Zu-heng He, owaziwa nangokuthi u-Cheng Ho - umphathi wamasosha wase-China wahola imikhumbi emikhulu yemikhumbi engama-200 ukuya kwangama-300 e-Indian Ocean ngo-1418. Kwakunokuhweba okuningi. Kolunye lolo hambo, wabuya nendlulamithi evela eMalindi, isigodi saseSwahili (manje esiyiKENYA), esathathwa eChina njengesibonelo sesilwane esidumile uQilin. I-Afrika yayinezinto amaShayina ayezifuna: umuthi wezinyo lendlovu, izinongo, izinkuni ezingajwayelekile, nezilwane zasendle ezingajwayelekile. UZheng He ubuyise amabhubesi, ama-orynxes, ama-nilganias, amadube nezintshe ezivela e-Afrika ukuthola igolide, isiliva, ubumba nosilika.
AmaShayina awazange afune ukuzakhela awawo amasisekelo anomphela ezweni kepha kunalokho abenethemba lokwenza wonke umuntu abathanda impucuko yabo. Kukulo moya lapho amasosha asemanzini aseChina engazange aphange, (ngokungafani nabaseYurophu) izifundazwe ezavakashela ngoba uZheng He nombuso we-MING babengeke bafune izigqila noma igolide noma isiliva noma izinongo.