a brief note on the African exploration of the Old world
plus: the African discovery of north-western Europe.
=========================== #### Discover more from African History Extra All about African history; narrating the continent's neglected past Over 6,000 subscribers a brief note on the African exploration of the Old world
======================================================== ### plus: the African discovery of north-western Europe. ( Sep 16, 2023 28 Africans have been travelling and exploring the world beyond their continent since antiquity. Documentation of the African presence outside the continent begun as soon as the kingdom of Kush expanded into western Asia in the 7th century BC, and would continue into the early centuries of the common era when Kushite envoys were a regular presence in eastern Rome. In the suceeding period, African travelers from across many parts of the continent reached the (
, explored the (
, and (
. The rulers of Aksum and Ethiopia sent their embassies and merchants across the western Indian ocean, the city-states of the Swahili coast established contacts with India and China, and West African royals and scholars created disporic communities in Arabia and Jerusalem. While the African presence in Asia is better documented, African journeys into Europe also occurred fairly regulary since the early 1st millennium. African royals, students and pilgrims from the kingdoms of Nubia and Ethiopia explored the capitals and pilgrimage sites of Eastern and Southern Europe. (
, and a few joined their North-African peers to create (
. After the fall of the Byzantines, African embassies and scholars from as far as Mali to Bornu and Chad begun making an appearance at the Ottoman capital Istanbul. By the early modern era, the presence of African travelers in southern Europe was far from a novelty. Gradually, the journeys of African travelers took them beyond the more familiar regions of southern Europe and into the lesser known societies of north-western Europe. Travelling across the Alps and the northern Atlantic, Africans of varying statuses, including envoys, scholars and students, arrived in the capitals of north-western European kingdoms of Britain, France, the Holy Roman Empire and the low countries. **The history of African exploration and discovery of North-western Europe is the subject of my latest Patreon article**; Read about it here: ( * * * Detail of a Westminster Tournament Roll from 1511, showing an African trumpeter named John Blanke, who was active at the court of King Henry VIII in Tudor England.
## A Brief Note on the African Exploration of the Old World

### Overview of African Exploration

1. **Historical Context**: 
   - African exploration beyond the continent has a long history, beginning as early as antiquity.
   - The Kingdom of Kush, located in present-day Sudan, began expanding into western Asia around the 7th century BC.
   - As Kush interacted with surrounding regions, documentation of Africans outside their continent commenced.

2. **African Presence in Eastern Rome**:
   - By the early centuries of the Common Era, Kushite envoys were regularly present in Eastern Rome.
   - This indicates early diplomatic and cultural exchanges between Africa and the Mediterranean world.

3. **Trading and Diplomatic Missions**:
   - Various African kingdoms, such as Aksum and Ethiopia, sent embassies and merchants across the western Indian Ocean.
   - The Swahili city-states established trade connections with India and China.
   - West African scholars and royals also formed diasporic communities in locations such as Arabia and Jerusalem.

### Exploration into Europe

4. **African Travel to Europe**:
   - The presence of Africans in Europe began to be documented more fully from the early 1st millennium.
   - Royals, students, and pilgrims from kingdoms like Nubia and Ethiopia traveled to Eastern and Southern Europe, seeking knowledge, trade, and religious pilgrimage.

5. **Cultural Exchange and Integration**:
   - Some African individuals collaborated with North African peers to create cultural and diplomatic ties, enriching the diverse fabric of European societies.

6. **Later Interactions Post-Byzantine Era**:
   - Following the fall of the Byzantine Empire, scholars and ambassadors from regions such as Mali, Bornu, and Chad appeared in the Ottoman capital of Istanbul.
   - This showcases the continued importance of African diplomatic relationships in the evolving political landscape of Europe.

### Expansion into North-Western Europe

7. **Early Modern Era Departures**:
   - By the early modern era, the presence of African travelers in Southern Europe became common.
   - Their explorations expanded into North-Western Europe, where they encountered lesser-known societies.

8. **Travel Routes and Destinations**:
   - African travelers navigated through the Alps and the northern Atlantic.
   - They arrived in the capitals of North-Western European kingdoms, including Britain, France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Low Countries.

9. **Notable Figures**:
   - An example is John Blanke, an African trumpeter who served at the court of King Henry VIII in Tudor England, as depicted in a Westminster Tournament Roll from 1511.
   - This highlights the significant roles that Africans held in European courts and the acknowledgment of their contributions.

### Conclusion

The exploration and discovery of North-Western Europe by Africans reflect a rich and complex history of cultural exchange, trade, and diplomacy. This narrative underscores the significance of African presence and influence in global history, challenging the notion of a Eurocentric historical perspective. For further detailed insights, read my latest Patreon article on this subject.