fl. 1430s-1440s

African chieftain, leader of the first group of slaves taken from Africa in 1441. Captured along with 11 others by the Portuguese in Cape Blanco in 1441, Adahu was chief of the Azanaghi people, a Muslim tribe. He spoke Arabic and thus was able to communicate with his captors through a Bedouin interpreter. The group was brought to Portugal and presented to Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), who questioned Adahu concerning land routes in Africa. Later, Adahu was allowed to return to Africa with one other male, on the promise that the Portuguese would receive 10 others in their place.