Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

4 MANICONGO.

MANICONGO is bounded on the South with Cafraria, and the Mountains of the Moon; on the West with the Aethiopick Ocean; on the North with the Realm of Benin and other parts of the land of the Negroes; and on the East with Zanzibar, and some part of the Abassine Empire. So called from Congo or Manicongo, the principal of those many Kingdoms which are united in this Name.

The Aire hereof so temperate, that their Winter is like the Antumn in Rome, insomuch as the People do not use to change their garments, or make more fire then, then at other times: the tops of the Mountains free from cold, and the nights so equal to the dayes that for the greatest part of the year there is little difference, the Country being situate under the Aequator, though more of it on the North then the South thereof. Not over hot notwithstanding in the heats of Summer, by rea∣son of the cool windes which then blow continually, and the great dewes which falling in the night make some compensation for the extream fervour of the day. The soyl so exceeding fruitfull in the production of herbs, plants, fruits, and such store of Pasturage, that they have here great herds of Cattel, large flocks of Sheep, plenty of Goats, Stags, Deer, Hares and Conies; Elephants of that bigness that their teeth weigh 200 pounds; and Serpents of so vast a bulk that they will eat a whole Deer at once: not to say any thing of their fowl both wilde and tame, which they have here in great abundance.

The People of mean stature, black of complexion, thick lips, and having the apple of the eye of divers colours, which makes them ghastly to behold; strong and long-lived, with very little hair on their heads, but that all naturally curled. In Religion for the most part Heathens, some worshipping the Sun and Moon, others the Earth, as the Mother and Nurse of all things; and some again wilde Beasts and Serpents. So populous, that without any sensible diminution of their infinite numbers, it is supposed that they fell 28000 Slaves to the Portugals yeerly; by whom they are sent into Brasil▪

there to work in the Mines and Sugar houses. The Christian faith admitted in some few of their Pro∣vinces, but specially in that of Congo, where first preached, in the reign of John the 2. king of Portugal, An. 1490. by Gonzalvo ae Susa, who having converted and baptized the Kings Uncle, and one of his Sons, prevailed so far upon the King, that in the end he and his Queen, and many of his principal Subjects did imbrace the Gospel. Received there by the people with such infinite joy, that when their first Bishop came to live amongst them, they caused the wayes from the Sea-side to the City of Banza (being 150 miles) to be covered with Mats; and offered to him all the way as he went, Lambs, Chicken, Kids, Partriges, Fish, Venison, and other necessaries, to testifie their rejoycings in that happy change. And, though many of the Subjects in the other Provinces were baptized accordingly, and for a time imbraced the Faith; yet after some small trial of it they relapsed to their former Heathenism, either unable or not willing to conform to so strict a Rule.

Principal Rivers of this Country, 1 Bengo, 2 Coanza, 3 Dande, 4 Barbela, 5 Ambrizi, 6 Loza, 7 Zaire. This last the greatest of them all, if not of all Africk also: of which though we have spoke already, we shall adde this here; That it falleth into the Aethiopick Sea with so great a violence, that for ten miles commonly, for fifteen sometimes, the waters of it do retain their natural sweet∣ness, not intermingled nor corrupted with the salt Sea-waters; Nor can the people fail above five miles against the stream, by reason of the Cataracts or huge fals which it hath from the Mountains, more terrible and turbulent then those of Nile. And for the Mountains of most note, they are 1 Sierra, Complida, or the Long mountain; 2 Mons Christalli, or the Christalline mountain, so called from the abundance of Christal which is found therein; 3 Sierra de Sol, the Mountain of the Sun, of excessiue height: 4 Montes Sal nitri, so called from their abounding in that kind of Mineral; and 5 the Mountains of Cabambe. rich in Mines of Silver.

It conteineth in it many large and ample Provinces, of which we have this general muster in the stile Imperial, wherein their King calleth himself King of Congo, Bamba, Sango, Sandi, Bangu, Batti, Pemba, Abundi, Matana, Quisoma, Angola, and Cacango; Lord of the Congemes, Amolaze, Lan∣gelungi, Anzuichi, Cucchi, and Zoanghi. Many of these not so well discovered as to afford us any matter fit for our discourse; the principal of those that be, are

