Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II.

Of the circuit of the Kingdome of Congo, and of the borders and confines thereof; As also of diuers bordering Nations: and remarke∣able Rarities therein.

THe Kingdome of Congo, is distinguished by foure borders: The first, of the West, which is watered with the Ocean Sea: The second, of the North: The third, of the East, and the last, which is towards the South.

And to beginne with the border lying vpon the Sea, the first part of it is in the Bay; * 1.1 [ 10] called Seno delle Uacche, and is situate in the height of thirteene degrees vpon the Antarctike∣side, and stretcheth all along the Coast vnto foure degrees and a halfe on the North-side, neere to the Equinoctiall; which space contayneth six hundred and thirtie miles. This Seno delle Vacche, is a Hauen but of a moderate bignesse, and yet a good one, and able to receiue any ship that arri∣ueth. It is called Seno delle Uacche, that is to say, The Bay of Cowes, because thereabouts there are pasturing very many Herds of that king of Cattle. The Countrey is plaine, and aboundeth wih allmanner of victuals, and there you shall find some kind of Metals to be publikely sold, especially siluer, and it is subiect to the King of Angola.

A little more forward lyeth the Riuer Bengleli, where a certaine Lord, beeing subiect to the * 1.2 King of Angola, doth specially command: and about the said Riuer is a great compasse of [ 20] Countrey, much like to the former. And a little further runneth the Riuer Songa, so called by the Portugals: wherein you may sayle fiue and twentie miles vpwards in a Countrey also like to the former.

Then followeth the Riuer Coanza, which issueth out of a little Lake, fed by a certaine Ri∣uer * 1.3 that floweth out of a great Lake, being the chiefe and principall Spring or Head of Nilus, whereof in the other part of this Discourse wee shall haue occasion to write. Coanza, at the mouth of it is two miles broad, and you may sayle with small Barkes vpwards against the streame a bout one hundred miles, but hath no Hauen. And here it is to bee noted, that all this Countrey which we haue here described, was woont to be subiect to the King of Congo: but a∣while [ 30] agoe the Gouernour of that Countrey is become the absolute Lord thereof, and professeth himselfe to be a friend to the King of Congo, but not his Vassall: and yet sometimes he sendeth the King some Present, in manner of a tribute.

Beyond the Riuer Coanza, is the Hauen of Loanda, being in ten degrees, made (as it is said) * 1.4 by a certaine Iland, called Loanda, which signifieth in that Language, Bald, or Shauen; because it is a Countrey without any hils and very low: for, indeed, is scarce rayseth it selfe aboue the Sea. This Iland was framed of the sand and durt of the Sea, and of the Riuer Coanza, whose waues meeting together, and the filthy matter sinking downe there to the bottome, in conti∣nuance of time it grew to be an Iland. It may be about twentie miles long, and one mile broad at the most, and in some places but onely a bow: shoot. But it is a maruellous thing, that in such [ 40] a sandie ground, if you shall digge to the depth of two or three hand-breadthes, you shall find sweet water, the best in all those Countries. Wherein also there is a very strange effect, that * 1.5 when the Ocean ebbeth, this water becommeth somewhat salt, but when it floweth to the top, it is most sweet. A thing that falleth out also in the Iland of Cadis in Spaine, by the report and testimonie of Strabo.

This Iland is the Mine of all the Money which the King of Congo spendeth, and all the peo∣ple * 1.6 thereabouts. For vpon the shoares you shall haue certaine women, that vse to diue and ducke into the Sea, two yards deepe and more, and fill their baskets with sand, and afterwards diuide the grauell from certaine small Shel-fishes that are among it, which are called Lumache: and when these Lumache are seuered by themselues, then doe they picke out the Males from the Fe∣males, which they may easily doe, because the Female is more fine then the Male, and greatly [ 50] esteemed for her colour, which is very neat, bright and pleasant to the sight. These Lumache * 1.7 doe breed in all the shoares of the Kingdome of Congo, but the best of all are those of Loanda, because they looke very fine, and of a very bright colour, some gray or ash-coloured, and some of other colours not so precious.

And here you must note that gold and siluer and metall is not of any estimation, nor in vse of money in these Countries, but onely these Lumache: so that neither with gold nor siluer, in * 1.8 masse or in coine you shall buy any thing there, but with these Lumache you shall buy both gold and siluer, or any thing else.

