What were the experiences of Vasco da Gama on islands like Mozambique and Mombasa?

 

            In March 1498, Vasco da Gama spent three weeks in the vicinity of Mozambique Island. It was the first sign of civilization since they left the west coast of the Cape Verde islands.

            Mozambique was an Arab controlled territory that sat on the outskirts of the east coast of Africa. It was a well-established sea trading opening in the Indian Ocean. The Sultan of Mozambique found that the Portuguese ships looked different from that of the Arabs.

           There, Vasco da Gama and his men had skirmishes with the Sultan of Mozambique, and also with the native people. Finally, Gama and crew departed the harbour, firing his cannons into the city.

            Later, they landed on 7th April 1498, in Mombasa. The Portuguese became the first known Europeans to visit the port of Mombasa. Gama and his crew met with hostility in Mombasa too, and soon departed.