Evidências do comércio á longa distância no Baixo Zambeze, ligando a Nova Sofala, Angoche e Ilha de Moçambique, séculos VII-XIX

Abstract

The Lower Zambezi is characterised as a region with settlements from different chronological periods (Upper Stone Age, Lower and Upper Iron Age), demonstrating that Man, from early times, intended to settle in the region. Evidence of long-distance trade bears witness to the Arab and Portuguese Portuguese presence, presented through porcelain, glazed beads and glass shards. This evidence is of different origins, typology and chronological period. Trade, in a first phase, was controlled by the Arabs and the later by the Portuguese. O Lower Zambezi was interlinked to the entrepots of the Indian Ocean (Nova Sofala, Angoche, Ilha de Moçambique, Kilwa, Mogadisho, among others), establishing an inter-continental network. The Lower Zambezi served as a gateway for goods coming and going from the interior and vice-versa, through the Zambezi River, which offered excellent navigation conditions. navigation conditions. In the entrepots of the Lower Zambezi, such as Sofala, Sena, Tete and Quelimane, goods from both sides were traded, both during the Arab as well as Portuguese. Trade in this region brought about cultural transformations, through cultural exchange as well as socio-political domination socio-political domination of the Lower Zambezi. This research sought to study the evidence of long distance trade in the Lower Zambezi in order to understand the importance of the region and its connection to Nova Sofala, Angoche and Ilha de Moçambique, concluding that the region was not isolated. (TRADUÇAO NOSSA)