In this Iland there are seuen or eight Townes, called in that Countrey Language, Libata, the principall whereof is Spirito Sancto: and therein dwelleth the Gouernour which is sent from [ 60] Congo, to minister Iustice and to gather the treasure of the moneyes of these Lumache. Here * 1.9 are also Goates and Sheepe, and Bores in great numbers, which being tame at the first, doe af∣terwards * 1.10 become wild and liue in the Woods. Here groweth also a tree, called Enzanda, which

is a great one and alwayes greene, and endued with a singular qualitie. For from the boughes of it that sprout vpwards, there hang downe certaine threeds (as it were) which creeping in∣to the Earth doe take roots, and out from these roots doe rise other trees, and so they multiply. And within the outmost barke thereof, there groweth a certaine kind of Pill like fine Linnen, * 1.11 which being beaten and cleansed, they spread out in length and in breadth, and therewith they cloath their men and women, that are of the basest sort.

In this Iland they haue certaine vessels made of the bodies of Palme-trees, ioyned together and framed after the manner of our Boates, with a prow and a sterne, wherein they passe from * 1.12 place to place, both with Oares and Sayles. In these Boates they vse to fish about the Riuers, which are indeed exceeding full of fish, and sometime also they will goe ouer to the firme [ 10] Land.

In that part of this Iland, which is towards the maine Land, in certaine low places there grow certaine trees (which when the water of the Ocean ebbeth) discouer themselues: and at the feet thereof you shall find certaine other Shel-fishes cleaning as fast to the trees as may bee, ha∣uing * 1.13 within them a great fish as bigge as a mans hand, and very good meate. The people of the Countrey know them very well, and call them Ambiziamatare, that is to say, The fish of the Rocke. The shels of these fishes, they vse to burne, and thereof make very good Lime to build withall. And being like the corke or barke of the tree, which is called Manghi, they dresse their Oxe-hides withall, to make their shooe soles the stronger.

To be briefe, this Iland bringeth forth neither Corne nor Wine, but there is great store of vi∣ctuall [ 20] brought thither from all parts thereabouts, to fetch away these Lumache. For as in all o∣ther * 1.14 places all things may be had for money of metall, so all things here are had for Lumache. Whereby may be noted, that not onely here in this Kingdome of Congo, but also in her Neigh∣bour Aethiopia and in Africa, and in the Kingdome of China, and certaine others of the Indies; they vse moneyes of other matter then of metall, that is to say, neither gold, nor siluer, nor cop∣per, nor any other mixture tempered of these.

For in Aethiopia, their money is Pepper: and in the Kingdome of Tombuto, which is about * 1.15 the Riuer Niger, otherwise called Senega, their money is Cockles or Shel-fish: and among the Azanaghi, their moneyes are Porcellette: and in the Kingdome of Bengala, likewise they vse Porcellette, and metall together. In China they haue certaine Shel-fishes, called also Porcellette, [ 30] which they vse for their money: and in other places Paper stamped with the Kings Seale, and the barkes of the tree called Gelsomora.

Neere to this Iland towards the outward Coast to the Sea, there swimme an innumerable * 1.16 sort of Whales, that looke blacke, and fighting one with another doe kill themselues: which afterwards being by the waues cast vp vpon the shoare, as bigge as a midling Merchants ship; the Negroes go forth with their Boats to fetch them, and to take the Oyle out of them, which being mingled with Pitch they vse to trimme their Vessels withall. Vpon the ridges or backs of these creatures, there grow many Shel-fishes, made like Snailes, Cockles, and Whelkes: whereof Signor Odoardo affirmed, that he had seene great store. He was also of opinion that Amber commeth not from these fishes. For ouer all the Coast of Congo, where there is an infinite number of [ 40] them, you shall not find either Ambergriz, or any other Amber, blacke or white in any place.

Vpon the firme Land directly ouer against the Iland is a Towne, called Uilla di San Paulo, al∣together inhabited with Portugals, and their Wiues, which they brought with them out of * 1.17 Spaine: and yet it is not fortified. All this Channell is very full of fish, especially of Sardinaes, and of Anchioues; whereof there is so great store, that in the Winter time they will of them∣selues leape vp to Land. Other kinds of most excellent fishes there are, as Soles, and Sturge∣ons, * 1.18 and Barbelles, and all manner of daintie fish; and great Crabs, in strange abundance, and all very wholsome: so that the greatest part of the people that dwell about the bankes there, doe liue vpon them.

Into this Channell runneth the Riuer called Bengo, which is a very great one, and nauigable [ 50] vpwards twentie fiue miles. This Riuer with that other of Coanza, whereof I told you before, do * 1.19 make the Ile of Loanda, because when their waters doe meete together, they leaue their sand & filth behind them, and so increase the Iland. There runneth also into it another great Riuer cal∣led * 1.20 Dande, which will receiue Vessels of an hundred tunne: and then another Riuer called Lem∣ba, which neither hath Hauen, neither doe any ships enter into it. Very neere vnto this there is also another Riuer called Ozone, which issueth out of the same Lake, whence Nilus likewise springeth, and it hath a Hauen. Next to Ozone, there is another called Loze, without any Ha∣uen: and then another great one with a Hauen called Ambriz, which runneth within foure leagues neere to the Royall Citie of Congo. Last of all, is the Riuer Lelunda, which signifieth a Trowt fish, and watereth the roots of that great Hill, whereon the Palace of Congo standeth, [ 60] called by the Portugals, the Oteiro. This Riuer Lelunda, springeth out of the same Lake, from whence Coanza issueth, and taketh into it by the way another Riuer, that commeth from the great Lake: and when it doth not raine, then you may passe ouer Lelunda on foot, because it hath so little store of water in it.

Next vnto this is the Zaire, a huge Riuer and a large, and indeed the greatest in all the King∣dome * 1.21 of Congo. The originall of this Riuer commeth out of three Lakes: one is the great Lake from whence Nilus springeth; the second, is the little Lake aboue mentioned; and the third, is the second great Lake which Nilus engendreth. And certainly, when you will consider the a∣bundance of water that is in this Riuer, you will say, that there was no need to haue any fewer or lesser springs to make so huge a streame as this carrieth. For in the very mouth of it, which is the onely entrance into it, the Riuer is eight and twentie miles broad, and when it is in the * 1.22 height of his increase he runneth fresh water fortie or fiftie miles into the Sea, and sometimes eightie, so that the passengers doe refresh themselues withall, and by the troublesomenesse of the water they know the place where they are. It is nauigable vpwards with great Barkes a∣bout [ 10] fiue and twentie miles, vntill you come to a certaine straight betweene the Rockes, where it falleth with such a horrible noyse, that it may be heard almost eight miles. And this place is * 1.23 called by the Portugals, Cachuiuera, that is to say, a Fall, or a Cataract, like to the Cataracts of Nilus. Betweene the mouth of this Riuer, and the fall thereof, there are diuers great Ilands * 1.24 well inhabited, with Townes, and Lords obedient to the King of Congo, which somtimes for the great enmitie that is among them, doe warre one against another in certaine Boats, hollowed out of a stocke of a tree, which is of an vnmeasurable bignesse, and these Boats they call Lungo. * 1.25

The greatest Boates that they haue, are made of a certaine tree, called Licondo, which is so great, that sixe men cannot compasse it with their armes, and is in length of proportion answe∣rable to the thicknesse, so that one of them will carrie about two hundred persons. They row these Boates with their Oares, which are not tyed to any loopes, but they hold them at liberty [ 20] in their hands, and moue the water therewith at pleasure. Euery man hath his Oare and his Bow, and when they fight together they lay downe their Oare and take their Bow. Neither do they vse any other Rudders to turne and gouerne their Boats, but onely their Oares.

The first of these Ilands, which is but a little one, is called, the Ile of Horses, because there * 1.26 are bred and brought vp in it great store of those creatures that the Greekes call Hippopotami, that is to say Water-horses. In a certaine Village within this Iland doe the Portugals dwell, hauing withdrawne themselues thither for their better securitie. They haue their Vessels to transport them ouer the water to the firme Land, vpon the South banke of the Riuer, which Land is cal∣led [ 30] the Hauen of Pinda, where many ships doe ride that arriue therein. * 1.27

In this Riuer there are liuing diuers kinds of creatures, and namely, mightie great Crocodiles, which the Countrey people there, call Caiman, and Water-horses aboue named: And another kind of creature, that hath (as it were) two hands, and a tayle like a Target, which is called, Ambize Angulo, that is to say, a Hog-fish, because it is as fat as a Porke. The flesh of it is very * 1.28 good, and thereof they make Lard, and so keepe it: neither hath it the sauour or taste of a fish, although it be a fish. It neuer goeth out from the fresh water, but feedeth vpon the grasse that groweth on the bankes, and hath a mouth like the muzzell of an Oxe. There are of these fishes, that weigh fiue hundred pounds apiece. [ 40]

The fishermen vse to take them in their little Boats, by marking the places where they seed, and then with their hookes and forkes, striking and wounding them, they draw them dead forth of the water: and when they haue cut them in pieces, they carrie them to the King. For who∣soeuer doth not so, incurreth the penaltie of death, and so doe they likewise that take the Trowt, and the Tench, and another fish called Cacongo, which is shaped after the likenesse of a Salmon, sauing that it is not red: but indeed so fat it is, that it quencheth out the fire whiles it is rosted or broyled. Other fishes also there are that are called Fishes Royall, which are carried * 1.29 to the King, vpon very seuere and rigorous punishments.

Beyond this Riuer of Congo, there commeth downe another Riuer, which the Portugals call, * 1.30 La Baia de las Almadias, that is to say, the Gulfe of Barkes, because there are great store of them, that are made there, by reason of the abundance of Woods and Trees that grow thereabouts, [ 50] which are fit for that vse, and wherewith all the Countries round about doe furnish themselues. At the mouth of this Bay there are three Ilands, one great Ile in the middle of the Channell, which maketh a conuenient Hauen for small Vessels, and two other lesse, but none of them in∣habited.

A little higher runneth another streame, not very great, which is called, De las Barreras Rossas, * 1.31 of the red Clay-pits, because it floweth from among certaine Rockes of Hils, whose Earth is dyed with a red colour: where also there is a very high Mountaine, called by the Portugals, La Surra Complida, that is to say, the long Mountaine.

And yet going vp a little further, there are two Gulfes of the Sea in the likenesse of a paire of Spectacles, wherein is a good Hauen, called La Baia d'Aluaro Gonzales, that is, The Gulfe * 1.32 [ 60] of Aluaro Gonzales. Beyond all these, are certaine hils and shoares, not worth the remem∣brance, vntill you come to the Promontorie, that is called by the Portugals, Capo de Ca∣terina, * 1.33 which is the border of the Kingdome of Congo towards the Equinoctiall, and is distant from the Equinoctiall Line two degrees and a halfe, which is one hundred and fiftie Italian miles.

Now from Cape De Caterina on the North side, beginneth another Border or Coast of the * 1.34 Kingdome of Congo, which Eastward stretcheth it selfe to the place where the Riuer Vumba ioyneth with the Riuer Zaire, contayning the space of sixe hundred miles and more. Beyond this Coast of Congo towards the North, and vnder the Equinoctiall Line vpon the Sea shoare, and about two hundred miles within Land, (comprehending in that reckoning the aforesaid Gulfe of Lope Gonzales) the People called the Bramas doe inhabite in a Countrey, that is now * 1.35 called the Kingdome of Loango; and the King thereof, Mani Loango, that is to say, The King of Loango. The Countrey hath great abundance of Elephants, whose teeth they exchange for Iron, whereof they make their Arrow heads, their Kniues, and such other instruments. In this Countrie also, they weaue certaine Cloth of the leaues of Palme-trees, in sundrie sorts: as we [ 10] shall tell you in some other place of this narration.

The King of Loango is in amitie with the King of Congo, and the report is, that in times past * 1.36 he was his vassall. The People are circumcised after the manner of the Hebrews, like as also the rest of the Nations in those Countries vse to be.

