1890 Shawe Map of the Rovuma and Zambesi Rivers, Southeast Africa

This is an 1890 William Shawe map of southeastern Africa detailing the expedition of Joseph Thomas Last to Portuguese East Africa. Printed on two sheets, the map depicts the region from Lake Nyasa to the Mozambique Channel and from the mouth of the Lindi River south to the mouths of the Zambezi River. In modern terms, this map covers Malawi and Mozambique from Lake Malawi (Nyasa) eastward to the Indian Ocean (Mozambique Channel). This region was at the time Portuguese Mozambique (Portuguese East Africa / África Oriental Portuguesa). Although the British never made a serious play for Portuguese East Africa, the cartographic work here can be best understood as reconnaissance for potential British colonial annexation.

Lines on the Map

Red lines trace Last's treks and dots mark his camps as well as the locations where he took geopositioning measurements. Many other locations are labeled throughout, although, even with the amount of detail presented here, the large swaths of unexplored territory, remain striking. Rivers throughout are identified, including the Lujenda, Rovuma, Lukugu, and Zambezi. Lake Nyasa/Malawi and Lake Shirwa are prominently illustrated. An inset of the Namuli Mountains, Last's chief objective, is situated in the lower left.

The Creation of the Map

Last's original maps, per the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society were executed in manuscript and covered seven sheets at a scale of 1 : 550000. The present map retains all positions noted on Last's work and also includes Henry Edward O'Neill's (1848 - 1925) routes. When creating the map, the latest Admiralty charts were consulted to define the coastline although Last made a few updates in the area around Quillimane.

Last's Expedition 1885 - 1886

While the official purposes of the Last Expedition ostensibly scientific, there can be little doubt that it was planned as vital reconnaissance for potential British colonial move on Portuguese East Africa. Per an article in the April 1890 edition of the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society

The chief objects of the expedition, as stated in the instructions given to Mr. Last, were to make a survey of the Namuli Peaks, and to study the climate and economic products of the district, and the character and languages of the native tribes. He was also to determine by accurate observations the position of the junction of the Lujenda and Rovuma, and in traveling thence to the Namuli Hills, to take the hitherto unexplored native caravan route through the Medo country, visiting also the Mavia people, and, if he visited Lake Shirwa and the Scottish Mission station of Blantyre, he was to connect his survey with that of Mr. Consul O'Neil. Finally, he was to return to the coast by way of the Lukuga Valley, and thence proceed to Mozambique.

The British never formally invaded Portuguese East Africa - maybe Last found little to recommend it? - but British merchants and business people from nearby Rhodesia and South Africa were increasingly active in the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by William Shawe based upon the maps of Joseph Thomas Last and published by the Royal Geographical Society in 1890. An example is cataloged in OCLC and is part of the collection at the University of Chicago.