125 and 25 years (1/2)

The 125-year-old Teleki-expedition

Abstract

The “blank spots” on the map of Africa survived to the second half of the 19th century. One of the last unknown areas was explored by Count Samuel Teleki’s expedition in 1886-1888. It is a much-debated issue what made Teleki undertake the risky expedition; a lot of people think the chief motivation was his scientific curiosity, but the author proves that it was, first of all, his passion for hunting. The main results of the expedition are as follow: the discovery of Lake Rudolf and Lake Stephanie, the Teleki volcano, mapping of the region, description of unknown tribes, collecting folkloric objects, animals and plants. Teleki’s companion was an Austrian marine officer, Ludwig von Höhnel. He was the chronicler of the expedition, the author of the descriptions of unknown regions, plants, animals and geographical explorations. The present study – as first of a twoepisode approach – gives an overview of the significance of Teleki’s expedition.