In
1632, Basilides is king of Abyssinia, with the centre of power
based on Gondar. With the arrival of the Portuguese, attempts
are begun to convert the Ethiopians to the Catholic form of
Christianity. The Ethiopians follow Coptic Christianity, which
dates back to the earliest Christian times. After 1632, Catholic
Jesuit missionaries are expelled from Ethiopia.
The kingdoms of Rwanda, Burundi and Ankole (in Uganda) are formed.
However, many people in east and central Africa continue to
live in very decentralized communities where the highest form
of government is the village council.
In 1415, the Swahili city state of Malindi sends a giraffe to
the emperor of China. Beginning in 1405, the Chinese sailor
and explorer, Cheng Ho led the largest Chinese fleets of exploration
across the Indian Ocean yet seen. The biggest was recorded as
containing 317 ships from small junks to the massive treasure
ship, almost 150 metres long and carrying nine masts. Cheng
Ho made his last voyage in 1433, ending more than 500 years
of direct trade between China and East Africa. The Chinese at
this time began to break off all contact with the outside world.
And just as the Chinese voluntarily withdrew from Africa and
the Indian Ocean, the Europeans were arriving.
The Chinese junk was quite different from European ships. The
sail, something like a venetian blind instead of a single huge
sheet of cloth, and the broad, square hull were both design
innovations to make ships that could survive the stormy seas
of southeast Asia, made dangerous by the seasonal typhoons and
monsoons.
After their first voyage in 1498, the Portuguese came back in
strength. The Swahili city states on the coast were attacked
and conquered one by one: Zanzibar in 1503, Kilwa and Mombasa
in 1505, Malindi and Pemba in 1520.
Expecting aid from the Ottoman Turks, who had expanded south
into Egypt, some Swahili cities revolt against the Portuguese
in 1585. But the Turks cannot help and the revolt is put down.
In 1593, the Portuguese build Fort Jesus at Mombasa as their
main base.
25
years ago / 50 years ago
/ 80 years ago / 125
years ago / 150 years ago
250 years ago / 400
years ago / 700
years ago / 1,200 years ago
1,500 years ago / 2,000
years ago / 3,000 years ago
/ 4,000 years ago / 5,000
years ago / 10,000 years
ago
