H

Contact of Africa and Europe; Slavery and Slave Trade in Africa; The Solomonic Dynasty

Activity 6.2

  • Queen Nandi: Not defined in the text.
  • Shaka Zulu: Not defined in the text.
  • Boers: Dutch settlers in South Africa (farmers).
  • Deys, Beys, and Pashas: Not defined in the text.

6.2.1 Early Contacts Along the Western and Central African Coasts

  • European contact with Africa: Initiated by Portugal in the 15th century.

  • Prince Henry the Navigator: Sponsored Portuguese explorations.

  • Motives:

    • Direct access to West African gold.
    • Bypassing Arab middlemen and Turkish blockades.

  • 15th-16th Centuries: Spain and Portugal gained ports in North Africa.

  • 1415: Portugal occupied Ceuta (Morocco).

  • 1418: Portugal colonized Madeira Islands.

  • 1409 & 1496: Spain occupied Oran (Algeria) and Melilla (Morocco).

  • 1578: Portugal's attempt to control Morocco failed at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir.

Grade 11 Page 152

  • 1430-1490: Portuguese sailors reached western African coasts, from Tangier to the Cape of Good Hope.

  • Access to Swahili Trading States: Achieved after rounding the Cape.

  • Bypassing Blockades: Europeans could now bypass Turkish blockades to access Far East trade.

  • First European Footholds: Portuguese explorations led to European footholds on African coasts.

  • Basis for Explorations: Portuguese explorations served as a foundation for Columbus and Vasco Da Gama.

  • Exploration and Monopolization:

    • Madeira (c.1418), Azores (1439), Cape Verde (1460): Explored and monopolized by Portugal.

  • 1446: Trading posts established on the Senegal coast.

  • Plantations and Labor:

    • Sugar plantations established on islands using slave labor from West Africa.
    • Atlantic outposts used as debarkation points.

  • 1482: Diogo Cao reached the Congo River and claimed the area for Portugal.

  • Alliance with Ndongo: Alliance formed with the Ngola (king) of Ndongo (Angola).

  • Renaming of Angola: Region renamed Angola after the royal title Ngola.

  • 1580-1670: White settlements by the Portuguese led to the breakup of the Ndongo kingdom.

  • Limited Presence: Portuguese presence limited to Luanda due to local resistance.

  • Queen Nzinga Mbande (1581-1663):

    • Ruler of the Mbundu people (kingdom of Ndongo).
    • Negotiator and military strategist.
    • Led anti-colonial resistance for four decades (1620s-1660s).
    • Forced Portuguese to agree to her terms in 1656 after continuous war; policy continued until 1663.

Grade 11 Page 153

  • Kingdom of Kongo:

    • 1482: Initial alliance with the Portuguese.
    • 1489: Kongolese embassy sent to the Portuguese king.
    • 1491: Portuguese missionaries and craftsmen visited the kingdom.
    • Conversion to Catholicism: Manikongo, his family, and chiefs converted.
    • Afonso I (r. 1507-42/43): Modeled government on the Portuguese system and built churches.
    • Slave trade: Kongo participated in slave raids.
    • 1665: Portuguese invaded, killed the Manikongo, and ended Kongo's independence.
    • Collapse: Kingdom collapsed due to internal unrest and Portuguese slave raids.

  • 1497-98: Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa, landed in Swahili ports (Malindi, Mombasa), and reached India.

  • Destruction of Trade: Swahili cities were captured and their trade and culture destroyed.

  • Mozambique: Trading and military posts established.

  • Zimbabwe: Unsuccessful attempts to control the gold mines of Zimbabwe.

  • Mwene Mutapa:

    • 1573: King gave mines and permission to settle along the Zambezi River.
    • 1628-29: Portuguese defeated the King, making him a puppet ruler.
    • 1693: Portuguese expelled from the region by the Rozwi.

  • End of 17th Century: Arabs from Oman expelled the Portuguese from East African ports north of Mozambique.

Grade 11 Page 154

6.3. Slavery and Slave Trade

  • African societies experienced slavery and slave trade from ancient times to the early 20th century.
  • Slaves acquired through warfare, market supply, raiding, kidnapping, tribute, and pawning.
  • West African Black slaves were brought to North Africa along the Trans-Saharan trade route.
  • Slaves from southwestern Ethiopia reached Sudan, Egypt, and North Africa.
  • Slaves from central Africa reached the Kingdom of Bakongo or Ndongo along the Atlantic coast.
  • Slaves used as domestic servants, agricultural laborers, porters, and soldiers.

Grade 11 Page 155

  • Slaves integrated into owners' kin through adoption or marriage (e.g., Tuareg, Wolof, Kongo).
  • Slaves had rights to marry, own land, and inherit property.
  • Slaves were entitled to legal protection.
  • Manumission (redemption) was granted in some African societies.
  • Slaves could achieve social and political mobility, becoming village heads or chiefs.
  • Humane treatment was common but their status as slaves was never forgotten.