The First Europeans in Mombasa

The First Europeans in Mombasa Recently archaeologists have said that the wreckage of a ship discovered off Malindi may have been from legendary explorer Vasco da Gama’s final voyage across the Indian Ocean. It is a Portuguese vessel and may have been Da Gama’s Sao...
Thomson in Maasailand

Thomson in Maasailand

Thomson in Maasailand Recently there have been articles in Old Africa about the Maasai, so it would be interesting to look at early European contacts with those peoples. In 1877 Maasai warriors had prevented Johann Maria Hildebrandt, a German botanist, from travelling...

Billiard Balls, Pianos and Elephants

Billiard Balls, Pianos and Elephants Before the invention of plastics, billiard balls, piano keys, combs and scores of other items were made of ivory. Playing the piano was called ‘tickling the ivories.’ More ivory was used for piano keys than for all other purposes...
‘Long Lou’ Llewellin and his Hats

‘Long Lou’ Llewellin and his Hats

‘Long Lou’ Llewellin and his Hats ‘Long Lou’, a six-foot-four, broad-shouldered man, ‘beloved of ladies and a very Bayard in battle,’ was Gloucestershire-born John Lionel Bretherton Llewellyn Llewellin. He wore an eyeglass and sandals, with often nothing in between...