One of the first detailed accounts was left by French nobleman Nicolas Villault de Bellefond. He sailed as comptroller of the 400-ton frigate Europa in 1666-1667, sponsored by the French West Indian Company.
In the midst of trade negotiations, the local people began running “Pell-mell” from their houses and abandoned their merchandise. It turned out, that they were rushing to welcome their ruler, Falam Boure, and his entourage. The thaba or ruler wore a blue robe while the men of his entourage were dressed in blue-and-white striped gowns.
Villault estimated the local ruler’s age to be above 60 years and described him as “grave and venerable” at one point and “sensible and majestick” at another. Falam Boure told his guest in Portuguese it had been four years since any “Whites” had visited.
Footnote: Villault, 1670, pp. 57-59.
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