A geographical historie of Africa, written in Arabicke and Italian by Iohn Leo a More, borne in Granada, and brought vp in Barbarie. Wherein he hath at large described, not onely the qualities, situations, and true distances of the regions, cities, townes, mountaines, riuers, and other places throughout all the north and principall partes of Africa; but also the descents and families of their kings ... gathered partly out of his owne diligent obseruations, and partly out of the ancient records and chronicles of the Arabians and Mores. Before which, out of the best ancient and moderne writers, is prefixed a generall description of Africa, and also a particular treatise of all the maine lands and isles vndescribed by Iohn Leo. ... Translated and collected by Iohn Pory, lately of Goneuill and Caius College in Cambridge

IOHN LEO HIS SEVENTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa, and of the memorable things contained therein. (Book 7)

Wherein he intreateth of the land of Negros, and of the confines of Egypt.

OVr ancient Chroniclers of Africa, to wit, Bichri and Meshudi knew nothing in the land of Ne∣gros but onely the regions of Guechet and Ca∣no: for in their time all other places of the land of Negros were vndiscouered. But in the yeere of the Hegeira 380, by the meanes of a certaine Mahumetan which came into Barbarie, the re∣sidue of the said land was found out, being as then inhabited by great numbers of people, which liued a brutish and sauage life, without any king, gouernour, common wealth, or knowledge of husbandrie. Clad they were in skins of beasts, neither had they any peculiar wiues: in the day time they kept their cattell; and when night came they resorted ten or twelue both men and women into one cottage together, vsing hairie skins in stead of beds, and each man choosing his leman which he had most fancy

vnto. Warre they wage against no other nation, ne yet are desirous to tra∣uell out of their owne countrie. Some of them performe great adoration vnto the sunne rising: others, namely the people of Gualata, worship the fire: and some others, to wit, the inhabitants of Gaoga, approch (after the Egyptians manner) neerer vnto the Christian faith. These Negros were* 1.1 first subiect vnto king Ioseph the founder of Maroco, and afterward vnto the fiue nations of Libya; of whom they learned the Mahumetan lawe, and di∣uers needfull handycrafts: a while after when the merchants of Barbarie be∣gan to resort vnto them with merchandize, they learned the Barbarian lan∣guage also. But the foresaid fiue people or nations of Libya diuided this land so among themselues, that euery third part of each nation possessed one region. Howbeit the king of Tombuto that now raigneth, called Abua∣cre* 1.2 Izchia, is a Negro by birth: this Abuacre after the decease of the former king, who was a Libyan borne, slue all his sonnes, and so vsurped the king∣dome. And hauing by warres for the space of fifteene yeeres conquered many large dominions, he then concluded a league with all nations, and went on pilgrimage to Mecca, in which iournie he so consumed his trea∣sure, that he was constrained to borrow great summes of money of other princes. Moreouer the fifteene kingdomes of the land of Negros knowen to vs, are all situate vpon the riuer of Niger, and vpon other riuers which fall thereinto. And all the land of Negros standeth betweene two vast deserts, for on the one side lieth the maine desert betweene Numidia and it, which extendeth it selfe vnto this very land: and the south side thereof adioineth vpon another desert, which stretcheth from thence to the maine Ocean: in which desert are infinite nations vnknowen to vs, both by reason of the huge distance of place, and also in regarde of the diuersitie of languages and reli∣gions. They haue no traffique at all with our people, but we haue heard of∣tentimes of their traffique with the inhabitants of the Ocean sea shore.

A description of the kingdome of Gualata.

THis region in regarde of others is very small: for it contai∣neth onely three great villages, with certaine granges and fields of dates. From Nun it is distant southward about three hundred, from Tombuto northward fiue hundred, and from the Ocean sea about two hundred miles. In this region the people of Libya, while they were lords of the land of Negros, ordained their chiefe princely seate: and then great store of Barbarie-merchants frequen∣ted Gualata: but afterward in the raigne of the mighty and rich prince Heli, the said merchants leauing Gualata, began to resort vnto Tombuto and Ga∣go, which was the occasion that the region of Gualata grew extreme beg∣gerly. The language of this region is called Sungai, and the inhabitants are blacke people, and most friendly vnto strangers. In my time this region was conquered by the king of Tombuto, and the prince thereof fled into the de∣serts,

whereof the king of Tombuto hauing intelligence, and fearing least the prince would returne with all the people of the deserts, graunted him peace, conditionally that he should pay a great yeerely tribute vnto him, and so the said prince hath remained tributarie to the king of Tombuto vntill this present. The people agree in manners and fashions with the inhabitants of the next desert. Here groweth some quantitie of Mil-seed, and great store* 1.3 of a round & white kind of pulse, the like whereof I neuer saw in Europe; but flesh is extreme scarce among them. Both the men & the women do so co∣uer their heads, that al their conntenance is almost hidden. Here is no forme of a common wealth, nor yet any gouernours or iudges, but the people lead a most miserable life.

A description of the kingdome of Ghinea.

THis kingdome called by the merchants of our nation Gheneoa, by the natural inhabitants thereof Genni, and by the Portugals and other people of Europe Ghinea, standeth in the midst betweene Gualata on the north, Tombuto on the east, and the kingdome of Melli on the south. In length it containeth almost fiue hundred miles, and extendeth two hun∣dred* 1.4 and fiftie miles along the riuer of Niger, and bordereth vpon the Ocean sea in the same place, where Niger falleth into the saide sea. This place exceedingly aboundeth with barlie, rice, cattell, fishes, and cotton: and their cotton they sell vnto the merchants of Barbarie, for cloth of Eu∣rope, for brazen vessels, for armour, and other such commodities. Their coine is of gold without any stampe or inscription at all: they haue certaine iron-money also, which they vse about matters of small value, some peeces whereof weigh a pound, some halfe a pound, and some one quarter of a pound. In all this kingdome-there is no fruite to be found but onely dates, which are brought hither either out of Gualata or Numidia. Heere is nei∣ther towne nor castle, but a certaine great village onely, wherein the prince of Ghinea, together with his priestes, doctors, merchants, and all the principall men of the region inhabite. The walles of their houses are built of chalke, and the roofes are couered with strawe: the inhabitants are clad in blacke or blew cotton, wherewith they couer their heads also: but the priests and doctors of their law go apparelled in white cotton. This region during the three moneths of Iulie, August, and September, is yeerely enui∣roned with the ouerflowings of Niger in manner of an Island; all which time the merchants of Tombuto conueigh their merchandize hither in certaine Canoas or narrow boats made of one tree, which they rowe all the day long, but at night they binde them to the shore, and lodge themselues vpon the lande. This kingdome was subiect in times past vnto a certaine people of Libya, and became afterward tributarie vnto king Soni Heli, after* 1.5 whom succeeded Soni Heli Izchia, who kept the prince of this region priso∣ner at Gago, where togither with a certaine nobleman, he miserably died.

Of the kingdome of Melli.

THis region extending it selfe almost three hundred miles along the side of a riuer which f••lleth into Niger, bordereth northward vpon the region last described, southward vpon certaine deserts and drie mountaines, westward vpon huge woods and forrests stretching to the Oce∣an sea shore, and eastward vpon the territorie of Gago. In this kingdome there is a large and ample village containing to the number of sixe thou∣sand or mo families, and called Melli, whereof the whole kingdome is so named. And here the king hath his place of residence. The region it selfe yeeldeth great abundance of corne, flesh, and cotton. Heere are many arti∣ficers and merchants in all places: and yet the king honorably entertaineth all strangers. The inhabitants are rich, and haue plentie of wares. Heere are great store of temples, priests, and professours, which professours read their lectures onely in the temples, bicause they haue no colleges at all. The peo∣ple of this region excell all other Negros in witte, ciuilitie, and industry; and were the first that embraced the law of Mahumet, at the same time when the vncle of Ioseph the king of Maroco was their prince, and the gouernment* 1.6 remained for a while vnto his posterity: at length Izchia subdued the prince of this region, and made him his tributarie, and so oppressed him with gree∣uous exactions, that he was scarce able to maintaine his family.

Of the kingdome of Tombuto.

THis name was in our times (as some thinke) imposed vpon this king∣dome* 1.7 from the name of a certain towne so called, which (they say) king Mense Suleiman founded in the yeere of the Hegeira 610. and it is situate within twelue miles of a certaine branch of Niger, all the houses whereof are now changed into cottages built of chalke, and couered with thatch. Howbeit there is a most stately temple to be seene, the wals where∣of are made of stone and lime; and a princely palace also built by a most ex∣cellent workeman of Granada. Here are many shops of artificers, and mer∣chants, and especially of such as weaue linnen and cotton cloth. And hither do the Barbarie-merchants bring cloth of Europe. All the women of this region except maid-seruants go with their faces couered, and sell all neces∣sarie victuals. The inhabitants, & especially strangers there residing, are ex∣ceeding* 1.8 rich, insomuch, that the king that* 1.9 now is, married both his daugh∣ters vnto two rich merchants. Here are many wels, containing most sweete water; and so often as the riuer Niger ouerfloweth, they conueigh the wa∣ter thereof by certaine sluces into the towne. Corne, cattle, milke, and but∣ter* 1.10 this region yeeldeth in great abundance: but salt is verie scarce heere; for it is brought hither by land from Tegaza, which is fiue hundred miles distant. When I my selfe was here, I saw one camels loade of salt sold for 80.

ducates. The rich king of Tombuto hath many plates and scepters of gold, some whereof weigh 1300. poundes: and he keepes a magnificent and well furnished court. When he trauelleth any whither he rideth vpon a camell, which is lead by some of his noblemen; and so he doth likewise when hee* 1.11 goeth to warfar, and all his souldiers ride vpon horses. Whosoeuer will speake vnto this king must first fall downe before his feete, & then taking vp earth must sprinkle it vpon his owne head & shoulders: which custom is or∣dinarily obserued by them that neuer saluted the king before, or come as ambassadors from other princes. He hath alwaies three thousand horsemen,* 1.12 and a great number of footmen that shoot poysoned arrowes, attending vpon him. They haue often skirmishes with those that refuse to pay tribute, and so many as they take, they sell vnto the merchants of Tombuto. Here are verie few horses bred, and the merchants and courtiers keepe certaine little nags which they vse to trauell vpon: but their best horses are brought out of Barbarie. And the king so soone as he heareth that any merchants are come to towne with horses, he commandeth a certaine number to be brought before him, and chusing the best horse for himselfe, he payeth a most liberall price for him. He so deadly hateth all Iewes, that he will not admit any into his citie: and whatsoeuer Barbarie merchants he vnderstan∣deth to haue any dealings with the Iewes, he presently causeth their goods to be confiscate. Here are great store of doctors, iudges, priests, and other learned men, that are bountifully maintained at the kings cost and charges. And hither are brought diuers manuscripts or written bookes out of Bar∣barie, which are sold for more money then any other merchandize. The coine of Tombuto is of gold without any stampe or superscription: but in* 1.13 matters of smal value they vse certaine shels brought hither out of the king∣dome of Persia, fower hundred of which shels are worth a ducate: and sixe peeces of their golden coine with two third parts weigh an ounce. The in∣habitants are people of a gentle and cherefull disposition, and spend a great part of the night in singing and dancing through all the streets of the citie: they keepe great store of men and women slaues, and their towne is much in danger of fire: at my second being there halfe the town almost was burnt in fiue howers space. Without the suburbs there are no gardens nor or∣chards at all.

Of the towne of Cabra.

THis large towne built without walles in manner of a village, standeth about twelue miles from Tombuto vpon the riuer Niger: and here such merchants as trauel vnto the kingdomes of Ghinea and Melli 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselues. Neither are the people or buildings of this towne any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in∣feriour to the people and buildings of Tombuto: and hither the Negros re∣sort in great numbers by water. In this towne the king of Tombuto appoin∣teth a iudge to decide all controuerfies: for it were tedious to goe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so

oft as need should require. I my selfe am acquainted with Abu Bacr, sirna∣med Pargama, the kings brother, who is blacke in colour, but most beautifull in minde and conditions. Here breed many diseases which exceedingly diminish the people; and that by reason of the fond and loathsome mix∣ture of their meats; for they mingle fish, milke, butter, and flesh altogither. And this is the ordinarie food also in Tombuto.

