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#HistoryKeThread When Vasco da Gama Came Calling 
Just around early March in 1498, Portuguese sailors led by Vasco da Gama sailed north from the Cape of Good Hope.
It is recorded by Portuguese historians that as they did so, they bullied any boats they came across, something that blotted the visitors’ image to locals.
It is recorded by Portuguese historians that as they did so, they bullied any boats they came across, something that blotted the visitors’ image to locals.
Indeed, word of the Portuguese bad manners spread across the East African coast. In fact, by the time the Portuguese landed in Mombasa on Saturday 7th April 1498, they were considered hostile visitors.
Here is an account written by a member of Vasco da Gama’s crew regarding their arrival in Mombasa:
“At midnight there approached us a small craft with about a hundred men, all armed with cutlasses and bucklers. When they came to the vessel of the captain-major...
“At midnight there approached us a small craft with about a hundred men, all armed with cutlasses and bucklers. When they came to the vessel of the captain-major...
...they attempted to board her, armed as they were, but this was not permitted. They paid us this visit merely to find out whether they might not capture one or the other of our vessels.”
End quote.
End quote.
It is not clear what the reaction of the Portuguese was. However, the following day, as the Portuguese ships remained anchored within flag-waving distance from the island shore, Shahu bin Misham, who was King of Mombasa then, sent the visitors...
...goodwill gifts comprising of a sheep, sugar cane and an assortment of fruits.
Two of Vasco da Gama’s men were even taken on a tour of the island town.
Two of Vasco da Gama’s men were even taken on a tour of the island town.
But according to historian and author Charles Cornelius, Vasco da Gama remained suspicious and decided to torture two sailors aboard his ship. The duo, both muslims, had been picked up in present-day Mozambique.
Vasco da Gama had them tortured so they could disclose what the King of Mombasa was up to.
The same writer wrote as follows:
The same writer wrote as follows:
“At night the captain-major questioned two Moors whom we had on board, by dropping boiling oil on their skin, so that they might confess any treachery intended against us. They said that orders had been given to capture us as soon as we entered the port.”
End quote.
End quote.
Later, on the night of 10th April, the Portuguese decided hanging around Mombasa wasn’t worth the trouble. So they sailed on, harassing more dhows on the way. The following evening they reached Malindi to a warm reception.
For nine days the Portuguese were state guests in Malindi, whose Sultan showered them with gifts. It was during this Portuguese sojourn at Malindi that the famous Vasco da Gama pillar featuring the emblem of a Christian cross was built.
There are accounts that it was initially built near the Malindi Sultan’s palace. But owing to protests from the hosts, the ruler being of Muslim faith, it was moved to its present site.
On the eve of the Portuguese departure from Malindi, the Sultan handed the visitors a local experienced pilot who knew the route to India.
Said to be one Shihab al-Din Ahmad bin Majid al Najdi, the pilot was the most celebrated 15th century sailor of the East African coast.
Said to be one Shihab al-Din Ahmad bin Majid al Najdi, the pilot was the most celebrated 15th century sailor of the East African coast.
As the Portuguese visitors fired gun salutes in honour of the Malindi ruler, he led the fleet towards Calicut, India, where they arrived on 18th May 1498.
