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 FIRST BOOKE OF the description of Africa, and of the memorable things contained therein. (Book 1)

VVhy this part of the worlde was named Africa.

AFRICA is called in the Arabian toong 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of the word Faraca, which signifieth in the said language, to diuide: but why it should be so called, there are two opinions; the first is this: namely, because this part of the worlde is diuided from Europa by the Mediterran sea, and from Asia * 1.1 by the riuer of Nilus. Others are of opinion, that this name Africa was deriued from one Ifricus the king of Arabia Foelix, who is saide to haue beene the first that euer inhabited these partes. This Ifricus waging warre against the king of Aslyria, and being at length by him driuen out of his kingdome, passed with his whole armie ouer Nilus, and so conducting his troupes west∣ward, made no delay till he was come vnto the region lying about Car∣thage. Hence it is that the Arabians do imagine the countrie about Car∣thage onely, and the regions lying westward thereof, to comprehende all Africa.

The borders of Africa.

AFRICA (if we may giue credite vnto the writers of that nation, being men of learning, and most skilfull Cosmo∣graphers) beginneth southward at certaine riuers issuing foorth of a lake in the desert of Gaoga. Eastward it borde∣reth vpon the riuer Nilus. It extendeth northward to that part of Egypt, where Nilus at seuen mouthes dischargeth his streames into the Mediterran sea: from whence it stretcheth westward as farre as the streites of Gibraltar, and is bounded on that part with the vtmost sea-towne of all Libya, called * 1.2 Nun. Likewise the south part thereof abutteth vpon the Ocean sea, which compasseth Africa almost as farre as the deserts of Gaoga.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Africa.

OVR authors affirme, that Africa is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into fower partes, that is to say, Barbaria, Numidia, Libya, and the lande of Negros. Barbaria taketh beginning from the hill called Meies, which is the extreme part of all the moun∣taines of Atlas, being distant from Alexandria almost three hundred miles. It is bounded on the North side with the Mediter∣ran sea, stretching thence to mount-Meies aforesaid, and from mount∣Meies extending itselfe to the streites of Gibraltar. Westward it is limi∣ted with the said streites, from whence winding it selfe out of the Medi∣terran sea into the maine Ocean, it is inclosed with the most westerly point of Atlas: namely, at that Westerne cape which is next vnto the towne called Messa. And southward it is bounded with that side of Atlas which lieth towards the Mediterran sea. This is the most noble and wor∣thie region of all Africa, the inhabitants whereof are of a browne or taw∣nie colour, being a ciuill people, and prescribe wholsome lawes and con∣stitutions vnto themselues.

The second part of Africa is called of the Latines Numidia, but of the Arabians Biledulgerid: this region bringeth foorth dates in great abun∣dance. It beginneth eastward at the citie of Eloacat, which is an hundred miles distant from Egypt, & extendeth west as far as the towne of* 1.3 Nun, standing vpon the Ocean sea. Northward it is inclosed with the south side of Atlas. And the south part thereof bordereth vpon the sandie de∣serts of Libya. All the Arabians doe vsually call it The land of dates: be∣cause this onely region of Africa beareth dates.

The third part called of the Latines Libya, and of the Arabians Sarra (which word signifieth a desert) beginneth eastward at that part of Nilus which is next vnto the citie of Eloacat, and from thence runneth west∣ward as far as the Ocean sea. Northwarde it is bounded with Numidia, southward it abutteth vpon the land of Negros, eastward it taketh begin∣ning at the kingdome of Gaoga, and stretcheth westwarde euen to the land of Gualata, which bordereth vpon the Ocean sea.

The fourth part of Africa which is called the land of Negros, begin∣neth eastward at the kingdome of Gaoga, from whence it extendeth west as far as Gualata. The north part thereof is inclosed with the desert of Libya, and the south part, which is vnknowen vnto vs, with the Ocean sea: howbeit the merchants which daily come from thence to the king∣dome of Tombuto, haue sufficiently described the situation of that coun∣trie vnto vs. This lande of Negros hath a mightie riuer, which taking his* 1.4 name of the region, is called Niger: this riuer taketh his originall from the east out of a certaine desert called by the foresaide Negros Seu. Others will haue this riuer to spring out of a certaine lake, and so to run

westward till it exonerateth itselfe into the Ocean sea. Our Cosmogra∣phers affirme, that the said riuer of Niger is deriued out of Nilus, which they imagine for some certaine space to be swallowed vp of the earth, and yet at last to burst foorth into such a lake as is before mentioned. Some others are of opinion, that this riuer beginneth westward to spring out of a certaine mountaine, and so running east, to make at length a huge lake: which verily is not like to be true; for they vsually saile westward from Tombuto to the kingdome of Ginea, yea and to the land of Melli also; both which in respect of Tombuto are situate to the west: neither hath the said land of Negros any kingdomes comparable, for beautifull and pleasant soile, vnto those which adioine vnto the bankes of Niger. And here it is to be noted, that (according to the opinion of our Cos∣mographers)* 1.5 that land of Negros by which Nilus is said to run (name∣ly, that part of the world which stretcheth eastward euen to the Indian sea, some northerly parcell whereof abutteth vpon the red sea, to wit, the countrie which lieth without the gulfe of Arabia) is not to be called any member or portion of Africa; and that for many reasons, which are to be found in the processe of this historie set downe more at large: The said countrie is called by the Latines Aethiopia. From thence come certaine religious Friers seared or branded on the face with an hot iron, who are to be seene almost ouer all Europe, and specially at Rome. These people haue an Emperour, which they call Prete Gianni, the greater part of that land being inhabited with Christians. Howbeit, there is also a certaine Mahumetan among them, which is said to possesse a great dominion.

A diuision of the fower forenamed partes of Africa.

BArbarie is distinguished into fower kingdomes: the first whereof is the kingdome of Maroco; which is likewise diuided into seuen regions or prouinces; namely, Hea, Sus, Guzula, the territorie of Maroco, Duccala, Haz∣cora, & Tedles. The second kingdome of Barbarie called Fez, comprehendèth in like sort seuen regions within the bounds there∣of; to wit, Temesne, the territorie of Fez, Azgara,* 1.6 Elabat, Errif, Garet, and* 1.7 Elcauz. The third kingdome is called* 1.8 Telensin, and hath three re∣gions vnder it, namely, the mountaines, Tenez, and Algezer. The fourth kingdome of Barbarie is named Tunis; vnder which are comprized fower regions, that is to say, Bugia, Constantina, Tripolis in Barbarie, and Ez∣zaba, which is a good part of Numidia. Bugia hath alwaies beene turmoi∣led with continuall warres; because sometimes it was subiect vnto the king of Tunis, and sometimes againe vnto the king of Tremizen. Cer∣taine it is that euen vntill these our daies, this Bugia was a kingdome of it selfe, and so continued, till the principall citie of that region was at the

commandement of Ferdinando the king of Castile, taken by one Peter of Nauarre.

The diuision of Numidia.

THis is the basest part of all Africa; neither will our Cos∣mographers vouchsafe it the name of a kingdome, by rea∣son that the inhabitants thereof are so far distant asunder; which you may easily coniecture by that which followeth. Tesset a citie of Numidia containeth about fower hun∣dred families, and is in regard of the Libyan desert, seuered from all pla∣ces of habitation almost three hundred miles; wherefore this second part is thought by diuers not to be woorthie the name of a kingdome. How∣beit we will make some relation of the habitable partes of Numidia; some whereof may not vnfitly bee compared with other regions of Africa, as for example, that of Segelmess, which territorie of Numidia lieth ouer against Barbarie; likewise Zeb, which is situate against Bugia, and the signiorie of Biledulgerid, which extendeth vnto the kingdome of Tunis. Reseruing therefore many particulars for the second part of this historie, we wil make our entrie and beginning at those places, which lie vpon the west of Numidia: the names whereof be these; Tesset, Gua∣den, Ifren, Hacca, Dare, Tebelbelt, Todga, Fercale, Segelmess, Benigu∣mi, Fighig, Tegua, Tsabit, Tegorarin, Mesab, Tegort, and Guarghela. The region of Zeb containeth fiue townes, to wit, Pescara, Elborgh, Ne∣sta, Taolac, and Deusin: so many cities likewise hath the territorie of Biledulgerid; namely, Teozar, Caphesa, Nefreoa, Elchamid, and Chal∣bis: and from hence eastward are found the isles of Gerbe, Garion, Me∣sellata, Mestrata, Teoirraga, Gademis, Fizza, Augela, Birdeoa, and Eloa∣cat. These are the names of the most famous places of all Numidia, be∣ing bounded (as is said before) westward vpon the Ocean sea, and eastward with the riuer of Nilus.

A description of the Libyan deserts, which lie betweene Numidia and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Negros.

THese deserts haue not as yet any certaine name amongst vs, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they be diuided into fiue partes, and receiue all their denomination from the inhabitants which dwell vpon them, that is to say, from the Numidians, who are in like sort them∣selues diuided into fiue partes also, to wit, the people or tribes called Za∣nega, Ganziga, Terga, Leuta, and Berdeoa. There bee likewise certaine places, which take some proper and particular name from the goodnes and badnes of the soile; as namely the desert of Azaohad, so called for the drought and vnfruitfulnes of that place: likewise Hair, albeit a desert, yet so called for the goodnes and temperature of the aire.

A diuision of the land of Negros into seuerall kingdomes.

MOreouer, the land of Negros is diuided into many kingdomes: whereof albeit a great part be vnknowen vnto vs, and remooued farre out of our trade; we will notwithstanding make relation of those places, where we our selues haue aboad, and which by long ex∣perience are growne very familiar vnto vs: as likewise of some other places, from whence merchants vsed to trauell vnto the same cities wherein my selfe was then resident; from whom I learned right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the state of their countries. I* 1.9 my selfe saw fifteene kingdoms of the Negros: howbeit there are many more, which although I saw not with mine owne eies, yet are they by the Negros sufficiently knowen and frequented. Their names therefore (beginning from the west, and so proceeding Eastward and Southward) are these following: Gualata, Ghinea, Melli, Tombuto, Gago, Guber, Agadez, Cano, Casena, Zegzeg, Zanfara, Guangara, Burno, Gaoga, Nube. These fifteene kingdomes are for the most part situate vpon the riuer Niger, through the which merchants vsually trauell from Gualata to the citie of* 1.10 Alcair in Egypt. The iour∣ney indeede is very long, but yet secure and voide of danger. All the said kingdomes adioine one vpon another; ten whereof are separated either by the riuer Niger, or by some sandie desert: and in times past each one of the fifteene had a seueral king, but now* 1.11 at this present, they are all in a manner subiect vnto three kings onely: namely, to the king of Tombuto who is Lord of the greatest part; to the king of Borno, who gouerneth the least part, and the residue is in subiection vnto the king of Gaoga: howbeit he that possesseth the kingdome of Ducala hath a very small traine attending vpon him. Likewise these kingdomes haue many other kingdomes bordering vpon the South frontiers of them: to wit, Bito, Temiam, Dauma, Medra, and Gorhan; the gouernors and inhabitants whereof are most rich and industrious people, great louers of iustice and equitie, albeit some lead a brutish kinde of life.

Of the habitations of Africa, and of the signification of this word Barbar.

OVr Cosmographers and historiographers affirme, that in times past Africa was altogether disinhabited, except that part which is now called the land of Negros: and most certaine it is, that Barbarie and Numidia were for many ages destitute of inhabitants. The tawnie people of the said region were called by the name of Barbar, being deriued of the verbe Barbara, which in their toong signifieth to murmur: because the African

toong soundeth in the eares of the Arabians, no otherwise then the voice of beasts, which vtter their sounds without any accents. Others will haue Barbar to be one word twise repeated, forsomuch as Bar in the Arabian toong signifieth a desert. For (say they) when king Iphricus being by the Assyrians or Aethiopians driuen out of his owne kingdome, trauelled towards Aegypt, and seeing himselfe so oppressed with his enimies, that he knew not what should become of him and his followers, he asked his people how or which way it was possible to escape, who answered him Bar-Bar, that is, to the desert, to the desert: giuing him to vnderstand by this speech, that he could haue no safer refuge, then to crosse ouer Nilus, and to flee vnto the desert of Africa. And this reason seemeth to agree with them, which affirme the Africans to be descended from the people of Arabia foelix.

The originall of the people of Africa.

ABout the originall of the Africans, our historiographers doe much disagree. For some will haue them to be deri∣ued from the inhabitants of Palaestina; because (as they say) being expelled out of their owne countrie by the Assyrians, they came at length into Africa, & seeing the fruitfulnes of the soile, chose it to be their place of habitation. Others are of opinion, that they tooke their originall from the Sabeans a people of Arabia foelix, and that, before such time as they were put to flight by the Assyrians or Aethiopians, as hath beene aforesaid. Some others report, that the Africans descended from certaine people of* 1.12 Asia, who being chased thence by reason of warres which were waged against them, fled into Greece, which at the same time had no inhabitants at all. Howbeit the enimie still pursuing them, they were forced to crosse the sea of Mo∣rea, and being arriued in Africa, to settle themselues there: but their eni∣mies aboad still in Greece. All which opinions and reportes are to bee vnderstood onely of the originall of the tawnie people, that is to say, of the Numidians and Barbarians. For all the Negros or blacke Moores take their descent from Chus, the sonne of Cham, who was the sonne of Noë. But whatsoeuer difference there be betweene the Negros and the tawnie Moores, certaine it is that they had all one beginning. For the Negros are descended of the Philistims, and the Philistims of Mesraim the* 1.13 sonne of Chus: but the tawnie Moores fetch their petigree from the Sabeans, and it is euident that Saba was begotten of* 1.14 Rama, which was the eldest sonne of Chus. Diuers other opinions there be as touching this matter: which because they seeme not so necessarie, wee haue pur∣posely omitted.

A diuision of the tawnie Moores into sundrie tribes or nations.

THE tawnie Moores are diuided into fiue seuerall people or tribes: to wit, the tribes called Zanhagi, Musmudi, Zeneti, Hacari, and Gumeri. The tribe of Musmudi inhabite the westerne part of mount Atlas, from the prouince of Hea to the riuer of * 1.15 Seruan. Likewise they dwell vpon the south part of the said mountaine, and vpon all the inward plaines of that region. These Musmudae haue fower prouinces vnder them: namely, Hea, Sus, Guzula, and the territorie of Marocco. The tribe of Gumeri possesse certaine mountaines of Barbarie, dwelling on the sides of those mountaines which lie ouer against the Mediterran sea: as like∣wise they are Lords of all the riuer called in their language Rif. This riuer* 1.16 hath his fountaine neere vnto the streites of Gibraltar, and thence run∣neth eastwards to the kingdome of Tremizen, called by the Latines Cae∣saria.