Of the towne and kingdome of Gago.

THE great towne of Gago being vnwalled also, is distant southward of Tombuto almost fower hundred miles, and enclineth somewhat to the southeast. The houses thereof are but meane, except those where∣in the king and his courtiers remaine. Here are exceeding rich merchants: and hither continually resort great store of Negros which buy cloth here brought out of Barbarie and Europe. This towne aboundeth with corne and flesh, but is much destitute of wine, trees, and fruits. Howbeit here is plentie of melons, citrons, and rice: here are many welles also containing most sweete and holesome water. Here is likewise a certaine place where slaues are to be sold, especially vpon such daies as the merchants vse to as∣semble; and a yoong slaue of fifteene yeeres age is sold for sixe ducates, and so are children sold also. The king of this region hath a certaine pri∣uate palace wherein he maintaineth a great number of concubines and slaues, which are kept by eunuches: and for the guard of his owne person he keepeth a sufficient troupe of horsemen and footmen. Betweene the first gate of the palace and the inner part thereof, there is a place walled round about, wherein the king himselfe decideth all his subiects controuersies: and albeit the king be in this function most diligent, and performeth all things thereto appertayning, yet hath he about him his counsellors & other offi∣cers, as namely his secretaries, treasurers, factors, and auditors. It is a woon∣der to see what plentie of Merchandize is dayly brought hither, and how costly and sumptuous all things be. Horses bought in Europe for ten du∣cates, are here sold againe for fortie and sometimes for fiftie ducates a piece. There is not any cloth of Europe so course, which will not here be sold for* 1.14 fower ducates an elle, and if it be any thing fine they will giue fifteene du∣cates for an ell: and an ell of the scarlet of Venice or of Turkie-cloath is here worth thirtie ducates. A sword is here valued at three or fower crownes, and so likewise are spurs, bridles, with other like commodities, and spices al∣so are sold at an high rate: but of al other commodities salt is most extreme∣lie deere. The residue of this kingdome containeth nought but villages and hamlets inhabited by husbandmen and shepherds, who in winter couer their bodies with beasts skins; but in sommer they goe all naked saue their priuie members: and sometimes they weare vpon their feet certaine shooes made of camels leather. They are ignorant and rude people, and you shall scarce finde one learned man in the space of an hundred miles. They are

continually burthened with grieuous exactions, so that they haue scarce any thing remaining to liue vpon.

Of the kingdome of Guber.

IT standeth eastward of the kingdome of Gago almost three hundred miles; betweene which two kingdomes lieth a vast desert being much destitute of water, for it is about fortie miles distant from Niger. The king∣dome of Guber is enuironed withhigh mountaines, and containeth many villages inhabited by shepherds, and other herdsmen. Abundance of cattell here are both great and small: but of a lower stature then the cattell in other places. Heere are also great store of artificers and linnen weauers: and heere are such shooes made as the ancient Romans were woont to weare, the grea∣test part whereof be carried to Tombuto and Gago. Likewise heere is abun∣dance of rice, and of certaine other graine and pulse, the like whereof I neuer saw in Italie. But I thinke it groweth in some places of Spaine. At the inun∣dation* 1.15 of Niger all the fields of this region are ouerflowed, and then the inhabitants cast their seede into the water onely. In this region there is a cer∣taine great village containing almost sixe thousand families, being inhabi∣ted with all kinde of merchants, and here was in times past the court of a certaine king, who in my time was slaine by Izchia the king of Tombuto,* 1.16 and his sonnes were gelt, and accounted among the number of the kings eunuches. Afterward he sent gouernours hither who mightily oppressed and impouerished the people that were before rich: and most part of the inhabitants were carried captiue and kept for slaues by the said Izchia.

Of the citie and kingdome of Agadez.