Beyond the Kingdome of Loango, are the People called Anzigues, of whom wee shall deliuer * 1.37 vnto you a historie, which in trueth is very strange, and almost incredible, for the beastly and cruell custome that they vse in eating mans flesh; yea, and that of the neerest kins-folkes they haue. This Countrey towards the Sea on the West, bordereth vpon the People of Ambus; and towards the North, vpon other Nations of Africa, and the Wildernesse of Nubia; and towards the East, vpon the second great Lake, from whence the Riuer of Congo springeth, in that Part [ 20] which is called Anzicana; and from the Kingdome of Congo, it is diuided by the Riuer Zaire, wherein there are many Ilands (as before is told you) scattered from the Lake downewards, and some of them belonging to the Dominion of the Anzigues, by which Riuer also they doe traffique with the People of Congo. In this Kingdome of the Anzigues, there are many Mines of Copper; and great quantitie of Sanders, both red and grey: the red is called Tauilla, and the * 1.38 grey (which is the better esteemed) is called Chicongo, whereof they make a powder of a very sweet smell, and diuers medicines. They doe also mingle it with the Oyle of Palme-tree, and so anoynting all their bodies ouer withall, they preserue themselues in health. But the Portu∣gals vse it being tempered with Vinegar, which they lay vpon their pulses, and so heale the French Poxe, which they call in that Language, Chitangas. Some doe affirme, that this grey [ 30] * 1.39 Sanders is the very Lignum Aquilae, that groweth in India: and Signor Odoardo affirmed, that the Portugals haue proued it for the head-ache, by laying it on the coales, and taking the smoake of it. The pith and innermost part of the Tree is the best, but the outter part is of no estimation.

They make great store of Linnen of the Palme-tree, both of sundrie sorts and colours, and much Cloth of Silke, whereof wee will discourse more hereafter. The People are subiect to a King that hath other Princes vnder him. They are very actiue and warlike. They are readie to take Armes; and doe fight on foot. Their weapons are different from the weapons of all other people round about them: for, their Bowes are small and short, made of wood, and wrapped * 1.40 about with Serpents skins of diuers colours, and so smoothly wrought, that you would thinke [ 40] them to be all one with the wood: and this they doe, both to make the Bowe stronger, and also to hold it the faster. Their Strings are of little woodden twigs like reeds, not hollow within, but sound and pliable, and very daintie; such as the Caualieros of Portugall doe carrie in their hands to beate their Palfreyes withall. They are of an ash-colour, and of a Lion-tawney, somewhat tending to blacke. They grow in the Countrey of the Anzigues, and also in the Kingdome of Bengala, through which the Riuer Ganges runneth. Their Arrowes are short and * 1.41 slender, and of a very hard wood, and they carrie them on their Bow-hand. They are so quicke in shooting, that holding eight and twentie Shafts or more in their Bow-hand, they will shoot and discharge them all, before the first Arrow light on the ground: yea, and sometimes there haue beene seene diuers stout Archers, that haue killed birds as they flie in the aire. [ 50]

Other weapons also they make, as Axes and Hatchets, which they vse and frame after a * 1.42 strange manner: for, the handle is shorter by the halfe then the Iron is, and at the lowest end of it there is a pommell, for the faster holding of it in the hand; and all couered ouer with the foresaid skinne of a Serpent. In the vppermost end of it, is the Iron very bright and shining, fastned to the wood with plates of Copper, in the manner of two nailes, as long as the handle: it hath two edges, the one cutteth like a Hatchet, and maketh a wound after the fashion of an halfe roundell; the other is a Hammer. When they fight with their Enemies, or defend them∣selues from their Arrowes, they are so exercised with a wonderfull speed and nimblenesse to manage their weapons, that whirling them round about, as it were in a circle, they keepe all that compasse of the ayre which is before them; so that when the Enemie shooteth, and the [ 60] Arrow beginne to fall, it lighteth vpon the Hatchet, being so swiftly and vehemently whirled about, that it breaketh the force of the Arrow, and so it is repulsed: then doe they hang the Hatchet vpon their shoulder, and begin to shoot themselues. They haue also certaine short Dag∣gers, with sheaths of the Serpents skins, made like Kniues with an haft vnto them, which they

vse to weare acrosse. Their Girdles are of diuers sorts; but the Men of warre haue their Girdles of Elephants skin, three good fingers broad: and because they are at the first two fingers thicke, and very hard to handle handsomely, by the heat of the fire they bow them round, and so with certaine buttons tye them ouerthwart about them. The men are very actiue and nimble, and * 1.43 leape vp and downe the Mountaines like Goats. Couragious they are and contemne death: men of great simplicitie, loy〈…〉〈…〉tie, and fidelitie, and such as the Portugals doe trust more then * 1.44 any other. In so much as Signor Odoardo was wont to say, that if these Anzichi would become Christians (being of so great fidelitie, sinceritie, loyaltie, and simplicitie, that they will offer themselues to death, for the glorie of the world, and to please their Lords will not sticke to giue their owne flesh to bee deuoured) then would they with a farre better heart and cou∣rage indure martyrdome, for the name of our Redeemer Iesus Christ, and would most honou∣rably [ 10] maintaine our Faith and Religion, with their good testimonie, and example against the Gentiles.

Moreouer, the said Signor Odoardo did likewise affirme, that there was no conuersing with * 1.45 them, because they were a sauage and beastly people, sauing onely in respect that they come and traffique in Congo, bringing thither with them Slaues, both of their owne Nation, and also out of Nubia (whereupon they doe border) and linnen Cloth (whereof we will tell you hereafter,) and Elephants teeth: in exchange of which chaffare they recarrie home with them, Sal••, and these Lumache, which they vse in stead of money and Coyne; and another greater kind of Lu∣mache, which come from the Ile of Saint Thomas, and which they vse to weare for Brooches to [ 20] make themselues fine and gallant withall. Other Merchandises, also they carrie backe with them, which are brought out of Portugall, as Silkes, Linnen, and Glasses, and such like. They vse * 1.46 to circumcise themselues. And another foolish custome they haue, both men and women, as well of the Nobilitie, as of the Commonaltie, euen from their childhood, to marke their faces with sundrie slashes made with a knife, as in due place shall be further shewed vnto you.

They keepe a Shambles of mans flesh as they doe in these Countries for Beefe and other vi∣ctuals. For their Enemies whom they take in the Warres, they eate; and also their Slaues, if they can haue a good market for them, they sell: or if they cannot, then they deliuer them to the Butchers, to be cut in pieces, and so sold, to be rosted or boiled. And (that which a maruel∣lous historie to report) some of them being wearie of their liues, and some of them euen for va∣lour [ 30] of courage, and to shew themselues stout and venturous, thinking it to bee a great honour vnto them, if they runne into voluntarie death, thereby to shew that they haue a speciall con∣tempt * 1.47 of this life, will offer themselues to the butcherie, as faithfull subiects to their Princes, for whose sakes, that they may seeme desirous to doe them notable seruice, they doe not onely deliuer themselues to bee deuoured by them, but also their Slaues, when they are fat and well fed, they doe kill and eate them. True it is, that many Nations there are, that feed vpon mans flesh, as in the East Endies, and in Brasill, and in other places: but that is onely the flesh of * 1.48 their aduersaries and enemies, but to eate the flesh of their owne friends, and subiects, and kins∣folkes, it is without all example in any place of the World, sauing onely in this Nation of the Anzichi. [ 40]

The ordinarie apparell of these people is thus: The common sort goe naked from the girdle * 1.49 vpwards, and without any thing vpon their heads, hauing their haire trussed vp, and curled. The Noblemen are apparelled in Silkes and other Cloth, and weare vpon their heads, blue and red, and blacke colours, and Hats and Hoods of Portugall Veluet, and other kinds of Caps vsuall in that Countrie. And indeed, they are all desirous to haue their apparell handsome and neat, as their abilitie will suffer them. The women are all couered from top to toe, after the manner of Africa. The poorer sort of them doe gird themselues close from the girdle downewards. The Noble women and such as are of wealth, doe weare certaine Mantles, which they cast ouer their heads, but keepe their faces open and at libertie: and Shooes they haue on their feet, but the poore goe bare-foot. They goe very quicke and lightsome. Their stature is comely, and their conditions faire and commendable. Their Language is altogether different from the Lan∣guage [ 50] * 1.50 of Congo, and yet the Anzichi will learne the Language or Congo very soone and easily, because it is the plainer Tongue: but the People of Congo doe very hardly learne the Lan∣guage of the Anzichi. And when I once demanded what their Religion was, it was told mee they were Gentiles, and that was all that I could learne of them. * 1.51