These two tribes or people haue seuerall habitations by themselues: the other three are dispersed confusiuely ouer all Africa: howbeit they are, like strangers, discerned one from another by certaine properties or tokens, maintaining continuall warre among themselues, especially they of Numidia. These (I say) are those very people (as some report) who had no other places then tents and wide fields to repose themselues in: and it is reported, that in times past they had great conflicts together, and that the vanquished were sent to inhabit townes and cities, but the con∣querors held the champions and fieldes vnto themselues, and there setled their aboad. Neither is it altogether vnlikely; because the inhabitants of cities haue all one and the same language with the countrie people. For the Zeneti, whether they dwell in the citie or in the countrie, speake all one kinde of language: which is likewise to be vnderstood of the rest. The tribes of Zeneti, Haoari, and Sanhagi; inhabit the countrie of Temesne: sometimes they liue peaceably, and sometimes againe, calling to minde their ancient quarrels, they breake foorth into cruell warres and man∣slaughters. Some of these people beare rule ouer all Africa, as namely the Zeneti, who in times past vanquished the familie called Idris; from which some affirme the true and naturall Dukes of Fez, and the founders of the same citie to deriue their petigree: their progenie likewise was called Mecnasa. There came afterward out of Numidia, another familie of the Zeneti called Magraoa: this Magraoa chased the familie of Mec∣nasa with all their Dukes and chieftaines out of their dominions. Not long after, the said tribe of Magraoa was expelled in like sort by certaine others of the race of the Sanhagij, called by the name of Luntuna, which

came also out of the desert of Numidia.

By this familie was the countrie of Temesna in processe of time vt∣terly spoiled and wasted, and all the inhabitants thereof slaine, except those which were of their owne tribe and kindred of Luntuna, vnto whom was allotted the region of Ducala to inhabit, and by them was built the citie commonly called Maroco. It fell out afterwards by the* 1.17 inconstancie of fortune, that one Elmahdi the principall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preacher among them, conspiring with the Hargij (these Hargij were of the familie of Musmuda) expelled the whole race of the Luntuna, and vsurped that kingdome vnto himselfe. After this mans decease, succeeded in his place one of his disciples called Habdul Mumen a Banigueriaghel of the kindred of the Sanhagij. The kingdome remained vnto this family about an 120. yeeres, whereunto all Africa in a manner was subiect: At length being deposed by the Banimarini, a generation of the Zeneti, the said familie was put to flight: which Banimarini are said to haue raig∣ned afterward for the space of 170. yeeres. The Banimarini which de∣scended of the Sanhagij and of Magroa, waged continuall warre against Banizeijan the king of Telensin: likewise the progenie of Hafasa, and of Musmuda are at variance and dissension with the king of Tunis. So that you see what stirres and tumults haue at all times beene occasioned in those regions by the foresaid fiue families.

Certaine it is, that neither the Gumeri, nor the Haoari haue at this present any iurisdiction at all; albeit heretofore (as we reade in their chronicles) they had some certaine dominion, before such time as they were infected with the Mahumetan lawe. Out of all which it is euident, that in times past all the foresaid people had their habitations and tents in the plaine fields: euery one of which fauoured their owne faction, and exercised all labours necessarie for mans life, as common among them. The gouernours of the countrie attended their droues and flockes; and the citizens applied themselues vnto some manuall art, or to husbandrie. The said people are diuided into fiue hundred seuerall families, as appee∣reth by the genealogies of the Africans, author whereof is one Ibnu Ra∣chu, whom I haue oftentimes read and perused. Some writers are of opi∣nion, that the king of Tombuto, the king of Melli, and the king of Aga∣dez fetch their originall from the people of Zanaga, to wit, from them which inhabite the desert.

The agreement or varietie of the African lauguage.

THe foresaid fiue families or people, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diuided into hun∣dreds of progenies, and hauing innumerable habitations, doe notwithstanding vse all one kinde of language, called by them Aquel Amarig, that is, the noble toong: the Ara∣bians* 1.18 which inhabite Africa, call it a barbarous toong; and this is the

true and naturall language of the Africans. Howbeit it is altogether different from other languages, although it hath diuers words common with the Arabian toong; whereupon some would inferre, that the Afri∣cans (as is aboue said) came by lineall descent from the Sabeans, a people of Arabia foelix. Others say, that these words were euen then inuented when the Arabians came first into Africa, and began to take possession thereof: but these authors were so rude and grosse-witted, that they left no writings behinde them, which might be alleaged either for, or against. Moreouer they haue among them another diuersitie, not onely of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but of significant words also: as namely, they which dwell neere vnto the Arabians, and exercise much traffique with them, doe for the greater part vse their language. Yea, all the Gumeri in a manner, and most of the Haoari speake Arabian, though corruptly; which (I suppose) came first hereupon to passe, for that the said people haue had long ac∣quaintance and conuersation with the Arabians. The Negros haue diuers languages among themselues, among which they call one Sungai, and the same is current in many regions; as namely, in Gualata, Tom∣buto, Ghinea, Melli, and Gago. Another language there is among the Negros, which they cal Guber; & this is rife among the people of Guber, of Cano, of Casena, of Perzegreg, & of Guangra. Likewise the kingdom of Borno hath a peculiar kinde of speech, altogether like vnto that, which is vsed in Gaoga. And the kingdome of Nube hath a language of great affinitie with the Chaldean, Arabian, & Egyptian toongs. But all the sea∣towns of Africa frō the Mediterran sea to the mountains of Atlas, speake broken Arabian. Except the kingdome and towne of Maroco, & the in∣land Numidians bordering vpon Maroco, Fez, & Tremizen; all which, vse the Barbarian toong. Howbeit they which dwel ouer against Tunis & Tripoli, speake indeede the Arabian language; albeit most corruptly.

Of the Arabians inhabiting the citie of Africa.

OF that armie which was sent by Califa * 1.19 Otmen the third, in the fower hundred yeere of the Hegeira, there came into Africa fowerscore thousand gentlemen and others, who ha∣uing subdued sundrie prouinces, at length arriued in A∣frica: and there the Generall of the whole armie called * 1.20 Hucha 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nafich remained. This man built that great citie which is called of vs * 1.21 Alcair. For he stood in feare of the people of Tunis, least they should betray him, misdoubting also that they would procure aide out of Sicily, and so giue him the encounter. Wherefore with all his treasure which he had got, he trauelled to the desert & firme ground, distant from * 1.22 Car∣thage about one hundred and twentie miles, and there is he said to haue built the citie of * 1.23 Alcair. The remnant of his soldiers he commanded to keepe those places, which were most secure and fit for their defence,

and willed them to build where no rocke nor fortification was. Which being done, the Arabians began to inhabit Africa, and to disperse them∣selues among the Africans, who, because they had beene for certaine yeeres subiect vnto the Romans or Italians, vsed to speake their lan∣guage: and hence it is, that the naturall and mother-toong of the Ara∣bians, which hath great affinitie with the African toong, grewe by little and little to be corrupted: and so they report that these two nations at length conioined themselues in one. Howbeit the Arabians vsually doe blaze their petigree in daily and triuiall songs; which custome as yet is common both to * 1.24 vs, and to the people of Barbarie also. For no man there is, be he neuer so base, which will not to his owne name, adde the name of his nation; as for example, Arabian, Barbarian, or such like.

Of the Arabians which dwell in tents.

THE Mahumetan priestes alwaies forbad the Arabians to passe ouer Nilus with their armies and tents. How beit in the fower hun∣dred yeere of the Hegeira we reade, that they were permitted so to doe by a certaine factious and schismaticall * 1.25 Califa: because one of his nobles had rebelled against him, vsurping the citie of Cairaoan, and the greatest part of Barbarie. After the death of which rebell, that king∣dome remained for some yeeres vnto his posteritie and familie; whose iurisdiction (as the African chronicles report) grew so large and strong in the time of Elcain (the Mahumetan Califa and patriark of Arabia) that he sent vnto them one Gehoar, whom of a slaue he had made his coun∣sellour,* 1.26 with an huge armie. This Gehoar conducting his armie west∣ward, recouered all Numidia and Barbarie. Insomuch that he pierced vnto the region of Sus, and there claimed most ample tribute: all which being done, he returned backe vnto his Calipha, and most faithfully surrendred vnto him whatsoeuer he had gained from the enemie. The Calipha seeing his prosperous successe, began to aspire vnto greater ex∣ploites. And Gehoar most firmely promised, that as he had recouered that westerne dominion vnto his Lord, so would he likewise by force of warre most certainly restore vnto him the countries of the East, to wit, Egypt, Syria, and all Arabia; and protested moreouer that with the greatest hazard of his life, he would be auenged of all the iniuries offered by the familie of Labhus vnto his Lords predecessors, and would reuest him in the royall seate of his most famous grandfathers, great-grandfa∣thers, and progenitors. The Calipha liking well his audacious promise, caused an armie of fower-score thousand soldiers, with an infinite summe of money and other things necessarie for the warres, to be deliuered vnto him. And so this valiant and stout chieftaine being prouided for warfare, conducted his troupes through the deserts of Aegypt & Barbarie; & ha∣uing first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to flight the vice-Califa of Aegypt (who fled vnto Eluir the

Califa of Bagdet) in short time he subdued very easily all the prouinces of Aegypt and Syria. Howbeit he could not as yet hold himselfe secure; fearing least the Califa of Bagdet would assaile him with an armie out of Asia, and least the garrisons which he had left to keepe Barbarie, should be constrained to forsake those conquered prouinces. Wherefore hee built 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and caused it to be walled round about. In which citie he left one of his most trustie captaines, with a great part of the armie: and this* 1.27 citie he called by the name of Alchair, which afterward by others was named Cairo. This Alchair is saide daily so to haue increased, that no citie of the world for buildings and inhabitants was any way comparable thereunto. Now when Gehoar perceiued that the Calipha of Bagdet made no preparation for warre, he foorthwith wrote vnto his Lord, that all the conquered cities yeelded due honour vnto him, and that all things were in quiet and tranquillitie: and therefore, that himselfe (if he thought good) should come ouer into Aegypt, and thereby with his onely pre∣sence should preuaile more to recouer the remnant of his dominions, then with neuer so huge an armie: for he was in good hope that the Ca∣lipha of Bagdet hearing of his expedition, woulde leaue his kingdome and prelacie, and would betake himselfe to flight. This notable and ioy∣full message no sooner came to the eares of Califa Elcain; but he being by his good fortune much more encouraged then before, and not fore∣thinking himselfe, what mischiefe might ensue, leuied a great armie, ap∣pointing for vice-roy of all Barbarie one of the familie of Sanagia afore∣said, finding him afterward not to be his trustie friend. Moreouer Califa Elcain arriuing at Alchair, and being most honorably entertained by his seruant Gehoar, began to thinke vpon great affaires, and hauing gathered an huge armie, resolued to wage battell against the Califa of Bagdet. In the meane season he that was appointed vice-roy of Barbarie compa∣cting with the Calipha of Bagdet, yeelded himselfe and all Barbarie into his hands. Which the Califa most kindly accepted, and ordained him king ouer all Africa. But Califa Elcain hearing this newes at Alchair was woonderfully afflicted in minde; partly because he saw himselfe repelled from his owne kingdome, and partly for that he had spent all his money which hee brought with him: insomuch that he knew not what in the world to doe, determining some seuere punishment for Gehoar, by whose counsell he left his kingdome of Arabia. Howbeit there was one of his secret counsellers a very learned and wittie man, who seeing his Lord so sad and pensiue, and being desirous by some good aduise to preuent the danger imminent, comforted him in this wise: Your highnes knoweth (most inuincible Califa) that fortune is most variable, and that the cou∣rage of your soldiers is no whit daunted by reason of these mishaps. For mine owne part, as I haue heretofore shewed my selfe to be your trustie seruant, so will I at this time giue you such profitable counsell, whereby you may within short space recouer all those dominions which haue

beene so treacherously taken from you, and may without al peraduenture most easily attaine vnto your owne harts desire. And this you may doe without maintaining any armie at all; yea, I assure you, if you please to take mine aduise, that I will foorthwith procure you such an armie, as shall giue you great store of money, and yet notwithstanding shall doe you good seruice also. The Califa being somewhat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these speeches, asked his counsellour how this might possibly be brought to effect: My Lord (saith his counseller) certaine it is, that the Arabians are now growen so populous and to so great a number, that all Arabia can∣not containe them, scarcely wil the yeerely increase of the ground suffice to feede their droues, and you see with what great famine they are afflic∣ted, and how they are destitute not onely of habitations, but euen of vic∣tuals and sustenance. Wherefore if you had heeretofore giuen them leaue, they would long ere this haue inuaded Africa. And if you will now licence them so to doe, doubt you not, but that you shall receiue of them an huge masse of golde. This counsell could not altogether satisfie the Califa his minde: for he knew right well that the Arabians would so waste all Africa, as it should neither bee profitable for himselfe, nor for his enemies. Notwithstanding, seeing that his kingdome was altogether endangered, hee thought it better to accept those summes of money which his counsellour promised, and so to be reuenged of his enemie, then to lose both his kingdome and gold all at once. Wherefore hee permitted all Arabians, which would pay him ducats apeece, freely to enter Africa; conditionally that they would shewe themselues most deadly enemies vnto the treacherous king of Barbarie. Which libertie* 1.28 being granted vnto them, it is reported that ten tribes or families of Ara∣bians, being halfe the people of Arabia deserta, came immediately into Africa; vnto whom certaine inhabitants of Arabia foelix ioyned them∣selues, insomuch that there were found amongst them about fiftie thou∣sand persons able to beare armes: their women, children, and cattell were* 1.29 almost innumerable: the storie whereof Ibnu Rachu, the most diligent chronicler of African affaires (whom we haue before mentioned) setteth downe at large. These Arabians hauing trauersed the desert betweene Aegypt and Barbarie, first laid siege vnto Tripolis a citie of Barbarie, which being ouercome, they slew a great part of the citizens, the residue escaping by flight. Next of all they encountred the towne of Capes, which was by them taken and vanquished. At length they besieged Cai∣raoan also; howbeit the citizens being sufficiently prouided of victuals, are said to haue indured the siege for eight monethes: which being ex∣pired, they were constrained to yeeld: at what time there was nothing in Cairaoan but wofull slaughters, hideous outcries, and present death. This land the Arabians diuided among themselues, and began to people and inhabite the same; requiring in the meane space large tributes of the townes and prouinces subiect vnto them. And so they possessed all

