Africans Abroad in the Medieval Era

The world map in 1529

Portugese explorers labeled the Southern part of the Atlantic “Mare Ethiopicvm”

Who made the Portuguese world map in 1529

Diogo Ribeiro

Mare Ethiopicvm

Ethiopian tide

Ethiopian waters

Mare Ethiopicvm importance

Indicates Africa’s importance to the political world in the 15th and 16th centuries

Representatives for diplomatic exchange

family members

trusted lesser nobility

important religious officials of elites from outside the kingdom

Caveat for religious officials being representatives

they needed to show that they were not particularly biased to certain factions within the royal court

Similarities betwen African polities and Portugal

kingdoms centralizing and exploring potential allies

no clear distinctions between religious diplomacy and politics

sought alliances particularly for military reasons

rules of engagement

established customs for hospitality

safe conduct

established customs for protection to visitors

protocol around giving and receiving of gifts

who gave gifts in exchange

visitors and hosts

what made a gift viable in diplomacy

gifts needed to indicate the power and social influence of both parties or a possible future trade item

How were gifts received

well and all parties happy

poorly and complaints made

Example of complaints in gift giving

Dom Pedro complains that he was given a mule instead of a horse like he asked for

How were visiting dignitaries treated

court receptions involving parades, fancy parties, musical performances, fine food and beverage

Effect of frequent visits of Kongolese and Ethiopian visitors to Portugal ad Rome

The construction of two centers for religious study, lodging, and collection of knowledge about regions of Africa

Two centers for knowledge

St. Stefano Maggiore delgi Abbisini

The Convento de Santo Elioi

St. Stefano Maggiore delgi Abbisini location

the Vatican

St. Stefano Maggiore delgi Abbisini intention

Hospice for Ethiopian pilgrims living in Rome

Who constructed St. Stefano Maggiore delgi Abbisini

Pope Sixtus IV

How many people did St. Stefano Maggiore delgi Abbisini hold

Small Ethiopian community of 20-30 people conducting extended stays

The Convento de Santo Elioi location

Lisbon

The Convento de Santo Elioi purpose

Center for the education and religious instuction of Africans

Primary users of The Convento de Santo Elioi

Kongolese, estimated 266 students

The Convento de Santo Elioi first students

Members of Prince Kasuta’s delegation to Portugal

Goal of Kongolese sending students to The Convento de Santo Elioi

wanted students to be instructed so they could be priests or missionaries

Prince Henry

Son of Manikongo Alfonso who studied at Santo Eloi

became the Bishop of Kongo

Ethiopia

Maintained the most frequent and long-term contact with Europe

Favored destination of Ethiopia

Rome

Frequent gift for Ethiopia to kings and popes

ceremonial crosses

Result of Ethiopian trips to Rome

The publication of religious works written in African languages

Ethiopian studies in Rome

Brief period where there was a college of Ethiopian studies in Rome to train missionaries

Why did Ethiopia want to develop close relationships with Europe

strategic reasons

religious reasons

status reasons

Example of reasons why Ethiopia wanted relations with Europe

Ethiopia seeks help in their fight against Muslim expansion

Ethiopia in Portguese POV

Ethiopia’s long tradition of Christianity placed them on comparatively equal status with other European kingdoms

Why did Ethiopia end relations with Portugal

They thought their former respect was waning and Portuguese priests tried to dictate religious observances in Ethiopia