Europeans and East Africans in the Age of Exploration

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of explorers in East African history. Their im? mediate impact was limited but their historical connection with later imperial moves and African adaptations to Europe is worth examining. The Royal Geographical Society, which was closely concerned with all the major ventures, had genuine scientific motives only remotely connected with economic designs. Nevertheless, an analysis of the Society's membership suggests that a 'Service class' promoted, carried through and learnt from the exploration in ways that strongly influenced the nature of subsequent British operations in the region. The classic period of East African exploration by Europeans may be taken to be 1848-76. Although important coastal surveys and a few limited forays into the interior had been made before 1848, that year saw the first inland journey which was well documented and yielded important geographical data; the mission? ary Johann Rebmann visited the slopes of Kilimanjaro and saw snow on its peak. Other journeys followed as a result of which the 'snowy mountains', the great lakes