Africa, vntill such time as one Ioseph the sonne of Ieffin attained to the king∣dom of Marocco. This Ioseph was the first king of Marocco, who endeuored by all meanes to aduance the friends and kinred of the late deceased king of Africa vnto the kingdome; neither did he cease vntill he had expelled all the Arabians out of Cairaoan. Howbeit the Arabians possessed the regions thereabout, giuing themselues wholy to spoiles and robberies: and the friends of the said deceased king could beare rule but in certaine places only. Afterward succeeded in the kingdome of Marocco one Mansor, who was the fourth king and prelate of that Mahumetan sect which was called Mua∣chedim. This man, albeit his grand-fathers & great grand-fathers had alwaies fauoured the posteritie and friends of the foresaid deceased African king, and had restored them to their ancient dignitie; deuised altogether how to oppose himselfe against them, and to vsurpe all their authoritie. Wherefore making a fained league with them, we reade, that he prouoked the Arabians against them, and so very easily ouercame them. Afterward Mansor brought the greatest part of the Arabians into the westerne dominions of Africa; vnto the better sort of whom he gaue the habitation of Duccala & Azgara, and vnto the baser remnant he bequeathed the possession of Numidia. But in processe of time he commanded the Numidian slaues to be set at liber∣tie, and so in despight of the Arabians, he caused them to inhabite that part of Numidia which he had allotted vnto them. But as for the Arabians of Azgara and of certaine other places in Barbarie, he brought them all vnder his subiection. For the Arabians out of deserts are like fishes without water: they had indeede often attempted to get into the deserts; but the moun∣taines of Atlas, which were then possessed by the Barbarians, hindred their passage. Neither had they libertie to passe ouer the plaines, for the residue of the Barbarians were there planted. Wherefore their pride being abated, they applied themselues vnto husbandrie, hauing no where to repose them∣selues, but onely in villages, cottages, and tents. And their miserie was so much the greater, in that they were constrained yeerely to disburse vnto the king of Marocco most ample tribute. Those which inhabited Duccala, be∣cause they were an huge multitude, easily freed themselues from all tribute, and imposition. A great part of the Arabians remained still at Tunis, for that Mansor had refused to carie them along with him: who, after the death of the said Mansor, grew to be Lords of Tunis, and so continued, till they resigned their gouernment vnto the people called Abu-Haf; vpon condi∣tion that they should pay them halfe the reuenues thereof: and this condi∣tion hath remained firme euen vntill our daies. Howbeit, because the Ara∣bians are increased to such innumerable swarmes, that the whole reuenues are not sufficient for them, the king of Tunis most iustly alloweth some of* 1.30 them their duties, to the end they may make secure passage for merchants, which indeede they performe without molestation or hurt of any. But the residue which are depriued of their pay, betake themselues wholy to robbe∣ries, thefts, slaughters, and such other monstrous outrages. For these, lurking

alwaies in the woods, no sooner see any merchant approching, but suddenly they breake foorth, depriuing him of his goodes and life also: insomuch that now merchants dare not passe that way but with a garrison of safe-con∣duct. And so they passe sometimes to their great inconuenience. For they are notwithstanding constrained to giue vnto the foresaid Arabians, which are in pay with the king of Tunis, great summes of money: and are likewise oftentimes so in danger of robbers, that they lose both their goods & liues.

Adiuision of the Arabians which inhabite Africa, and are called by the name of Barbarians, into diuers progenies or kinreds.

THE Arabians which inhabite Africa are diuided into three partes: one part whereof are called Cachin, the second Hilell, and the third Machill. The Cachin are diuided into three nations or tribes; to wit, the tribes of Etheg, Sumait, and Sahid. Moreouer Etheg is diuided into three families; that is to say, the familie of Delleg, Elmuntefig, and Subair: and these are dispersed into many regions. Hilel are deriued into fower generations; to wit, the people of Benihemir, of Rieh, of Sufien, and of Chusain. The familie of Benihemir is diuided into the linages of Huroam, Hucben, Habrum and Mussim. The tribe of Rieh are distributed into the kinreds called Deuvad, Suaid, Asgeg, Elcherith, Enedri, and Garfam; which kinreds possesse many dominions. Machil haue three tribes vnder them: to wit, Mastar, Hutmen, and Hassan. Mastar are diuided into Ruchen, and Selim; Hutmen into Elhasi and Chi∣nan; and Hassan into Deuihessen, Deuimansor, and Deuihubaidulla. Deui∣hessen is distinguished into the kinreds called Dulein, Berbun, Vodein, Rac∣men and Hamram; Deuimansor into Hemrun, Menebbe, Husein, and Al∣buhusein; and lastly Deuihubaidulla, into Garag, Hedeg, Teleb, and Geoan. All these doe in a manner possesse innumerable regions; insomuch that to reckon them vp at large, were a matter not onely difficult, but almost im∣possible.

Of the habitations and number of the foresaid Arabians.

THE most noble and famous Arabians were they of the familie of Etheg, vnto whome Almansor gaue the regions of Duccala and of Tedles to inhabit. These Arabians euen till our times haue beene put to great distresse and hazard, partly by the Portugall king, and partly by the king of Fez. They haue at all oportunities, if need should require, a hundred thousand soldiers fit to beare armes, a great part whereof are horsemen. The Arabians called Sumait enioy that part of the Libyan desert which lieth ouer against the desert of Tripoly. These make often inuasions into Bar∣barie,

for they haue no places allotted them therein, but they and their ca∣mels doe perpetually remaine in the deserts. They are able to leuie fower∣score thousand soldiers, the greatest part being footmen. Likewise the tribe of Sahid doe inhabite the desert of Libya: and these haue had alwaies great league and familiaritie with the king of Guargala. They haue such abun∣dance of cattell, that they doe plentifully supply all the cities of that region with flesh, and that especially in sommer time, for all the winter they stirre not out of the deserts. Their number is increased to about a hundred and fif∣tie thousand, hauing not many horsemen among them. The tribe of Delleg possesse diuers habitations, howbeit * 1.31 Caesaria containeth the greatest part of them. Some also inhabit vpon the frontiers of the kingdome of Bugia; who are said to receiue a yeerely stipend from their next neighbours. But the least part of them dwell vpon the field-countrey of Acdes, vpon the borders of Mauritania, and vpon some part of mount Atlas, being subiect vnto the king of Fez. The people of Elmuntefig are seated in the prouince of Azgar, and are called by the later writers Elcaluth. These also pay certaine yeerely tribute vnto the King of Fez, beeing able to furnish about eight thousand horsemen to the warres. The kindred of Sobair doe inhabit not farre from the kingdome of Gezeir, being many of them vnder the pay of the king of Tremizen, and are said to enioy a great part of Numidia. They haue, more or lesse, three thousand most warlike horsemen. They possesse likewise great abundance of camels; for which cause they abide all winter in the deserts. The remnant of them occupieth the plaine which lieth be∣tweene Sala and Mecnes. These haue huge droues of cattell, and exercise themselues in husbandrie, being constrained to pay some yeerely tribute vnto the king of Fez. They haue horsemen, who, as a man may say, are na∣turally framed to the warres, about fower thousand in number.

Of the people of Hillel, and of their habitations.

HIllel, which are also called Benihamir, dwell vpon the fron∣tiers of the kingdome of Tremizen and Oran. These range vp and downe the desert of Tegorarin, being in pay vnder the king of Tremizen, and of great riches and power; inso∣much that they haue at all times in a readines for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 six thousand horsemen. The tribe of Hurua possesse onely the borders of Mustuganim. These are sauage people, giuing themselues wholy to spoiles and robberies, and alienating their mindes from the warres. They neuer come foorth of the deserts; for the people of Barbarie will neither allow them any places of habitation, nor yet any stipend at all: horsemen they haue to the number of two thousand. The kindred of Hucban are next neighbours vnto the region of Melian, who receiue certaine pay from the king of Tunis. They are rude and wilde people, and in very deede estranged from al humanitie: they haue (as it is reported) about fifteene hundred horse∣men.

The tribe of Habru inhabit the region lying betweene Oran and Mu∣stuganim: these exercise husbandrie, paying yeerely tribute vnto the king of Tremizen, and being scarce able to make one hundred horsemen.

The people called Mussim possesse those deserts of Masila which extend vnto the kingdome of Bugia. These likewise are giuen onely to theft and robberie; they take tribute both of their owne people, and of other regions adioyning vnto them. The tribe of Rieeh inhabite those deserts of Libya which border vpon Constantina. These haue most ample dominions in Numidia, being now diuided into sixe parts. This right famous and warlike nation receiueth stipende from the king of Tunis, hauing fiue thousande horsemen at command. The people of Suaid enioy that desert, which is ex∣tended vnto the signiorie of Tenez. These haue very large possessions, re∣ceiuing stipend from the king of Tremizen, being men of notable dexteri∣tie, as well in the warres as in all other conuersation of life. The kindred of Azgeg dwell not all together in one place: for part of them inhabite the region of Garet among the people called Hemram: and the residue poslesse that part of Duccala which lieth neere vnto Azaphi. The tribe of Elcherit dwell vpon that portion of Helin which is situate in the plaine of Sahidim, hauing the people of Heah tributarie vnto them, and being a very vnciuill and barbarous people. The people called Enedri are seated in the plaine of Heah: but the whole region of Heah maintaineth almost fower thousand horsemen; which notwithstanding are vnfit for the warres. The people of Garfa haue sundrie mansions; neither haue they any king or gouernour. They are dispersed among other generations, and especially among the kindreds of Manebbi and Hemram. These conuay dates from Segelmessa to the kingdome of Fez, and carrie backe againe from thence such things as are necessarie for Segelmess.

Of the tribe of Machil.

THE people called Ruche, who are thought to be descended from Mastar, doe possesse that desert, which lieth next vnto Dedes and Farcala. They haue very small dominions, for which cause they are accounted no whit rich; howbeit they are most valiant soldiers, and exceeding swift of foote; inso∣much that they esteeme it a great disgrace, if one of their footemen be van∣quished by two horsemen. And you shall finde scarce any one man among them, which will not outgoe a very swift horse; be the iourney neuer so long. They haue about fiue hundred horsemen; but most warlike foote∣men, to the number of eight thousand. Selim inhabite vpon the riuer of Dara; from whence they range vp and downe the deserts. They are endow∣ed with great riches, carrying euery yeere merchandize vnto the kingdome of Tombuto, and are thought to be in high fauour with the king himselfe.* 1.32 A large iurisdiction they haue in Darha and great plentie of camels: and

for all oportunities of warre they haue euer in a readines three thousande horsemen. The tribe of Elhasis dwelleth vpon the sea-coast neere vnto Messa. They doe arme about fiue hundred horsemen, and are a nation alto∣gether rude and vnacquainted in the warres. Some part of them inhabiteth Azgara. Those which dwell about Messa are free from the yoke of superio∣ritie, but the others which remaine in Azgar are subiect to the king of Fez. The kindred of Chinan are dispersed among them which before were called Elcaluth, and these also are subiect vnto the king of Fez. Very warlike peo∣ple they are; and are able to set foorth two thousand horsemen. The people of Deuihessen are diuided into the kindreds of Duleim, Burbun, Vode, De∣uimansor, and Deuihubaidulla. Duleim are conuersant in the deserts of Libya with the African people called Zanhaga. They haue neither domi∣nion nor yet any stipend; wherefore they are very poore and giuen to rob∣berie: they trauell vnto Dara, and exchange cattell for dates with the inha∣bitants there. All brauerie & comelines of apparell they vtterly neglect; and their number of fighting menis ten thousand, fower thousand being horse∣men and the residue footmen. The people called Burbun possesse, that part of the Libyan desert, which adioyneth vnto Sus. They are a huge multitude, neither haue they any riches beside camels. Vnto them is subiect the citie of Tesset, which scarce sufficeth them for the maintenance of their horses, being but a few. The people of Vode enioyeth that desert, which is situate betweene Guaden and Gualata. They beare rule ouer the Guadenites, and of the Duke of Gualata they receiue yeerely tribute, and their number is growen almost infinite For by report they are of abilitie to bring into the field almost threescore thousand most skilful soldiers; notwithstanding they haue great want of horses. The tribe of Racmen occupie that desert which is next vnto Hacha. They haue very large possessions, and doe in the spring∣time vsually trauell vnto Tesset: for then alwaies they haue somewhat to doe with the inhabitants there. Their people fit for armes are to the number of twelue thousand; albeit they haue very few horsemen. The nation of Ham∣rum inhabit the deserts of Tagauost, exacting some tribute of the inhabi∣tants there, and with daily incursions likewise molesting the people of Nun. Their number of soldiers is almost eight thousand.

The people descended of Deuimansor.

