Crossing Africa

David Livingstone · 1853 CE – 1856 CE · Earth

Open a trade road from Sekeletu’s country on the upper Zambezi to the coast, first west to the Atlantic, then east to the Indian Ocean.

Historical context

In 1853 the Makololo under Sekeletu ruled the upper Zambezi, and Mambari traders from the west bought their ivory for a few bits of cloth, and from neighbouring peoples ivory and even children for hoes. Sekeletu wanted a direct road to the sea for his ivory, and Livingstone, a missionary convinced that no people could rise without commerce, wanted a road by which trade and missions could reach the interior. With Sekeletu’s men he went first west to Luanda and then east down the Zambezi to the Indian Ocean.

The voyage, step by step

1. From the Atlantic coast

   20 September 1854

   On 20 September 1854 Livingstone leaves Luanda to take Sekeletu’s men home and to look for a road from their country to the east coast.

2. Following the Zambezi

   1855 CE

   In July 1855 Sekeletu’s twenty-seven come home down the upper Zambezi, which Livingstone knew as the Leeambye, through the Barotse valley.

3. Victoria Falls

   November 1855

   In November 1855 men who know the rapids paddle Livingstone to an island on the lip of the falls the Makololo call Mosi oa tunya, and he names them for his queen.

4. The Indian Ocean

   20 May 1856

   On 20 May 1856 Livingstone reaches Quelimane on the Indian Ocean, having crossed Africa from the Atlantic with Sekeletu’s men.

Outcome

With Sekeletu’s men, reached Luanda on 31 May 1854 and Quelimane on 20 May 1856, crossing Africa from coast to coast, and saw the falls he named Victoria Falls in November 1855.

David Livingstone

Scottish missionary and explorer who crossed Africa from Luanda to Quelimane with Sekeletu’s men, led the Zambezi expedition and spent his last years searching for the Nile’s source.

Read on Wikipedia

Sources

• Missionary Travels and Researches in South AfricaDavid Livingstone · John Murray, London; Project Gutenberg text · 1857
• Livingstone’s Life & ExpeditionsJustin D. Livingstone; Adrian S. Wisnicki and Megan Ward, editors · Livingstone Online, University of Maryland Libraries · 2015
• David Livingstone — Wikipedia

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