Africa being an accurate description of the regions of Ægypt, Barbary, Lybia, and Billedulgerid, the land of Negroes, Guinee, Æthiopia and the Abyssines : with all the adjacent islands, either in the Mediterranean, Atlantick, Southern or Oriental Sea, belonging thereunto : with the several denominations fo their coasts, harbors, creeks, rivers, lakes, cities, towns, castles, and villages, their customs, modes and manners, languages, religions and inexhaustible treasure : with their governments and policy, variety of trade and barter : and also of their wonderful plants, beasts, birds and serpents : collected and translated from most authentick authors and augmented with later observations : illustrated with notes and adorn'd with peculiar maps and proper sculptures / by John Ogilby, Esq. ...

THE KINGDOM OF SERRE-LIONS, OR, BOLMBERRE.

THe Mountain looking into the Sea, and known to the English, French, * 1.1 and Dutch, by the Name of Serre-Lions; as also the whole Kingdom, first obtained this Title from the Portugals and Spaniards, who call'd it Serra Lioa, and at last Siera Liona, that is, The Mountain of the Lioness.

The cause of which Name is conjectur'd to be drawn from hence; * 1.2 for that from the hollow of its Concave Rocks, whereon the Sea beats, when the Winds bluster, and the stormy Billows rage, proceeds a terrible noise, like the furious roarings of a robbed Lioness; adding moreover, that from the top of this Hill (which lieth continually cover'd with Clouds, which the violent heat of the Sun-Beams darting perpendicularly upon it twice in the year, cannot

disperse) there is continually heard a rattling of Thunder, with frequent flash∣es of Lightning, whose resounding Ecchoes may be distinctly observ'd twenty five miles off at Sea.

¶ THe Inhabitants name this Countrey in their own Language Bolmberre, * 1.3 which signifies Low and good Land; and especially hath respect to the low and fruitful Tract of Serre-Lions, which taketh beginning at Cape de Virgen, and endeth at Cape de Tagrin, or Ledo, lying in eight Degrees and thirty Minutes North Latitude, and is easie to be known at Sea, because it is exceedingly higher than the Countrey Northward, and runs far into the Sea.

The Mountain about the Point is high and doubled, spreading along the Sea, South-East, and South and by East; but the Countrey Northerly of the Point is low and flat.

¶ THis Kingdom containeth above thirty Rivers, which all empty them∣selves into the Great Ocean; and most of them having broad streams, neighbored with pleasant Valleys, and flowing between Groves of Orange-Trees, and their Banks on both sides edg'd with fair Towns and Villages, to the great delight of Passengers.

The first River by Cape de Virgen is by the Portuguese call'd Rio das Piedras, that is, The Stone-River, because of the many Stones therein. It is a very great River, and divides the Countrey with several Arms, making many Islands, stiled Cagasian, or Cagakais, where the Portugals have built a strong Fort for the conveniency of their Trade.

In the next place the Maps of the Countrey have set Rio Pichel, Rio Palmas, Rio Pogone, Rio de Cangranca, Rio Casses, Rio Carocane, Capar, and Tambasine; which two last take their original from the Mountains of Machamala; upon which may be seen a stately Work of Chrystal, with several Pyramids of the same Matter.

Lastly, * 1.4 they describe the River Tagarin, otherwise Mitombo, but at present by the English, Portugals, Dutch, and other-Traders, call'd Rio. de Serre-Lions. This River taking its course Northward of the Point of Serre-Lions, is at the Mouth twelve miles broad, but on the North-side half way choaked up with divers Shelves of Sand, which divide it into three Channels; one runs along the North-side, the other in the midst; but the great Channel Coasts by the South, which is the deepest of all. The Portugals pass onely in the two small Chan∣nels with Boats; for in the third, or great Channel they dare not venture. Al∣so between the Island Tasso, lying in this River and the South, there be many small Currents, passable with little Vessels, but not with great Ships.