THE generation of Dehemrum, which are saide to deriue their petigree from Deuimansor, inhabite the desert ouer against Se∣gellmess, who continually wander by the Libyan deserts as farre as Ighid. They haue tributarie vnto them the people of Segel∣messe, of Todgatan, of Tebelbelt, and of Dara. Their soile yeeldeth such abundance of dates, that the yeerely increase thereof is sufficient to main∣taine them, although they had nothing else to liue on. They are of great fame in other nations, being able to furnish for the warres about three thou∣sand

horsemen. There dwell likewise among these certaine other Arabians of more base condition, called in their language Garfa Esgeh; which not∣withstanding haue great abundance of horses and of all other cattell. A cer∣taine part also of the people Hemrun obtaineth many and large possessi∣ons among the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from whence they haue a notable yeerely reue∣nue brought them in: this part of Hemrun maketh often excursions to∣wards the deserts of Fighig. In summer they disperse themselues all ouer the prouince of Garet, possessing the east part of Mauritania. They are noble and honest persons, and endued with all kinde of humanitie and ciuilitie; insomuch that all the kings of Fez in a manner do vsually chuse them wiues out of the same tribe; needes therefore must there be great friendship and familiaritie among them. The people of Menebbe doe almost inhabite the very same desert, hauing two prouinces of Numidia vnder them; to wit, Matgara, and Retebbe. These also are a most valiant nation, being in pay vn∣der the prouince of Segelmess, and being able to make about two thousand horsemen. The kindred of Husein, which are thought to be descended of Deuimansor, are seated vpon the mountaines of Atlas. They haue in the said mountaines a large iurisdiction, namely diuers castles euery where, and many most rich and flourishing cities, all which, they thinke, were giuen them in olde time by the vice-royes of the Marini: for so soone as they had woon that kingdome, the kindred of Husein affoorded them great aide and seruice. Their dominion is now subiect vnto the kings of Fez and of Segel∣mess. They haue a captaine, which for the most part resideth at the citie commonly called Garseluin. Likewise they are alwaies, in a manner, trauer∣sing of that desert which in their language is called Eddara. They are taken to be a most rich and honest people, being of abilitie to furnish for the warres about sixe thousande horsemen. Among these you shall often∣times finde many Arabians of another sort, whom they vse onely to be their seruants. The tribe of Abulhusein doe inhabite part of the foresaid desert of Eddara, howbeit a very smal part: the greatest number of whom are brought vnto such extreme miserie, that they haue not in those their wilde tents suf∣ficient sustenance to liue vpon. True it is, that they haue built them certaine habitations vpon the Libyan deserts; but yet they are cruelly pinched with famine and with extreme penurie of all things: and (that there might be no end of their miserie) they are constrained to pay yeerely tribute vnto their kindred and parents.

The ofspring of Deuihubaidulla.

ONE generation of the people of Deuihubaidulla are those which are named Gharrag: these enioy the deserts of Beni∣gomi and Fighig, hauing very large possessions in Numidia. They are stipendaries vnto the king of Tremizen; who dili∣gently endeuoreth to bring them to peace and tranquillitie of life; for they

are wholy giuen to theft and robberie. In sommer time they vsually repaire vnto Tremizen, where they are thought for that season of the yeere to settle their aboad: their horsemen are to the number of fower thousand, all which are most noble warriours. The kindred of Hedeg possesse a certaine desert neere vnto Tremizen, called in their owne language Hangad. These haue no stipend from any prince, nor yet any iurisdiction at all, rapine and stealth is onely delightfull vnto them, they prouide onely for their familie and themselues, and are able to set foorth about fiue hundred horsemen. The tribe of Theleb inhabite the plaine of* 1.33 Algezer: these haue often vagaries ouer the deserts vnto the prouince of Tedgear. Vnto them were subiect in times past the most famous cities of Algezer and Tedelles: howbeit in these our daies they were recouered againe from them by Barbarossa the Turke; which losse could not but greatly grieue and molest their king. It is repor∣ted moreouer, that at the same time, the principal of the said people of The∣leb were cut off. For strength and cunning in chiualrie they were inferiour to no other nation; their norsemen were about three thousand. The tribe of Gehoan inhabite not all in one place: for part of them you may finde among the people of Guarag, and the residue amongst the people of He∣deg, and they are vnto them no otherwise then their seruants, which con∣dition they notwithstanding most patiently and willingly submit them∣selues vnto. And here one thing is to be noted by the way; to wit, that the two forenamed people called* 1.34 Schachin and Hilel are originally Arabians of Arabia deserta, and thinke themselues to be descended from Ismael the sonne of Abraham. And those which wee called Machil, came first forth of Arabia foelix, and deriue their petigree from Saba. Before whom the Mahu∣metans preferre the former, which of Ismael are called Ismaelites. And be∣cause* 1.35 there hath alwaies beene great controuerfie among them, which part should be of greater nobilitie, they haue written on both sides many dia∣logues and epigrams, whereby each man is woont to blaze the renowme, the vertuous manners, and laudable customes of his owne nation. The ancient Arabians, which were before the times of the Ismaelites, were called by the African historiographers Arabi-Araba, as if a man should say, Arabians of Arabia. But those which came of Ismael, they call Arabi Mus-Araba, as if they should say, Arabians ingraffed into the land of Arabia, or Arabians accidentally, because they were not originally bred & borne in Arabia. And thē which afterward came into Africa, they name in their language Musteh∣geme, that is, barbarous Arabians; and that because they ioyned themselues vnto strangers, insomuch that not only their speech, but their manners also are most corrupt and barbarous. These are (friendly reader) the particulars, which for these ten yeeres my memorie could reserue, as touching the ori∣ginals and diuersities of the Africans and Arabians; in all which time I re∣member not, that euer I read or saw any historie of that nation. He that will know more, let him haue recourse vnto Hibnu Rachu the historiographer beforenamed.

The manners and customes of the African people, which inhabit the deserts of Libya.

THose fiue kindes of people before rehearsed, to wit, the people* 1.36 of Zenega, of Gansiga, of Terga, of Leuta, and of Bardeoa, are called of the Latins Numidae: and they liue all after one man∣ner, that is to say, without all lawe and ciuilitie. Their gar∣ment is a narrow and base peece of cloth, wherewith scarce halfe their bodie is couered. Some of them wrap their heads in a kinde of blacke cloth, as it were with a scarfe, such as the Turks vse, which is commonly called a Tur∣bant. Such as will be discerned from the common sort, for geutlemen, weare a iacket made of blew cotton with wide sleeues. And cotton-cloth is brought vnto them by certaine merchants from the land of Negros. They haue no beastes fit to ride vpon except their camels; vnto whom nature, betweene the bunch standing vpon the hinder part of their backes and their neckes, hath allotted a place, which may fitly serue to ride vpon, in stead of a saddle. Their manner of riding is most ridiculous. For sometimes they lay their legs acrosse vpon the camels neck; and sometimes againe (hauing no know∣ledge nor regard of stirrops) they rest their feete vpon a rope, which is cast ouer his shoulders. In stead of spurres they vse a truncheon of a cubites length, hauing at the one end thereof a goad, wherewith they pricke onely the shoulders of their camels. Those camels which they vse to ride vpon haue a hole bored through the gristles of their nose, in the which a ring of leather is fastened, whereby as with a bit, they are more easily curbed and mastred; after which manner I haue seene buffles vsed in Italie. For beds; they lie vpon mats made of sedge and bulrushes. Their tents are couered for the most part with course chamlet, or with a harsh kinde of wooll which commonly groweth vpon the boughes of their date-trees. As for their man∣ner* 1.37 of liuing, it would seeme to any man incredible what hunger and scarci∣tie this nation will indure. Bread they haue none at all, neither vse they any seething or rosting; their foode is camels milke onely, and they desire no other dainties. For their breakefast they drinke off a great cup of camels milke: for supper they haue certaine dried flesh stieped in butter and milke; wherof each man taking his share, eateth it out of his fist. And that this their meate may not stay long vndigested in their stomackes, they sup off the foresaid broth wherein their flesh was steeped: for which purpose they vse the palmes of their hands as a most fit instrument framed by nature to the same end. After that, each one drinks his cup of milk, & so their supper hath an ende. These Numidians, while they haue any store of milke, regard wa∣ter nothing at all, which for the most part happeneth in the spring of the yeere, all which time you shall finde some among them that will neither wash their hands nor their faces. Which seemeth not altogether to be vn∣likely; for (as we said before) while their milke lasteth, they frequent not

those places where water is common: yea, and their camels, so long as they may feede vpon grasse, will drinke no water at all. They spende their whole daies in hunting and theeuing: for all their indeuour and exercise is to driue away the camels of their enemies; neither will they remaine aboue three daies in one place, by reason that they haue not pasture any longer for the sustenance of their camels. And albeit (as is aforesaid) they haue no ciuilitie at all, nor any lawes prescribed vnto them; yet haue they a certaine gouer∣nour or prince placed ouer them, vnto whom they render obedience and due honour, as vnto their king. They are not onely ignorant of all good learning and liberall sciences; but are likewise altogether careles and desti∣tute of vertue: insomuch that you shall finde scarce one amongst them all which is a man of iudgement or counsell. And if any iniuried partie will goe to the lawe with his aduersarie, he must ride continually fiue or sixe daies before he can come to the speech of any iudge. This nation hath all lear∣ning and good disciplines in such contempt, that they will not once vouch∣safe to goe out of their deserts for the studie and attaining thereof: neither, if any learned man shall chance to come among them, can they loue his companie and conuersation, in regarde of their most rude and detestable behauiour. Howbeit, if they can finde any iudge, which can frame himselfe to liue and continue among them, to him they giue most large yeerely al∣lowance. Some allow their iudge a thousand ducates yeerely, some more, and some lesse, according as themselues thinke good. They that will seeme to be accounted of the better sort, couer their heads (as I said before) with a peece of blacke cloth, part whereof, like a vizard or maske, reacheth downe ouer their faces, couering all their countenance except their eies; and this is their daily kinde of attire. And so often as they put meate into their mouthes they remooue the said maske, which being done, they foorth with couer their mouths again; alleging this fond reason: for (say they) as it is vn∣seemely for a man, after he hath receiued meate into his stomack, to vomite it out of his mouth againe and to cast it vpon the earth; euen so it is an vn∣decent part to eate meate with a mans mouth vncouered. The women of this nation be grosse, corpulent, and of a swart complexion. They are fattest vpon their brest and paps, but slender about the girdle-〈◊〉〈◊〉. Very ciuill they are, after their manner, both in speech and gestures: sometimes they will accept of a kisse; but whoso tempteth them farther, putteth his owne life in hazard. For by reason of iealousie you may see them daily one to be the death and destruction of another, and that in such sauage and brutish man∣ner, that in this case they will shew no compassion at all. And they seeme to be more wise in this behalfe then diuers of our people, for they will by no meanes match themselues vnto an harlot. The liberalitie of this people hath at all times beene exceeding great. And when any trauellers may passe through their drie and desert territories, they will neuer repaire vnto their tents, neither will they themselues trauell vpon the common high way. And if any carouan or multitude of merchants will passe those deserts, they are

bound to pay certaine custome vnto the prince of the said people, namely, for euery camels load a peece of cloth woorth a ducate. Vpon a time I re∣member that trauelling in the companie of certaine merchants ouer the desert called by them Araoan, it was our chaunce there to meete with the prince of Zanaga; who, after he had receiued his due custome, inuited the said companie of merchants, for their recreation, to goe and abide with him in his tents fower or fiue daies. Howbeit, because his tents were too farre out of our way, and for that we should haue wandered farther then we thought good, esteeming it more conuenient for vs to hold on our direct course, we refused his gentle offer, and for his courtesie gaue him great thanks. But not being satisfied therewith, he commanded that our camels should proceede on forward, but the merchants he carried along with him, and gaue them very sumptuous entertainment at his place of aboad. Where wee were no sooner arriued, but this good prince caused camels of all kindes and ostri∣ches,* 1.38 which he had hunted and taken by the way, to bee killed for his hou∣shold prouision. Howbeit we requested him not to make such daily slaugh∣ters of his camels; affirming moreouer, that we neuer vsed to eate the flesh of a gelt camell, but when all other victuals failed vs. Whereunto hee an∣swered, that he should deale vnciuilly, if he welcommed so woorthie and so seldome-seene guests with the killing of small cattell onely. Wherefore he wished vs to fall to such prouision as was set before vs. Here might you haue seene great plentie of rosted and sodden flesh: their roasted ostriches were brought to the table in wicker platters, being seasoned with sundrie kindes of herbes and spices. Their bread made of Mill and panicke was of a most sa∣uorie and pleasant taste: and alwaies at the end of dinner or supper we had plentie of dates and great store of milke serued in. Yea, this bountifull and noble prince, that he might sufficiently shew how welcome we were vnto him, would together with his nobilitie alwaies beare vs companie: howbeit we euer dined and supped apart by our selues. Moreouer he caused certaine religious and most learned men to come vnto our banquet; who, all the time we remained with the said prince, vsed not to eate any bread at all, but fed onely vpon flesh and milke. Whereat we being somewhat amazed, the good prince gently told vs, that they all were borne in such places whereas no kinde of graine would grow: howbeit that himselfe, for the entertain∣ment of strangers, had great plentie of corne laid vp in store. Wherefore he bad vs to be of good cheere, saying that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would eate onely of such things as his owne natiue soile affoorded: affirming moreouer, that bread was yet in vse among them at their feast of passeouer, and at other feasts also, where∣upon they vsed to offer sacrifice. And thus we remained with him for the space of two daies; all which time, what woonderfull and magnificent cheere we had made vs, would seeme incredible to report. But the third day, being desirous to take our leaue, the prince accompanied vs to that place where we ouertooke our camels and companie sent before. And this I dare most deepely take mine oath on, that we spent the saide prince ten times

more, then our custome which he receiued came to. Wee thought it not amisse here to set downe this historie, to declare in some sort the courtesie and liberalitie of the said nation. Neither could the prince aforesaid vnder∣stand our language nor we his; but all our speech to and fro was made by an interpreter. And this which we haue here recorded as touching this nation, is likewise to be vnderstood of the other fower nations aboue mentioned, which are dispersed ouer the residue of the Numidian deserts.

The manners and customes of the Arabians which inhabite Africa.

