Angelo Soliman (ca.1721-1796)A man of remarkable intelligence, unheard of in his time intelligence that won his freedom. He spoke six (6) languages fluently and could write three of them fluently as well. A true genius • He was also a master swordsman, war hero, chess specialist, navigation expert, concert composer, and a tutor to royalty. Musician at large • He may have been the subject of Mozart’s popular opera The Magic Flute. • Mr. Soliman was considered one of the most learned people of his generation. Angelo Soliman born in Africa in 1720/21 either to the Wandala or Mandira, a Muslim ethnic group in the Mandira Hills of Northern Cameroon but also in Bornu State Nigeria. His original name, Mamudi Make, is linked to a princely class in the Sokoto State in modern Nigeria. Around the age of 7, he was taken captive as a child and arrived in Marseilles as a slave, eventually transferring to the household of a marchioness in Messina who oversaw his education. Out of affection for another servant in the household, Angelina, he adopted the name Angelo and chose to celebrate September 11, his baptismal day, as his birthday. After repeated requests, he was given as a gift in 1734 to Prince Georg Christian, Fürst von Lobkowitz, the imperial governor of Sicily. He became the Prince’s valet and traveling companion, accompanying him on military campaigns throughout Europe and reportedly saving his life on one occasion, a pivotal event responsible for his social ascension. After the death of Prince Lobkowitz, Soliman was taken into the Vienna household of Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein, eventually rising to chief servant. Later, he became royal tutor of the heir to the Prince, Alloys I, light of his time a real Moor. 4
Museum of the History of POC People of Color in Decolonial Non-Eurocentric East African Astrology saved to POC in European Astrology Wouter Pieterz Crabath II, Adoration of the Magi Netherlands (1631) Gouda, Het Catharina Gasthuis. 5