THe citie of Agadez standing neere vnto Lybia was not long since walled round about by a certaine king. The inhabitants are all whiter then other Negros: and their houses are stately built after the fashion of Barbarie. The greatest part of the citizens are forren merchants, and the residue be either artificers, or stipendaries to the king. Euery merchant hath a great many of seruants and slaues, who attend vpon them as they trauell from Cano to Borno: for in that iourney they are exceedingly molested by certaine theeues called Zingani, insomuch that they dare not trauell the* 1.17 same way vnlesse they be well appointed: in my time they vsed crossebowes for their defence: when the said merchants be arriued at any towne, they presently employ all their slaues about some busines, to the end they may not liue in idlenes: ten or twelue they keepe to attend vpon themselues and their wares. The king of this citie hath alwaies a notable garde about him, and continueth for the most part at a certaine palace in the midst of the ci∣tie. He hath greatest regarde vnto his subiects that inhabite in the deserts and fields: for they will sometime expell their king and choose another:

fo that he which pleaseth the inhabitants of the desert best is sure to be king of Agadez. The residue of this kingdome lying southward is inhabited by shepherds and herdsmen, who dwell in certaine cottages made of boughes, which cottages they carrie about vpon oxen from place to place. They erect their cottages alwaies in the same field where they determine to feede their cattell; like as the Arabians also doe. Such as bring merchandize out of* 1.18 other places pay large custome to the king: and the king of Tombuto recei∣ueth for yeerely tribute out of this kingdome almost an hundred and fiftie thousand duckats.

Of the prouince of Cano.

THe great prouince of Cano stādeth eastward of the riuer Niger almost fiue hundred miles. The greatest part of the inhabitants dwelling in villages are some of them herdsmen and others husbandmen. Heere groweth abundance of corne, of rice, and of cotton. Also here are many de∣serts and wilde woodie mountaines containing many springs of water. In these woods growe plentie of wilde citrons and limons, which differ not much in taste from the best of all. In the midst of this prouince standeth a towne called by the same name, the walles and houses whereof are built for the most part of a kinde of chalke. The inhabitants are rich merchants and most ciuill people. Their king was in times past of great puissance, and had mighty troupes of horsemen at his command; but he hath since beene con∣strained* 1.19 to pay tribute vnto the kings of Zegzeg and Casena. Afterwarde Ischia the king of Tombuto faining friendship vnto the two foresaid kings trecherously slew them both. And then he waged warre against the king of Cano, whom after a long siege he tooke, and compelled him to marie one of his daughters, restoring him againe to his kingdome, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he should pay vnto him the third part of all his tribute: and the said king of Tombuto hath some of his courtiers perpetually residing at Cano for the receit thereof.

Of the kingdome of Casena.

CAsena bordering eastward vpon the kingdome last described, is full of mountaines, and drie fields, which yeeld notwithstanding great store of barlie and mill-seed. The inhabitants are all extremely black, hauing great noses and blabber lips. They dwell in most forlorne and base cottages: neither shall you finde any of their villages containing aboue three hundred families. And besides their base estate they are mightily op∣pressed with famine: a king they had in times past whom the foresaid Ischia* 1.20 slew, since whose death they haue all beene tributarie vnto Ischia.

Of the kingdome of Zegzeg.

THe southeast part thereof bordereth vpon Cano, and it is distant from Casena almost an hundred and fiftie miles. The inhabitants are rich and haue great traffique vnto other nations. Some part of this king∣dome is plaine, and the residue mountainous, but the mountaines are ex∣tremely cold, and the plaines intolerably hot. And because they can hardly indure the sharpnes of winter, they kindle great fires in the midst of their houses, laying the coles thereof vnder their high bedsteads, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betaking themselues to sleepe. Their fields abounding with water, are exceeding fruit∣full, & their houses are built like the houses of the kingdom of Casena. They had a king of their owne in times past, who being slaine by Ischia (as is afore∣said)* 1.21 they haue euer since beene subiect vnto the said Ischia.

Of the region of Zanfara.

THe region of Zanfara bordering eastward vpon Zegzeg is inhabited by most base and rusticall people. Their fields abound with rice, mill,* 1.22 and cotton. The inhabitants are tall in stature and extremely blacke, their visages are broad, and their dispositions most sauage and brutish. Their king also was slaine by Ischia, and themselues made tributarie.

Of the towne and kingdome of Guangara.