THE Arabians, as they haue sundrie mansions and places of aboad, so doe they liue after a diuers and sundry maner. Those which inhabite betweene Numidia and Libya leade a most miserable and distres∣sed life, differing much in this regard from those Africans, whom wee affirmed to dwell in Libya. Howbeit they are farre more valiant then the said Africans; and vse commonly to exchange camels in the lande of Ne∣gros:* 1.39 they haue likewise great store of horses, which in Europe they cal hor∣ses of Barbarie. They take woonderfull delight in hunting and pursuing of deere, of wilde asses, of ostriches, and such like. Neither is it here to be omit∣ted, that the greater part of Arabians which inhabite Numidia, are very wittie and conceited in penning of verses; wherein each man will decipher* 1.40 his loue, his hunting, his combates, and other his woorthie actes: and this is done for the most part in ryme, after the Italians manner. And albe it they are most liberally minded, yet dare they not by bountifull giuing make any shew of wealth; for they are daily oppressed with manifold inconueniences. They are apparelled after the Numidians fashion, sauing that their women differ somewhat from the women of Numidia. Those deserts which they doe now enioy were woont to be possessed by Africans: but rhe Arabians with their armie inuading that part of Africa, draue out the naturall Numi∣dians, and reserued the deserts adioining vpon The land of dates, vnto them∣selues: but the Numidians began to inhabite those deserts which border vpon the land of Negros. The Arabians which dwell betweene mount Atlas and the Mediterran sea are far wealthier then these which we now speake of, both for costlines of apparell, for good horse-meate, and for the statelines and beautie of their tents. Their horses also are of better shape and more corpulent, but not so swift as the horses of the Numidian desert. They exer∣cise husbandrie and haue great increase of corne. Their droues and flockes of cattell be innumerable, insomuch that they cannot inhabite one by ano∣ther for want of pasture. They are somewhat more vile and barbarous then those which inhabite the deserts, and yet they are not altogether destitute of liberalitie: part of them, which dwell in the territorie of Fez are subiect vnto the king of Fez. Those which remaine in Marocco and Duccala haue conti∣nued this long time free from all exaction and tribute: but so soone as the

king of Portugall began to beare rule ouer Azafi and Azamor, there began also among them strife and ciuill warre. Wherefore being assailed by the king of Portugall on the one side, and by the king of Fez on the other, and being oppressed also with the extreme famine and scarcitie of that yeere, they were brought vnto such miserie, that they freely offered themselues as* 1.41 slaues vnto the Portugals, submitting themselues to any man, that was wil∣ling to releeue their intolerable hunger: and by this meanes scarce one of them was left in all Duccala. Moreouer those which possesse the deserts bordering vpon the kingdomes of Tremizen and Tunis may all of them, in regard of the rest, be called noblemen and gentlemen. For their gouernours receiuing euery yeere great reuenues from the king of Tunis, diuide the same afterward among their people, to the end they may auoid all discord: and by this meanes all dissension is eschewed, and peace is kept firme and in∣uiolable among them. They haue notable dexteritie and cunning, both in making of tents, and in bringing vp and keeping of horses. In summer time they vsually come neere vnto Tunis, to the end that each man may prouide himselfe of bread, armour, and other necessaries: all which they carrie with them into the deserts, remaining there the whole winter. In the spring of the yeere they applie themselues to hunting, insomuch that no beast can escape their pursuit. My selfe, I remember, was once at their tents, to my no little danger and inconuenience; where I sawe greater quantitie of cloth, brasse, yron, and copper, then a man shall oftentimes finde in the most rich ware∣houses of some cities. Howbeit no trust is to be giuen vnto them; for if oc∣casion serue, they will play the theeues most slyly and cunningly; notwith∣standing they seeme to carrie some shewe of ciuilitie. They take great de∣light in poetrie, and will pen most excellent verses, their language being very pure and elegant. If any woorthie poet be found among them, he is accepted by their gouernours with great honour and liberalitie; neither would any man easily beleeue what wit and decencie is in their verses. Their women (according to the guise of that countrie) goe very gorgeously atti∣red: they weare linnen gownes died black, with exceeding wide sleeues, ouer which sometimes they cast a mantle of the same colour or of blew, the cor∣ners of which mantle are very artificially fastened about their shoulders with a fine siluer claspe. Likewise they haue rings hanging at their eares, which for the most part are made of siluer: they weare many rings also vpon their fingers. Moreouer they vsually weare about their thighes and ankles certaine scarfes and rings, after the fashion of the Africans. They couer their faces with certaine maskes hauing onely two holes for their eies to peepe out at. If any man chance to meete with them, they presently hide their faces, passing by him with silence, except it be some of their allies or kinsfolks; for vnto them they alwaies discouer their faces, neither is there any vse of the said maske so long as they be in presence. These Arabians when they trauell any iourney (as they oftentimes doe) they set their women vpon certaine saddles made handsomely of wicker for the same purpose, and

fastened to their camels backes, neither be they any thing too wide, but fit onely for a woman to sit in. When they goe to the warres each man carries his wife with him, to the end that she may cheere vp her good man, and giue him encouragement. Their damsels which are vnmarried doe vsually paint their faces, brests, armes, hands, and fingers with a kinde of counterfeit co∣lour: which is accounted a most decent custome among them. But this fashion was first brought in by those Arabians, which before we called Afri∣cans, what time they began first of all to inhabite that region; for before then, they neuer vsed any false or glozing colours. The women of Barbarie vse not this fond kind of painting, but contenting themselues only with their naturall hiew, they regarde not such fained ornaments: howbeit sometimes they will temper a certaine colour with hens-dung and safron, wherewithall they paint a little round spot on the bals of their cheeks, about the bredth of a French crowne. Likewise betweene their eie-browes they make a triangle; and paint vpon their chinnes a patch like vnto an oliue leafe. Some of them also doe paint their eie-browes: and this custome is very highly esteemed of by the Arabian poets and by the gentlemen of that countrie. Howbeit they will not vse these fantasticall ornaments aboue two or three daies toge∣ther: all which time they will not be seene to any of their friends, except it be to their husbands and children: for these paintings seeme to bee great allurements vnto lust, whereby the said women thinke themselues more trim and beautifull.

How the Arabians in the deserts betweene Barbarie and Aegypt doe lead their liues.

THE life of these men is full of miserie and calamitie: for the places where they inhabite are barren and vnpleasant. They haue some store of camels and other cattell: howbeit their fodder is so scarce, that they cannot well sustaine them. Neither shall you finde ouer all the whole re∣gion any place fit to beare corne. And if in that desert there be any villages at all, which vse to husband and manure their ground; yet reape they small commoditie thereby, except it be for plentifull increase of dates. Their ca∣mels and other of their cattell they exchange for dates and corne; and so the poore husbandmen of the foresaide villages haue some small recom∣pence for their labours: notwithstanding, how can all this satisfie the hun∣ger of such a multitude? For you shall dayly see in Sicilia great numbers of* 1.42 their sonnes layde to pawne. Because when they haue not wherewithall to pay for the corne which they there buy, they are constrained to leaue their sonnes behinde them, as pledges of future payment. But the Sicilians, if their money be not paide them at the time appointed, will chalenge the Arabians sonnes to be their slaues. Which day being once past, if any fa∣ther will redeeme his childe, he must disburse thrise or fower times so much as the due debt amounteth vnto: for which cause they are the most notable

theeues in the whole world. If any stranger fall into their hands, depriuing him of all that he hath, they presently carrie him to Sicilie, and there either sell or exchange him for come. And I thinke, that no merchants 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at any time within these hundred yeeres 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for traffiques sake vpon any part of their coast. For when they are to passe by with merchandize, or about any other weightie affaires, they eschew that region fiue hundred miles at the least. Once I remember, that I my selfe, for my better 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to auoide the danger of those mischieuous people, went in com∣panie with certaine merchants, who in three ships sayled along their coast. We were no sooner espied of them; but forthwith they came running to the shore, making signes that they would traffique with vs to our great ad∣uantage. Howbeit becaufe we durst not repose any trust in them, none of our companie would depart the ship, before they had deliuered certaine pledges vnto vs. Which being done, we bought certaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or gel∣ded men, and good store of butter of them. And so immediately weighing our ankers we betooke vs to flight, fearing least we should haue beene met withall by the Sicilian and Rhodian Pirates, and beene spoiled not onely of our goods, but of our liberties also. To be short, the saide Arabians are verie rude, forlorne, beggerly, leane, and hunger-starued people, hauing God (no doubt) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 displeased against them, by whose vengeance they dayly sustaine such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 calamities.

Of the people called Soara, namely, which possesse droues and flockes of cattell, and being Africans by birth, do notwithstanding imitate the manners of the Arabians.

YOV shall finde many among the Africans which liue alto∣githera shepheards or drouers life, inhabiting vpon the be∣ginning of mount Atlas, and being dispersed here and there ouer the same mountaine. They are constrained alwaies to pay tribute either to the King of the same region where they dwell, or else to the Arabians, except those onely which inhabite Te∣mesna, who are free from all forren superioritie, and are of great power. They speake the same kinde of language that other Africanes doe, except some fewe of them which conuerse with the inhabitants of the citie called Vrbs (which is neere vnto Tunis) who speake the Arabian toong. Moreo∣uer there is a certaine people inhabiting that region which diuideth Nu∣midia from Tunis. These oftentimes wage warre against the King of Tunis himselfe, which they put in practise not many yeeres since, when as the said King his sonne marching towards them from Constantina with an armie, for the demaunding of such tribute as was due vnto him, fought a verie vn∣fortunate battell. For no sooner were they aduertised of the Kings sonne* 1.43 his approach, but foorthwith they went to meete him with two thousande horsemen, and at length vanquished and slew him at vnawares, carrying

home with them all the furniture, bag, and baggage, which he had brought foorth. And this was done in the yeere of Mahumets Hegeira 915. From that time their fame hath beene spred abroad in all places. Yea, many of the king of Tunis his subiects reuolted from their King vnto them; inso∣much that the Prince of this people is growen so puissant, that scarcely is his equall to be found in all Africa.

Of the faith and religion of the ancient Africans or Moores.

THE ancient Africans were much addicted to idolatrie, euen as certain of the Persians are at this day, some of whom worship the sunne, and others the fire, for their gods. For the saide Africans had in times past magnificent and most stately temples built and dedicated, as well to the honour of the sunne as of the fire. In these temples day and night they kept fire kind∣led, giuing diligent heed that it might not at any time be extinguished, euen as we read of the Romane Vestall virgines: All which you may read more fully and at large in the Persian and African Chronicles. Those Africans which inhabited Libya and Numidia, would each of them worship some certaine planet, vnto whom likewise they offered sacrifices and praiers. Some others of the land of Negros worship Guighimo, that is to say, The Lord of Heauen. And this sound point of religion was not deliuered vnto them by any Prophet or teacher, but was inspired, as it were, from God him∣selfe. After that, they embraced the Iewish law, wherein they are said to haue continued many yeeres. Afterward they professed the Christian religion, and continued Christians, vntill such time as the Mahumetan superstition preuailed; which came to passe in the yeere of the Hegeira 208. About which time certaine of Mahomets disciples so bewitched them with elo∣quent and deceiueable speeches, that they allured their weake minds to con∣sent vnto their opinion; insomuch that all the kingdomes of the Negros adioyning vnto Libya receiued the Mahumetan lawe. Neither is there any region in all the Negros land, which hath in it at this day any Christians at all. At the same time such as were found to be Iewes, Christians, or of the African religion, were slaine euerie man of them. Howbeit those which dwell neere vnto the Ocean sea, are all of them verie grosse idolaters. Be∣tweene whom and the Portugals there hath beene from time to time and euen at this present is, great traffique and familiaritie. The inhabitants of Barbarie continued for many yeeres idolaters; but before the comming of Mahomet aboue 250, yeeres, they are saide to haue embraced the Chri∣stian faith: which some thinke came to passe vpon this occasion; namely, because that of part Barbarie which containeth the kingdome of Tripolis and Tunis, was in times past gouerned by Apulian & Sicilian Captaines, and the countries of * 1.44 Caesaria and of * 1.45 Mauritania are supposed to haue beene

〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the Gothes. At what time also many Christians fleeing from the furie and madnes of the Gothes left their sweet natiue soyle of Italy, and at length arriued in Africa neere vnto Tunis: where hauing setled their aboad for some certaine space, they began at length to haue the dominion ouer all that region. Howbeit the Christians which inhabited Barbaria, not respecting the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Rome, followed the Arrians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and forme of liuing: and one of the African Christians was that most godly and learned father Saint Augustine. When the Ara∣bians therefore came to conquer that part of Africa they found Christians to be Lords ouer the regions adiacent; of whom, after sundry hot conflicts, the saide Arabians got the victorie. Whereupon the Arrians being depri∣ued of all their dominions and goods went part of them into Italy and part into Spaine. And so about two hundred yeeres after the death of Mahu∣met, almost all Barbarie was infected with his law. Howbeit afterward, ciuile dissensions arising among them, neglecting the law of Mahumet, they slue all the priests and gouernours of that region. Which tumult when it came to the eares of the Mahumetan Caliphas, they sent an huge armie against the saide rebels of Barbarie, to wit, those which were reuolted from the Ca∣lipha of Bagdet, and seuerely punished their misdemeanor. And euen at the same time was layd the most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foundation of the Mahumetan law; notwithstanding there haue remained many heresies among them euen vntill this verie day. As touching the patrons of the Mahumetan lawe, and likewise concerning the difference in religion betweene the Mahumetans* 1.46 of Africa, and them of Asia, we will (by Gods grace) write more in another seuerall volume; and in the meane season, let these particulars which we haue noted suffice the Reader.

Of the letters and characters of the Africans.

