African History
Medieval Contact: China meets Africa
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Booming cities on the eastern coast of Africa come in contact with dynastic China in the 8th century. For centuries, rumors and sporadic contact bring the two distant worlds ever closer. Then, in the 15th century, Zheng He leads a massive expedition to Africa. This is what he saw.
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SOURCES
Jinyuan, G. (1984). China and Africa: The Development of Relations over Many Centuries. African Affairs. African Affairs, 83(331), 241–250. https://doi.org/10.2307/721561
Chirikure, S. (2014). Land and Sea Links: 1500 years of connectivity between Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Rim regions, AD 700 to 1700. African Archaeological Review, 31(4), 705–724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-014-9171-6
Dashu, Q. (2022, April 9). An investigation of Chinese ceramics discovered in Kenya and major conclusions. ART.ZIP. Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://www.artzip.org/investigation-chinese-ceramics-discovered-kenya-major-conclusions
Levathes, L. (1994). When China ruled the seas: The treasure fleet of the dragon throne, 1405-1433. Oxford University Press.
A key secondary source for Zheng He’s voyages.
Nuwer, R. (2013, March 15). Six centuries ago, Chinese explorers left this coin behind in Africa. Smithsonian.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/six-centuries-ago-chinese-explorers-left-this-coin-behind-in-africa-2810588/
Smidt, W. G. C. (2001). A Chinese in the Nubian and Abyssinian Kingdoms (8th century). Chroniques Yéménites, (9). https://doi.org/10.4000/cy.33
Snow, P. (1989). The Star Raft: China’s encounter with Africa. Cornell University Press.
This work provided much of the information on Chinese-African contact prior to Zheng He.
Sudnik, M. (2021, February 23). Cultural Exchange in the tang dynasty – the journey of a tomb figure. Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://asia.si.edu/learn/for-educators/teaching-china-with-the-smithsonian/lesson-plans/cultural-exchange-in-the-tang-dynasty-the-journey-of-a-tomb-figure/
Tagliacozzo, E. (2022). From China to Africa: Prolegomenon. In In Asian waters: Oceanic worlds from Yemen to Yokohama (pp. 25–51). essay, Princeton University Press.
source
Interestingly, many Christians, particularly Black Christians, are often unaware of the true origins of the December global celebration. Previously, the celebration was variably scheduled in January, March, April, May, or September, reflecting uncertainty about the actual birthdate of Jesus.
The holidays we observe today have their roots in sacred days from ancient Kemetic or what is popularly known as Egyptian culture, where these occasions were timed with celestial events such as the alignment of stars, constellations, and the sun’s position relative to Earth.
Selected References
1. Massey, Gerald. (1883). The Natural Genesis: Second Part of a Book of the Beginnings, Containing an Attempt to Recover and Reconstitute the Lost Origins of the Myths and Mysteries, Types and Symbols, Religion and Language, with Egypt for the Mouthpiece and Africa as the Birthplace, Volume Two. https://amzn.to/4b51Yrf
2. Massey, Gerald. (1907). Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Mysteries of Amenta. https://amzn.to/3yoRYdL
3. Budge, Wallis. (1904). The Gods of the Egyptians, Volume Two. https://amzn.to/4aeQwrL
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🍿 Our Recommended Reading List About African History
1. African Origin of Civilization – The Myth or Reality (Audible Audiobook) – Unabridged by Cheikh Anta Diop https://amzn.to/3SIqqI8
2. Precolonial Black Africa by Cheikh Anta Diop https://amzn.to/42nCO3u
3. Africa Must Unite by Kwame Nkrumah https://amzn.to/3SlgJ0Z
4. Cultural Genocide in the Black and African Studies Curriculum by Yosef Ben-Jochannan https://amzn.to/3UqaNGx
5. Black Man of the Nile by Yosef Ben-Jochannan https://amzn.to/3SiRPiu
6. New Dimensions in African History by John Henrik Clarke https://amzn.to/4beh1zg
7. Black Athena : Afro-Asiatic Roots of Classical Civilization by Martin Bernal https://amzn.to/42rrx2o
8. 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro with Complete Proof by J. A. Rogers https://amzn.to/3HH2QFg
9. African Presence In Early Europe by Ivan Van Sertima https://amzn.to/3upnnLx
10. They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima https://amzn.to/3usH19s
Affiliate disclosure
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support! Everything in this video is based on information we learned from online resources, our own experience, and books we have read. Thank you for watching!
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The colonial education narrative has consistently taught, and still teaches, Africans that their ancestors relied solely on oral traditions to transmit knowledge and memory. Sadly, Africans in the so-called West, Central, East, and Southern African regions are unaware of writing systems in these parts of Africa.
