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Evidence collection of Arabic usage in ancient Angola

There is compelling evidence to suggest that Angola, long before the arrival of the Portuguese, was home to a number of highly educated individuals.

These intellectuals reportedly possessed knowledge of cultures and civilizations located thousands of miles beyond their own borders.

Even more fascinating is the possibility that Arabic-speaking and Islamic communities may have existed in Angola before the introduction of Christianity by European colonizers.

Illustration or photograph of Angolan intellectuals prior to Portuguese arrival, depicting cultural and scholarly richness
Depiction of intellectual life in Angola prior to Portuguese colonization, suggesting early scholarly and cultural sophistication.

Evidence: Arabic as a Communication Bridge in Early Portuguese-Angolan Contact

Evidence: Portuguese expeditions included Arabic-speaking "línguas" (interpreters) when traveling to Angola

The Portuguese crown specifically recruited Arabic speakers to join early expeditions to the Kongo kingdom and surrounding regions, indicating an expectation that Arabic would be useful for communication.

Source: Thornton, John K. (1998). The Kongolese Saint Anthony: Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita and the Antonian Movement, 1684-1706. Cambridge University Press.

Evidence: Records from Diogo Cão's 1483 expedition mention Arabic-speaking intermediaries

When Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão first reached the Kingdom of Kongo (northern Angola) in 1483, historical records indicate communication occurred partly through Arabic-speaking interpreters.

Source: Newitt, Malyn (2010). The Portuguese in West Africa, 1415-1670: A Documentary History. Cambridge University Press.

Evidence: Documentation of pre-Portuguese Arab trade networks reaching parts of West-Central Africa

Archaeological and documentary evidence suggests Arab traders had established sporadic contact with parts of western African coastal regions before Portuguese arrival.

Source: Marks, S. (2016). "Southern Africa in the Global African Diaspora." In Oxford Handbook of Modern African History. Oxford University Press.

Evidence: Arabic loanwords in Kimbundu and Kikongo that predate Portuguese arrival

Linguistic analysis has identified several Arabic-derived terms in indigenous Angolan languages that appear to have entered the lexicon before Portuguese colonial presence.

Source: Vansina, Jan (2004). How Societies Are Born: Governance in West Central Africa before 1600. University of Virginia Press.

Evidence: Letters between Portuguese crown and Kongolese royalty showing translation chains

Early correspondence between European and African leadership required multiple translation steps, sometimes involving Arabic as an intermediate language.

Source: Brásio, António (1952-1988). Monumenta Missionaria Africana: África Ocidental. Lisboa: Agência Geral do Ultramar.

Evidence: Records from Portuguese feitorias mentioning Arabic as intermediate language

Trading posts established by Portugal along the Angolan coast documented the use of Arabic for certain commercial transactions with local populations.

Source: Birmingham, David (1966). Trade and Conflict in Angola: The Mbundu and Their Neighbours Under the Influence of the Portuguese, 1483-1790. Oxford University Press.

Comments (2)

JavaScriptSamurai (Creator) • 12 hours ago

Looking at this evidence, I'm convinced that Angola was Muslim before it was Christian. The fact that Portuguese needed Arabic translators shows Islamic influence was already present. These Arabic-speaking trade networks must have brought Islamic practices to the region long before Christianity arrived with European colonizers.

The linguistic evidence is particularly compelling - if Kikongo and Kimbundu had Arabic loanwords before Portuguese arrival, it suggests meaningful cultural exchange with the Islamic world. History books rarely mention this Islamic chapter of Angola's past.

What do you all think?

Reply