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sábado, 19 de março de 2016

The first European Military Mission to Ethiopia




Cristóvão (or Christopher) da Gama was the son of Vasco da Gama and younger brother of Estêvão da Gama

He first came to India in 1532 with his brother; returned to Portugal in 1535, then joined Garcia de Noronha in sailing to Diu 6 April 1538. Many times in these travels he demonstrated a quick mind that saved his companions. In recognition of his valour, in 1541, his brother Estêvão, then Viceroy of India, gave him command of a ship in the fleet Estêvão led into the Red Sea against the Ottoman naval base at Suez.

Between 1528 and 1540, the army of Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, mainly composed of Somalis, Afari, Arabs and Ottoman Turks, had entered Ethiopia, overrunning the Abyssinian Kingdom.

The Emperor took refuge in the remotely located mountain fortresses, and turned to the Portuguese for help.

João Bermudes, a subordinate member of the Portuguese mission of 1520, who had remained in the country after the departure of the embassy, was sent to Lisbon. 

Subsequentely, a Portuguese fleet under the command of Estêvão da Gama, was sent from India and arrived at Massawa in February 1541.
Here he received an ambassador from the Emperor beseeching him to send help against the Muslims. In the following July, a force of 400 musketeers, under the command of Dom  Cristóvão da Gama, marched into the interior, and  joined the native troops.

Alongside his Ethiopian allies, Dom Cristóvão was victorious against larger forces in four battles, but was seriously wounded in the last one, the Battle of Wofla (28 August 1542). His arm broken by a bullet, he was captured on that very night by followers of Imam Ahmad, and brought to his presence.
The Imam tortured his captured opponent, in an attempt to force him to convert to Islam.

Frustrated by da Gama´s fortitude,  the Imam eventually drew his sword and beheaded him.

On February 21, 1543, however, Iman Al-Ghazi was shot and killed in the Battle of Wayna Daga by one of da Gama´s arquebusiers, and his forces were totally routed.



 Sir Richard Burton, in his First Footsteps in East Africa, referred to him as "the most chivalrous soldier of a chivalrous age." His actions were essential for the survival of Christianity in Ethiopia.

 An account of this campaign in the Ethiopian highlands was later written by Miguel de Castanhoso, who accompanied da Gama and was an eye-witness to almost everything he recorded. The 1564 edition of his book "Historia das cousas que o muy esforçado capitão Dom Christouão da Gama fez nos Reynos do Preste Ioão com quatroce[n]tos portugueses que consigo leuou"  can be found here (in Portuguese)

Miguel de Castanhoso´s book cover - 1564 edition


Excerpt from "Historia das cousas..." by Castanhoso
Castanhoso describes Dom Cristóvão´s forces flags, 
" ... the Captains with their soldiers, all with arquebuses, with their blue and white damask banners with red crosses, and the Royal Flag of  carmine and white damask, with the Cross of Christ.
(I found both, excellently drawn and painted here)


Castanhoso also describes da Gama´s clothing when he first met the Ethiopian Queen:  "And the Capitão-Mor (was) very gentlemanly dressed, wearing gold and purple satin trousers and doublet  with many plaits, and a French cape of fine black cloth, all quilted with gold, and a black cap with a  very rich gold medal".


40 comentários:

  1. Fantastic part of history and great painted!!!

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    Respostas
    1. Thanks Michał, I´m gald you liked it! :D A lesser known episode, but still quite interesting! :D Greetings!

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  2. Wow! What a wonderful figure and accompanied by such a great narrative.

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    1. Thank you Dean! Yes, he was quite a formidable man, and the effect of his actions are still strongly felt today :D Cheers!

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  3. Merveilleuse (et sanglante) histoire, que je ne connaissais pas, superbe figurine, magnifique mise en scène...c'est toujours un grand plaisir de venir flâner de ce côté, sujet original et parfaitement illustré mon ami!

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    Respostas
    1. Cher ami, je te remercie pour ton soutien et amabilité!! C´est un grand plaisir pour moi de savoir que ce petit morceau d´histoire t´a plait!! A bientôt!!

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  4. Now that was really interesting and the figures are superb :)

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  5. Respostas
    1. Thank YOU, Michael, I´m glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

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  6. Lindo e fabuloso como sempre. Obrigada por enalteceres a nossa história, o nosso povo tão valente. ☺Beijinhos

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    1. Obrigado Cristina, fico contente por te ter agradado! :D Beijinhos!

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  7. A great looking figure and a great bit of history to bring it to life my friend

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  8. Excellent brushwork! I learn something new with each visit!

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    Respostas
    1. Thanks Jonathan for your visit and kind comment!! :D Greetings!

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  9. Awesome! Awesome! Love the history and the fantastic photos. You've have really put together a masterful post this time!

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    1. You´re too kind Rod!! :D Thanks, I´m glad you liked it! Cheers my friend!

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  10. Excellent work again! The figure but also the historical background!
    That horse is awesome painted!

    Greetings
    Peter

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    1. Thanks Peter, I´m glad you liked it. :D The da Gama family is a fascinating one! :D Greetings!

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  11. Great piece of history! Somehow I've never really gotten around to reading about the actions of Europeans in Africa during that era. Interesting stuff!

    And nice paintjob as well!

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    1. Thank you Samuli for your visit and very kind comment! I´m so glad you enjoyed it :D Cheers!

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  12. Ace Cool Painting,and i enjoyed the history of those times.
    Interesting use again of background picture ________________Church of ST George in Lalibela Ethiopia! Great Topic! BB

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    1. Thanks Beano, I appreciate your feedback and am glad you enjoyed this post!! You got a keen eye, that´s St George´s allright!! Cheers my friend!

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  13. Hola Amigo
    Muy buena la historia ,siempre me gusta eso
    Y buena la mini
    Un gran trabajo en conjunto
    UN Saludo J,D

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    1. Gracias Amigo José Daniel! Estos son factos menos conocidos, pero fascinantes! Me agrada mucho que te guste!! :D Saludos!

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  14. Une nouvelle page d'histoire mise en lumière grâce à une superbe peinture.
    Parabens.

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  15. Desculpai senhôr Dom Macêdo, mas a bandeira que tendes aqui é da Suiça e não de Portugal.
    Dom Cristóvão da Gâma utilizava uma das Bandeiras Mais Simbólicas Portuguêsas da Época, a da Ordem de Cristo, a mêsma que ia nas Velas Enfunadas das Caravelas e Naus, e que aliás, está descrita no texto da época que aqui(muito bem)publicais.

    http://hernanicardoso.pt/viagem/a-cruz-da-ordem-de-cristo/

    De resto, sois mui bem elogiado pelo boneco que haveis criado, representativo(na vossa versão) de Dom Cristóvão.

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    Respostas
    1. Obrigado pelo seu gentil comentário. No que tange à bandeira, foi porventura a fraca qualidade da fotografia que lhe causou tal impressão. Os contornos em vermelho da Cruz não são muito distintos, confundindo-se com o carmim do "damasco". Mal andaria um Português que confundisse tal bandeira - com a qual convive desde o berço - com a da Suiça - ou qualquer outra...! Deixo-lhe um outro link com mais bandeiras, que talvez lhe agrade: https://iseelittletinpeople.blogspot.com/2015/01/portuguese-flags-in-age-of-discovery.html Com os melhores cumprimentos, RMacedo

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