Another call'd Bangue, glides on the South-side of Serre-Lions into the Sea, as Mitombo on the North-side; so that the Mountain by these two Rivers lieth inclosed in manner of a hanging Island, and maketh the prominent Point, call'd, * 1.5 as we have often said, Cabo de Serre-Lions, but so narrow, that the Blacks take their Canoos upon their Shoulders, and carry them over.

On both Shores of this River lie several Towns and Countreys: those to the North-side are call'd Bolm, which signifies Low; but they on the South, are in their Language named Timna.

On the outermost Point to the Mouth stands the Town Serboracasa, and on another Point, lying on a yellow sandy Bay, a mile and a half distant, they have the first place where the Ships, which frequent this Coast, take in fresh Waters.

The Countrey about Serboracasa is call'd Serbore, * 1.6 extending from the Sea to the Town Bagos. A mile Eastward of Serbore beginneth another Dominion, * 1.7 govern'd by one Semaura, an ill natur'd man, and for every small trifle picks a quarrel with the King of Serbora.

Eight or ten Paces within the Shore is the second Watering-place, * 1.8 where the Water drills easily down the side of a little rising Ground: About two miles farther lies a flat Shore full of Trees, and between them a small open place, through which a Brook descends from above, which at low Water runs away over the Beach.

A Musquet-shot distance thence into the Land, stands a Town, where Don Andreas (Brother of the King of Bolm-berre) resides; here the River hath a strong Current, which two miles and a half upwards splits it self in∣to three Branches; one to the North-East, having red Sand, hath Water enough to bear great Ships; but the middlemost, by reason of the shallow∣ness, Shelfs of Sand, and Cliffs, may onely be passed with Skiffs and small Boats. Three miles from the first Watering-place appears Bagos, * 1.9 a Town seated under the shadow of a little Wood; and a mile and half Eastward up∣on a prominent Point, you see Tomby, a pleasant Seat, * 1.10 where the English usual∣ly lie with their Ships at Anchor. After that, the Island Tasso is seen a far off, seeming to be firm Land.

Thirty two miles up the River lieth the Kingdom of Mitombo, * 1.11 on whose South-side the Village Os Alagoas is scituate; * 1.12 whither the Blacks will let no White People (besides the Portugals) come; all others they anticipate with Skiffs and Floats.

The Islands De los Idolos, Bravas, &c.

ALong the Coast of Serre-Lions lie several Islands; particularly twelve miles and a half Southward of the Cape de Virgen, those of Tamara and Veu Usvitay, commonly call'd Los Idolos, which West and by South from the Point appear as joyn'd to the Continent; but afterwards shew themselves as they are in truth, Islands, which afford all sorts of fresh Provisions to the Seamen, and good Tobacco.

The people are self-will'd and mistrustful, and will not suffer any Dutchmen to come into their Towns.

The most advantageous Commodities vented there, are Salt and Brandy; to for which they have in Exchange Elephants-Teeth and Gold.

To the South end of Serre-Lions, near the Islands Banannes, appears to Ships sailing by, a very high Mountain raising his Head into the Clouds, call'd Ma∣chamala; whereof we shall have occasion to speak more largely in a short space.

Near the South-end of Serre-Lions, half a mile in the Sea, lie the Islands Bravas, being a high Land full of Trees, the biggest having a Spring of fresh Water.

Five miles from hence lie on the South-East, against the Point, three other little Islets call'd Sombreras.

Between the Sombreras and Bravas is the place where Jacob le Maire, in the Year Sixteen hundred and fifteen, found four Rivers; among which the We∣stermost,

having large Banks, had depth and breadth enough for great Ships. The next running in between the Trees, they might stand on either side of the shore, and not be able to see Land on the other: thereabouts it was wild and waste, without any signs of inhabiting; but they saw many wild Beasts, as Ele∣phants, Buffles, Boars, Civet-Cats, and such like. The third had a Bank that hin∣der'd the coming in of Ships. Three or four miles upward lay a low Land full of Lemon-Trees, whose Fruits, notwithstanding it was in the time of the Rain, hung most of them ripe upon the Trees. The fourth was a small River with∣in the Point of the Island Sombreras, whose Water is deep and Salt; where the Sea-men, coming on Shore, found Crocodiles, Turtles, and Oisters on the Trees.

