May 03, 2006
Who Knew the Chinese Explored Africa? – Kenyan Teen Claims Chinese Heritage
Mixed Media Watch recently pointed out an article originally published last year by The China Daily about a Kenyan teen who claims Chinese heritage. The then 19-year-old Mwamaka Sharifu was found to be one of the descendents of sailors who traveled with Chinese explorer (!!) Zheng He (1371-1435) during the Ming Dynasty.
At least 20 of Zheng’s sailors swam ashore to Lamu island off Kenya’s east coast after a shipwreck. They flourished in Africa, married local women and converted to Islam. Who freaking knew?! Apparently, some scholars even believe Zheng was the first man to travel a direct sea route linking the Indian Ocean with “the West”.
The story of the Chinese sailors has been passed down through the oral tradition, and in 2002 Chinese experts came to Kenya to test DNA on the local people, including Sharifu. Upon the results, Sharifu was granted a scholarship to study in China by the Chinese Government.
More:
To read the full article “Is this young Kenyan Chinese descendant?” from the July 11, 2005 edition of The China Daily, click here.
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