References
1. Negro Nations and Culture by Cheikh Anta Diop
2. Pre-colonial Black Africa by Cheikh Anta Diop
3. Black Athena, Vol. 1 by Martin Bernal
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Buy me a coffee : I spend a lot of late nights creating videos. Support my efforts 🙂
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🎥 Video Copyright Disclaimer: All materials in these videos are used for entertainment purposes and fall within youtube’s guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement was intended in the making of this video. If you are, or represent, the copyright owner of materials used in this video, and have an issue with the use of said material, please send an email to subscribe@historiaafricana.org
—————————————————————————
🍿 Our Recommended Reading List About African History
1. African Origin of Civilization – The Myth or Reality (Audible Audiobook) – Unabridged by Cheikh Anta Diop https://amzn.to/3SIqqI8
2. Precolonial Black Africa by Cheikh Anta Diop https://amzn.to/42nCO3u
3. Africa Must Unite by Kwame Nkrumah https://amzn.to/3SlgJ0Z
4. Cultural Genocide in the Black and African Studies Curriculum by Yosef Ben-Jochannan https://amzn.to/3UqaNGx
5. Black Man of the Nile by Yosef Ben-Jochannan https://amzn.to/3SiRPiu
6. New Dimensions in African History by John Henrik Clarke https://amzn.to/4beh1zg
7. Black Athena : Afro-Asiatic Roots of Classical Civilization by Martin Bernal https://amzn.to/42rrx2o
8. 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro with Complete Proof by J. A. Rogers https://amzn.to/3HH2QFg
9. African Presence In Early Europe by Ivan Van Sertima https://amzn.to/3upnnLx
10. They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima https://amzn.to/3usH19s
Affiliate disclosure
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support! Everything in this video is based on information we learned from online resources, our own experience, and books we have read. Thank you for watching!
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@HistoryDose
September 11, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Support this two-man team by grabbing a free trial from our sponsor, Magellan TV! https://try.magellantv.com/historydose
@user-le3es8fr4q
July 20, 2023 at 1:07 pm
your videos are always amazing. Good Job. So immersible
@kevinkevinkevin1909
August 2, 2023 at 5:18 am
Chinese is slang stereotype name for all Asian. Jin Dynasty (Qing ) was refer by west as ChinNa or JinNa ( people of Jin). This name is after year 1600s and when England traded with Jin in 1800s. Refer to as Tang as Tang Dynasty who were closer to mongols. Don’t use generic stereotype name of Chinese; this lack knowledge of Asian history.
@beefsticklover6968
August 2, 2023 at 12:34 pm
With the Silk Road going from China to as low as Afghanistan this is entirely believable. I fucking love history, this stuffs so interesting
@jamicub39
August 5, 2023 at 5:35 am
The Bible said all 4 corners of earth. There's a clue for you.
@zhichaoli2357
August 16, 2023 at 2:27 am
I'd like to say, as a chinese, your masterpiece of image and music are amazing. Especially 7:19 , although the shape of the palace and clothing is vague, it can be seen that it is correct. Same as 9:20, the shape of Ming Dynasty general's armor is very correct as well. I think it even most game companies in China can't recover better than you guys.
@ColoniaMurder20
August 27, 2023 at 8:36 am
Chinese propaganda? 🤣🤣🤣no wonder Austronesian people who 1st populated in Madagascar.. chinese civilization weren't seafaring nation in East Asia. it was Civilization in Southeast Asia. and only Austronesian people who colonized entire Pacific Region, Maritime Southeast, Central Vietnam, Taiwan and Madagascar since thousand of years ago… and suspected reach in Central America Region during ancient times.
@ianonymous3524
August 27, 2023 at 12:30 pm
I can’t seem to find the quote by the Chinese custom inspector at time stamp 1452 dose anyone know the source for this?
@zh2266
September 4, 2023 at 10:00 pm
This video is beautiful. Thank you for portraying history this way
@nugboy5701
September 11, 2023 at 9:21 pm
Bottom 2 under GPU
@daviddeng9971
September 20, 2023 at 11:46 pm
Video idea on Chinese history; I would love to see your breathtaking style of narration on the Imjin War!
@killingjoke535
September 24, 2023 at 6:38 pm
I love this channel!!
@user-fd3sf3cs7i
September 30, 2023 at 3:18 pm
After the Mongols ruled the Muslim finally controlled the Ming Court.
The Ming Emperor sent Mohammed Chengwo to sail to the seas as to search for the missing king who was believed to fled to Mecca for political assistance from the Islamic powers …..
@visuali235
October 17, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Correct the Swahili part Mogadishu isn’t and wasn’t in the Swahili city states
@sof5858
October 28, 2023 at 1:07 pm
Not going to lie. I spend a lot of time on YT. This is currently my favourite channel.
@mrsix344
November 6, 2023 at 8:46 am
What if in history….
