Amaro José

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Amaro José

1800?-1900?

Angolan slave and explorer who, with fellow slave Pedro João Baptista, was sent by Portuguese army officers on the first recorded transit of Africa from west to east. This journey (1802-1811) followed many unsuccessful efforts and was hampered by inadequate supplies and other difficulties. Part of their journey was spent in the company of Arab traders who acknowledged making the journey previously. However, these earlier travels were never recorded in a reliable manner and could not be verified.