Sidi Mubarak Bombay

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May 14, 2025

Discover the remarkable life of Sidi Mubarak Bombay, a key figure in 19th-century African exploration. His journey from enslavement to becoming a guide and translator for renowned explorers sheds light on the hidden histories of African contributions in colonized narratives. Notably, he played a vital role in the expedition to find the source of the Nile, showcasing the complexities of cultural exchange. Delve into his legacy, intertwining the realities of colonialism with his unique personal story and significant impact on exploration.

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INSIGHT

Bombay's Crucial Role in Exploration

Sidi Mubarak Bombay was vital as guide, translator, nurse, and supervisor of African laborers on African expeditions.
These explorations laid groundwork for later colonialism and atrocities, though Bombay likely did not foresee this.

ANECDOTE

Bombay's Enslavement Story

At about age 12, Bombay's village was attacked by Waswayili merchants demanding debts, leading to his capture.
He was enslaved, sold to Zanzibar, then to India, where he was eventually freed after his owner's death.

INSIGHT

Meaning Behind Bombay's Name

"Sidi" was a term in India for Africans; "Mubarak" likely Arabic for blessed.
"Bombay" may reference his time enslaved and educated in India's Bombay region or a label for Africans freed there.

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The discovery of the source of the Nile

James Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke

James August Grant

John Hanning Speke's "The Discovery of the Source of the Nile" details his expedition with James Augustus Grant to confirm the source of the Nile. The book recounts their journey, challenges, and interactions with local populations. Speke's narrative is significant for its contribution to geographical knowledge and its insights into 19th-century African societies. It also describes the fate of the African porters he hired, including Sidi Mubarak Bombay. The book remains a valuable historical document, though its interpretations have been debated.

A Walk Across Africa; or, Domestic Scenes from My Nile Journal

James Augustus Grant

James Augustus Grant's "A Walk Across Africa" details his expedition with John Hanning Speke to find the source of the Nile. The book provides a firsthand account of their travels, challenges, and discoveries. Grant's narrative offers valuable insights into the geography and cultures of East Africa. It also highlights the crucial role of Sidi Mubarak Bombay as their interpreter and factotum. The book remains a significant contribution to the historical record of African exploration and the search for the Nile's source. It offers a detailed perspective on the logistical and interpersonal aspects of such a challenging expedition.

What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile

John Hanning Speke

John Hanning Speke's "What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile?" details his expeditions in Africa, culminating in his claim to have discovered the source of the Nile. The book recounts his travels, challenges, and interactions with local populations. It also includes Sidi Mubarak Bombay's account of his early life, offering a unique perspective on the era's slave trade. Speke's narrative is significant for its contribution to geographical knowledge and its insights into 19th-century African societies. The book remains a valuable historical document, though its interpretations have been debated.

Across Africa

Verney Lovett Cameron

Verney Lovett Cameron's "Across Africa" recounts his expedition across the African continent, a journey undertaken partly to find David Livingstone. The book details the challenges and experiences of the expedition, including interactions with local populations. Cameron's account provides valuable insights into the geography and cultures of equatorial Africa. It also includes observations about Sidi Mubarak Bombay, reflecting a shift in Cameron's perception of Bombay's abilities over the course of their journey. The book remains a significant contribution to the historical record of African exploration.

Zanzibar: City, Island, and Coast

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Sir Richard Burton

Richard F. Burton's "Zanzibar: City, Island, and Coast" offers a detailed account of his travels and observations in Zanzibar. The book provides insights into the city's history, culture, and geography. Burton's work is notable for its detailed descriptions and ethnographic observations. It also includes information about Sidi Mubarak Bombay, highlighting his role in Burton's expeditions. The book remains a valuable resource for understanding 19th-century Zanzibar and the broader context of European exploration in East Africa.

The lake regions of Central Africa

a picture of exploration

Richard Francis Burton

Sidi Mubarak Bombay was sort of a combined guide, translator and nurse, and often the supervisor of the African laborers on expeditions through eastern and equatorial Africa in the 19th century.

Research:

"Sidi Mubarak Bombay Unsung African adventurer." BBC History Magazine, Aug. 2023, p. 56. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A756775082/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=0b775bc3. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
"Sidi Mubarak Bombay." Explorers & Discoverers of the World, Gale, 1993. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1614000037/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=ab21ce2c. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Burton, Richard F. “Zanzibar: City, Island and Coast in Two Volumes.” Vol. 2. London, Tinsley Brothers. 1872.
Cameron, Verney Lovett. “Across Africa.” New York: Harper & Bros. 1877.
Cavendish, Richard. “The Nile’s Source Discovered.” History Today. 8/8/2008. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/nile%E2%80%99s-source-discovered
Driver, Felix. “Hidden histories made visible? Reflections on a geographical exhibition.” Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers , 2013, Vol. 38, No. 3. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24582457
Fresh Air. “'River of the Gods' captures the epic quest to find the source of the Nile.” 6/15/2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/15/1105189330/river-of-the-gods-captures-the-epic-quest-to-find-the-source-of-the-nile
Grant, James Augustus. “A Walk Across Africa; Or, Domestic Scenes from My Nile Journal.” Edinburgh, London, W. Blackwood and Sons. 1864.
Hitchman, Francis. “Richard F. Burton, K.C.M.G. : his early, private and public life with an account of his travels and explorations.” London : Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington. 1887. https://archive.org/details/richardfburtonkc02hitc
Howgego, Raymond John. “John Hanning Speke – Soldier and Explorer (1827-1864). Ligue Internationale de la Librairie Ancienne. https://ilab.org/fr/article/john-hanning-speke-english-soldier-and-explorer-1827-1864
Lepere, Imogen. “Mbarak Mombée: An African Explorer Robbed of His Name.” JSTOR Daily. 3/11/2024. https://daily.jstor.org/mbarak-mombee-an-african-explorer-robbed-of-his-name/
Longair, Sarah. “The Materiality of Indian Ocean Slavery and Emancipation: The Challengesof Presence and Absence.” From Being a Slave: Histories and Legacies of European Slavery in the Indian Ocean. Leiden University Press. (2020). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/jj.1011743.16
Millard Candace. “River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile.” Doubleday. 2022.
Royal Geograophical Society. “Sidi Mubarak Bombay.” https://cdn-rgs-media-prod.azureedge.net/xs0ksumf/exploringafricafactsheetsidimubarakbombay.pdf
Simpson, Donald Herbert. “Dark Companions: The African Contribution to the European Exploration of East Africa.” New York : Barnes & Noble Books. 1976.
Speke, John Hanning. ““What Led to the Discovery of the Source of the Nile”.” William Blackwood and Sons. Edinburgh and London. 1864. https://archive.org/details/whatledtodiscov01spekgoog
Speke, John Hanning. “The Discovery of the Source of the Nile.” New York, Harper. 1864.
Stanley, Sir Henry M. “How I Found Livingstone: Travels, Adventures and Discoveries in Central Africa including four months residence with Dr. Livingstone.” 1871.
The East African. “Bombay: Refuge for slave Africans.” https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/bombay-refuge-for-slave-africans-1296480
UK Archives. “Bombay Africans: 1850-1910.” From 1807 Commemorated. https://archives.history.ac.uk/1807commemorated/exhibitions/museums/bombay.html
Wisnicki, Adrian S. “Cartographical Quandaries: The Limits of Knowledge Production in Burton's and Speke's Search for the Source of the Nile.” History in Africa , 2008, Vol. 35 (2008). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25483732

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