Portuguese expedition to Senegal (1487)

Portuguese expedition to Senegal (1487)
Part of Joloff Succession War
Date 1487 Location Senegal River Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal Jolof Empire (initially)	Jolof Empire
Commanders and leaders
Gonçalo Coelho Bemoi (initially) Pero Vaz da Cunha	Sibetah Bemoi X
Strength
20 ships	Unknown

The Portuguese expedition to Senegal (1487) was an expedition and attempt of Bemoi to regain the throne of Joloff from his brother, Sibetah.

Background

An year after his succession, John II of Portugal gave orders for the completion of a fort at Arguin, which lay just to the south of Cape Blanco and had been begun by Afonso V of Portugal in 1455. With Arguin as a base the Portuguese endeavoured to extend their influence in the countries to the south. Down south, a dispute over the throne of Joloff was occurring, which gave them the opportunity to try to gain a footing in the regions of the Senegal River. Gonçalo Coelho was sent to assist a claimant to the throne, Bemoi, whose claim to the throne was disputed by his brother Sibetah. Coelho made terms, where aid would be granted if Bemoi converted to Christianity.

Expedition

Initially, Coelho withdrew support when Bemoi refused to convert to Christianity. However, Bemoi later traveled to Lisbon, where he converted, and was baptized as João. With a fleet of twenty ships under Pedro Vaz da Cunha, Bemoi returned to Senegal to reclaim his throne. A fort was built at the mouth of the Senegal River, securing Portuguese presence. However, soon after, tensions arose between Bemoi and the Portuguese. Pedro Vaz da Cunha later had him murdered.

Aftermath

After Bemoi's assassination, the Portuguese returned to their country. Nonetheless, this expedition led to further communication with the rulers of the adjacent territories. Embassies were sent to Timbuktu and to African chiefs in the interior.

References

Sources

• Gray, J.M (1940). The History of the Gambia. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-51196-5.
• Levtzion, Nehemiah (1977). "5 - The western Maghrib and Sudan". In Oliver, Ronald (ed.). The Cambridge History of Africa Volume 3: From c.1050 to c.1600. Cambridge University Press. pp. 331–462. ISBN 9781139054577. Retrieved 12 March 2024.