1. Overview
Duarte Barbosa, born around 1480 in Lisbon, was a notable Portuguese writer, officer, and explorer who played a significant role in the early 16th century. He served in Portuguese India between 1500 and 1516, primarily as a scrivener and an interpreter of the local Malayalam language. Barbosa is best known for authoring the Book of Duarte Barbosa (Livro de Duarte BarbosaPortuguese), completed around 1516, which stands as one of the earliest examples of Portuguese travel literature, offering detailed accounts of the cultures and regions bordering the Indian Ocean. His adventurous spirit led him to join the historic first circumnavigation of the world in 1519, led by his brother-in-law Ferdinand Magellan. Barbosa met his end on May 1, 1521, during a banquet hosted by Rajah Humabon in Cebu, Philippines, shortly after Magellan's death.
2. Early Life and Background
Duarte Barbosa's early life was closely tied to the Portuguese presence in India through his family connections.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Duarte Barbosa was the son of Diogo Barbosa, who served Álvaro of Braganza. In 1501, Diogo traveled to India as part of a joint venture with Álvaro, Bartholomeu Marchionni, and the 3rd Portuguese India Armada, which was captained by João da Nova. While his father was away, Duarte remained in Kochi under the care of his uncle, Gonçalo Gil Barbosa, who worked as a factor. Gonçalo Gil Barbosa had previously sailed to India with the 1500 fleet commanded by Pedro Álvares Cabral. In 1502, Gonçalo was transferred to Kannur, and Duarte accompanied him. It was there that Duarte Barbosa acquired proficiency in Malayalam, the local language, a skill that would prove invaluable throughout his career in Portuguese India.
3. Career in Portuguese India
Barbosa's professional life in Portuguese India was marked by his roles as a scrivener and interpreter, which placed him at the heart of Portuguese interactions with local rulers and communities.
3.1. Scrivener and Interpreter
Duarte Barbosa served as a scrivener in both Kochi and Cannanore. His command of the Malayalam language made him an essential interpreter for the Portuguese administration. In 1503, he acted as the interpreter for Afonso de Albuquerque during contacts with the Rajah of Cannanore. By 1513, Barbosa had signed a letter to Manuel I of Portugal as the Clerk of Cannanore, where he also claimed the position of master-clerk. The following year, in 1514, Afonso de Albuquerque leveraged Barbosa's interpreting skills in an attempt to convert the King of Kochi. In 1515, Albuquerque dispatched Barbosa to Kozhikode to oversee the construction of two ships intended for an expedition to the Red Sea under the new governor.
4. Writings: The Book of Duarte Barbosa
Duarte Barbosa's most enduring legacy is his written work, which provides a unique window into the early 16th-century world.
4.1. Content and Significance
Upon his return to Portugal, Duarte Barbosa completed his manuscript, titled Book of Duarte Barbosa (Livro de Duarte BarbosaPortuguese). This work, finished around 1516, is recognized as one of the earliest examples of Portuguese travel literature. It provides detailed accounts of the diverse cultures and inhabitants of the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, offering invaluable insights into the geography, societies, and trade networks of the region during that period. The book's comprehensive nature makes it a significant historical document for understanding the early European encounters with the East.
4.2. Manuscript Discovery and Publication
For a period, the Book of Duarte Barbosa was primarily known through the preface written by the Italian writer Giovanni Battista Ramusio. However, the original manuscript was eventually discovered and published in the early 19th century in Lisbon, Portugal. The digital version of his travelogue, Livro em que dá relação do que viu e ouviu no Oriente, is available online [http://purl.pt/435 here].