1. ANGOLA bounded on the South with Cafraria, on the North with the Provinces of Bamba and Pemba, on the East with some part of Zanzibar, on the West with the main Ocean. The Country rich in Mines of Silver, and most excellent Copper; some store of Kine and Horses brought out of Europe, which they kill rather for their tails, the wearing whereof is held for a special ornament, then keep for any other use: their chiefest diet being Dogs, which they fat for the Shambles; and to that dainty so affected, that at the first coming of the Portugals thither, they would give twenty slaves and upwards for a good large Dog. By this we may conjecture somewhat at the nature of the people, who besides this are said to be much given to sorcerie and divinations by the flight of Birds, skilful in medicinal herbs and poisons, and by familiarity with the Devil able to tell things to come. Permitted as most Pagans are, to have as many wives as they will; who with the rest of the women, whether maids or widows, use at the first sight of every New Moon to turn up their bare bums in defiance of her, as the cause of their troublesom purgations.

In this Country are the Mountains called Cantaberes, rich in Mines of Silver; but those Mines not suffered to be digged, for fear of drawing some unnecessary war upon them; so that they use Glass∣beads for money and therewith also do adorn the persons of greatest eminence. Their principal City called Cabazza, is about 150 miles from the Sea, and the Royal residence of their Kings, but not else observable.

This Country was first discovered by the Portugals under the conduct of Diego Can, An. 1486. the King hereof at that time Vassal unto him of Congo, and so continued till that King did imbrace the Gospel, whereupon they revolted from him, and have since subsisted of themselves without such dependance. At first they held good correspondencie with the Portugals, and allowed them free traffick in their dominions: But after their revolt from the King of Congo, with whom the Portugals were in league, they put to death as many of them as they found in Cabazza, An. 1578. under colour of some pretended treason. To be revenged of this soul murder, Paul Diaz, Governour of these parts for the King of Portugal, arming such people as he had, with two Gallies and some other Ves∣sels passed up the River of Coanza, wasting the Country on both sides: Against whom the King of Angola raised an Army of a Million of men; but amongst those multitudes of men there were so few Souldiers, that an handful of the Portugals, aided with some of the forces of the King of Congo, gave him a notable defeat, A. 158••. Since that, the trade with Portugal is revived again, and the King here∣of hath expressed some good affections unto Christianity, sending unto the King of Congo for some Priests to instruct him in it, but obtained them not; the state of Religion in that kingdom being then declining.

To this king belong also the two Provinces of Matana and Quisoma, though both used in the titles of the King of Congo: of which the first lying towards the Sea, is said to be of a wholsom air, and a fertile soil, outwardly furnished with fruits, and inwardly with Mines of Christal and other metals; but not very rich, for want of some convenient Haven to bring on commerce. The other lying towards a great Lake called Aque Lunda, was once governed after the manner of a Commonwealth; but tributary at that time to the K. of Congo, as of later times to the Kings of Angola, by whom brought under this new yoke, by reason of the aid they had given the Portugals in their wars against him.

2. BAMBA hath on the South the River of Conza, by which parted from Angola; on the North the River Ambrize, by which divided from Songo, on the East Pemba; on the West the Aethiopick

Ocean. The Country rich in Mines of Silver, well stored with Beasts and Birds, as well tame as wilde: Amongst the Birds Parrets both green and gray, and many which are taught to sing, not much inferior for their musick to the birds of Canaries. Amongst the Beasts of most note is that called the Zebre. sha∣ped like a Mule, but from the ridge of the back to the belly so streaked with lines of white, black, and yellow, and those streaks naturally set in such even proportion, as yieldeth to the eye a most pleasing object. But wilde, and of so swift a foot, that Velox ut Zebra, to be as swift as a Zebre, is grown into a Proverb amongst the Portugals. The men so strong, that it is said of them, that at one blow they will cut off the head of an Ox. or strike a Slave quite thorow the midle, into two pieces; and to be able to carry in their arms a vessel of wine, weighing 325 pound weight, containing the fourth part of a But; and hold it so till it be quite drawn out. It containeth in it many Signeuries, most of them called by the names of their principal Towns. The chief of which, 1 S. Paul, situate on the Sea side, opposite to theisle of Leanda, inhabited for the most part by Portugal families. 2 Bamba, which giveth name to this Province, and is situate about 100 miles from the Sea, betwixt the Rivers of Lose and Ambrizi.

3. PEMBA hath on the West Bamba, on the East the Lake Zombre, and the River Barbela; on the North Batta, and on the South Angola, Esteemed to be the richest and most pleasant Country of all Manicongo; the Fields in all parts thereof beset with Palm trees, but intermixt with other fruit trees, which are always green. The water of so good a nature that it never hurteth any that drink of it: the Aire exceeding wholsom, and the earth as fruitfull; productive of all sorts of grain, but specially of that which they call Luco, in form like mustard seed, but bigger, which they grinde in an hand-mill, and make thereof a Bread not inferiour to Wheat. The People much reclaimed from their ancient Barbarism since the coming of the Portugals thither, whom they imitate both in behaviour and apparell. So well skilled in the vertues of Medicinal herbs, that every one is his own Physitian, Chirurgeon, and Apothecary. Antiently clothed with Mats, and trimmed up with Fea∣thers; retained still by the Villages and poorer sort in some part of the Country. Their chief City, formerly had the name of Banza, so called because the Kings Court (as the word doth signifie) but since the receiving of the Gospel it is called S. Saviours; distant from the Sea 150 miles, beautified (since it became Christian) with a Bishops See, and a fair Cathedral, in which are 28 Canons, with other Officers, and Ornaments accustomably belonging to the lake Foundations. The Town it self situate on the side of a large and lofey Mountain; on the top whereof is a spacious Plain, two Dutch miles in compass, full of Villages, Burroughs, and scattered houses, which are thought to house 100000. persons, most of them Portugals, and their Servants.

4. BATTA hath on the VVest and South Pemba, on the East the Mountains of the Sun, and those called Sal nitri; on the North Pango. Of the Soile and People there is nothing singular to be said, but that the inhabitants hereof are more military, and better furnished for the Wars then the rest of these Provinces: necessitated thereunto by the ill neighbourhood of a fierce and savage People, dwelling about the spurs and branches of the Mountains before mentioned, whom they call Jagges or Giacchi. These naturally and originally of the Land of Negroes, abandoned the parts about Seirra Leona, where before they dwelt, and to the number of 12000 fell into the Mountainous parts of this Region, under the conduct of one Elembe, where they are since grown into a People; and become a terrour to their neighbours. Greedy devourers of mans flesh, which they prefer be∣fore that of Beeves or Mutton; not yet so qualified by the change of their Country as to build houses, sow or plant, or to breed up Cattell; finding it far the easier life to maintain themselves by the labour and spoil of others. And which is yet most strange of all, though they have each of them many wives, ten or twenty a piece, yet they have no children; but strangle them assoon as born, lest they should be an hindrance to their often wandrings. But as Plinie once said of the Esseni, Gens aterna est in qua nemo nascitur: so we may also say of these, that they do not want succession, though they breed no children; selecting out of their Captives and stollen children, some of either Sex (but neither steal nor take them captive under twenty yeers old) to be the Seminary (as it were) of a new posterity. Against these Monsters those of Batta are armed continually, not otherwise able to defend themselves, their wives and children, from their hands and teeth: insomuch as this one Pro∣vince, though none of the biggest, is able to raise 70000 men, well armed, and fit for any service. The principal of their Towns is Batta, which gives name to the Province; situate on the banks of the River Lelanda, and the Seat of the Vice-Roy, who is always of the blood Royal, honoured some∣times with sitting at the Kings own Table, which none else may do, and of so great authority in all consultations that no body dares to contradict him.

5. PANGO, is bounded on the South with Batta, on the East extended to the Mountains of the Sun, which close up this Country; on the North with Sunda; and on the West with parts of Pemba, and Sango. Of the People, little singular, of the Country less. Neighboured on the North-east to∣wards Sierra de Christall, with the Languelungi, supposed by some to be the Aethiopes Hesperii, spo∣ken of by Ptolomy; a barbarous Nation, but of so considerable power, that they are found amongst the rest in the Stile Imperial. This once a Kingdom of it self, not subject till of late times to the Kings, of Congo. The chief Tow of it called Pango, is seated on the Western bank of the River Barbele; the ordinary residence of the Vice-Roy, and the name giver to the whole Province.

6. SVNDA, is bounded on the South with Batta, on the North with the great River Zaire; on the East with Barbele; and on the West with part of Songo. The Country rich in several Mettals, but the Inhabitants prefer Iron before any other, because it doth afford them Materials for Swords, Knives, and Armour; well furnished also with Martrons, Sa∣bles, and other Futrs of great esteeme amongst Forreigne Merchants. This is the best

Region of this Kingdom, not above 40 miles in breadth, betwixt Batta and the River of Zaire; nor much more in length. Their chief City hath the name of Sunda, which it communicateth to the whole.

7. SONGO, is bounded on the East with Batta, and Anzichana; on the West with the Aethiopick Ocean; on the North with the Kingdom of Loanga; and on the South with the River Ambrizi, by which parted from the Realm of Bamba. It lieth on both sides of the great River Zaire, which is here so turbulent and broad, and so full of Ilands, that the one part of it hath little or no commerce with the other. The chief Town hereof called Songo gives this name to the Country; in which is no∣thing singular for the Soil or People.

8. ANZICHANA, hath on the West, part of Songo and Loango▪ extended thence unto the East as far almost as the Lake of Zembre; on the North some part of the Land of Negroes, on the South the Zaire. So called from the Anziqui, the Inhabitants of it. The cruellest Cannibals in the world; for they do not only eat their Enemies, but their Friends and Kinsfolk. And that they may be sure not to want these Dainties, they have shambles of mans flesh, as in other parts of Beef or Mutton. So covetous withall, that if their Slaves will yield but a penny more when sold joynt by joynt then if sold alive, they will cut them out, and sell them so upon the Shambles. Yet with these barbarous qualities they have many good. Affirmed to be so cunning at the Bow and Arrows, that they will discharge 28 Arrows (for so many do their Quivers hold) before the first of them falls to ground and of so great fidelity to their Masters, and to those which trust them, that they will rather choose to be killed then either to abuse the trust, or betray their Master. For that cause more esteemed by the Portugals, then their other Slaves. And for the same, and that only, worthy of so good a Country; said to be rich in Mines of Copper, and very plentifull of Sanders both red and gray; which tempered with Vinegar, is found by the Portugals to be a certain remedy against the Pox; as the smoke thereof against the head-ache. Towns they have none, or none at least of any reckoning, which deserve place here.

9. LOANGO hath on the East Anzichana, on the West the Atlantick Ocean, on the North Benin, one of the Realms of Guinea in the Land of Negroes; and on the South the Province of Songo, from which parted by the River Loango, whence it hath its name. The Country very hot, as lying under the Line, but well peopled, indifferently fruitful, and more stored with Elephants, then any other of these parts; strenching in length 200 miles within the Land, and for the most part ve∣ry well watered. The Inhabitants, whom they call Bramas. by Religion Heathens, but of old ac∣customed (as the Anziqui and other of these barbarous Africans) unto Circumcision. Governed by a King of their own, once subject to the Kings of Congo; but of late times, both he and the King of the Anziqui (for they are also under the command of one Soveraign Prince) have freed them∣selves from that subjection, though still the King of Congo be called King of both. Their King they call by the name of Mani-Loanga. Their Towns of note, 1 Penga, the Haven to the rest. 2 Mo∣rumba, 30 Leagues more Northwards, and within the 1 and; the inhabitants of which Towns being more civil then the rest, apparell themselves with the leaves of Palm trees; but not so well skilled in the nature of that excellent Tree as the more civilized People of the Realms of Congo, who out of the leaves thereof well cleansed and purged draw a fine long thred, of which they make Velvets, Damaskes, Sattens, Taffaties, Sarcenets, and the lake fine Stuffes.

10. Having thus looked upon the chief Provinces of this Kingdom seated on the Continent, Let us next look upon the Ilands. The principal of which LO ANDA, situate over against the Town of S. Paul in the Province of Bamba; said to be first made out of the sands of the Ocean, and the mire of Coanza, cast into an heap, and at last made into an Iland. Now beautified with a very fair Haven, of the same name with the Iland, possessed by the Portugals. The Iland destitute of Rivers, but so well furnished with waters, that every where within less then half a yard digging, they find sweet and good: Waters so contrary to the Sea from whence they come, that when the Sea ebbs from it, they be salt and brackish; when it floweth towards the Iland then most fresh and sweet. But most remarkable is this Iland for the Cockle fishing, which the Women going a little into the Sea, take up together with the sands, in baskets, and part them from the sand, as they lie on the shore; the shells of which being na∣turally distinguished into drivers colours, serve over all the Kingdom of Congo, instead of money; which is a matter of such moment unto this King that he entertains a Governour in the Iland for no other reason, but to take care about this fishing.

Besides this, there are many Ilands in the River of Zaire, now subject to the Kings of Congo, but hereto∣fore in continual Wars against them; fighting in Boats which they made of the bodies of a Tree, by them called Liconde. The tree so big, that two or three men or more are not able to fathom it: inso∣much that many times a Boat is made of one of the largest of them, able to contain 200 men. Upon the shores of these Ilands, and in others of their Bays and Creeks, they have so great numbers of Anchioves, that in winter time they will leap upon the Land of their own Accord.

