The world surveyed, or The famous voyages & travailes of Vincent le Blanc, or White, of Marseilles ... containing a more exact description of several parts of the world, then hath hitherto been done by any other authour : the whole work enriched with many authentick histories / originally written in French ; and faithfully rendred into English by F.B., Gent.

CHAP. I. A generall Description of AFRICA.

HAving left the East Indies, as I said in the former part of this work towards the end, and having taken the road of Africa Westward, the first land we came on was the Isle of S. Laurence. Before I relate the particulars either of this Isle, or other places I have seen in Africa, I conceive it not im∣proper to draw a general Description of this third part of the Universe, as well for that I have traversed it from one end to the other in three severall voyages, as to shew the errour of mo∣dern

Geographers, who in their Maps of Africa, have left out more then fifty kingdoms or Provinces of note,* 1.1 as I sometime made appear to the late Mr. du Vair, then chief President of the Province, and afterwards Keeper of the Great Seale of France.

And first to take it from the streight of Gibraltar, or rather from Porto Farina towards Tunes to the Cape Bona Esperanza, the greatest extent from North to South,* 1.2 there, is found to be seventy degrees, which are above two thousand leagues: And from Cape-Verd to Cape de Guardafu or Guardafy, from East to West there is near upon eighty Degrees, which are about two thousand five hundred leagues of Teritory, comprehending a space most prodigious, such as our Europe is a very small matter in comparison of; the greatest part lying betwixt the two Tropicks, the rest on this side and beyond.

For from the kingdom of Budonell passing through the Negres, lyes Eastward the Empire of Tombut, or Tombotu; by the Arabians called Iza, containing thirteen large kingdomes watered by the famous River Nigrite or Niger, with Senega, a part of Guinee, Mel∣li,* 1.3 and many other Countreyes, as far as the Cape Verdi. The people here so savage, they scarce know how to speak; so sordid, they eat beast-entrailes uncleansed, and so brutish, they are more like ravenous dogs, then men of reason.

The people toward the Western Coast are better civilized, in the Provinces of Gavaga, Azemay, Galata, by the Arabians called Abu∣gazai, or Zenaga and Azanaga, and on the Coast of Cape-blanc, where they drive a great trade in white salt. Senega, where the River Niger waters large territories, abounds in Crocodills and fish, with which it furnishes Budonel, Meli, Gago, Guber, Agades, Cano Gazena or Cassena, Zegzog, Zanfara, Burneo, or Borno, Gan∣gara, Gaoga, and others where it reaches. The kingdome of Gangara contains seven others, as that of Borneo nine, who to gain a single dominion, have often come to Battell, but in the end satiated with blood, were constrained to agree again. Then have you the kingdomes or Temian, Daouma, Medra, Benin, Gorbani, Gi∣afiar, or Biafar, Amas or Amasen, which towards the South fronts Damula and Vangue, lying towards the Zaire.

From Senega towards the North, we find Scombaya, Musmuda, Zenera or Havia, Gumea, Guzula, Hea, Sus, with others called the Whites of Africa, who speak not Arabian, but use the tongue of Songay,* 1.4 as they term it; Likewise the usuall Language in Nue••e∣dia through the kingdomes of Terga, Gaziga, Lemta, and Berdoa. These people have a black or gray cloth hanging from their Tur∣bith over their face, that while they eat their mouth may not be seen, which were a great incivility. There are moreover, the Countries of Guzulan, Belu, Benin, Belbee, Toga, Afar, Alates, Crin, Beni, Gumi, Muzali, Abubenam, Zuir, Cazai, Dura, Zinzaler, and others. The vast kingdome of Fezor Morocco, contains Agar or

Agal, Elebat, Eris, Geres, Elcanus, Elegazar, or Elgezair, with the kingdomes of T••nes, Bugie, Constantine, ••ipoli, Telensin, Tre∣mesen, Telche, Te••es••e, &c. There is here a River which issuing from the bowels of Africa, passes through many countries, and threads Fesse where it se•• three hundred and threescore mill-wheels of extraordinary compasse at work, and gliding from thence under Miquin•• and Elcassour, throwes it self in sea at Ma∣mocre, under Arache, little distant from Arzille. Towards Tom∣but and Meli on the other side Senega lyes the wide-stretcht king∣dome of Gago, the King whereof is highly potent,* 1.5 compelling in a manner adoration from his people, who how great soever speak not to him but on knees, holding in their hand a cup of sand, which they cast on their head while they prostrate before him, and retire without tergiversation.

