The first Greek community in Mozambique

(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Mozambique’)

Although the Greek presence in Mozambique dates back to the 1880s, the first organised effort to establish a community took place in the late 19th century in the city of Beira. Greeks from Lemnos and Kasos were the pioneers in this initiative. In 1902, in the hall of the hotel ‘Victoria’ which belonged to Costas Piperis from Kasos, the ‘Greek Community of Beira’ was founded.

 

 

 

The founding of the Greek community of Casablanca in 1916

(Excerpt from the book ‘The Hellenism of Morocco’)

The settlement of the first Greeks in Morocco dates back to the early 20th century. Most of them left Lesvos following the ships of the French navy and settled in Casablanca. Two decades later, on July 4, 1916, they founded the "Greek Community of Casablanca and Morocco". Some of these pioneers were I. Vamvakeros, I. Noulelis, S. Lagidis, A. Moschogianis, P. Agiakatsikas, I. Chaldezos, P. Vounatsos, G. Loupas, T. Savvas, D. Moschovis, P. Maltas, P. Michailidis, S. Tsesmelis, G. Foliadis, G. Vounatsos.

 

 

 

The city of Sudan that was named after a Greek trader in the 1900s

(excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Sudan’)

Nearby Ed Dueim, is Kosti. Kosti, which lies 205 km south of Khartoum on the west bank of the White Nile, is named after the Greek trader Kostas Mourikis (1867–1937) who arrived in Sudan in 1899 along with his brother Chris. Mourikis established a store next to the Nile and dealt with the locals. Gradually, as transactions increased, many traders moved next to the Kostas Mourikis business and built houses and several stores. In a few years, Mourikis settlement transformed from a desolate place to a populous village. Having recognized Mourikis’ contribution to the local economy, the Sudanese named the provincial city after his first name, Kostas > Kosti.

The Greek constructor of the cathedral of ‘St. George’ in Addis Ababa

(excerpt from the book ‘The Greek presence in the horn of Africa’)

Between 1900 and 1920, hundreds of Greeks moved to Ethiopia for work. Karpathians and other Greek contractors built bridges, roads and set up the telegraph and telephone network. One of the most characteristic construction works of that time was the building of the cathedral of ‘St. George’ in Addis Ababa.The contract for the erection was assigned to Panagiotis Myriallis in 1909 and the temple was completed in two years.