The East Coast of the Kingdome of Congo, beginneth (as we haue told you) at the meeting of the Riuer Vumba, and the Riuer of Zaire; and so with a line drawne towards the South in equall distance from the Riuer Nilus, which lieth on the left hand, it taketh vp a great Moun∣taine which is very high, and not inhabited in the tops thereof, called the Mountaine of Crystall, because there is in it great quantitie of Crystall, both of the Mountaine and of the Cliffe, and of all sorts. And then passing on farther, includeth the Hills that are called Sierras de Sol, that is to [ 60] say, the Hills of the Sunne, because they are exceeding high. And yet it neuer snoweth vpon them, neither doe they beare any thing, but are very bare and without any trees at all. On the left hand there arise other Hills, called the Hills of Sal-Nitrum, because there is in them great

store of that Minerall. And so cutting ouer the Riuer Berbela, that commeth out of the first Lake, there endeth the ancient bound of the Kingdome of Congo on the East.

Thus then the East Coast of this Kingdome is deriued from the meeting of the two foresaid Riuers, Vumba and Zaire; vntill you come to the lake Achelunda, and to the Countrie of Ma∣lemba; contayning the space of sixe hundred miles. From this line which is drawne in the Easterne Coast of Congo to the Riuer Nilus, and to the two Lakes (whereof mention shall be made in conuenient place) there is the space of one hundred and fiftie miles of ground well in∣habited, and good store of Hills, which doe yeeld sundrie Metals, with much Linnen, and Cloth of the Palme tree.

And seeing wee are now come to this point of this discourse, it will be very necessarie to de∣clare * 1.52 [ 10] vnto you the maruellous Arte which the people of this Countrie, and other places there∣abouts doe vse in making Clothes of sundrie sorts, as Veluets shorne and vnshorne, Cloth of Tissue, Sattins, Taffata, Damaskes, Sarcenets, and such like, not of any silken Stuffe, (for they haue no knowledge of the Silke-wormes at all, although some of their apparell bee made of Silke that is brought thither from our Countries.) But they weaue their Clothes afore-named of the leaues of Palme-trees, which Trees they alwaies keepe vnder and low to the ground, euery yeere cutting them, and watering them, to the end they may grow small and tender a∣gainst the new Spring. Out of these leaues, being cleansed and purged after their manner, they draw forth their threeds, which are all very fine and daintie, and all of one euennesse, sa∣uing that those which are longest, are best esteemed: for, of those they weaue their greatest [ 20] pieces. These Stuffes they worke of diuers fashions, as some with a nappe vpon them like Veluet, on both sides, and other Cloth, called Damaskes, branched with leaues, and such other things; and the Broccati, which are called High and Low, and are farre more precious then ours are. This kind of Cloth no man may weare but the King, and such as it pleaseth him. The grea∣test pieces are of these Broccati: for they containe in length foure or fiue spans; and in breadth, three or foure spannes, and are called Incorimbas, by the name of the Countrey where it grow∣eth, which is about the Riuer Vumba. The Veluets are called Ensachas, of the same bignesse; and the Damaskes, Infulas; and the Rasi, Maricas; and the Zendadi, Tangas; and the Ormesini, Engombos. Of the lighter sort of these Stuffes they haue greater pieces, which are wrought by the Anzichi; and are sixe spannes long, and fiue spannes broad, wherewith euery man may [ 30] apparell himselfe according to his abilitie. Besides that, they are very thicke and sound to keep out the water, and yet very light to weare. The Portugals haue lately begun to vse them for Tents and Boothes, which doe maruellously resist both water and wind.

This Easterne Coast (as it is before set downe) endeth in the mountaine, called Serras de * 1.53 Plata, that is, the Mountaines of Siluer; and there beginneth the fourth and last border of the Kingdome of Congo, towards the South, that is to say, from the foresaid Mountaine to the Bay of Cowes on the West, containing in length the space of foure hundred and fiftie miles. And this Southerne Line doth part the Kingdome of Angola in the middle, and leaueth on the left hand of it, the foresaid Mountaines of Siluer; and farther beyond them towards the South, the Kingdome of Matama; which is a great Kingdome, very mightie, and absolute of it selfe, and [ 40] sometimes in amitie, and sometimes at vtter enmitie with the Kingdome of Angola.

