Explorers are persons who explore a new area or region. There have been many explorers who have existed many years ago. Today, we celebrate some explorers for their outstanding works and significant contributions to the world. Europe is one of the regions that had several explorers who have great histories. Some of these explorers are Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, Mungo Park, and David Livingstone.
There was a time that Europe was broke, had diseases, and feared that it could go extinct. So, the kings and queens told some of these explorers to go to places like Africa to pillage it and bring bounties back to Europe. Hence, these explorers helped to lay a foundation for the European continent to colonize the world.
What of Africa? Did any explorer come from the African continent? Many people do not know some of the greatest African explorers who have ever lived even before Christopher Columbus. Africans have played a major role when it comes to the colonization of the Americas as explorers.
#1 Who is Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who finished more than 2 voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. His voyages were the 1st European contact with Central and South America. He married Filipa Moniz and had a son with her. Columbus visited the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, starting a colony in the region of Haiti.
Christopher Columbus made 3 more voyages to the New World. He explored the Lesser Antilles in 1493, Trinidad, and South America in 1498, and in 1502 he explored Central America.
#2 Estevanico
Estevanico was a Moroccan explorer who became the 1st African explorer of the North American region. Slave merchants sold him to Spain, and he was on the Spanish Narvaez voyage to institute a territory in Florida. In 1539, Estevanico left Mexico city and followed Friar Marcos as the guide in search of the 7 Cities of Cibola.
Estevanico went ahead of the major party with the Sonoran Indians. He was to talk by returning crosses to the major party with the size of the cross equal to the found riches. One day, a tall cross arrived, making de Niza move fast to reach the scouts. Estevanico had already arrived at the Ashiwi village of Hawikku.
According to the Marcos account, the Zuni Indians murdered Estevanico. After this incident occurred, De Niza went back to New Spain. There’s no certainty as to the cause of Estevanico’s end.
#3 What Historians are Saying About Estevanico’s Death
Some historians say that the Zuni Indians killed Estevanico because they didn’t believe Estevanico represented whites that were to accompany him. Other historians say that the Zuni killed him for asking women. Juan Maura said that the Zuni Indians did not murder Estevanico and that he faked his end. The possible reason why he could have faked his death was so that he could get freedom from slavery.
#4 Juan Garrido
Garrido was an African explorer from Angola, born in the Empire of Kongo. He went to the land of Portugal when he was a very young man. He converted to Catholicism.
Juan joined a Spanish voyage and arrived in Hispaniola. In 1508, he was part of the invasion of Cuba and Puerto Rico. In 1519, he joined Cortes’ forces and captured Mexico. He married and lived in Mexico City. Juan continued to serve the Spanish forces for over 3 decades.
#4 Mansa Abubakar Keita
He was an African King who ruled the Mali Empire and found America 2 centuries before Columbus. The Mali Empire was rich and large, covering most parts of the western region of Africa.
According to Gaoussou Diawara’s book, the king gave up all his power to chase after discovery. Emperor aspired to explore if the Atlantic Ocean had another bank. In 1311, he gave the throne to Mansa Musa and prepared for a voyage with over 1500 boats to cross the ocean. Abubakar ordered his people to fill some boats with food and clean drinking water to facilitate their journey. There is evidence that in 1312 Abubakar the 2nd landed in Brazil (Recife).
In conclusion, we can say that black Africans were in connection with the exploration and establishing territories in the new world.
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