He affords not audience to his subjects, but at certain houres, morning and evening, and when they are found guilty in any crime, he chastises them with confiscation of goods, and sale of their wives and children, for slaves to strangers.

The two great Rivers Niger or Gambra, and Senega, Wash a very great part of the country, overflowing in the same sort and times as Nile doth. Budomel which is in like manner a River of the same denomination, as the country it travailes through, unites it self with Gambra, and the kingdome of Melli is upon a branch of Senega, environed with dismal deserts, and impenetrable Forests. This river on the North and South, is banked with the Deserts of Gilolef and Jalofel, on the West it hath the vast Forest of Aba∣cara, and Gago on the West. Next you come to Guber, Mount Chigi, or Gigi, or Sierra de Meleguete, then Guinga or Guinee, or Guinoy. These people are all black like quenched coles. Salt in the kingdome of Gago is more precious then gold, which there abounds; as likewise Fruit and Cattle.

Guber abutts Northward on Cano, Eastward on Zeger or Zegzeg, a woody and desert country, peopled with an infinite heard of beasts. In these Deserts you meet with Cassena, then drawing towards the Cape of bona Esperonza; You enter upon the king∣domes of Benin and Zanfara, under the Equatour, well inhabited, containing in length two hundred and forty leagues, where from mid-May to the middle of August, it rains for the most part, and almost constantly from noon till mid-night, as I have observed it to do in other countries under the same line. In fine, so fertile are these countries, that like those water'd by the river Nile, they yield two harvests annually, and each harvest of sufficiency to fur∣nish the people with provision for five years. Whence it comes, that storing up their corn in Cavernes under ground, which the Moores call Mattamorres, calked against moysture with a cement made of Sea-shels, —where being first dryed in the Sun, they keep it what time they please; they never think of sowing more

while they have any thing to live on, so as the land being thus laid up at rest, becomes more fertile. Their sheep breed twice a year, and often two or three lambs at a time.

The Cape of Palmes is in the territory of Isma towards Guinnee, with the Castle of Mina which the Portugues built upon this coast, drawing towards the Cape de bona Esperanza, the kingdom of Manicongo extends it self from the River Val de Biraco, or da Borca, as far as the River of S. Paul. This River da Borca, other∣wise called Rio de Los Reyes, is a quarter of a dayes journey from that of Agina or Asicera.

True it is, there are Maps which place it near to Biafar, though it be distant thence more then five hundred leagues; Biafar lying near to Amasan and Medra; the cause of this errour is, that they take it for the River called the Infanta of Portugal, which on the East hath the River Angra which waters the Town of Masire, or Maciera, directly over against the Isle of S. Thomas, and fronts the great kingdome of Damute, through the middle whereof pas∣ses the River of Bancara, Vibris and Vamta, with a branch of Noir, all which conjoyne in Zaire. Zaire overflowes like Nilus, and runs through many countries,* 1.6 some Mahometan, some Pagan, who adore the Sun, and about the break of day compose themselves on some eminent place, to make their Salema, that is, their prayer; at his Rising, casting themselves covered with a large cloth a hun∣dred times to the ground, and kissing it most devoutly. Some say that these two great kingdomes Damute and Monicongo bound upon Goyame or Guiame, which by reason of their great distance is most incredible. It is rather on one side, for on the South and West side, Monicongo is divided by the River Bancara, which lyes three degrees on the other side the line, and two from Cape de Lopo, or Loubo, at his disgorging near the river Gouan, or Gabam, not far from the Cape Gonzal, and the Cape St Catherine directly opposite to Cape Primaco, something near the Torrent of Fremo, which the Natives call Gouira. The last Cape of Damute is Alma∣da or Almadias, into the Gulph whereof one branch of Zaire, and the River of Saint Helen issuing forth at the same place do cast themselves, having on the North Abidara, which joynes it self to the Cataracts; On the West the land of Jair and Gubara, on the East Cogira, where begins the Cape de Corrientes, twenty four de∣grees from the South.

