River of the Gods by Candice Millard
The location of the Nile River’s headwaters has been a mystery for millennia. Ancient Egypt attracted a lot of interest in the 19th century. In parallel, European nations launched waves of excursions to map the world’s uncharted regions and expand their colonial empires.
The Royal Geographical Society sent Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke to accept the award on behalf of England. Burton was a renowned soldier and could speak 29 languages. He was an iconoclastic atheist as well as mercurial, clever, and sophisticated. Burton’s antithesis in attitude and ideals, Speke was a young nobleman and Army officer keen to make his mark. He loved to hunt.
River of the Gods by Candice Millard
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The two men started arguing right away. They would experience excruciating suffering, adversity, and illness. Burton fell too sick to continue two years later, deep in the heart of Africa, but Speke persisted and claimed to have discovered the source in a large lake he named Lake Victoria. When they got back to England, Speke was quick to claim the glory while criticizing Burton. Burton contested his assertion, so Speke organized a second journey to Africa to gather evidence. The two developed into bitter rivals, with the public supporting Burton because he was more charismatic, much to Speke’s great enmity. Speke shot himself the day before they were to have a public debate.
The feats of a third man on both trips, whose name has been obfuscated in imperial annals, were, however, even more remarkable. This was Sidi Mubarak Bombay, who was sold into slavery in East Africa and transported to India. He joined the army of the local Sultan after the guy who had bought him passed away, then returned to Africa where he used his cunning, language mastery, and unbridled fearlessness to make a living as a guide. Neither Englishman would have reached the headwaters of the Nile or, possibly, survived without Bombay and others who guided, carried, and protected the mission.
Inside River of the Gods Another outstanding tale of bravery and adventure, set against the backdrop of the colonial powers’ race to exploit Africa, has been penned by Candice Millard. Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke’s searches are the only ones that are primarily discussed in Millard’s book. She also emphasizes the significant contribution made by their African guide Sidi Muarak Bombay, a former slave who previously served as co-leader for other White English Explorers.
Along with adventurer Cameron, Bombay became the first person to travel from East to West across the entire African continent from sea to sea. Bombay assisted Stanley in locating Livingston. The Royal Geographic Society did not organize a significant museum exhibition honouring the efforts of native explorers until 2009.