THis kingdome adioineth southeasterly vpon Zanfara, being very po∣pulous, and hauing a king raigning ouer it, which maintaineth a gari∣son of seuen thousand archers, and fiue hundred horsemen, and receiueth yeerely great tributes. In all this kingdome there are none but base villages, one onely excepted, which exceedeth the rest both in largenes and faire building. The inhabitants are very rich, and haue continuall traffique with the nations adioining. Southward thereof lieth a region greatly abounding with gold. But now they can haue no traffique with forren nations, for they* 1.23 are molested on both sides with most cruell enemies. For westward they are oppressed by Ischia, and eastward by the king of Borno. When I my selfe* 1.24 was in Borno, king Abraham hauing leuied an huge armie, determined to expell the prince of Guangara out of his kingdome, had he not beene hin∣dred by Homar the prince of Gaoga, which began to assaile the kingdome of Borno. Wherefore the king of Borno being drawne home into his owne countrie, was enforced to giue ouer the conquest of Guangara. So often as the merchants of Guangara trauell vnto the foresaid region abounding with gold, because the waies are so rough and difficult that their camels cannot goe vpon them, they carrie their wares vpon slaues backes; who being laden with great burthens doe vsually trauell ten or twelue miles a day. Yea some

I saw that made two of those iourneies in one day: a woonder it is to see what heauie burthens these poore slaues are charged withall; for besides the merchandize they carrie victuals also for their masters, and for the soldiers that goe to garde them.

Of the kingdome of Borno.

THe large prouince of Borno bordering westward vpon the prouince of Guangara, and from thence extending eastward fiue hundred miles, is distant from the fountaine of Niger almost an hundred and fiftie miles, the south part thereof adioining vnto the desert of Set, and the north part vnto that desert which lieth towards Barca. The situation of this king∣dome is very vneeuen, some part thereof being mountainous, and the resi∣due plaine. Vpon the plaines are sundry villages inhabited by rich mer∣chants, and abounding with corne. The king of this region and all his fol∣lowers dwell in a certaine large village. The mountaines being inhabited by herdesmen and shepherds doe bring foorth mill and other graine altoge∣ther vnknowen to vs. The inhabitants in summer goe all naked saue their priuie members which they couer with a peece of leather: but al winter they are clad in skins, and haue beds of skins also. They embrace no religion at all, being neither Christians, Mahumetans, nor Iewes, nor of any other profession, but liuing after a brutish manner, and hauing wiues and chil∣dren in common: and (as I vnderstood of a certaine merchant that abode a long time among them) they haue no proper names at all, but euery one is nicknamed according to his length, his fatnes, or some other qualitie. They haue a most puissant prince, being lineally descended from the Liby∣an people called Bardoa. Horsemen he hath in a continuall readines to the number of three thousand, & an huge number of footmen; for al his subiects are so seruiceable and obedient vnto him, that whensoeuer he commandeth them, they wil arme themselues and follow him whither he pleaseth to con∣duct them. They paye vnto him none other tribute but the tithes of all their corne: neither hath this king any reuenues to maintaine his estate, but onely such spoiles as he getteth from his next enimes by often inuasions and assaults. He is at perpetuall enmitie with a certaine people inhabiting* 1.25 beyond the desert of Seu; who in times past marching with an huge armie of footemen ouer the saide desert, wasted a great part of the kingdome of Borno. Whereupon the king of Borno sent for the merchants of Barbary, and willed them to bring him great store of horses: for in this countrey they vse to exchange horses for slaues, and to giue fifteene, and sometime twen∣tie* 1.26 slaues for one horse. And by this meanes there were abundance of hor∣ses brought: howbeit the merchants were constrained to stay for their slaues till the king returned home conquerour with a great number of cap∣tiues, and satisfied his creditors for their horses. And oftentimes it falleth out that the merchants must stay three moneths togither, before the king

returneth from the warres, but they are all that while maintained at the kings charges. Sometimes he bringeth not home slaues enough to satisfie the merchants: and otherwhiles they are constrained to awaite there a whole yeere togither; for the king maketh inuasions but euery yeere once, & that at one set and appointed time of the yeere. Yea I my selfe met with sundrie merchants heere, who despairing of the kings paiment, bicause they had trusted him an whole yeere, determined neuer to come thither with horses againe. And yet the king seemeth to be marueilous rich; for his spurres, his bridles, platters, dishes, pots, and other vessels wherein his meate and drinke are brought to the table, are all of pure golde: yea, and the chaines of his dogs and hounds are of golde also. Howbeit this king is extreamely coue∣tous, for he had much rather pay his debts in slaues then in gold. In this king∣dome are great multitudes of Negros and of other people, the names of whom (bicause I tarried heere but one moneth) I could not well note.

