Jusqu’à XVᵉ siècle
Southeastern African coast, near the Zambezi region
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Sofala was a southern coastal center linked to Kilwa through the gold trade. Its prosperity attracted Da'ud b. Sulayman, who is described as having grown wealthy there, and Kilwa’s rulers later appointed governors to channel commerce through their agents. By the arrival of the Portuguese, Sofala’s governor had effectively asserted independence from Kilwa, although the extent and chronology of earlier control remain uncertain.
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Le récit
Sofala appears in the excerpt as the southern entrepôt through which Kilwa accessed the gold trade. Da'ud b. Sulayman was reportedly summoned from Sofala after becoming rich through this commerce, while his son Sulayman Hasan is said to have continued to control the trade. Kilwa’s interest in Sofala was therefore both dynastic and commercial.
The rulers of Kilwa sought to organize commerce through appointed governors and royal factors. The account states that they “always sent governors to Sofala” so that business could be conducted through their agents. Merchants paid duties on goods associated with the Sofala trade and later paid a tax on gold acquired there, showing the fiscal importance of the region to Kilwa.
Sofala’s relationship with Kilwa weakened as the city-state entered a period of political disorganization. By the time the Portuguese arrived, its governor had effectively declared himself independent, either frustrated by or taking advantage of the weakness at Kilwa. The excerpt also suggests that Kilwa’s authority over other towns north of Sofala may have been affected, while emphasizing that their earlier subordination is not certain.
Jusqu’à XVᵉ siècle
Southeastern African coast, near the Zambezi region
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Sofala was a southern coastal center linked to Kilwa through the gold trade. Its prosperity attracted Da'ud b. Sulayman, who is described as having grown wealthy there, and Kilwa’s rulers later appointed governors to channel commerce through their agents. By the arrival of the Portuguese, Sofala’s governor had effectively asserted independence from Kilwa, although the extent and chronology of earlier control remain uncertain.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Sofala appears in the excerpt as the southern entrepôt through which Kilwa accessed the gold trade. Da'ud b. Sulayman was reportedly summoned from Sofala after becoming rich through this commerce, while his son Sulayman Hasan is said to have continued to control the trade. Kilwa’s interest in Sofala was therefore both dynastic and commercial.
The rulers of Kilwa sought to organize commerce through appointed governors and royal factors. The account states that they “always sent governors to Sofala” so that business could be conducted through their agents. Merchants paid duties on goods associated with the Sofala trade and later paid a tax on gold acquired there, showing the fiscal importance of the region to Kilwa.
Sofala’s relationship with Kilwa weakened as the city-state entered a period of political disorganization. By the time the Portuguese arrived, its governor had effectively declared himself independent, either frustrated by or taking advantage of the weakness at Kilwa. The excerpt also suggests that Kilwa’s authority over other towns north of Sofala may have been affected, while emphasizing that their earlier subordination is not certain.
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