* 1.7Next we come to the great Empire of the Abissins, containing more then thirty five kingdomes, insomuch as some would have it equall with all Europe. The people for the greatest part are grosse and bruitish, clothed with beasts skins; though the country abound with gold, which the Rivers wash in with their streams. The women carry their Infants at their back in Goat skins, and never go into the field without their staffe, and victualls, and cast their hanging breasts over their shoulders for their children to

suck. For the generality, they are a very wretched people, sub∣jects to the great Neguz, who Commissions certain Deputies for administration of Justice amongst them.

But these Deputies finding them so voyd of reason retire them∣selves to Townes twenty or thirty leagues distant, and the others will not afford the paines to go so far; so as when any difference happens, they entreat the next Passenger to decide it, and in case he refuses, they way-lay him with bow and arrows, and by force oblige him to give sentence, which be it good or bad is observed most religiously, for recompense presenting him with some beast to carry his baggadge, most commonly with a Dent which is much like to a little Mule, only it hath a hogs taile, and little horns, which grow only skin deep, which it moves as the eares, and is much more swift: travelling on the sands his hoof will burn and cleave, so as 'tis impossible to get him wag a foot: then their only way is to make meat of him, his flesh being exceeding delicate, though without salt not long to be kept from corrupting to worms.

The greatnesse of this part of the world is particularly seen in that we find within it a hundred and fifty large kingdoms,* 1.8 with∣out reckoning many more of lesse quantity; which people this vast Peninsula of above two thousand leagues in length and latitude. It is water'd with many fair rivers, some whereof have their over∣flowes like the River Nile, and as beneficiall; others role before them sands of gold, besides Lakes, Marshes, and impenetrable Forests, rich gold mines, numerous heards of cattle, double har∣vests, the horrible monsters, the diversity of people; some civili∣zed, others so bruitish, they know neither religion nor articulate language: some christians of various Sects, others Mahometans, and a great part Gentiles and Idolaters, under the dominion of several Princes, of which the chiefest are the Grand Seigniour, who pos∣sesses Egypt wholly, with great part of the Coast of Barbary. The great King of the Abissins, who holds almost all the intestine Africa, with both the strands of Nile. The great Monomotapa Lord of almost all the Southerne Verges, even to the Cape de bona Esperanza. The potent King of Fez, and Marocco, and a multitude of other Kings and particular Princes, as those of Tom∣but, Ganga, Borno, who possesse many kingdomes.* 1.9 Of this so spacious and populous Africa, the Ancients had discovered but some few countries under the name of Egypt, Cirenaica, Numidia, Libia, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Nigrites, Garamantes, Atlantes, and very few more.

The Arabians at this day make a quadrupart division of it, not∣withstanding that it is not intirely known by reason of the dismal deserts which shut up passages, and deprive us of discovery. The first begins at the Cape of Babouchi or Guardafuni, where they in∣sert many countries out of Africa, taken in by a Prince named

Tramurat, who subdued Arabia Felix, and went in Arms as far as Carmanio, to which they call Erac, and amongst these are the kingdomes of Macran and Guadel, which are contained herein. The second called Biledugerid, heretofore Numidia terminates Egypt at the Town Eleocat. The third is a vast and horrid wil∣dernesse, which stretches it self to the bounds of Lible by them called Saria, or the Desert, because it takes beginning at Nile, and ends at the Desert of Saria. The fourth begins at the king∣dome of Gonaga, and ends at the kingdome of Galata.

Some make another division likewise into four parts, which are Barbary, Numidia, Libia, and Nigres. Barbary extends it self by the side of Mount Atlas upon the Mediterranean, from Egypt to Messa upon the Ocean, and comprehends the kingdomes of Moroc∣ca, Fez, Telessin, Tunes, &c. Numidia or Biledugerid hath in it Segelmesse, Bugie, Zeb, &c. Libia is Saira. And the land of Ne∣gres containes Galata, Tombut, Melli, Gaigo, Guber, Guinee, and others, as far as the Cape of bona Esperanza.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Maps of Africa de∣fective.
• * 1.2

  The ex∣tent of Africa.
• * 1.3

  See Pliny l. 5. c. 1. of the Cavarian•• of Affrick.
• * 1.4

  Leon of Africa, lib. 1. cap. 11.
• * 1.5

  Majesty of the King of Tombut.
• * 1.6

  Africans who adore the Sun.
• * 1.7

  The Em∣pire of the Abissins.
• * 1.8

  The pro∣digious greatnesse of Africa.
• * 1.9

  The divisi∣on of Afri∣ca.