Da Gama called the east coast of the southern part of Africa "Natal" - "Christmas" because they passed through that part of the coast just at Christmas.Īfter that, they came to Mozambique, from where they had to leave, because almost the entire east coast of Africa was under Muslim control. They sailed along almost the entire side of the African coast to the city now called Sierra Leone, then across the Atlantic all the way to the coast of South Africa after a few months (November 4 of the same year). The ship commanded by Vasco da Gama was called "Sao Gabriel", and the other ships were "Sao Rafael", "Berio" and one ship with food supplies. Four ships and a total of 180 crew members took part in this expedition. His trip to India is significant in the history of travel and connecting two worlds and different cultures.ĭa Gama's first journey began on July 8, 1497, from Lisbon.
The Portuguese poet Luis Bau de Camois wrote the song " The Lusiads" in the 16th century and dedicated it to Vasco da Gama.
Da Gama was also respected in India, so for his discoveries and merits in 1524 he was appointed governor of India, viceroy and count of Vidigueir. Vasco da Gama led the first and fourth Indian nautical armies (armada), with the fourth being significantly larger and traveling to India four years after the first armada returned from the voyage. Portuguese power at sea was strong for a long time, decades later only England, France and Denmark managed to match it. This trade also expanded with its products and continued to function for centuries. Pepper and cinnamon were traded the most. The then Portuguese Empire developed a spice trade on the Asian continent. Even longer than traveling around the world. This journey of his, including sailing to India and back, is one of the longest expeditions of that time. So the Portuguese never had to sail across the Mediterranean, next to the then dangerous Arabian Peninsula. As da Gama discovered the sea route to India, he enabled his Portuguese to colonize a significant part of Asia. Vasco da Gama was the first seafarer to reach India from Europe by sea, thus proving his claim that Africa could be sailed. Almost every corner of Lisbon is dedicated to him, to some of his discoveries and travels. Before Vasco da Gama, his father was offered to go on an expedition to India, but in the meantime he passed away and thus left it to his son to complete the mission. He was born in Portugal, to father Estevo da Gama who was a nobleman.
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and navigator from the 15th century.
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