A Guerra d'Africa em 1895: Memorias by António Ennes (Mozambique)

A fascinating historical aspect of this 1898 first edition volume—A Guerra d'Africa em 1895: Memorias by António Ennes (Lisbon: Typographia do «Dia»)—lies in its author's role and the monumental geopolitical shift it chronicles.

Written by the Architect of the Campaign:

António Ennes (António José Enes) was not merely a historian recording events; he was appointed the Royal Commissioner of Mozambique by the Portuguese Crown in late 1894 to enforce Portuguese sovereignty over Southern Mozambique. This volume serves as his direct personal account and official memoir of the 1895 military campaign that solidified Portuguese colonial control over the region.

The Fall of the Gaza Empire & King Gungunhana:

The central focus of the 1895 campaign narrated in these pages was the military defeat and capture of Gungunhana (Ngungunyane), the formidable last ruler of the Gaza Empire.

Gungunhana ruled a vast territory in present-day Mozambique and had played European powers off against one another—negotiating with both the British South Africa Company (Cecil Rhodes) and Portugal to maintain independence.

Ennes’s campaign culminated in the legendary December 1895 raid on Chaimite by Joaquim Mouzinho de Albuquerque, who captured Gungunhana. The king was exiled to the Azores, effectively dismantling one of the last major sovereign African empires in Southern Africa.

The Royal Dedication (Images 2 & 3):

The opening printed address ("Senhora:") is a formal dedication addressed directly to Queen D. Amélia of Portugal. In the text, Ennes recalls his departure from Lisbon and references the Medalha de D. Amélia (a campaign medal instituted in her honour for the veterans of the 1895 African campaign). He explicitly frames the capture of Gungunhana and the campaign victories as a tribute to the Portuguese Crown.

Provenance / Inscription:

The handwritten contemporary ink inscription at the top of the title page reads:

"M. Oomkens / Niijveli - Julho - 98"

This indicates that this specific copy was acquired or gifted in July 1898—the very year of its publication—adding a distinct layer of period provenance to the volume.

160mm x 225mm x 30mm

1898; first edition; Lisbon.

Binding strong, but beginning to split; some pencil notes throughout; minor repairs in the gutter.

R3,000