South and East Africa, 1880s

138 x 183 mm. Oval image. A seated half length studio portrait of Tipu Tib (about 1830-1905), the most powerful of the Arab and Swahili traders in the east African interior during the late nineteenth century. Born in Zanzibar, Tipu Tib (Arabic name, Hamid bin Mahummad al-Murjebi) started out in trade with bis father, separating from him to go into business on his own account in around 1850. In the late 1860's and 70's he extended his influence into the interior and by the early 1880's he was virtually the ruler of what is now eastern Zaire. In 1882 he journeyed to Zanzibar to negotiate with Sultan Barghash, returning to the Congo as the Sultans agent. Later employed by H.M. Stanley, on King Leopold's behalf, as official governor of the Congo and with intructions to suppress the slave trade, his power was weakened by revolts and lack of European support. He left the area in 1890 and retired to Zanzibar where he lived until his death.

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