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There are multiple sources stating that, Abubakari II, King of the Mali Empire, led Malian sailors to the Americas in 1311...Almost 200 years before Columbus arrived https://twitter.com/theinfamouscpa/status/1299002014135967744
A black muslim explorer reaching the Americas before Columbus just so happens to be a little inconsequential fact 
.... There really is a lot of work to be done.
.... There really is a lot of work to be done.
The gold that Columbus himself found in the Americas at the time has been demonstrated to be the same alloy as that of West Africa
The word used for gold by native Americans was 'guanin' - which is very similar to the Mandinka word for gold 'ghanin'
The word used for gold by native Americans was 'guanin' - which is very similar to the Mandinka word for gold 'ghanin'
In his journals, Columbus mentions that Native
Americans confirmed that
“Black skinned people had come from the South-East in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears."
Americans confirmed that
“Black skinned people had come from the South-East in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears."
Other pieces of evidence include:
"Corn and cotton (indigenous to the Americas) were growing in Africa before Columbus made his journey, evidence that there was trade between the continents" - Ivan Van Sertima
"Corn and cotton (indigenous to the Americas) were growing in Africa before Columbus made his journey, evidence that there was trade between the continents" - Ivan Van Sertima
Skeletons of black people were found in pre-Columbus graves in the Virgin Islands. Archaeologists have also discovered skeletons in Central America and South America.
Other than Columbus other European explorers,
including Vasco Nunez de Balboa, made record of seeing black people when they reached the New World.
including Vasco Nunez de Balboa, made record of seeing black people when they reached the New World.
Abubakari's intention was to explore the limits of the Atlantic..To do this, he had to abdicate his throne a decision that was not taken very well.
The griots (West African oral historians) who act as repositories of oral traditions are said to have imposed silence on his voyage
The griots (West African oral historians) who act as repositories of oral traditions are said to have imposed silence on his voyage
"The griots found his abdication a shameful act, not worthy of praise,...for that reason they refused to sing praise or talk of this great African man." Malian historian Gaoussou Diawara .
I find it interesting that Abubakari's voyage to the Americas is one that has been silenced in one way or another both in written and oral record
Black Before Columbus Came: The African Discovery of America
Abubakari was succeeded by the famous Malian king, Mansa Musa. Speaking about his predecessor Musa is quoted to have said
"The ruler who preceded me did not believe that it was impossible to reach the extremity of the ocean .... So he equipped two hundred boats full of men...
"The ruler who preceded me did not believe that it was impossible to reach the extremity of the ocean .... So he equipped two hundred boats full of men...
...as many others full of gold, water and victuals sufficient enough for several years He ordered the chief (admiral) not to return until they had reached the extremity of the ocean, or if they had exhausted the provisions and the water.
They set out. Their absence extended over a long period, and, at last, only one boat returned." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansa_Musa
With multiple strands of historical sources indicating that African explorers likely reached the America's prior to its European discovery and prior to slavery...
The question here is not whether this is the only theory but why it is practically the least known.
The question here is not whether this is the only theory but why it is practically the least known.
A reminder that history is not neutral, we often think of history as a passive subject with little implication on the present.
But we also must actively understand how it affects our identity, our sense of place, our understanding of the world around us.
But we also must actively understand how it affects our identity, our sense of place, our understanding of the world around us.
There are many conflicting theories about who arrived in the Americas 'first'...Including the Vikings, Chinese, Irish monks and more.
The point of this thread is not to prove that Africans were the first, but to show that they were present.
The point of this thread is not to prove that Africans were the first, but to show that they were present.
African people have made significant contributions to world history in ways that we might probably never understand.
As we continue to explore our existence we must remember to ground ourselves in the multiplicity of our being.
As we continue to explore our existence we must remember to ground ourselves in the multiplicity of our being.
Bearing in mind that was is taught is not necessarily what is true.
For more on this, see:
They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America (Journal of African Civilizations) https://www.amazon.com/They-Came-Before-Columbus-Civilizations/dp/0812968174/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1598607811&refinements=p_27%3AIvan+Van+Sertima&s=books&sr=1-1
They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America (Journal of African Civilizations) https://www.amazon.com/They-Came-Before-Columbus-Civilizations/dp/0812968174/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1598607811&refinements=p_27%3AIvan+Van+Sertima&s=books&sr=1-1
Abubakari II : Explorateur mandingue (La Sahélienne) (French Edition) by Malian historian Gaoussou Diawara https://www.amazon.com/Abubakari-II-Explorateur-mandingue-Sah%C3%A9lienne-ebook/dp/B0056ERIMI
BBC: Africa's 'greatest explorer' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1068950.stm#:~:text=By%20Joan%20Baxter%20in%20Mali,nearly%20all%20of%20West%20Africa
Way before Columbus, ancient Malians sailed to the Americas in 1311
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/way-before-columbus-ancient-malians-sailed-to-the-americas-in-1311#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20number%20of,200%20years%20before%20Columbus%20arrived.
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/way-before-columbus-ancient-malians-sailed-to-the-americas-in-1311#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20number%20of,200%20years%20before%20Columbus%20arrived.