The afore-mention'd Bay here and there hath Shole-water, * 1.13 about five, six, seven, or eight Fathom, and muddy Ground, which runs between the Sombreras-Islands Easterly, and Furna de Sante Anna, whence come many Rivers; amongst which the chiefest is Gambea.

Twelve miles upward of Gambea, being as far as it is Navigable with small Vessels, lies a Place call'd Kancho, in the height of seven Degrees, being very low Land; whereto adjoyn some Islands.

¶ THis Countrey of Serre-Lions, according to the Description of Jarrick, many take for the healthfullest place of all Guinee, and the Air much wholsomer than that of Portugal, so that seldom any die by other infirmity than that of Old Age. The same Air, as Jarrick adds, is much better for a mans health than in many places of Europe, being neither too cold, nor too hot, by reason of the cool Winds which blow there continually; which is worth observation, considering the nearness of its scituation to the Equinoctial: And truly, under the favor of that Author, we may question his Assertion, see∣ing in the Summer, viz. in June and July, it is there dark, and close rainy Wea∣ther, with South, and South-West Winds; as also because the Rain-water in all the neighboring parts of Serre-Lions, and along the Sea-Coast, is of so unwhol∣som a quality, that where-ever it falls on the bare Body, it causes Swellings and Blotches on the Skin, and breeds a sort of strange Worms in the Cloathes; besides, the River-water in April is very offensive, and dangerous to drink, by reason the Ground, through the Summer excessive heats, and the stench of poi∣sonous Beasts, which dy'd through the extraordinary burning of the Sun, and rotting on the Earth, seems to leave some of their venom on the superficies of the ground, which is wash'd off by the Rain, and carried into the Water.

The Netherland East. India Ships put sometimes in here, to refresh themselves, and to take in fresh Water, but to the great prejudice of the Sea-men, if it hap∣pen at the beginning of the Rain, and while the afore-mention'd poison is in the Water: moreover their greedy eating of raw Fruit, there found in great plenty, brings upon them many dangerous and mortal Sicknes∣ses.

The Countrey is by some reputed very fruitful, * 1.14 for it yields abundance of white Mille, Rice, and two or three sorts of Cardamoms, or Grains of Paradice. About the River of Serre-Lions it yields several sorts of Fruits, especially Le∣mons, a great refreshing to Seamen; many wild Vines, bearing good Grapes, a few Oranges, and some Indian Figs, by the Inhabitants call'd Banamas.

The Islands of Sombreras produce many Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, Palmito-Trees of several sorts, which afford the Inhabitants Wine, Palm-Oyl, and

other things; but above all, an excellent sort of Sope, made of the Oyl and Ashes of the Palmito-Trees, so much exceeding the European Sope, that it is prohibited to be brought into Portugal, because it should not bring down the Price of their own.

Here, and in the neighboring Islands, grow many Sugar-Canes naturally; whence might be raised great Profit from the conveniency of the many adja∣cent Rivers, where Mills might be set up to Grind them, without the charge of Slaves.

They have also great store of Cotton, red-coloured Wood, vulgarly call'd Brasil, better than that which comes from Brasile, for it will give a tincture in Dying seven several times: Besides, there is a sort of Wood named Angelin, fit to build Ships with; and the Barque affords Materials to Caulk the Seams of Vessels, and make Match for Guns.

