A briefe description of the whole world. Wherein is particularly described all the monarchies, empires and kingdomes of the same, with their academies. As also their severall titles and situations thereunto adioyning. Written by the most Reverend Father in God, George, late Arch-bishop of Canterbury.

Of the other Countries of Africke, lying neere the Sea.

FRom beyond the hill Atlas major, unto the South of Africke, is nothing (almost in Antiquity) worthy the reading: and those things which are written (for the most part) are sables: For towards the South part

of Africke, as well as towards the North parts of Europe and Asia, be supposed to be men of strange shapes, as some with Dogs heads, some without heads, and some with one foot alone, which was very huge, and such like; which that counterfeit Fryer, (who writ that Booke which is counted Saint Augustines, ad fratres in Eremo; and who would gladly father upon Saint Augustine the erecting of the Augustine Fryers) doth say, that he saw travelling downe from Hippo, Southward in Africa: But as the Asse in Aesope, which was clothed in the Lyons skin, did by his long cares shew himselfe to be an Asse, and not a Lyon: So this foolish fel∣low, by his lying, doth shew him∣selfe to bee a counterfeit, and not Saint Augustine.

In the new Writers there are some few things to be observed: as first, that all the people in generall to the South, lying within the Zo∣natorrida, are not onely blackish, like the Moores, but are exceeding

blacke. And therfore as in old time, by an excellency, some of them are called Nigritae, so at this day they are named Negros, as then whom no men are blacker.

Secondly, the inhabitants of all these parts which border on the Sea-coast, even unto Caput bonae spei, have beene Gentiles, * adoring I∣mages and foolish shapes for their Gods, neither hearing of Christ, nor beleeving on Mahumet, til such time as the Portugals comming a∣mong them, have professed Christ for themselves, but have wonne few of the people to embrace their religion.

* Thirdly, that the Portugalls passing along Africa to the East-Indies, have setled themselves in many places of those Countries, building Castles and Townes for their owne safety, and to keepe the people in subjection, to their great commodity.

One of the first Countries fa∣mous beyond Morocco, is Guinea, which we call Ginnle, within the

compasse whereof, lyeth the Cape, called the Cape Verde, and the o∣ther, the Cape of the three points: and the Towne and Castle named Sierta Liona, at which place (as commonly all Travellers doe touch that doe passe that way for fresh water, and other ship provision) our English-men have found traf∣ficke into the parts of this Coun∣trey, where their greatest commo∣dity is Gold, and Elephants teeth; of both which there is good store.

Beyond that, toward the South, not farre from the Equinoctiall, ly∣eth the Kingdome of Congo, com∣monly called Mani-congo. Where the Portugals at their first arrivall finding the people to be Heathens, without God, did induce them to a profession of Christ, and to bee baptized in great abundance, allow∣ing of the principles of Religion, untill such time as the Priest did teach them to lead their lives according to their profession; which the most part of them in

no case enduring, they returned back again to their Gentilisme.

Beyond Mani-congo so farre to the South as almost ten degrees beyond the Tropicke of Capri∣corne, lyeth the Lands end; which is a Promontory, now called Ca∣put bonae spei, which Vascus Gama the Portugall did discover, and so called it, because he had there good hope that the Land did turne to the North; and that following the course thereof hee might be brought to Arabia and Persia, but especially to Calecut in India. Which course, when himselfe, and other of his Countrey-men after him did follow, they found on the Coast up towards Arabia, the King∣dome of Mosambique, Melin∣da, Magadazo, and other; whose people were all Gentiles, and now are in League with the Portugales, who have built divers Holds for their safety. Of which Countries, and manners of the people, he that listeth to read, may find much in the Historie of Osorius, and Petrus

Maffaeus; but there is no matter of any great importance.

Beyond the Cape toward the North, before you come to Mo∣sambique, betweene the Rivers of Cuama and Sancto Spirito, lies the Kingdome of Monomotapa, where the Portugales also have arrived, and so much was done there by the preaching of Gonsalvo de Sylva, a Iesuite, that the King and Queene of that Countrey with many others were converted from Gentilisme to Christianity and baptized: But certaine Mahumetans incensing the King thereof afterwards against the Portugales, made him to re∣volt from his Religion, and to put to death this Iesuite and divers o∣thers: which Fact of his, the Portugals assaying to revenge with an Army sent for out of Portugall they profited little against him, but were themselves consumed by the discommodities of the Coun∣trey, and the distemperature of the ayre.

There are also other Kingdomes

in this part of Africke, of whom we know little besides their names and site in generall, as Adel, Monomu∣gi, Angola, and therefore it shall be sufficient to have named them in a word.

Notes

• Men of strange shapes.
• Negros.
• Their Re∣ligion.
• The Portu∣gals have bere settled themselves.
• The coun∣trey of Guinea.
• Their Commodi∣ties for trade.
• The kingdome of Congo.
• Their Religion.
• The three Kingdomes of Mosam∣bique, Me∣linda, Ma∣gadazo, &c.
• The king∣dome of Monomota∣pa.
• Their Religion.
• The kingdome of Adel, &c.