THose writers which record the histories of the Arabians doings are all iointly of opinion, that the Africans were woont to vse onely the Latine letters. And they doe most constantly affirme,* 1.47 that the Arabians, when they first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Africa and especially Barbarie (which was the principall seate of the Africans) founde no letters nor characters there, beside the Latine. Neither indeede doe they denie that the Africans haue a peculiar kinde of language, but this they firmly auouch, that they haue the very same letters which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Florentinesa people of Italie haue. The Arabians haue no historie * 1.48 of African matters, which was not first written in Latine. They haue certaine ancient authors, who writ partly in the times of the Arrians and partly before their times, the names of all which are cleane forgotten. Howbeit it is very likely that those Latine authors haue written many volumes: for when their interpreters laboured to perswade something vnto vs, I remember they would say, it is contained in the seuentieth booke. Neither did they in translating of the

said volumes altogether follow the authors order; but taking the historie of some one prince, they would conioine his time and actions with the histo∣rie of the Persian, Assyrian, and Chaldaean kings, or of the Israelites, which concerned the same times. But when as those which rebelled against the Calipha of Bagdet (as is aforesaid) got the vpper hand in Africa, they burnt all the Africans bookes. For they were of opinion, that the Africans, so long as they had any knowledge of naturall philosophie or of other good artes and sciences, would euery day more and more arrogantly contemne the lawe of Mahumet. Contrariwise, some historiographers there are which affirme, that the Africans had a kinde of letters peculiar vnto them∣selues; which notwithstanding, from the time wherein the Italians began first to inhabite Barbarie, and wherein the Christians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of Italie from the Gothes, began to subdue those prouinces of Africa, were vtterly abolished and taken away. For it is likely that a people vanquished shoulde follow the customes and the letters also of their conquerors. And did not the same thing happen to the Persians, while the Arabians empire stood? For certaine it is, that the Persians at the same time lost those letters which were peculiar vnto their nation; and that all their bookes, by the comman∣dement* 1.49 of the Mahumetan prelates, were burnt, least their knowledge in naturall philosophie, or their idolatrous religion might mooue them to contemne the precepts of Mahumet. The like also (as we shewed before) befell the Barbarians when as the Italians and the Gothes vsurped their dominions in Barbarie; which may here (I hope) suffice the gentle reader. Howbeit this is out of doubt, that all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉-cities and inland-cities of Bar∣barie doe vse Latine letters onely, whensoeuer they will commit any epi∣taphes or any other verses or prose vnto posteritie. The consideration of all which former particulars hath made me to be of opinion, that the Africans in times past had their owne proper and peculiar letters, wherein they de∣scribed their doings and exploites. For it is likely that the Romans, when they first subdued those prouinces (as conquerours vsually doe) vtterly spoi∣led and tooke away all their letters and memorie, and established their owne letters in the stead thereof; to the end that the fame and honour of the Ro∣man people might there onely be continued. And who knoweth not that the very same attempt was practised by the Goths vpon the stately buildings of the Romans, and by the Arabians against the monuments of the Persi∣ans. The very same thing likewise we daily see put in practise by the Turks, who when they haue gotten any citie or towne from the Christians, doe presently cast foorth of the temples all the images and memorials of their saints. And to omit all the aforesaid, may we not in our time see the like daily practised in Rome; where sumptuous and stately buildings left vnperfect by reason of the vntimely death of one Pope, are for some noueltie vtterly ruined and destroied by his next successour? Or else, doth not the new Pope cause his predecessours armes to be razed, and his owne in stead thereof to be set vp? Or at the least, if he will not seeme so arrogant, letting his prede∣cessours

monuments stand still, doth he not erect others for himselfe farre more sumptuous and stately? No maruell therefore, though so long suc∣cesse of times and so many alterations haue quite bereaued the Africans of their letters. Concerning those nine hundred yeeres wherein the Africans vsed the letters of the Arabians, Ibnu Rachich, a most diligent writer of A∣frica, doth in his Chronicle most largely dispute; whether the Africans euer had any peculiar kinde of writing or no. And at last he concludeth the affir∣matiue part; that they had: for (saith he) whosoeuer denieth this, may as well denie, that they had a language peculiar vnto themselues. For it cannot be that any people should haue a proper kinde of speech, and yet should vse letters borrowed from other nations, and being altogether vnfit for their mother-language.

Of the situation of Africa.

AS there are fower partes in Africa, so the situation thereof is not in all places alike. That part which lieth towards the Me∣diterran sea, that is to say, from the streites of Gibraltar to the frontiers of Aegypt, is here and there full of moun∣taines: Southward it is extended about a hundred miles, al∣beit in some places it be larger and in some other narrower. From the saide mountaines vnto mount Atlas there is a very spatious plaine & many little hillocks. Fountaines there are in this region great store, which meeting together at one head doe send foorth most beautifull riuers and christall streames. Betweene the foresaid mountaines and the plaine countrie is situ∣ate the mountaine of Atlas; which beginning westward vpon the Ocean sea, stretcheth it selfe towards the east as farre as the borders of Aegypt. Ouer against Atlas lieth that region of Numidia which beareth dates, being eue∣ry where almost sandie ground. Betweene Numidia and the land of Negros is the sandie desert of Libya situate, which containeth many mountaines also; howbeit merchants trauell not that way, when as they may goe other waies with more ease and lesse danger. Beyond the Libyan desert beginneth the land of Negros, all places whereof are barren and sandie except those which adioine vpon the riuer of Niger, or through the which any riuer or streame runneth.

Of the vnpleasant and snowie places in Africa.

ALl the region of Barbarie, and the mountaines contained therein, are subiect more to cold then to heat. For seldome commeth any gale of winde which bringeth not some snow therwith. In al the said mountaines there grow abundance of fruits, but not so great plentie of corne. The inhabitants of these mountaines liue for the greatest part of the yeere vpon barlie bread.

The springs & riuers issuing foorth of the said mountaines, representing the qualitie and taste of their natiue soile, are somewhat muddie and impure, especially vpon the confines of Mauritania. These mountaines likewise are replenished with woods and loftie 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and are greatly stored with beastes of all kindes. But the little hils and vallies lying betweene the foresaid moun∣taines and mount Atlas are far more commodious, and abounding with corne. For' they are moistened with riuers springing out of Atlas, and from thence holding on their course to the Mediterran sea. And albeit woods are somewhat more scarce vpon these plaines, yet are they much more fruitfull, then be the plaine countries situate betweene Atlas and the Ocean sea, as namely the regions of Maroco, of Duccala, of Tedles, of Temesna, of Az∣gara, and the countrie lying towards the straites of Gibraltar. The moun∣taines* 1.50 of Atlas are exceeding colde and barren, and bring foorth but small store of corne, beeing woody on all sides, and engendring almost all the riuers of Africa. The fountaines of Atlas are euen in the midst of summer extremely cold; so that if a man dippeth his hand therein for any long space, he is in great danger of loosing the same. Howbeit the said mountaines are not so cold in all places: for some partes thereof are of such milde tempera∣ture, that they may be right commodiously inhabited: yea and sundry pla∣ces thereof are well stored with inhabitants; as in the second part of this present discourse we will declare more at large. Those places which are de∣stitute of inhabitants be either extremely cold, as namely the same which lie ouer against Mauritania: or very rough and vnpleasant, to wit, those which are directly opposite to the region of Temesna. Where notwithstanding in summer time they may feede their great and small cattell, but not in winter by any meanes. For then the North winde so furiously rageth, bringing with it such abundance of snowe; that all the cattell which till then remaine vpon the saide mountaines, and a great part of the people also are forced to lose their liues in regard thereof: wherefore whosoeuer hath any occasion to trauell that way in winter time, chuseth rather to take his iourney betweene Mauritania and Numidia. Those merchants which bring dates out of Nu∣midia for the vse and seruice of other nations, set foorth vsually vpon their iourney about the ende of October; and yet they are oftentimes so oppres∣sed* 1.51 and ouertaken with a sudden fall of snowe, that scarcely one man among them all escapeth the danger of the tempest. For when it beginneth to snow ouer night, before the next morning not onely carts and men, but euen the verie trees are so drowned & ouerwhelmed therein, that it is not possible to finde any mention of them. Howbeit the dead carcases are then founde when the sunne hath melted the snow. I my selfe also, by the goodnes of* 1.52 almighty God, twise escaped the most dreadfull danger of the foresaid snow; whereof, if it may not be tedious to the reader, I will heere in few wordes make relation. Vpon a certaine day of the foresaid moneth of October, trauelling with a great companie of Merchants towards Atlas, we were there about the sunne going downe weather-beaten with a most cold and snowy

kinde of hayle. Here we found eleuen or twelue horsemen (Arabians to our thinking) who perswading vs to leaue our carts and to goe with them, pro∣mised vs a good and secure place to lodge in. For mine owne part, that I might not seeme altogether vnciuill, I thought it not meete to refuse their good offer; albeit I stood in doubt least they went about to practise some mischiefe. Wherefore I bethought my selfe to hide vp a certaine summe of gold which I had as then about me. But all being ready to ride, I had no lei∣sure to hide away my coine from them; whereupon I fained that I would goe ease my selfe. And so departing a while their companie, and getting me vnder a certaine tree, whereof I tooke diligent notice, I buried my money betweene certaine stones and the roote of the said tree. And then we rode on quietly till about midnight. What time one of them thinking that he had staied long ynough for his pray, began to vtter that in words which se∣cretly he had conceiued in his minde. For he asked whether I had any mo∣ney about me or no? To whom I answered, that I had left my money behind with one of them which attended the cartes, and that I had then none at all about me. Howbeit they being no whit satisfied with this answer, comman∣ded me, for all the cold weather, to strip my selfe out of mine apparell. At length when they could find no money at all, they said in iesting & scoffing wise, that they did this for no other purpose, but onely to see how strong and hardie I was, and how I could endure the cold and tempestuous season. Well, on we rode, seeking our way as well as we could that darke and dismall night; and anone we heard the bleating of sheepe, coniecturing thereby, that we were not farre distant from some habitation of people. Wherefore out of hand we directed our course thitherwards: being constrained to leade our horses through thicke woods and ouer steepe and craggie rocks, to the great hazard and perill of our liues. And at length after many labours, wee found shepherds in a certaine caue: who, hauing with much paines brought their cattell in there, had kindled a lustie fire for themselues, which they were constrained, by reason of the extreme cold, daily to sit by. Who vnderstan∣ding our companie to be Arabians, feared at the first that we would do them some mischiefe: but afterward being perswaded that we were driuen thither by extremitie of cold, and being more secure of vs, they gaue vs most friend∣ly entertainment. For they set bread, flesh, and cheese before vs, wherewith hauing ended our suppers, we laid vs along each man to sleepe before the fire. All of vs were as yet exceeding cold, but especially my selfe, who before with great horrour and trembling was stripped starke naked. And so we con∣tinued with the said shepherds for the space of two daies: all which time we could not set foorth, by reason of continuall snowe. But the thirde day, so soone as they saw it leaue snowing, with great labour they began to remooue that snowe which lay before the doore of their caue. Which done, they brought vs to our horses, which we found well prouided of hay in another caue. Being all mounted, the shepherds accompanied vs some part of our way, shewing vs where the snowe was of least depth, and yet euen there it

touched our horse bellies. This day was so cleere, that the sunne tooke away all the cold of the two daies going before. At length entring into a certaine village neere vnto Fez, we vnderstood, that our cartes which passed by, were ouerwhelmed with the snowe. Then the Arabians seeing no hope of recom∣pence for all the paines they had taken (for they had defended our carts from theeues) carried a certaine Iew of our companie with them as their captiue, (who had lost a great quantitie of dates, by reason of the snowe aforesaid) to the end that he might remaine as their prisoner, till he had satisfied for all the residue. From my selfe they tooke my horse, and committed mee vnto the wide world and to fortune. From whence, riding vpon a mule, within three daies I arriued at Fez, where I heard dolefull newes of our merchants and wares, that they were cast away in the snowe. Yea, they thought that I had beene destrosed with the rest; but it seemed that God would haue it otherwise. Now, hauing finished the historie of mine owne misfortunes, let vs returne vnto that discourse where we left. Beyond Atlas there are certaine hot & dry places moistened with very few riuers, but those which flow out of Atlas it selfe: some of which riuers running into the Libyan deserts are dried vp with the sands, but others do ingender lakes. Neither shal you finde in these countries any places apt to bring forth corne, notwithstanding they haue dates in abundance. There are also certaine other trees bearing fruit, but in so small quantitie, that no increase nor gaine is to be reaped by them. You may see likewise in those partes of Numidia which border vpon Libya certaine barren hils destitute of trees, vpon the lower parts whereof growe nothing but vnprofitable thornes and shrubs. Amongst these mountaines you shall finde no riuers nor springs, nor yet any waters at all, except it be in certaine pits and wels almost vnknowen vnto the inhabitants of that re∣gion. Moreouer in sixe or seuen daies iourney they haue not one drop of water, but such as is brought vnto them by certaine merchants vpon camels backes. And that especially in those places which lye vpon the maine road from Fez to Tombuto, or from Tremizen to * 1.53 Agad. That iourney likewise is verie dangerous which is of late found out by the merchants of our daies from Fez to Alcair ouer the deserts of Libya, were it not for an huge lake in the way, vpon the bankes whereof the Sinites and the Goranites doe in∣habite. But in the way which leadeth from Fez to Tombuto are certaine pits enuironed either with the hides or bones of camels. Neither doe the merchants in sommer time passe that way without great danger of their liues: for oftentimes it falleth out, when the south winde bloweth, that all those pits are stopped vp with sande. And so the merchants, when they can finde neither those pits, nor any mention thereof, must needes perish for extreame thirst: whose carcases are afterward found lying scattered here and there, and scorched with the heat of the sunne. One remedie they haue* 1.54 in this case, which is verie strange: for when they are so grieuously oppres∣sed with thirst, they kill foorthwith some one of their camels, out of whose bowels they wring and expresse some quantitie of water, which water they

they drinke and carrie about with them, till they haue either found some pit of water, or till they pine away for thirst. In the desert which they cal Azaoad there are as yet extant two monuments built of marble, vpon which marble is an Epitaphe engrauen, signifying that one of the said monuments repre∣sented a most rich merchant, and the other a carrier or transporter of wares. Which wealthie merchant bought of the carrier a cup of water for tenne* 1.55 thousand ducates, and yet this pretious water could suffice neither of them; for both were consumed with thirst. This desert likewise containeth sundry kinds of beasts, which in the fourth part of this discourse concerning Libya, and in our treatise of the beasts of Africa, we will discourse of more at large. I was determined to haue written more cōcerning those things which hap∣pened vnto my self & the rest of my company trauelling through the Liby∣an deserts vnto Gualata. For somtime being sore a thirst, we could not find one drop of water, partly because our guide strayed out of the direct course, and partly because our enemies had cut off the springs and chanels of the foresaid pits and wels. Insomuch that the small quantitie of water which we found, was sparingly to be kept; for that which would scarce suffice vs for fiue daies, we were constrained to keepe for ten. But if I should commit to writing all things woorthy of memorie, a whole yeare were not sufficient for me. The lande of Negros is extreme hot, hauing some store of moy∣sture also, by reason of the riuer of Niger running through the midst there∣of. All places adioining vpon Niger doe mightily abound both with cattle & corne. No trees I saw there but only certain great ones, bearing a kind of bitter fruit like vnto a chestnut, which in their language is called Goron.* 1.56 Likewise in the same regions grow Cocos, cucumbers, onions, and such kinde of herbes and fruits in great abundance. There are no mountaines at all either in Libya or in the land of Negros: howbeit diuers fennes and lakes there are; which (as men report) the inundation of Niger hath left behinde it. Neither are the woods of the said regions altogether destitute of Ele∣phants and other strange beastes; whereof we will make relation in their due place.

What naturall impressions and motions the aire of Africa is subiect vnto; and what effects ensue thereupon.

