuguese for control of the East African coast. They established trading posts and forts along the coast, particularly in present-day Tanzania and Kenya, and engaged in trade with the local Swahili city-states.

2. The Swahili city-states: The Swahili city-states were a collection of independent city-states along the East African coast that were involved in trade with the Arab world, India, and other regions. They were wealthy and powerful trading centers, and they resisted Portuguese attempts to control the region. The Swahili city-states were eventually conquered by the Portuguese, but they continued to resist Portuguese rule and maintain their independence through alliances with other powers.

1. Arabs
2. Swahili