The other Commodities are Wax, Ivory, and Long-Pepper, by the Portu∣gals call'd Pimenta del Kola, and Tail-Pepper, or Pimenta del Rab. Both these sorts are taken to be much better than the East-India Pepper; but the King of Spain hath prohibited the Importing it into his Countrey, that the Trade of East-India Pepper may not be spoiled, which brings them such great Profit: However, the English, Hollanders, French, and other People that Trade in this Countrey, bring it over, but the Portugals barter it on the Coast of Guinee, in exchange for Gold, Slaves, Provision, and other things, according as the Pla∣ces wherein they Trade differ or vary.

In Mount Makamala (which we mention'd before) appears, * 1.15 from the Skirts of whose over-shooting Edges, which hang like Bases or Penthouses, several Christalline Radii shoot in a Pyramidal Form, with the Points pendent towards the ground within four or five foot, like Isicles from the Eaves of a house, which when struck, yield a pleasant twang like the strings of an In∣strument, both to the delight and admiration of the beholders.

Among other Beasts found in this place, there are three sorts of Monkeys; * 1.16 one call'd Baris; they are strong and active, and withall so sensible, that be∣ing taken up young and tutor'd, they are serviceable on many occasions; for they go commonly on their hinder-feet, and beat Mille in a Mortar, fetch Water out of the River in small Cans on their heads, which if they chance to let fall, they squeak and cry out as afraid; they also turn the Spits, and do several Jugling-tricks, to the great pleasure and pastime of their Masters.

In the Village of Serborakasa the Ships are furnish'd with all sorts of Pro∣visions; for the Land yields abundance of Cattel and Fowl. The Rivers have infinite variety of good Fish, and also the Sea-Coast, than which Europe can boast none better.

¶ THe People of Serre-Lions, and the Cape of Sagre or Tagrin, * 1.17 are rather brown than black; they mark their Bodies in several places with hot Irons, and in their Faces, Ears, and Noses having many holes, wherein they place several Jewels, which they call Mazubas, and Gold Rings: They go always naked, onely upon their Pudenda they wear a Flap made of the Barks of Trees.

Two sorts of Negroes inhabit about Serre-Lions, that is, Capez, * 1.18 a People of more clear spirit and judgement than those of Guinee; * 1.19 for they easily learn what is taught them; but withall are effeminate and luxurious: yet of late are much improv'd in Valour and Manhood, by the continual Wars they are

forc'd to wage with the Kumba's their Neighbors. The other are these Kum∣ba's, call'd also Manes, being Anthropophagi, and by consequence of nature cruel and barbarous. These in the Year Fifteen hundred and fifteen invaded the Capez for Pillage; but inticed by the great Fertility of the place, determin'd to remain there, and dispossess the other: whereupon they furiously perse∣cuted the Capez, eating up whomsoever they took of them; till at length (as if satiated with humane bloud) they sold some to the Portuguese for Slaves: This their savage Tyranny so consternated the rest, that to escape that Barba∣rity, they almost totally deserted the Countrey; but since by the Converse with Merchants, and something softened with the pleasure of the Countrey, they have left those abominable Customs, and are become treatable, eating Rice, Mille, Beans, Oxen, and Goats flesh.

In every City or Village stands a great House sever'd from the other, where the young Maids have their aboad; and for the space of a year are instruct∣ed by a very honourable and well accomplish'd old man, sprung from a no∣ble Stock. At the end of the year they go forth all together, drest up accord∣ing to the best mode of the Countrey, to a place, where having Musick, they dance in the sight of their Parents, and many young men, who from among them chuse one they best like to marry; but before they are permitted to car∣ry their Brides away, they purchase them of their Fathers, and also give a sa∣tisfactory recompence to their old and grave Instructor.

Their Kings are buried without the Towns in a large place erected of pur∣pose, * 1.20 and cover'd over with Straw; alleadging, it is not fit that such should be buried in the open air, who have in their life time born the publick Office of a Judge. Others are buried in their Houses, attired with Gold Bracelets, Pendants in the Ears, and Nose-Jewels. Their Lamentations and Mourn∣ing are perform'd in open places, according to the Rank and Quality of the Deceased.

The Wealth of the Inhabitants consists in Ambergreece, * 1.21 Chrystal, Pearles, Ivory, Wax, excellent Brasil-Wood, long Pepper, and unrefin'd Gold.

The Wares which the Merchants receive chiefly in Exchange of their Eu∣ropean Commodities, are Elephants-Teeth, Gold, and Red-Wood, which last is generally bought up by the English.

The Countreys on the North-side of Serre-Lions, have a peculiar Language, call'd The Bolmish Tongue, being hard to learn, and difficult to pronounce; whereas that of the people of Timna, dwelling to the South, is easie.

The Capez and Kumba's are subject to their particular Princes, who sit in publick to administer Justice, and decide their Differences; and to that end have near their Palaces several terrassed Walks, call'd Funko's, in every of which is rais'd a Throne cover'd over with fine Mats, where the King sits; and on each side plac'd long Forms for the Noblemen, call'd Solatequies, that is, Councellors, with whose advice he determines the Causes.

The Method this; first appears the Party Complainant, with his Proctors and Advocates, call'd by them Troens, attir'd with several sorts of Feathers, having Bells at their heels, and Staves in their hands to lean on; when they Plead, they put a Mask before their Faces, that they may not be afraid, but speak freely before the King what they have to say: after the Cause is plead∣ed on both sides, and the Councellors have given their opinion upon it, the King pronounces the definitive Sentence, with present Execution against the party cast.

When the King Creates one of these Councellers, * 1.22 he causes him to come into the Funko; where being set upon a wooden Stool curiously wrought and carv'd, and appointed onely for this Solemnity, he girts him with a bloudy Fillet of a Goats-skin about the Temples; afterwards Rice-meal is strowed over it, and presently a red Cap put upon his Head: And that the people may take notice of this new-conferr'd Honour, he is carried about in Tri∣umph upon the shoulders of certain Officers to that purpose appointed. These Ceremonies perform'd, the new-made Lord makes an Entertainment, wherein they spend three days in all kind of Mirth and divertising Pastimes, setting forth divers Skirmishes, and other jocose Exercises, according to the fashion of the Countrey: At last they kill an Oxe, and divide the flesh a∣mong the common people.

¶ WHen the King dies, his youngest Son inherits the Dominion, * 1.23 or if there be no Male-Issue, then the Brother or nearest Relation suc∣ceeds. But before they proclaim him, they fetch him out of his House, and carry him bound to the Palace; where he receives an appointed number of strokes with a Rod. Then unbound, and Habited in his Royal Robes, he is conducted very ceremoniously to the Funko, (where the chiefest Nobles of the Kingdom have assembled) and seated on the Throne; when one of the gravest Olatequi declares in a large Speech the Right and Priviledge of the new King; which ended, delivers into the new King's hand the Insignia Regalia, that is, an Axe, with which the Heads of Offenders are cut off, and thenceforth he re∣mains an absolute Soveraign peaceably, and receives all Services and Tri∣butes. These were the antient Customs, while the Kingdom was free; but since (by the Conquest of one Flansire, Grandfather of the present King of Quoia, or Cabo Monte) it was subjected to Quoia. * 1.24 Bolmberre is become a Pro∣vince, and Governed by a Vice-Roy, who receives the Dignity and Title of Dondagh, that is, King, from the Quoia's, as themselves took it from the Folgia's: but they have thrown off that Yoke, and at this day the Quoian King, as Su∣pream, not onely gives Laws to Bolmberre, but also to the Principalities of Boluma and Timna; having also left his old Title Flamboere, and from the Portu∣gals, by whom converted to Christianity, received the Name of Don Philip.

The King has four Brothers, * 1.25 who separately hold their Residence in distinct places in the South Countreys; the eldest five or six miles beyond the Town Bugos; the second, call'd Don Andreas, at the second Watering-place before∣mentioned; the third, Don Jeronimo, at the third Point of the South River; the fourth, Don Thomas, in a Town call'd Thomby.

All that Tract of Land lying by the Sea, * 1.26 from the North-side of the River Serre-Lions, to Rio das Pedras, together with the Isle De los Idolos, are under the Jurisdiction of Fatuma, a Potent Prince, commanding far up into the In-lands, and holding as his Tributaries, the Kings Temfila, Teemsertam, and Don Michaell, a converted Christian.

The People, before the coming of the Jesuit Barreira, * 1.27 lay wholly drencht in Idolatry, but he converted many to the Christian Faith; and in the Year Sixteen hundred and seven Baptized the King, his Children, and many others, giving to the King at his Baptism the Name of Philip, as we said before, to which the Portugals flatteringly added Don, and because he was King of Serre-Lions, call'd him Don Philip the Lyon: But they little practice the good Instructions taught them, but still retain, with the generality of the People, their old heathenish

Customs, as shall be declared afterwards in the Description of the Kingdom of Quoia.

The English, * 1.28 Hollanders, and other people that come into these Parts to traffick, carry out of Europe several sorts of Commodities, which they barter and exchange with great advantage; the principal are these.

• Iron Bars.
• Linnen.
• Basons.
• Earthen Cans.
• All sorts of speckled Glass-Buttons.
• Counterfeit Pearles of several sorts.
• Copper Meddals.
• Bracelets and Armlets.
• Pendants, and such like.
• Small Cutlasses.
• Seamens Knives.
• Fine Bands.
• Ordinary Lace.
• Chrystal.
• Ordinary Painted Indian Cloathes.
• Spanish Wine.
• Oyl of Olives.
• Brandy Wine.
• All sorts of great Bands.
• Waste-bands wrought with Silk, which the Women buy to wear about their middles.

On the Island in the River of Serre-Lions, * 1.29 the English possessed a small Fort, erected for the more secure managing of their Trade, which in the Year Six∣teen hundred sixty and four, the tenth of December, the Dutch under the Conduct of the Admiral De Rutter, with a Fleet, without reason, surpriz'd and took; wherein they found four or five hundred Elephants-Teeth, a good number of Copper-Kettles, Iron Bars, and about sixty or seventy Lasts of Salt; the later parcels, with some other inconsiderable Merchandises, they left there; but the Teeth, and other Wares of consequence, they brought over in the returning Ships.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Mountain and King∣dom of Serre-Lions.
• * 1.2

  Why it is so call'd.
• * 1.3

  The Bigness.
• * 1.4

  The River Mitombo.
• * 1.5

  The Cape of Serre-Lions.
• * 1.6

  Serbora.
• * 1.7

  Observe, the Miles on these Coasts are all Spanish or Potugal, either former•••• mention'd, or hereafter fol∣lowing.
• * 1.8

  The second Watering∣place.
• * 1.9

  Bagos.
• * 1.10

  Tomby.
• * 1.11

  The Kingdom of Mi∣tombo.
• * 1.12

  Os Alagoas.
• * 1.13

  Furna de Sante Anna.
• * 1.14

  The Fruitfulness of the Countrey.
• * 1.15

  Chrystal Rocks.
• * 1.16

  Aper.
• * 1.17

  The Custom and Habit of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.18

  Inhabitants are two sorts. Capez.
• * 1.19

  Jaric. lib. 5. cap. 4.
• * 1.20

  The Funerals of the dead.
• * 1.21

  Riches.
• * 1.22

  How the King's Lords of his Council are made.
• * 1.23

  The antient manner of chusing of a King.
• * 1.24

  Bolmberre is Governed by a Vice-Roy.
• * 1.25

  The Residence of the King and his Brothers.
• * 1.26

  The Dominion of King Fatuma.
• * 1.27

  Their Religion.
• * 1.28

  Trade.
• * 1.29

  The English Fort subdu∣ed by the Netherlanders.