THroughout the greatest part of Barbarie stormie and cold wea∣ther begin commonly about the midst of October. But in De∣cember and Ianuarie the cold groweth somewhat more sharpe in all places: howbeit this happeneth in the morning onely, but so gently and remissely, that no man careth greatly to warme himselfe by the fire. Februarie somewhat mitigateth the cold of winter, but that so in∣constantly, that the weather changeth sometime fiue and sometime sixe times in one day. In March the north and west windes vsually blowe, which cause the trees to be adorned with blossoms. In Aprill all fruits attaine to

their proper forme and shape, insomuch that cherries are commonly ripe about the end of Aprill and the beginning of MayIn the midst of May they gather their figs: and in mid-Iune their grapes are ripe in many places. Like∣wise their peares, their sweete quinces and their damascens attaine vnto suffi∣cient ripenes in the moneths of Iune and Iulie. Their figs of Autumne may be gathered in August; howbeit they neuer haue so great plentie of figs and peaches, as in September. By the midst of August they vsually begin to drie their grapes in the sun, where of they make reisins. Which if they cannot fi∣nish in September, by reason of vnseasonable weather, of their grapes as then vngathered they vse to make wine and must, especially in the prouince of Rifa, as we will in due place signifie more at large. In the midst of Octo∣ber they take in their honie, and gather their pomegranates and quinces. In* 1.57 Nouember they gather their oliues, not climing vp with ladders nor pluc∣king them with their hands, according to the custome of Europe; for the trees of Mauritania and Caesarea are so tal, that no ladder is long ynongh to reach vnto the fruit. And therefore their oliues being full ripe, they clime the trees, beating them off the boughes with certaine long poles, albeit they know this kinde of beating to be most hurtfull vnto the saide trees. Some∣times they haue great plentie of oliues in Africa, and sometimes as great scarcitie. Certaine great oliue-trees there are, the oliues whereof are eaten ripe by the inhabitants, because they are not so fit for oile. No yeere falles out to be so vnseasonable, but that they haue three monethes in the spring alwaies temperate. They begin their spring vpon the fifteenth day of Fe∣bruarie, accounting the eighteenth of May for the ende thereof: all which time they haue most pleasant weather. But if from the fiue and twentith of* 1.58 Aprill, to the fifth of May they haue no raine fall, they take it as a signe of ill lucke. And the raine-water which falleth all the time aforesaid they call Nai∣san, that is, water blessed of God. Some store it vp in vessels, most religiously keeping it, as an holy thing. Their summer lasteth till the sixteenth of Au∣gust; all which time they haue most hot and cleere weather. Except perhaps some showers of raine fall in Iuly and August, which doe so infect the aire, that great plague and most pestilent feuers ensue thereupon; with which plague whosoeuer is infected, most hardly escapeth death. Their Au∣tumne they reckon from the 17. of August to the 16. of Nouember; ha∣uing commonly in the moneths of August and September not such ex∣treme heate as before. Howbeit all the time betweene the 15. of August and the 15. of September is called by them the furnace of the whole yeere, for that it bringeth figs, quinces, and such kinde of fruits to their full maturitie. From the 15. of Nouember they begin their winter-season, continuing the same till the 14. day of Februarie. So soone as winter commeth, they begin to till their ground which lieth in the plaines: but vpon the mountaines they goe to plough in October. The Africans are most certainly perswaded that euery yeere containeth fortie extreme hot daies, beginning vpon the 12. of Iune; and againe so many daies extreme colde, beginning from the

12. of December. Their Aequinoctia are vpon the 16. of March, and the 16. of September. For their Solstitia they account the 16. of Iune and the 16. of December. These rules they doe most strictly obserue, as well in hus∣bandrie and nauigation, as in searching out the houses and true places of the planets: and these instructions, with other such like they teach their yoong children first of all. Many countrie-people and husbandmen there be in A∣frica,* 1.59 who knowing (as they say) neuer a letter of the booke, will notwithstan∣ding most learnedly dispute of Astrologie, & alleage most profoūd reasons & arguments for themselues. But whatsoeuer skill they haue in the art of A∣strologie, they first learned the same of the Latines: yea they giue those very names vnto their moneths which the Latines do. Moreouer they haue extāt among them a certaine great booke diuided into three volumes, which they call The treasurie or storehouse of husbandrie. This booke was then transla∣ted out of Latine into their toong, when Mansor was Lord of Granada. In the said Treasurie are all things contained which may seeme in any wise to concerne husbandrie; as namely, the changes and varietie of times, the ma∣ner of sowing, with a number of such like particulars, which (I thinke) at this day the Latine toong it selfe, whereout these things were first translated, doth not containe. Whatsoeuer either the Africans or the Mahumetans haue, which seemeth to appertaine in any wise to their law or religion, they make their computation thereof altogether according to the course of the moone. Their yeere is diuided into 354. daies: for vnto sixe moneths they* 1.60 allot 30. daies, and vnto the other sixe but 29; all which being added into one summe doe produce the number aforesaid: wherefore their yeere diffe∣reth eleuen daies from the yeere of the Latines. They haue at diuers times festiuall daies, and fasts. About the ende of Autumne, for all winter, and a great part of the spring they are troubled with boisterous windes, with haile, with terrible thunder and lightening: yea then it snoweth much in some places of Barbarie. The easterne, southerne, and southeasterne windes blow∣ing in May and Iune, doe very much hurt there: for they spoile the corne, and hinder the fruit from comming to ripenes. Their corne likewise is great∣ly appaired by snow, especially such as falleth in the day-time, when it be∣ginneth to flower. Vpon the mountaines of Atlas they diuide the yeere into* 1.61 two parts onely: for their winter continueth from October to Aprill; and from Aprill to October they account it summer: neither is there any day throughout the whole yeere, wherein the tops of those mountaines are not couered with snowe. In Numidia the yeere runneth away very swiftly: for they reape their corne in May, and in October they gather their dates: but from the midst of September they haue winter till the beginning of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But if September falleth out to be rainie, they are like to lose most part of their dates. All the fields of Numidia require watering from the riuers; but if the mountaines of Atlas haue no raine fall vpon them, the Numidian riuers waxe drie, and so the fields are destitute of watering. October being destitute of raine, the husbandman hath no hope to cast his seede into the

ground; and he despaireth likewise, if it raine not in Aprill. But their dates prosper more without raine, wherof the Numidians haue greater plentie then of corne. For albeit they haue some store of corne, yet can it scarcely suffice them for halfe the yeere. Howbeit, if they haue good increase of dates, they cannot want abundance of corne, which is sold vnto them by the Arabians for dates. If in the Libyan deserts there fall out change of weather about the midst of October; & if it continue raining there all December, Ia∣nuarie, and some part of Februarie, it is wonderful what abundance of grasse and milke it bringeth foorth. Then may you finde diuers lakes in all places and many fennes throughout Libya; wherefore this is the meetest time for the Barbarie-merchants to trauell to the land of Negros. Here all kinde of fruits grow sooner ripe, if they haue moderate showers about the ende of Iuly. Moreouer the land of Negros receiueth by raine neither any benefite, nor yet any dammage at all. For the riuer Niger together with the water which falleth from certaine mountaines doth so moisten their grounds, that no places can be deuised to be more fruitfull: for that which Nilus is to Ae∣gypt, the same is Niger to the land of Negors: for it increaseth like Nilus* 1.62 from the fifteenth of Iune the space of fortie daies after, and for so many againe it decreaseth. And so at the increase of Niger, when all places are ouerflowen with water, a man may in a barke passe ouer all the land of Ne∣gros, albeit not without great perill of drowning; as in the fift part of this treatise we will declare more at large.

Of the length and shortnes of the Africans liues.

ALl the people of Barbarie by vs before mentioned liue vnto 65. or 70. yeeres of age, and fewe or none exceed that num∣ber. Howbeit in the foresaide mountaines I sawe some which had liued an hundred yeeres, and others which affir∣med themselues to be older; whose age was most healthfull and lustie. Yea some you shall finde here of fowerscore yeeres of age, who are sufficiently strong and able to exercise husbandrie, to dresse vines, and to serue in the warres; insomuch that yoong men are oftentimes inferiour vnto them. In Numidia, that is to say, in the land of dates, they liue a long time: howbeit they lose their teeth very soone, and their eies waxe woon∣derfully dimme. Which infirmities are likely to be incident vnto them, first because they continually feede vpon dates, the sweetnes and naturall qualitie whereof doth by little and little pull out their teeth: and secondly the dust and sand, which is tossed vp and downe the aire with easterne windes entring into their eies, doth at last miserably weaken and spoile their eie-sight. The inhabitants of Libya are of a shorter life; but those which are most strong and healthfull among them liue oftentimes till they come to threescore yeeres; albeit they are slender and leane of bodie. The Negros commonly

liue the shortest time of al the rest: howbeit they are alwaies strong & lustie, hauing their teeth sound euen till their dying day: yet is there no nation vn∣der heauen more prone to venerie; vnto which vice also the Libyans and Numidians are to too much addicted. To be short, the Barbarians are the weakest people of them all.

What kindes of diseases the Africans are subiect vnto.

THE children, and sometimes the ancient women of this region are subiect vnto baldnes or vnnaturall shedding of haire; which disease they can hardly be cured of. They are likewise oftentimes troubled with the head-ache, which vsually afflicteth them without any ague ioined therewith. Many of them are tormented with the tooth-ache, which (as some thinke) they are the more subiect vnto, because immediately after hot pot∣tage they drinke cold water. They are oftentimes vexed with extreme paine of the stomacke, which ignorantly they call, the paine of the hart. They are likewise daily molested with inwarde gripings and infirmities ouer their whole body, which is thought to proceede of continuall drinking of water. Yea they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 subiect vnto bone-aches and goutes, by reason that they sit commonly vpon the bare ground, and neuer weare any shooes vpon their feete. Their chiefe gentlemen and noblemen prooue gowtie often∣times with immoderate drinking of wine and eating of daintie meats. Some with eating of oliues, nuts, and such course fare, are for the most part infec∣ted with the scuruies. Those which are of a sanguine complexion are greatly troubled with the cough, because that in the spring-season they sit too much vpon the ground. And vpon fridaies I had no small sport and recreation to goe and see them. For vpon this day the people flocke to church in great numbers to heare their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sermons. Now if any one in the ser∣mon-tile falles a neezing, all the whole multitude will neeze with him for companie, and so they make such a noise, that they neuer leaue, till the ser∣mon be quite done; so that a man shall reape but little knowledge by any of their sermons. If any of Barbarie be infected with the disease commonly called the French poxe; they die thereof for the most part, and are seldome cured. This disease beginneth with a kinde of anguish and swelling, and at* 1.63 length breaketh out into sores. Ouer the mountaines of Atlas, and through∣out all Numidia and Libya they scarcely know this disease. Insomuch that oftentimes the parties infected trauell foorthwith into Numidia or the land of Negros, in which places the aire is so temperate, that onely by remaining there they recouer their perfect health, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 home sound into their owne countrie: which I sawe many doe with mine owne eies; who without the helpe of any phisitian or medicine, except the foresaide holesome aire, were restored to their former health. Not so much as the name of this ma∣ladie was euer knowen vnto the Africans, before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the king of

Castile expelled all Iewes out of Spaine; after the returne of which Iewes* 1.64 into Africa, certaine vnhappie and lewd people lay with their wiues; and so at length the disease spread from one to another, ouer the whole region: insomuch that scarce any one familie was free from the same. Howbeit, this they were most certainly perswaded of, that the same disease came first from Spaine; wherefore they (for want of a better name) do call it, The Spanish poxe. Notwithstanding at Tunis and ouer all Italie it is called the French disease. It is so called likewise in Aegypt and Syria: for there it is vsed as a common prouerbe of cursing; The French poxe take you. Amongst the* 1.65 Barbarians the disease called in Latine Hernia is not so common; but in Aegypt the people are much troubled therewith. For some of the Aegyp∣tians haue their cods oftentimes so swollen, as it is incredible to report. Which infirmitie is thought to be so common among them, because they eate so much gumme, and salt cheese. Some of their children are subiect vnto the falling sicknes; but when they growe to any stature, they are free from that disease. This falling sicknes likewise possesseth the women of Bar∣barie, and of the land of Negros; who, to excuse it, say that they are taken with a spirite. In Barbarie the plague is rife euery tenth, fifteenth, or twentith yeere, whereby great numbers of people are consumed; for they haue no cure for the same, but onely to rub the plague-sore with certaine ointments made of Armenian earth. In Numidia they are infected with the plague* 1.66 scarce once in an hundred yeeres. And in the land of Negros they know not the name of this disease: because they neuer were subiect thereunto.

The commendable actions and vertues of the Africans.

