Antonio Malfante (?–1450) was a Genoese trader known for traveling to Africa on behalf of the Centurione Bank in 1447. [1] [2]
In a letter written in Latin from the Saharan oasis of Tuwat to a merchant in Genoa, Malfante reported on what he learned from an informant about the trans-Saharan trade. He listed several 'states', including one called 'Geni' and describes the Niger River: "Through these lands flows a very large river, which at certain times of the year inundates all these lands. This river passes by the gates of Thambet ( Timbuktu).... There are many boats on it, by which they carry on trade". [3] [4]
References
- ^ Hugh Thomas, The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic slave trade, 1440-1870 (1999), p. 77, available on Google Books
- ^ Raffaele di Tucci, Il genovese Antonio Malfante (1935)
- ^ Crone, G.R., ed. (1937), The Voyages of Cadamosto and other documents on Western Africa in the second half of the fifteenth century, London: Hakluyt Society
- ^ Antonio Malfante, Lettera Di Un Mercante Genovese (2008 reprint), Stanford University Library listing.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Antonio Malfante (?–1450) was a Genoese trader known for traveling to Africa on behalf of the Centurione Bank in 1447. [1] [2]
In a letter written in Latin from the Saharan oasis of Tuwat to a merchant in Genoa, Malfante reported on what he learned from an informant about the trans-Saharan trade. He listed several 'states', including one called 'Geni' and describes the Niger River: "Through these lands flows a very large river, which at certain times of the year inundates all these lands. This river passes by the gates of Thambet ( Timbuktu).... There are many boats on it, by which they carry on trade". [3] [4]
References
- ^ Hugh Thomas, The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic slave trade, 1440-1870 (1999), p. 77, available on Google Books
- ^ Raffaele di Tucci, Il genovese Antonio Malfante (1935)
- ^ Crone, G.R., ed. (1937), The Voyages of Cadamosto and other documents on Western Africa in the second half of the fifteenth century, London: Hakluyt Society
- ^ Antonio Malfante, Lettera Di Un Mercante Genovese (2008 reprint), Stanford University Library listing.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |