16th Century Moroccan Weapons and Soldiers

[fernando]

Hi Nuno
What is your mother language ? Portuguese ?
Probably pictures ( drawings ) are hard to find, but descriptions are possible to find here and there. If nothing better for the time being, you can find at the Portuguese National Library the "Historia do Cerco de Mazagão", a Portuguese fortification ( 1505-1769 ) now surrounded by Al Jadidah, by A. Gavy de Mendonça, a wittness of such siege ( 1562 ), with a comprehensive narration of the event, including Moorish arms and armour. It is kept in microfilm, from which you can order photocopies. Some of its parts concerning the way the moors were equipped, are quoted in a pocket book ( which i happen to have ) called "Historia de Mazagão", by Augusto Ferreira do Amaral ( Alfa Publications 1989 ). If you find it usefull, i can post here a relation of how the Moroccan were dressed for war and the most varied weapons they used ... starting with Portuguese terms and, if needed, an atemptive to translate such archaic lexicon.
By the way, you surely know that the first expedition to conquer Songhai in 1584 was a faillure, due to starvation and thirst in the desert. When they tryed again in 1591, with 4000 men leaded by a Spanish mercenary ( El D'Jouder ) they got through with the use of artillery.
I hope this helps.
fernando