Compacted of these several Members, and of the rest expressed in the Stile Imperial, is the Realm of Congo, so called from Congo the chief Province, but now distinguished from the rest by the name of Pemba; which being of more power, or of better fortune, then any of the other, or of all to∣gether hath given both Law and name unto them. Discovered by the Portugals under Diego Can, An. 1486. at what times these Kings were at the greatest: called by their subjects Mani Congo, or the Kings of Congo, the word Mani, signifying in their Language a Prince or Lord; the name communicated since to the Kingdom also. Of their affairs before this time there is nothing certain. What hath since hapned in this Kingdom may best be seen in the ensuing Catalogue of

The Kings of Congo.

• 1486. 1 John not so called till converted to the Faith of Christ, and then baptized by this name, in honour of John the 2. King of Portugal, Anno 1490. in whose reign this discovery and Conversion hapned.
• 2 Alphonso, eldest son of John, zealous in the advancement of the Christian Faith, and for that opposed by Panse Aquitine his younger Brother: whom with a ve∣ry small Army, zealously invocating the assistance of Jesus Christ, he is said to have vanquished. A Prince, who during his long reign of 50 years did seriously promote the Gospel, and caused all Idols in his Kingdom to be overthrown, and Churches to be built, and furnished in convenient places.
• 3 Pedro, the son of Alphonso, in whose time was founded the Colledge of 28 Canons, in the Cathedral Church of S.Cross, in the Town of S.Saviours.
• 4 Francisco the son of Pedro, who reigned not long.
• 5 Diego, or James, one of the kinsmen of Francisco, in whose time Religion grow∣ing into discredit, by the scandalous lives of some of the Secular Clergie; John the 3. King of Portugal sent four Jesuits thi∣ther; who are said to have converted in five moneths 5000 persons; and to build three Churches.
• 6 Henry, the brother of Diego, after a sharp War touching the Succession, in which were slain all the Portugals of S.Saviours, except the Priests, at last succeeded; not long after slain in battell against the An∣ziques.
• 7 Alvarez, the son of Henry, forced by the Jagges or Giacchi to abandon Congo, and betake himself, together with the Portugal Priests, to an Iland of the Ri∣ver Zaire: where he continued, till re∣stored to his Crown by the aid of Sebasti∣an King of Portugal; after by famine he had lost almost all his company.
• 8 Alvarez II. Son of Alvarez the first, who much sollicited Sebastian and Henry Kings of Portugal, to send him a new supply of Preachers; the old store being wasted in the Ilands of Zaire.
• 9 Alvarez III. Son of Alvarez the 2. not being born in Lawfull wedlock, was oppo∣sed by one of his Sisters and a younger Brother, both of lawfull birth; whom he overthrew, Anno 1587. and in the place of the victory founded a Church in honour of the Virgin Mary.

Touching the Forces and Revenues of these Kings of Congo, I am able to say nothing certain; but that he is a Prince of great power and riches. His Riches visible by the great treasures which he draw∣eth from the Mines of silver, and of other Mettals in his Kingdome, from the trade of Cockle shells; the only money of his Realm, which he keeps wholly to himself; the great gain which he makes by Slaves and from Elephants teeth; the presents which he hath in way of Tribute from the King of Angola. And though it be not easie to say what he layeth up yeerly, because he hath not his Revenue in Coin, as most Princes have; yet it is thought that he is as rich and well furnished with all things, as any Monarch in Africk.

As for his Forces, they consist most in the multitudes of his Subjects, which were they well armed and used to the Wars, would make him formidable to the rest of the African Princes. And though he hath no garrisons or Towns of war, but must crust, if once invaded, unto Castles of bones; yet he doth rest secure enough from all fear of danger except out of Europe: being able to raise against his Rebels, or any of his invading neighbours; 400000 men out of Bamba only; all armed accord∣ing to their manners and 70000 men at least well exercised in Wars against the Jagges, from the Pro∣vince of Batta; besides what may be drawn from his other Provinces.

The Arms of this King are Mars, five swords meeting in Base Sol, which Coat was taken by Alphonso, the second King in this Catalogue, because in the battell which he fought against Panse A∣quitine, he and his Souldiers saw (or supposed they saw) such a number of shining swords hanging in the Aire, with their points turned directly upon the Enemy.