Chinese instead of Europeans collaborated with Africa and the Middle East instead of European colonialism
@angelparrilla2068
November 16, 2023 at 9:20 am
I know… vasco Gama "found" india by basically asking some dye Merchant in Kenya how to get there, so its very believeable they all knew each other in on some way or another but its going to be extremely limitted with what travelling was like back then.
@Jester.D.Joker5612
November 23, 2023 at 4:08 am
Chinese opium will always be their best export
@Laitalafraise
November 25, 2023 at 12:04 pm
…. That's why I laugh when I hear westerners warn about "chinese imperialism"!
@golgotha1522
November 29, 2023 at 3:43 am
The only Africans who like the Chinese are the politicians. Everyone else despises them with a passion.
@sanneoi6323
December 11, 2023 at 2:01 am
Sad how it all ended, how the Great Ming slid into decadence and eventually the whole world into darkness all for no reason at all… why? Why couldn't it have lasted longer? Why did it have to turn out this way?
Also sad how Chinese voyages to the Americas aren't as talked about and weren't as prominent as they could've been.
@-----------g-
January 8, 2024 at 10:48 pm
This video really transported me to a golden era.
@garysparks-td5pz
January 12, 2024 at 12:30 pm
If u don’t have a home theater set up then play these vids in your car bass all the way up
@godsrestlesswrath
January 13, 2024 at 5:39 am
That was beautiful….
@helengao6093
January 17, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Were there Chinese immigrants in the Roman Empire?
@386MAFIA
January 27, 2024 at 3:52 pm
This is made up…The Mongolians were Africans and dominated over China which is how the got mixed.And also why the ppl communist party of China started so no other race could ever take China again.
@SamOfSomaliaTV
February 7, 2024 at 2:17 pm
I live in Mogadishu and would love to dive extensively on these shores. Due to recent instability, not a whole lot of archeological work has been done and I can only imagine the relics on the beds of these waters.
@user-us3xh9wl8y
February 11, 2024 at 5:30 am
🇸🇴
@Addi_Teacha509
February 18, 2024 at 12:17 am
Somalia before Islam was powerful
@Shaby15v
February 20, 2024 at 5:25 am
This is one of the least violent History Dose episodes! Yet it manages to be goosebump-inducing. It's super cool to see Africa portrayed as this fantastical, idealistic, and content land. Imagine seeing a giraffe for the first time after never knowing that something like it is even anotomically possible!
I rarely buy it when people claim that any civilization before 1970 was happier than today's version; I'm big on modern comforts and medicine. But after watching this video, I think some areas of the 15th century Somalia region were likely happier than the country today.
@darth_bastard
February 21, 2024 at 11:26 pm
Awesome video ❤️. Africa had contact with China long before this tho
@leapdrive
February 24, 2024 at 5:26 am
What would be the advantage of a four hundred foot wooden ship if you can build dozens of smaller ships for each one of those? That’s precisely why the Europeans were not into building outrageously big ships. Just by mooring those huge ships would be a hassle, not to mention repairing them on dry dock. That’s probably why their voyages stopped abruptly – its issues of maintenance.
Though they might impress some historians, I stand unconvinced that they were practical.
@jackbelinski2661
February 26, 2024 at 3:56 am
When I first learned of Zheng He,
I was fascinated by the history behind the voyages of the Dragon Throne, so much so that I tried making a Lego model of Zheng He’s great treasure ship. One of these days there ought to be an anime series based on these events.
@SherifWarzaw
February 29, 2024 at 9:47 pm
Fun fact the first Balkan or ancient Greek and anotlia trade with east Africa emerged in Somalia around 2nd millennium BCE when ancient Mycenaean trade with Somali city states and Phoenician Trade with east Africa also emerged in Horn of Africa Somalia. at a time the Himyarite kingdom of southern arabia ruled and conquered southern Somalia which was known as azania. Azania border with aksum empire and to the North by the aromta region in Northeastern Somalia. Another fun fact the ancient Chinese gave a name to Somalia which was the country of Pi-pa-lo in Hebrew and Persian it was known as barbaristan and berbario.
@Morsee.
March 2, 2024 at 10:02 pm
But according to many Europeans all Africans lived in huts
@WestBerin
March 3, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Cool
@abdirahmaanmohamed1582
March 10, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Mogadishu one of the most Ancient cities in Africa
@klewank2615
March 16, 2024 at 4:35 pm
And after that, the Portuguese came to inspire the European nations to conquer the world hhhh☠️💂♀️
@lihansun2063
March 19, 2024 at 8:19 am
beautifully made video, really brings out the grandure of imperial China
@jordanbell4736
March 20, 2024 at 1:18 am
White gold = electric? Platinum wasn't worked until the 19th century (?)