Of the kingdome of Gaoga.

GAoga bordering westward vpon the kingdome of Borno, and exten∣ding eastward to the confines of Nubia, adioineth southward vnto a certaine desert situate vpon a crooked and winding part of Nilus, and is enclosed northward with the frontiers of Egypt. It stretcheth from east to west in length fiue hundred miles, and as much in bredth. They haue nei∣ther humanitie nor learning among them, but are most rusticall and sauage people, and especially those that inhabite the mountaines, who go all naked saue their priuities: their houses are made of boughes & rafts, and are much subiect to burning, and they haue great abundance of cattel, whereunto they giue diligent attendance. For many yeers they remained in libertie, of which* 1.27 libertie they were depriued by a certaine Negro slaue of the same region. This slaue lying vpon a certaine night with his master that was a wealthie merchant, & considering that he was not far from his natiue countrey, slue his saide master, possessed his goods, and returned home: where hauing bought a certaine number of horses, he began to inuade the people next ad∣ioining, and obtained for the most part the victorie: for he conducted a troupe of most valiant & warlike horsmen against his enimies that were but slēderly appointed. And by this means he tooke great numbers of captiues, whom he exchanged for horses that were brought out of Egypt: insomuch that at length (the number of his souldiers increasing) he was accounted of by all men as souerainge K. of Gaoga. After him succeeded his son, being no whit inferiour in valour & high courage vnto his father; who reigned for the space of fortie yeeres. Next him succeeded his brother Moses, & after Moses his nephew Homara, who beareth rule at this present. This Homara hath greatly enlarged his dominions, and hath entred league with the Soldan of Cairo, by whom he is often presented with magnificent gifts, which he most bountifully requiteth: also diuers merchants of Egypt, and diuers

inhabitants of Cairo present most pretious and rare things vnto him, and highly commend his surpassing liberalitie. This prince greatly honoureth all learned men, and especially such as are of the linage of Mahumet. I my selfe being in his court, a certaine noble man of Damiata brought him very rich and roiall gifts, as namely, a gallant horse, a Turkish sworde, and a king∣ly robe, with certaine other particulars that cost about an hundred and fiftie ducates at Cairo: in recompence whereof the king gaue him fiue slaues, fiue camels, fiue hundred ducates of that region, and an hundred elephants teeth of woonderfull bignes.

Of the kingdome of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

NVbia bordering westward vpon the kingdome last described, and stretching from thence vnto Nilus, is enclosed on the southside with the desert of Goran, and on the north side with the confines of Egypt. Howbeit they cannot passe by water from this kingdome into* 1.28 Egypt: for the riuer of Nilus is in some places no deeper then a man may wade ouer on foote. The principall towne of this kingdome called Dangala is exceeding populous, and containeth to the number of ten thousand fa∣milies. The wals of their houses consist of a kinde of chalke, and the roofes are couered with strawe. The townesmen are exceeding rich and ciuill peo∣ple, and haue great traffike with the merchants of Cairo & of Egypt: in other parts of this kingdome you shall finde none but villages and hamlets situate vpon the riuer of Nilus, all the inhabitants whereof are husbandmen. The kingdome of Nubia is most rich in corne and sugar, which notwith∣standing* 1.29 they knowe not how to vse. Also in the citie of Dangala there is great plentie of ciuet and Sandall-wood. This region aboundeth with Iuory likewise, bicause heere are so many elephants taken. Heere is also a most* 1.30 strong and deadly poison, one graine whereof being diuided amongst ten persons, will kill them all within lesse then a quarter of an hower: but if one man taketh a graine, he dieth there of out of hand. An ounce of this poison is solde for an hundred ducates; neither may it be solde to any but to for∣raine merchants, & whosoeuer buieth it is bound by an oath not to vse it in the kingdome of Nubia. All such as buy of this poison are constrained to pay as much vnto the king, as to the merchant: but if any man selleth poison without the princes knowledge, he is presently put to death. The king of Nubia maintaineth continuall warre, partly against the people of Goran (who being descended of the people called Zingani, inhabite the deserts,* 1.31 and speake a kinde of language that no other nation vnderstandeth) and partly against certaine other people also dwelling vpon the desert which lieth eastward of Nilus, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 towards the red sea, being not farre from the borders of Suachen. Their language (as I take it) is mixt, for it hath great affinity with the Chaldean toong, with the language of Suachen, and with the language of Ethiopia the higher, where Prete Gianni is said to* 1.32