THose Arabians which inhabite in Barbarie or vpon the coast of the Mediterran sea, are greatly addicted vnto the studie of good artes and sciences: and those things which concerne their law and religion are esteemed by them in the first place. Moreouer they haue beene heretofore most studious of the Mathematiques, of Philosophie, and of Astrologie: but these artes (as it is aforesaid) were fower hundred yeeres agoe, vtterly destroyed and taken away by the chiefe professours of their lawe. The inhabitants of cities doe most religiously obserue and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those things which appertaine vnto their religion: yea they honour those doctours and priests, of whom they learne their law, as if they were petie-gods. Their Churches they frequent verie diligently, to the ende they may repeat certaine prescript and formal pray∣ers; most superstitiously perswading themselues that the same day wherein they make their praiers, it is not lawfull for them to wash certaine of their members, when as at other times they wil wash their whole bodies. Where∣of we will (by Gods helpe) discourse more at large in the second Booke of this present treatise, when we shall fall into the mentioning of Mahumet

and of his religion. Moreouer those which inhabite Barbarie are of great cunning & dexteritie for building & for mathematicall inuentions, which a man may easily coniecture by their artificiall workes. Most honest peo∣ple they are, and destitute of all fraud and guile; not onely imbracing all simplicitie and truth, but also practising the same throughout the whole course of their liues: albeit certaine Latine authors, which haue written of the same regions, are farre otherwise of opinion. Likewise they are most strong and valiant people, especially those which dwell vpon the moun∣taines.* 1.67 They keepe their couenant most faithfully; insomuch that they had rather die then breake promise. No nation in the world is so subiect vnto iealousie; for they will rather leese their liues, then put vp any disgrace in the behalfe of their women. So desirous they are of riches and honour, that therein no other people can goe beyonde them. They trauell in a manner ouer the whole world to exercise traffique. For they are conti∣nually to bee seene in AEgypt, in AEthiopia, in Arabia, Persia, India, and Turkie: and whithersoeuer they goe, they are most hono∣rably esteemed of: for none of them will professe any arte, vnlesse hee hath attained vnto great exactnes and perfection therein. They haue al∣waies beene much delighted with all kinde of ciuilitie and modest be∣hauiour: and it is accounted heinous among them for any man to vt∣ter in companie, any bawdie or vnseemely worde. They haue alwaies in minde this sentence of a graue author; Giue place to thy superiour. If any youth in presence of his father, his vncle, or any other of his kinred, doth sing or talke ought of loue matters, he is deemed to bee woorthie of grie∣uous punishment. Whatsoeuer lad or youth there lighteth by chaunce into any company which discourseth of loue, no sooner heareth nor vnder∣standeth what their talke tendeth vnto, but immediately he withdraweth himselfe from among them. These are the things which we thought most woorthie of relation as concerning the ciuilitie, humanitie, and vpright dealing of the Barbarians: let vs now proceede vnto the residue. Those Arabians which dwell in tents, that is to say, which bring vp cattell, are of a more liberall and ciuill disposition: to wit, they are in their kinde as de∣uout, valiant, patient, courteous, hospitall, and as honest in life and conuer∣sation as any other people. They be most faithfull obseruers of their word and promise: insomuch that the people, which before we said to dwell in the mountaines, are greatly stirred vp with emulation of their vertues. Howbeit the said mountainers, both for learning, for vertue, and for religi∣on, are thought much inferiour to the Numidians; albeit they haue little or no knowledge at all in naturall philosophie. They are reported likewise to be most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warriours, to be valiant, and exceeding louers and practi∣sers of all humanitie. Also, the Moores and Arabians inhabiting Libya are somewhat ciuill of behauiour, being plaine dealers, voide of dissimulation, fauourable to strangers, and louers of simplicitie. Those which we before named white, or tawney Moores, are most stedfast in friendship: as likewise

they indifferently and fauourably esteeme of other nations: and wholy in∣deuour themselues in this one thing, namely, that they may leade a most pleasant and iocund life. Moreouer they maintaine most learned professours of liberall artes, and such men as are most deuout in their reli∣gion. Neither is there any people in all Africa that lead a more happie and honorable life.

What vices the foresaid Africans are subiect vnto.

NEuer was there any people or nation so perfectly endued with vertue, but that they had their contrarie faults and ble∣mishes: now therfore let vs consider, whether the vices of the Africās do surpasse their vertues & good parts. Those which we named the inhabitants of the cities of Barbarie are some∣what needie and couetous, being also very proud and high-minded, and woonderfully addicted vnto wrath; insomuch that (according to the pro∣uerbe) they will deeply engraue in marble any iniurie be it neuer so small, & will in no wise blot it out of their remembrance. So rusticall they are & void of good manners, that scarcely can any stranger obtaine their familiaritie and friendship. Their wits are but meane; and they are so credulous, that they will beleeue matters impossible, which are told them. So ignorant are they of naturall philosophie, that they imagine all the effects and operations of nature to be extraordinarie and diuine. They obserue no certaine order of liuing nor of lawes. Abounding exceedingly with choler, they speake al∣waies with an angrie and lowd voice. Neither shall you walke in the day-time in any of their streetes, but you shall see commonly two or three of them together by the eares. By nature they are a vile and base people, being no better accounted of by their gouernours then if they were dogs. They haue neither iudges nor lawyers, by whose wisedome and counsell they ought to be directed. They are vtterly vnskilfull in trades of merchandize, being de∣stitute of bankers and money-changers: wherefore a merchant can doe no∣thing among them in his absence, but is himselfe constrained to goe in per∣son, whithersoeuer his wares are carried. No people vnder heauen are more addicted vnto couetise then this nation: neither is there (I thinke) to bee found among them one of an hundred, who for courtesie, humanitie, or de∣uotions sake, will vouchsafe any entertainment vpon a stranger. Mindfull they haue alwaies beene of iniuries, but most forgetfull of benefites. Their mindes are perpetually possessed with vexation and strife, so that they will seldome or neuer shew themselues tractable to any man; the cause whereof is supposed to be; for that they are so greedily addicted vnto their filthie lucre, that they neuer could attaine vnto any kinde of ciuilitie or good beha∣uiour. The shepherds of that region liue a miserable, toilsome, wretched and beggerly life: they are a rude people, and (as a man may say) borne and bred to theft, deceit, and brutish manners. Their yoong men may goe a wooing

to diuers maides, till such time as they haue sped of a wife. Yea, the father of the maide most friendly welcommeth her suiter; so that I thinke scarce any noble or gentleman among them can chuse a virgine for his spouse: albeit, so soone as any woman is married, she is quite forsaken of all her suiters; who then seeke out other new paramours for their liking. Concerning their religion, the greater part of these people are neither Mahumetans, Iewes, nor Christians; and hardly shall you finde so much as a sparke of pietie in any of them. They haue no churches at all, nor any kinde of prayers, but be∣ing vtterly estranged from all godly deuotion, they leade a sauage and beast∣ly life: and if any man chanceth to be of a better disposition (because they haue no law-giuers nor teachers among them) he is constrained to follow the example of other mens liues & maners. All the Numidians being most ignorant of naturall, domesticall, & commonwealth-matters, are principal∣ly addicted vnto treason, trecherie, murther, theft, and robberie. This nation, because it is most slauish, will right gladly accept of any seruice among the Barbarians, be it neuer so vile or contemptible. For some will take vpon them to be dung-farmers, others to be scullians, some others to bee ostlers, and such like seruile occupations. Likewise the inhabitants of Libya liue a brutish kinde of life; who neglecting all kindes of good artes and sciences, doe wholy apply their mindes vnto theft and violence. Neuer as yet had they any religion, any lawes, or any good forme of liuing; but alwaies had, and euer will haue a most miserable and distressed life. There cannot any trechery or villanie be inuented so damnable, which for lucres sake they dare not attempt. They spend all their daies either in most lewd practises, or in hunting, or else in warfare; neither weare they any shooes nor garments. The Negros likewise leade a beastly kinde of life, being vtterly destitute of the vse of reason, of dexteritie of wit, and of all artes. Yea they so behaue themselues, as if they had continually liued in a forrest among wilde beasts. They haue great swarmes of harlots among them; whereupon a man may easily coniecture their manner of liuing; except 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conuersation perhaps be somewhat more tolerable, who dwell in the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 and cities: for it is like that they are somewhat more addicted to 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Neither am I ignorant, how much mine owne credit is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when* 1.68 I my selfe write so homely of Africa, vnto which countrie 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 debted both for my birth, and also for the best part of my education: Howbeit in this regarde I seeke not to excuse my selfe, but onely to appeale vnto the dutie of an historiographer, who is to set downe the plaine truth in all places, and is blame-woorthie for flattering or fauouring of any person. And this is the cause that hath mooued me to describe all things so plainly without glo∣sing or dissimulation: wherefore here I am to request the gentle Reader friendly to accept of this my most true discourse, (albeit not adorned with fine words, and artificiall eloquence) as of certaine vnknowne strange mat∣ters. Wherein how indifferent and sincere I haue shewed my selfe, it may in few words appeere by that which followeth. It is reported of a lewd countri∣man

of ours, that being conuicted of some heinous crime, he was adiudged to be seuerely beaten for it. Howbeit the day following, when the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came to doe his busines, the malefactor remembred that certaine yeeres before, he had some acquaintance and familiaritie with him: which made him to presume, that he should find more fauour at his hands, then a meere stranger. But he was fowly 〈◊〉〈◊〉; for the executioner vsed him no better, then if he had neuer knowne him. Wherefore this caitife at the first exclai∣ming vpon his executioner, oh (saith he) my goodfriend, what maketh you so sterne, as not to acknowledge our olde acquaintance? Hereupon the exe∣cutioner beating him more cruelly then before: friend (quoth he) in such busines as this I vse to be mindfull of my dutie, and to shew no fauour at all: and so continually laying on, he ceased not, till the iudiciall sentence was fulfilled. It was (doubtlesse) a great argument of impartiall dealing, when as respect of former friendship could take no place.

Wherefore I thought good to record all the particulars aforesaid; least that describing vices onely I should seeme to flatter them, with whom I am now presently conuersant; or extolling onely the vertues of the Africans, I might hereafter be saide to sue for their fauour (which I haue of purpose eschewed) to the end that I might haue more free accesse vnto them. More∣ouer, may it please you for this purpose to heare another resemblance or similitude. There was vpon a time a most wily bird, so indued by nature, that she could liue as well with the fishes of the sea, as with the fowles of the aire; wherefore she was rightly called Amphibia. This bird being sommoned be∣fore the king of birds to pay her yeerely tribute, determined foorthwith to change her element, and to delude the king; and so flying out of the aire, she drencht herselfe in the Ocean sea. Which strange accident the fishes woondring at, came flocking about Amphibia, saluting her, and asking her the cause of her comming. Good fishes (quoth the bird) know you not, that all things are turned so vpside downe, that we wot not how to liue securely in the aire? Our tyrannicall king (what furie haunts him, I know not) comman∣ded me to be 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 to death, whereas no silly bird respected euer his commoditie as 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 one. Which most vniust edict I no sooner heard of, but presently (〈◊〉〈◊〉 fishes) I came to you for refuge. Wherefore vouchsafe me (I beseech 〈◊〉〈◊〉) some odde corner or other to hide my head in; and then I may iustly say, that I haue found more friendship among strangers, then euer I did in mine owne natiue countrie. With this speech the fishes were so perswaded, that Amphibia staied a whole yeere among them, not paying one penie or halfepenie. At the yeeres ende the king of fishes began to de∣mand his tribute, insomuch that at last the bird was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to pay. Great rea∣son it is (saith the bird) that each man should haue his due, and for my part I am contented to doe the dutie of a loyall subiect. These words were no sooner spoken, but she suddenly spred her wings, and vp she mounted into the aire. And so this bird, to auoide yeerely exactions and tributes, woulde eftsoones change her element. Out of this fable I will inferre no other mo∣rall,

but that all men doe most affect that place, where they finde least dam∣mage and inconuenience. For mine owne part, when I heare the Africans euill spoken of, I wil affirme my selfe to be one of Granada: and when I per∣ceiue the nation of Granada to be discommended, then will I professe my selfe to be an African. But herein the Africans shall be the more beholding vnto me; for that I will onely record their principall and notorious vices, omitting their smaller and more tolerable faults.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Others diuide it from Asia by the red sea.
• * 1.2

  Non.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Niger.
• * 1.5

  Aethiopia.
• * 1.6

  Habat.
• * 1.7

  Chauz.
• * 1.8

  Tremizen.
• * 1.9

  Iohn 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ouer 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Negros.
• * 1.10

  Cairo.
• * 1.11

  About the yeere 1526.
• * 1.12

  Fortè Asia minor.
• * 1.13

  Genesis the 10. v. the 6. Mezraim is accounted the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Chus.
• * 1.14

  Gen. 10. 7.
• * 1.15

  Guadalhabit.
• * 1.16

  Tremizen cal∣led by the an∣cient Cosmo∣graphers Cae∣saria or Mau∣ritania Caesari∣ensis.
• * 1.17

  Who were the founders of Maroco.
• * 1.18

  Aquel Amarig
• * 1.19

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.21

  Cairaoan.
• * 1.22

  Tunis.
• * 1.23

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.24

  The Moores of Granada.
• * 1.25

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 patriarke.
• * 1.26

  Gehoar a slaue by condition, conquered all Barbarie, Nu∣midia, Egypt, and Syria.
• * 1.27

  Gehoar the first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Cairo.
• * 1.28

  Ten tribes of Arabians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Africa.
• * 1.29

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rachu a 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.30

  1526.
• * 1.31

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.32

  Traffique to Tombuto.
• * 1.33

  Alger.
• * 1.34

  The Arabi∣ans called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 descended from Ismael the base sonne of Abra∣ham.
• * 1.35

  The Arabians called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 descended of Saba.
• * 1.36

  The people of Numidia.
• * 1.37

  Wooll growing vpon the Palme tree.
• * 1.38

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 victuals.
• * 1.39

  Where the Bar∣barie horses are bred.
• * 1.40

  Arabian poems and verses.
• * 1.41

  The Arabians offer themselues slaues to any that would re∣leeue their ex∣treme hunger.
• * 1.42

  The Arabians of Barca lay their sonnes to pawne vnto the Sicilians for corne.
• * 1.43

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and death of the Ring of Tunis his sonne.
• * 1.44

  Trenizen.
• * 1.45

  Maroco and Fez.
• * 1.46

  A booke writ∣ten by Iohn Leo concerning the Mahumetan religion.
• * 1.47

  The Africans vsed in times past none other kind of letters but the Roman letters.
• * 1.48

  Perhaps he meaneth the histories of Sa∣lust, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Li∣uius, and others.
• * 1.49

  The Mahume∣tan Calisas caused all the bookes of the Persians to be burned.
• * 1.50

  The mountaines of Atlas excee∣ding cold.
• * 1.51

  Most woonder∣full and terrible snowes.
• * 1.52

  The extreme danger of snow which Iohn Leo himselfe escaped
• * 1.53

  Agadez.
• * 1.54

  A strange re∣medie vsed by the African merchants to quench their thirst.
• * 1.55

  A merchant constrained by extreme thirst, gaue ten thou∣sand duckats for a cup of water.
• * 1.56

  The fruit called Goron. Cocos. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Onions.
• * 1.57

  The oliues of Africa.
• * 1.58

  Raine signify∣ing plentie or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.59

  The pesants and vnlearned peo∣ple of Africa cunning in Astrologie.
• * 1.60

  The yeere of the Arabians and Africans.
• * 1.61

  The yeere diui∣ded into two seasons onély, vpon the moun∣ain es of Atlas.
• * 1.62

  The increase of the riuers of Niger & Nilu.
• * 1.63

  The French disease.
• * 1.64

  When and by what meanes the French 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was brought into Africa.
• * 1.65

  Hernia or the disease called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or the rupture.
• * 1.66

  Earth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.67

  The Moores are a people of great fidelitie.
• * 1.68

  The author of this worke his Apologie for the former relation.