a brief note on the long history of African diplomacy.
historical links between west africa and the Maghreb.
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====================================================== ### historical links between west africa and the Maghreb. ( Jul 07, 2024 38 In 1415, an embassy from the Swahili city of Malindi on the coast of Kenya carried with them a giraffe as a present to the Chinese emperor Yongle. The majestic creature, which was transported along with the Malindi envoys on the ships of admiral Zheng He, caused a sensation at the imperial capital Nanjing where it was thought to be a unicorn.( About a decade prior in 1402, an Ethiopian embassy arrived at the floating city of Venice after a lengthy journey overland through Egypt and across the Mediterranean. Dressed in monastic attire and accompanied by live leopards, the small party gracefully cruised the city's canals as onlookers wondered whether they had come from the land of the semi-legendary king Prester John.( The history of Africa's engagement with the rest of the world is often framed in the context of imperial expansion and warfare, rather than the much older and more long-standing tradition of international diplomacy. While the practice of bringing exotic animals on diplomatic tours was quite rare, the dispatch of envoys by African states was a fairly common practice across the continent’s long history. Many of my previous articles on Africa's historical links to the rest of the old world often include the activities of African envoys in distant lands. Such as the embassies from ancient (
, the ( during the late Middle Ages, and the ( during the early modern period. _**Portrait of Dom Miguel de Castro, Emissary of the Kongo kingdom**_, 1643, National Gallery of Denmark. _**Tribute giraffe with attendant**_, _**Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period**_ (1403-1424), Philadelphia Museum of Art. The institution of diplomacy in Africa was a product of centuries of internal developments in its kingdoms and other complex societies. ( shows how its rulers' extensive foreign interests were incorporated into the complex bureaucracy of the kingdom with official diplomats, messengers, and non-official envoys. Asante’s ambassadors were provided with official attire and insignia, and were often accompanied by a large retinue whose gifts and expenses were paid for by the state. The frequency of Africa's diplomatic activities reveals the antiquity and scale of the development of the continent's institutions, which enabled many of its societies to establish and maintain peaceful relations in order to facilitate the movement of ideas, goods, and travelers in various capacities. This is most evident in the historical links between the kingdoms of West Africa and the Maghreb (north Africa), whose capitals were frequented by West African envoys since the 13th century. The intra-African diplomatic activities of these envoys provide further proof against the colonial myth of the separation of "sub-Saharan" Africa, by situating the political history of West Africa and the Maghreb within the same geographic and cultural space. **The history of West Africa's links with the Maghreb is the subject of my latest Patreon article, please subscribe to read about it here:** ( * * * _**bas-relief showing the arrival of the Ethiopian and (Coptic) Egyptian delegations in Rome in October 1441**_, ("Porta del Filarete" at the St. Peter's Basilica, Italy c.1445) **Portrait of Matheo Lopez, Ambassador of the kingdom of Allada to France in 1670.**
### A Brief Note on the Long History of African Diplomacy: Historical Links Between West Africa and the Maghreb

1. **Introduction to African Diplomacy**  
   - The history of Africa's engagement with the world has been primarily characterized by imperial expansion and warfare. However, there exists a long-standing tradition of international diplomacy that is often overlooked. 

2. **Notable Diplomatic Missions**  
   - In 1415, an embassy from Malindi, a Swahili city on the coast of Kenya, traveled to present a giraffe to the Chinese emperor Yongle. This ceremony highlighted the significance of diplomatic gifts and the connections between African and Asian regions.
   - In 1402, an Ethiopian embassy arrived in Venice after a long overland journey through Egypt and across the Mediterranean. This delegation, dressed in monastic attire and accompanied by live leopards, captured the attention of Venetian onlookers, illustrating the fascination with African delegations in Europe.

3. **Understanding African Diplomacy**  
   - The dispatch of envoys was a common practice among African states throughout history. Unlike the rarity of exotic animals accompanying diplomatic missions, sending envoys was standard, facilitating communication and relationships between states. 
   - Many historical accounts detail the activities of African envoys in distant lands, showcasing the diplomatic relationships formed in various time periods including ancient times, the late Middle Ages, and the early modern period.

4. **Institution of Diplomacy in African Kingdoms**  
   - African diplomacy developed from centuries of internal growth within kingdoms and complex societies. For instance, the Asante kingdom had a structured diplomatic system that included official diplomats and non-official envoys. 
   - Asante ambassadors were provided with official attire and insignia. Their expeditions were supported by the state in terms of gifts and expenses, emphasizing the formal nature of diplomatic missions.

5. **Regional Diplomacy and Cultural Connections**  
   - The historical links between the kingdoms of West Africa and the Maghreb (North Africa) reveal the interconnectedness of African societies. Since the 13th century, West African envoys frequently visited the capitals of the Maghreb, establishing region-wide diplomatic ties. 
   - These intra-African diplomatic interactions challenge the colonial narrative that suggests a separation between "sub-Saharan" Africa and the north, situating both regions within a shared geographical and cultural framework.

6. **Continuing Exploration of African Diplomatic History**  
   - The connections between West Africa and the Maghreb are explored further in contemporary studies, emphasizing the importance of understanding Africa's diplomatic history as a critical aspect of its overall historical narrative.

7. **Conclusion and Further Reading**  
   - The history of diplomacy in Africa, particularly the links between West Africa and the Maghreb, illustrates the continent's rich political heritage. Ongoing research and articles continue to shed light on these significant historical relationships. 

In conclusion, the study of African diplomacy reveals a complex and established tradition that has existed for centuries, fostering relationships and cultural exchanges crucial to the continent's history.