beare rule: the people themselues are called Bugiha, and are most base and* 1.33 miserable, and liue onely vpon milke, camels-flesh, and the flesh of such beasts as are taken in those deserts. Sometimes they receiue tribute of the gouernour of Suachen, and sometimes of the gouernors of Dangala. They had once a rich towne situate vpon the red sea called Zibid, whereunto be∣longed a commodious hauen, being opposite vnto the hauen of Zidem, which is fortie miles distant from Mecca. But an hundred yeeres since it was destroied by the Soldan, bicause the inhabitants receiued certaine wares which should haue beene carried to Mecca, and at the same time the famous port of Zibid was destroied, from whence notwithstanding was gathered a great yeerely tribute. The inhabitants being chased from thence fledde vnto Dangala and Suachin, and at length being ouercome in battaile by the go∣uernour of Suachin, there were in one day slaine of them aboue fower thou∣sand, and a thousand were carried captiue vnto Suachin, who were massa∣cred by the women and children of the citie. And thus much (friendly rea∣der) as concerning the lande of Negros: the fifteene kingdomes whereof agreeing much in rites and customes, are subiect vnto fower princes onely. Let vs now proceed vnto the description of Egypt.

Here endeth the seuenth booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Negros subiect vnto Ioseph king of Maroco.
• * 1.2

  Abuacre Iz∣chia.
• * 1.3

  This round and white pulse is called Maiz in the west Indies.
• * 1.4

  The naturall commodities of Ghinea.
• * 1.5

  The Prince of Ghinea kept prisoner by Izchia.
• * 1.6

  The prince of M••lli subdued by Izchia.
• * 1.7

  Tombuto was conquered by the king of Maroco 1589. from whenc•• he hath for yeerly tribute mightie summes of gold.
• * 1.8

  The king of Tombuto his daughters mar∣ried vnto two rich merchants.
• * 1.9

  1526.
• * 1.10

  Great scarcitie of salt in Tom∣buto, which commoditie might be sup∣plied by our English mer∣chants to their vnspeakable gaine.
• * 1.11

  Reuerence vsed before the king of Tombuto.
• * 1.12

  Poysoned ar∣rowes.
• * 1.13

  Shels vsed for coine like as in the kingdome of Congo.
• * 1.14

  Rich sale for cloth.
• * 1.15

  Their maner of sowing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Niger.
• * 1.16

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Guber slaine by Izchia.
• * 1.17

  Zingani.
• * 1.18

  Agadez tribu∣tarie to the king of Tombuto.
• * 1.19

  The kings of Zegzeg, of Ca∣sena, and of Cano subdued by Izchia the king of Tom∣buto.
• * 1.20

  Izchia.
• * 1.21

  Izchia.
• * 1.22

  The king of Zanfara slaine by Izchia, and the people made tributarie.
• * 1.23

  Gold.
• * 1.24

  Izchia.
• * 1.25

  The desert of Seu.
• * 1.26

  Fifteene or twentie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 exchanged for one horse.
• * 1.27

  A Negro-slaue who hauing slaine his Lord grew to great might and au∣thoritie.
• * 1.28

  The riuer of Nilus not nae∣uigable be∣tweene Nubia and Egypt.
• * 1.29

  The rich com∣modities of Nubia.
• * 1.30

  Most strong poyson.
• * 1.31

  Zingani.
• * 1.32

  Prete 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.33

  Bugiha.