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Zhang, Tingyu: Ming Shi
(Records of the Ming Dynasty)
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Taken from: Ingrams,Zanzibar its history and its people (1967)
Teobaldo Filesi, China and Africa in the Middle ages
Paul Pelliot, Toung Pao 1933-4
Duyvendak; Toung Pao 1938 and 1953
Youssouf Kamal IVfasc4
www.zs2002.com/book/ms/
Ming Shi got published quite outside our historical period (1736), but the records of Zheng He's voyages have been destroyed. Making these sections of the Ming Shi, based on those records nearly the only remaining information. Some 22O of the 332 chapters are devoted to important biographies of the period.
Note : Yuan means Chapter
In the 12th year of Young -lo (1414) ....In that year....Bangela offers tribune of Kilin
In the 13th year of Young �lo (1415) ...In that year...Malin comes several times bringing . (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
In the 14th year of Young-lo (1416).....In that year....Champa, Calicut, Java, Malacca, Sumatra (Atcheh), Nan-wou-li (Lambri), Borneo, (Po-ni, Brunei), Pahang, Ceylon, (Si-lan-chan), the Maldives, (Lieou-chan), Nan-po-li (Lambri), Aden, Ma-lin (Malindi), Ormuz, Cochin bring tribute, Tchong-chan of Lieou-k'ieou brings twice tribute. (Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)
In the 19th year of Young-lo (1421) , it is said that that year ....Ormuzd, Aden, Tsou-fa-eul (Djofar), La-sa, Brawa, Mogedoxu, Calicut, Cochin, Cail, Ceylan, the Maldives, Lambri, Sumatra, Aru, Malacca, Kan-pa-li, (Coyampadi?), Sulu, Bengale, Borneo, and the king of Kou-ma-la-lang offered tribute.(Duyvendak 1938)
In the 21st year of Young-lo......In that year, the Sri Lankan mountain king arrives at court, and also sends an envoy to pay tribute. Champa, ??, Hulumosi, Adan, Zufaer, Lasa, Bulawa, Mugudoushu, Kezhi, Yiajile, Liushan, Nanboli, Sumendala, Alu, Manlajia, Shilasi, Bangela, Liuquizhongshan, arrive and offer tribute. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
(Yuan 10,2a) In that year (1438) Benguela offers a kilin, the officials celebrate. (second giraffe from Bengal) (Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)
(Yuan 151)
.....the manner to flatter eloquent leans to danger. Perpetual enjoyable seasons; The county officials put up a show of concern, Banggelaguo (Bengal), and Malin country offers the unicorn, Excited they (the officials) ask to congratulate the Emperor. The emperor said: Everything is in peace and harmony, to fight what evil do we need a unicorn? (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
(Yuan 214)
Yuan of foreign places; Bila, Sunla
Some countries said: Bila, and Sunla; Zheng He was also send to those places; They are so far from China that this might be the reason why no tribute got sent from there. (from:www.people.com.cn)
Note; At present, although Sunla is difficult to establish; but Bila might well be the Bilat az Sofala of the Arabs as it was not uncommon when transliterating technical foreign names to mention only the beginning. (from:www.people.com.cn)
Me I think that Bila Sunla might have been second hand information from the Arab Bilat Sufala
(Yuan 304)
Biography 192 : Eunuch Zheng He
During the reign of three Emperors he is assigned seven missions reaching the cities of; Zhaowa (Java), Zhenla (Cambodia), Jiugang, Xianluo (Siam), Guli, Manlajia (Malacca), Boni(Brunei), Sumendala(in Aceh province), Alu (Aru in Aceh province), Kezhi, Da-Gelan(Greater Quilon), Xiaogelan (Little-Quilon), Xiyang-Suoli (Of the Western Ocean-Chola), Suoli (Chola), Jiayile, Abobadan(in India), Nawuli(Lambri in Aceh province), Ganbali (Cambay?), Xilanshan, Nanboli(Lambri second time mentioned), Pengheng (In Malaysia), Jilandan (Kelantan), Hulumosi, Bila, Liushan(on the Maldives?), Sunla, Mugudoushu, Malin, Lasa, Zufaer, Shaliwanni, Zhubu, Banggela (Bengal), Tianfang(Mecca), Lifa, Naguer(in Aceh province). More then 30 countries. He takes an immeasurable treasure, unable to calculate, but China's cost is also countless. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
At the 7th moon of the 13th year (5aug-2sept 1415) the emperor desires to communicate with the kingdom of Bengal and others. He orders again Hien to go there with a fleet. This kingdom is in the eastern part of India, very far from China. Its king Sai-fo-ting sends an ambassador who offers a giraffe and products of the country. The emperor is very pleased and gives out more gifts then normal.
(Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)
(Yuan 324)
In the year 1381 they (Java) sent envoys, who brought as tribute 300 black slaves (Gonghei nu) and products of the country. The next year they brought again black slaves, men and women, to the number of a hundred, eight large pearls and 75,000 catties of pepper. (taken from: Rost, Reinhold ; Miscellaneous Paper Relating to Indo-China and the Indian Archipelago Vol I .. ..)
(Yuan 325,5a)
More then 20 Fan countries, Sumendala (Sumatra) and others. The next year they send an envoy paying tribute again. In the eight year they brought a tribute ki-lin.
Note; here is written that in 1433 Sumatra sends tribute of a giraffe (k'i-lin). this is not true, the Ming -Shi copied this out of the Che-lou of Siuan-to where Sumatra is the first country in a list also including Mecca and Aden who delivered tribute of giraffes, elephants....)(Pelliot in Toung Pao 1934)
(Yuan 326)
Yuan 214th foreign country seven
Guli (Calcuta) Kezhi (Cochin) Xiaogelan Xilanshan (Ceylon) Banggela Zhaonapiaoer Zufaer Mugudoushu Bulawa Zhubu Adan Lasa Malin Hulumosi Liushan Bila Sunla (Bilad Sofala) Nanwuli Jiayile Ganbali Jilandan Shaliwanni Deli Qianlida Shilabi Gulibanzu Lanixialabi Jilani Kuchani Shelaji Pengjiana Bakeyi Wushalati Kanba Awa Dahui Baigedaheigeda Bi? Yidaliya?(www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
.......In the 14th year of Young-lo going to Java, to make them reach the city at the Sri Lankan mountain, Mugudoushu, Liushan, the southern seas, Bulawa , Adan, Sumenda, Mamu, Lasa, Hulumosi, Kezhi, Nanwuli, Shaliwanni, and have them pay tribute suddenly.
In the 17th year 17 countries come pay the tribute. In the 19th year countries of Hulumosi and others paid tribute. In the 21th year countries Hulumosi and others, send an envoy and 1200 people come and pay tribute. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
.......
Notice of Benbal (??)
In the 12 year of Young-lo; the young king sends an envoy presents an inscription to thank, tribute (is brought of a) unicorn and celestial horse and local products. The official of rites asks (to present a) memorial of congratulations, emperor refused .In the next year Hou Xianji is dispatched with the imperial edict to this country, Wang Yufei, minister all to have bestows. After three year (they brought again a) tribute unicorn, and hundred official make a memorial of congratulations. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)
Mou-Kou-Tou-Chou. Leaving by boat from small Ko-lan (Quilon) one can reach this place in 20 days and nights. (Youssouf Kamal)
In the 14th year of Yung-lo's reign Mogadishu (Mou-kou-tou-chou) sent an embassy and, with the countries of Brava (Pou-la-wa) and Malindi, presented a letter of felicitations, rendering homage to the court and bringing tribune. Cheng Ho received the order to go there carrying an imperial decree, and silk. He left in company with ambassadors to recompense (the king of that country) Later (the ambassadors) returned carrying tribute, and once more (the Emperor) ordered (Cheng) Ho to accompany them to present flowered silk to the king and to his concubines. In the 21st year (1423) ambassadors again appeared with tribute and, when they left, they again took away gifts for the king and his concubines. In the fifth year of Hsuan-te's reign (1430) an edict for these countries was again published. (Filesi)
This land is stretched along the sea; uninterrupted mountains, the land is deserted, full of stones and dry and there is little to harvest. The whole year through the drought rules, it sometimes does not rule for years. The people are obstinate and quarrelsome in their habits. The military exercise is the use of bow and arrow. There are no trees. Just like in Ormuz they built houses with collected stones; they use dry fish to feed the cattle, the sheep, the horses and the camels. (Youssouf Kamal)
Pou-la-wa (Brava), is a country bordering Mou-kou-tou-chou. Going south from Pie-lo-li (Belligan) in Si-lan-chan (Ceylon) you will reach it in 21 days and nights. (Youssouf Kamal) Between the 14th year of Yung-lo's reign (1416) and the 21st this country in all sent tribute four times, and at the same times as the expeditions to Mogadishu Cheng-Ho was also sent twice as ambassador to that country. (Filesi)
In the fifth year of Siuan-to (1439) (Tcheng) Houo leaves again as ambassador to this country. The people live besides the sea; the land is a big salt plane, with few plants or trees. Here also the houses are built with collected stones. There are salt lakes, one just has to throw branches in them and when taking them back the salt crystals have formed immediately on them. The habits are simple. It is impossible to grow anything there except garlic and onions, and people survive on fish. As products they have the animal ma-ha-shou (oryx) which resembles the chang (antelope), and the houa-fou-lou (zebra) which resembles a donkey, also the rhinoceros the elephant and the camel. Also are found there: mo-yao (myrrh), ju-siang (incense), lung-sien-siang (dragon-saliva or ambergris) etc, articles that are always among the tribute (Youssouf Kamal)
Chupu (el Jubb) lies not far from Mukutusu. During the reign of Yung lo (1403-1425) an envoy came to China from Chupu. This country is thickly inhabited and the habits of the habits of the people are simple. Cheng Ho visited this country. This country also has no grass or trees and the houses are built with cut stones. Most of the year there is total dryness, in everything it resembles Mou-kou-tou-chou. The country produces lions, gold, spotted leopards, birds with camel feed (ostrich), lung-sien-siang, ju-siang, hu-tsiao (pepper). (Ingrams)
Note: Other authors give other names for Chupa or el Jubb. Zhubu and Glumbo but all four names are really for the ruined settlement close to the mouth of the Jubb.