The King of Matama is in Religion a Gentile, and his Kingdome stretcheth towards the * 1.54 South to the Riuer Brauagal, and neere to the Mountaines, commonly called the Mountaines of the Moone; and towards the East bordereth on the Westerne bankes of the Riuer Bagami∣dri, and so crosseth ouer the Riuer Coari.

This Countrie aboundeth in Vaults of Crystall and other Metals, and all manner of victuall, and good aire. And although the people thereof, and their neighbour borderers doe traffique together: Yet the King of Matama, and the King of Angola, doe oftentimes warre one against the other, as we told you before: And this Riuer Bagamidri diuideth the Kingdome of Matapa from the Kingdome of Monomata, which is towards the East, and whereof Iohn de Barros doth [ 50] most largely discourse, in the first Chapter of his tenth Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Westerne border of Congo. The Bay of Cowes.
• * 1.2

  The Riuer Bengleli. The Riuer Songa.
• * 1.3

  The Riuer Coanza.
• * 1.4

  The Iland of Loanda,
• * 1.5

  Strange ware•• springs.
• * 1.6

  The money of Congo.
• * 1.7

  The Lumache of Loanda.
• * 1.8

  No metall-mo∣ney.
• * 1.9

  Spirito Sancto.
• * 1.10

  The tree En∣zanda.
• * 1.11

  Cloth made of the barke of a tree.
• * 1.12

  Their Boats or Canoes.
• * 1.13

  Shel-fishes growing on trees. Ambiz••amatare.
• * 1.14

  What kind of money is vsed in sundrie Countries.
• * 1.15

  Pepper mo∣ney, &c.
• * 1.16

  Great store of Whales.
• * 1.17

  Villa di San Paulo.
• * 1.18

  Store of fish.
• * 1.19

  The Riuer Bengo.
• * 1.20

  The Riuer Dande. Th•• Riuer Lembe. The Riuer Ozone. The Riuer Loze. The Riuer Am∣briz. The Riuer Lelunda. The Oteiro of Congo.
• * 1.21

  The Riuer Zaire.
• * 1.22

  Huge breadth and force of Zaire.
• * 1.23

  Cataracts.
• * 1.24

  Certaine I∣lands.
• * 1.25

  Boats. The tree Li∣condo.
• * 1.26

  The Ile of Horses.
• * 1.27

  The Hauen of Pinda. Crocodiles. Water-horses.
• * 1.28

  Hog-fish.
• * 1.29

  Fishes Royall.
• * 1.30

  Cacongo, a fish like a Salmon, La Baia de las Almadias.
• * 1.31

  The riuer de las Barreras Uer∣meglias.
• * 1.32

  Baia d'Aluaro Gonzales.
• * 1.33

  Capo de Cate∣rina.
• * 1.34

  The Northern Border of Congo.
• * 1.35

  The Bramas. The Kingdom of Loango.
• * 1.36

  The People of Loango circum∣cised.
• * 1.37

  The Countrie of Anzicos.
• * 1.38

  Sanders.
• * 1.39

  Medicines for the French Poxe. For the head∣ache.
• * 1.40

  Their Bowes.
• * 1.41

  Their Arrows.
• * 1.42

  Their weapons
• * 1.43

  The nature of the Anzicos.
• * 1.44

  V••in-glorious madnesse.
• * 1.45

  Their mer∣chandise.
• * 1.46

  Circumcision. The Anzi〈…〉〈…〉 are circumci∣sed, and mar∣ked in their faces. A shambles of mans flesh.
• * 1.47

  Blind subie∣ction.
• * 1.48

  A strange beastly custom
• * 1.49

  Their Apparel.
• * 1.50

  Their Lan∣guage.
• * 1.51

  The Easterne border of Congo. The Moun∣taines of Cry∣stall. The Moun∣taines of the Sunne. The Moun∣taines of Sal-Nitrum.
• * 1.52

  The Arte of making Silkes, in this Eastern Coast, of Palm-trees.
• * 1.53

  The Southerne Coast. The Moun∣taine of Siluer.
• * 1.54

  The King of Matama.