Mucanbidji (Mozambique island)
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Ibn Majid (1470) is the only author who mentions this place. As Mucandidji in his Sufaliyya and as Musanbigi in his Hawija.
At eight fingers Ibn Majid gives in his Hawiya: Gazira al Anbar at 16.9°S (Island of St. Marie); Sagagi at 14.3°S; Musanbigi at 15°S; Bandar al Nub at 16.7°S
Al Idrisi (1150) has an unsure mention of Djantama or Hantama, which might be modern-day Mozambique Island or neighboring Cabaceira.
The Island of Mozambique was reached by Vasco da Gama on March 1, 1498, on his voyage to India. Here he landed on March the second; and received a visit from Sheikh Cacueja, who ruled in the name of the King of Quiloa, on the third day of March.
Taken from: The archaeology of Mozambique Island by RICARDO T. DUARTE AND M. PAULA MEESES.
Most of the found pottery can be ascribed to the "Sancul tradition" (14th to 19th century). Up to now, the earlier Lumbo tradition (10th to 15th century) has not been found on Mozambique Island. In this context the presence may be noted of an example of the well-known "wealed ware" on the Island. At Kilwa, this pottery style is dated to the 13th and 14th centuries (Chittick 1974:327). So the initial occupation of the Island might have occurred sometime around the 14th century; second, it confirms the existence of connections between Mozambique Island and Kilwa, the leading entrepot during the 13th to 14th centuries. The absence of the Lumbo tradition seems to indicate that the Island was not settled by local people before the 14th century. The type-site of Lumbo tradition pottery is on the mainland opposite the Island (Sinclair 1985). The presence of earlier settlement there was due to the presence of abundant drinking water. In contrast, Mozambique Island lacks good water sources, a situation that probably posed the main restriction to per-colonial settlement.