[wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan%C3%A7ados): The lançados (literally, the thrown out ones[1] or the cast out ones) were settlers and adventurers of Portuguese origin in **Senegambia**, Cabo Verde, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and other areas on the coast of West Africa. **Many were Jews** -often New Christians—escaping persecution from the Portuguese Inquisition. **Lançados often took African wives from local ruling families, securing protection and advantageous trading ties.** They established clandestine trading networks in weaponry, spices,**and oftentimes[2] enslaved people** [Senegambia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegambia): The region encompasses the modern states of **Senegal**, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, as well as portions of Mauritania, Mali, and Guinea.