African Agendas in Medieval African/European Encounters

point for criticism over black castings in medieval fantasy

black castings assumed to be historically implausible showing the idea of the medieval world as a pure white utopia

Where was prejudice directed in Medieval Europe

Toward Muslims, not those of darker skin

Determinants of social rank

wealth

appearance of nobility

good manners

religion

Ceuta

gateway to commercial world of Northern Africa connecting the Mediterranean to gold in Africa’s interior

What was Ceuta famous for

wheat and gold

Prince Henry The Navigator

led portugese fleet to Ceuta to gain access to trade

When did Portugal lead expedition to Ceuta

1425

Portugal’s need for the expedition to Ceuta

Portugal couldn’t grow its own wheat relying on imports hoping Ceuta would procide dependable access

Important point for Ceuta and Portugal

Portugal is in a state of dependency instead of strength

Diogo Cao

makes contact with Kongo Kingdom looking for trade relations and gold

When did Diogo Cao make contact with Kongo Kingdom

1482

Volta De Mina

Portugese return trips between Africa and Portugal that were facilitated by the growing understanding of winds and currents

Important development in 1488 for the Portuguese

learned how to sail around the southern tip of Africa gaining access to India

Southern tip of africa

cape of good hope

3 reasons Portuguese willing to accept African elites as equals

Needed Africans more than they needed them

Portuguese royalty saw African royal elite as more similar to themselves than non-elite classes

relationships they sought to make with African elite mirrored relationships they sought with other European kingdoms

Fante Coast

Coastal area that had exclusive access to two of the world’s most valuable commodities

Fante Coast and Portugal

late 15th century, Portgual seeks to establish friendly relations/trading with coastal rulers

What do Portuguese want to build in Fante Coast

settlers on the coast of Modern-day Ghana seek permission for fortress to monopolize the gold trade

Leader of Fante Coast

Kwamin Ansa, Caramanca

Fortress in Fante Coast

Fortress of Sao Jorge de Mina

When was fortress of Sao Jorge de Mina built

1482

Fortress of Sao Jorge de Mina

Oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara

first trading post on Gulf of Guinea

Ansa’s rules of engagement

follow Fante trading customs

give frequent tribute

allow the Fante more advantageous trading terms

Importance of Ansa’s rules of engagement

Portuguese could only build a fort if they abided by these rules

Why could Ansa be demanding in negotiations

Fante kingdom had power since they were trade middlemen

Portugal can’t penetrate interior of African continent where gold is

Benin

Paramount power of the Niger River in the early 1500s

Oba Esigie

Leader of the Benin empire from 1504 - 1550

Why was Oba Esigie elected

elected to develop diplomatic and trade ties with Portugal during Idah war and see if they could be a new ally

Idah war period

1515-1516

Oba Esigie conversion to Christianity

Accepted christianity but may be an attempt to humor Portuguese

Christianity in Benin

few churches in Benin but Christianity remained marginal

trade and Benin

Oba tightly regulates trade and protocols making Portugal follow Benin trading customs

Where did trade in Benin occur

Guantin, near Benin River and Atlantic Ocean

Kongo Kingdom before Portuguese arrival

Kongo was in the process fo centralization and consolidation

Leader of the Kongo Kingdom

Nzinga Nkuwu Joao 1

Nzinga Nkuwu motivation

wanted a close relationship with portugal so he could reduce the power of his royal council and change the nature of royal inheritance

When did Nzinga Nkuwu (Joao 1) lead

1470 - 1509

Nzinga Nkuwu

first kongo king to encounter Portuguese

converted to christianity after encounter

Why was converting to Christianity important for Nzinga Nkuwu

significant aid in helping Nkuwu achieve restructuring of Kongolese royal power

Alfonso Mvemba Nzinga (dom alfonso)

Succeeded Nkuwu as king of Kongo

Used the Portuguese in his bid to overtake opponents

Mvemba Nzinga 1512 address

recount of victory over his brother crediting his own embrace of Christianity playing a decisive role in his victory

Dom Alfonso and the Portuguese

used relationship to his advantage asking for luxurious gifts

Gifts given by Portuguese to Kongo

Exotic animals

weapons

people like craftsmen, artisans, tailors

What do the gifts given to Kongo show for religion

determination of the Portuguese to baptize new converts and make churches

What do the gifts given to Kongo show for status

gifts of clothing and pets show Portugal sees status gifts as key to diplomacy, similar to what they would give french and english royals

Dom Alfonso’s Children and Portugal

Children of Kongolese nobility sent to Portugal to learn Portuguese and return as missionaries or become diplomats to Europe

Portuguese crown’s remarks on the Kongolese

Instructed people to not cause any problems or injustices to people of the country, to receive them in a pleasing manner