Conquistadors in Africa?

[traveller]

I made an excavation of the lead pile and found some Foundry Conquistador figures. I cannot bring myself to paint up any Astecs or similar figures in bright coloured silly costumes, i therefore thought I would find other work for these brigands. Does anyone game the early Spanish/Portugese colonization of Africa? I would assume the earliest potential conflict being Moroccko or neighbouring states, any advice regarding their dress in the 15-16th century? Any help much appreciated.

[Kingscarbine]

Lots of scenario material. I'll give you some links to help you on your way:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kongo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Mutapa
http://www.rhodesia.nl/theal_3_202.htm

[Totleben]

There many were portugese avtivities and settlements in this period in east Africa, around the Persian Gulf and in India after the journey of Vasco da Gama.

[traveller]

Kingscarbine,

most helpful. I tried to search for conquistadors in Africa but only black conquistadors in South America came up. Your links suggests a good marriage between Foundry Conquistadors and Darkest Africa. I wonder if some Artizan Moors could be pressed into service for North Africa?

[Totleben]

and this battle in 1578 [wiki]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ksar_El_Kebir[/wiki]

and [wiki]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_of_Ormuz_(1507)[/wiki]

Thank you for the inspiration

[traveller]

Totleben,

cool stuff! now it all comes together, although it is the Portugese rather than the Spanish.

Many thanks!

[bc99]

I'd second the Portuguese connection! How about stranded Portuguese sailors vs. West African cannibals? I've thought about this many times as well, and it's a good way to "recycle" your Darkest Africa minis for another genre.

[Kingscarbine]

Foundry's Caribbean Renegades make excellent Auxiliaries.

[Conquistador]

Depending on how stretchable  the history is for you, you could have Spanish "poaching" off Portuguese claims.   

Certainly honor would have prevented such acts, I am sure.   

Gracias,

Glenn

[Kingscarbine]

Depending on how stretchable  the history is for you, you could have Spanish "poaching" off Portuguese claims.   

Certainly honor would have prevented such acts, I am sure.   

Gracias,

Glenn

They actually did in the Philipines and Indonesia

Almost forgot. For Africa here are links to a couple of articles I wrote some years ago:
http://soldadopratico.blogspot.com/2005/12/kongo-of-darkness.html
http://soldadopratico.blogspot.com/2005/12/armies-of-16th-century-central-west.html

Cheers,

Nuno

[Arthadan]

According to a legend in 1471 by order of Henry IV King of Castille, called the Impotent, set out one expedition to Africa, beyond the land of the Moors.
The secret aim of this expedition was to hunt a unicorn, since it was assumed that the horn of this mythological creature could increase the virility of the king.
In 1946 the results of the exhumation of the corpse of Henry IV alongside the king's mummified remains found a gray spindle object, which was proved to be a fragment of African rhino horn.

So begins and ends the novel "In Search of the Unicorn" by Juan Eslava Galan awarderd Planeta Prize in 1987. No idea if it's published in Shakespeare's language.

[carlos marighela]

Kingscarbine,

most helpful. I tried to search for conquistadors in Africa but only black conquistadors in South America came up. Your links suggests a good marriage between Foundry Conquistadors and Darkest Africa. I wonder if some Artizan Moors could be pressed into service for North Africa?

Artizan moors are what I will be using, along with Cannon Fodder and Eureka versions, for Tangier in the late 17thC. Not a lot of costume change over the period, so using them for Ceuta against the Portuguese is entirely appropriate. Eureka also produce 'Turkish Pirates' which are useful as North African corsairs and for Oman and the Gulf states.

Now if you can find a figure with an appropriately large head, you can have it as your commander and name him Dom Cristiano. You can even have a mini-me in the form of Dom Cristiano Jnr these days.

[traveller]

So begins and ends the novel "In Search of the Unicorn" by Juan Eslava Galan awarderd Planeta Prize in 1987. No idea if it's published in Shakespeare's language.

This gets better and better, now we are entering the Fantasy genre 

Thanks for this interesting post!

[GamesPoet]

Eureka makes some nice Spanish and Portugese figures!

[Inkpaduta]

I know you asked for Africa but, if I may, don't forget about Asia.
Spanish fighting in the Philippines against natives, moros ect. would
be quite interesting.