Captain DaCosta’s Diary

Captain Dacosta’s diary illuminates the lives of African Portuguese sailors during the Age of Discovery. In this chapter, he examines his early life as a slave, then as a sailor. DaCosta mixes in short observations of society, religion, and urban life.

DaCosta's second set of entries. In this short chapter, he writes of the pain of slavery, and retells more of his Atlantic voyages. Of note are his observations of the African coast, and the use of trade beads to finance the slave trade.

DaCosta's observations and illustrations from the Indian ocean crossing, in 1596-1597. In this chapter, he writes about the start of their voyage, the jobs on the ship, and the terrible sicknesses that befall most sailors.

DaCosta's final diary chapter, describing his life and observations while living as a trader in Nagasaki, Japan. He watches as Japanese society begins to close, becoming more dangerous for the Portuguese.