Aden....In the 19th year of Young-lo (1421) the eunuch Tcheou went there for trade. He got cat-eyes of about 2 maces heavy or more, several coral trees, several kinds of ya-kou (rubi) and other precious objects; K'I-lin (giraffes), lions, zebras, gold spotted leopards, ostriches, white pigeons, all of this he brought with him....
The front feet of the giraffe are nine feet high; the back ones six; the neck is 16 feet long, the animal has two short horns, a tail of a cow and the body of an antelope. It eats millet, and cakes. The lion resembles the tiger, but its yellow is darker and his head is bigger, his mouth is bigger and his tail ends in a point. His roaring is like the thunder and all the animals when seeing him respect him. (Youssouf Kamal)
Ma-lin is very far from China. In the 13th year of Young-lo (1415) this country sent an ambassador to present a giraffe (K'I-lin) as tribute. When it was about to arrive, the president of the ministry of rites Lu Tch'en asks the permission to present a memorial of felicitations. The emperor says: Formerly when the scribes and the ministers presented me the complete edition of the five classic canons and the four books, and when they asked me to present this kind of memorial we permitted it, because that book is helpful to good government. But what advantage or disadvantage is there in the presence or absence of a K'I-lin? Lets not speak about it anymore. Ma-lin together with the ambassadors of the other Barbarian countries however reaches to present the giraffe, together with a celestial horse, and a divine antelope. The emperor goes to the Feng-t'ien gate to receive them and all the officials bring their respect and congratulate. The emperor says: This has been possible because of the great virtue of my father and also because of the help of my ministers: this is way the people of the far away countries come one after the other. From now on we have still to keep more to our virtues and renounce our imperfections. In the 14th year this country presented again local products as tribute. (Youssouf Kamal)
Lasa can be reached in 20 days and nights from Kou-li (Calicut) with favourable wind. In the 14th year of Young-Lo the country sent an ambassador with tribute. The emperor orders Tcheng-Houo to return the gesture. This country in all presented its tribute three times, and each time along with the countries of A-tan (Aden) and Pu-la-wa (Brava). In the fifth year of Siuan-to (Tcheng) Houo was sent again on mission; he visits the country but the sending of tribute is not restarted.
This country is only inhabited along the coast. The climate is always hot. The fields are sterile; so that one harvests little. The habits are simple, but they have rites for funerals, when there are important businesses one offers prayers to the souls of the deceased. There are no grasses or trees and there are long dry periods, without any rains, its buildings are similar to those of Chu-pu (Giumbo) etc; Among the products are incense, ambergris, camels who run a thousand li etc. (Youssouf Kamal)
Hu-lu-mu-sz is a great kingdom,...............As regards fruits, there are walnuts, ba-dan pine seeds, pomegranates, grapes, and dates.
There is a great hill which is differently coloured on each of its four sides. One side consists of red rock-salt, of which the people make vessels; and when they put flesh in these, it is not necessary to add salt for its preservation. Another side is of white clay, used for whitewashing walls. The third and fourth sides of the hill are of reddish carnation and yellow clay, which is also brought into use.
The country produces lions, ki-lin (unicorn-giraffe), t'o-ki (ostrich), fu-lu (zebra), ling yang (broad tailed sheep) . Great pearls and various precious stones are also found there.
(taken from ; Medieval Researches from Eastern Asiatic Sources Vol II: by Bretschneider, E)
Somewhere else in the book mention is made of Kilwa. This next paragraph is given on the authority of www.hist.umn.edu
(Yuan 332)
Of Kilwa: (Chhi-erh-ma or Qi-er-ma)In the Yongle period (Yongle is the emperor who send Cheng Ho on expeditions), they send an ambassador with tribute, consisting of animal skins, feathers and felt. They are very good in archery and hunting and do not practice sedentary agriculture. To the south
and west, it is bordered by the sea. To the north and east, it is bordered by dense forests, where there are many fierce animals and poisonous snakes. There are by-ways and alleys, but no regular laid markets. When they do commerce they use iron coins.