Sayuna (Quelimane)
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No medieval author mentions Quelimane. But there is a chance that the Sayuna of Idrisi (1150) might have been it or somewhere close by. No archaeological research has been done in the area.
Portuguese sources make it clear that it was a medieval settlement but it is unknown if it already existed in Idrisi days. Authors who repeated Idrisi: Ibn Said (1250); Abulfida (1331) as Seruna; Al Himyari (1461). However; it looks more that for these authors who repeat Idrisi it is situated at the mouth of the Ruvuma River.
Vasco da Gama had visited Quelimane in 1499 and in the Sao Gabriel’s ship-log was recorded that ‘the haughty gentlemen’ (of the town) had informed him that they had already seen big ships like theirs. He also gives a description of their fine clothing.
In 1511, a Portuguese colonial force launched an attack on the Sultan of Angoche in an attempt to reinforce control over the trade routes to the interior. A captive taken, described a route into the interior that the Portuguese had not known about. This northern route passed Quelimane on the Zambezi River Delta and progressed in a northwestern direction up the river itself.
Quelimane, Sena and Tete formed a trio of urban settlements linked to each other through the conduct of trade on the Zambezi. Sena and Quelimane had been Islamic towns before the arrival of the Portuguese, and Tete had possibly been one as well. Quelimane was some 10 miles up the Qua Qua river (the Rio dos Bons Sinais (River of good signs) which Vasco da Gama had visited in 1499). The river was tidal as far as the town, and further upstream it was linked to the Zambezi delta.
Duarte Barbosa (1521):
In the mouth of this river river (Zuama also Kwama or Cuama), there is a town of the Moors which has a king and it is called Mongalo. Much gold comes from Benamatapa to this town of the Moors, by this river which makes another branch which falls at Angoya (Angoche). Where the Moors make use of boats (almadias), which are boads hollowed out from a single trunk, to bring the cloths and other merchandise from Angos, and to transport much gold and ivory. Note: Barbosa makes a mistake here it is Quelimane which is on another branch of the river.
Friar João dos Santos (1552) He also described the Zambezi River as a great river which drained into the Indian Ocean through five estuaries, the first estuary being Luabo (Micelo), the second Kwama (Zambezi), the third Old Luabo (Inhamacara), the fourth Linde (Chinde) and the fifth is Quelimane (Cuacua).
According to Dos Santos:
“The island (Luabo) is completely populated by Moors and very kind Caffres almost vassals of the Captain of the Kwama Rivers, who often stay in the island. All merchandise from Mozambique Island in the big embarkations (Pangaios) is unloaded in this island and later, the merchandise is transported in the small boats to the fortress of Sena. Two rivers are navigable during all the year, Luabo (Micelo) and Kwama (Zambezi), while Quelimane (Cuacua) River is navigable only in the winter with much water.”