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. ...

A Relation, in what manner the Karou's subdued by force of Arms, by the assistance of the Fol∣gians, the Countreys of Vey, Puy, and Quoia-Berkoma.

THe Karou's, when they inhabited by Rio Junk and Aquado, * 1.1 had for their Prince one Sogwalla; whose near Neighborhood to the Folgia's bred many sharp Quarrels and Contentions between them concerning Limits and Superiority, till at last from private Feuds they broke out into an open War, wherein the Folgians generally went with the loss.

The Folgians reduced to extremity, * 1.2 and no longer able to hold out by plain force, have recourse to one Jakehmo, a Prognosticator, or Conjurer, for coun∣sel how they might master the Karou's; who return'd this answer, That near a Hill, in the Karou's Countrey was a Pond, or Standing-Water, which they worshipped, and accounted holy, being fondly perswaded, that the first Karou's dropped out of Heaven into this Pond, making daily Offerings there, and to the Fishes in it: they should therefore take boil'd Fishes with Scales, and throw therein; (for you must observe, that 'tis unlawful for the Karou's to eat any Fish with Scales) which defiling their consecrated Pool, would be a cause of Variance and Contention amongst themselves, so that they should destroy one another; whereby weakned they might easily be conquered: The Folgians follow'd his advice; whereupon the Karou's, according to the Saying of the Sorcerer, became wonderfully enraged one against another; and divi∣ding into Factions, so weakned themselves by mutual slaughters, that the Fol∣gians thought it time to assault them: however, the Karou's made resistance; but at last, through the impulse of Fate, they were overcome, * 1.3 and their Gover∣nour Sogwalla slain; whose Son, named Flonikerry, with the remaining Karou's, soon after submitted to the Command of the Folgians. But the Folgians, who ve∣ry well knew by long conversation, the ambition and stubbornness of the Karou's, and had seen many proofs of their Valour, and that their restless spi∣rits would take all opportunities to regain their Liberty and Honour, resolved not to inflict any great Services upon them as Slaves, but live with them as

Companions and Countrey-men; * 1.4 by that means to draw and unite their hearts to them, and to win the advantages of a continual Peace: As a farther motive and inducement to which, Flansire, King of Folgia, took to Wife the Sister of Flonikerry, * 1.5 by Name Wawalla: by which Marriage Flonikerry, remaining Chief of the Karou's in his deceased Father's Place, so wrought, that both People were incorporated into a mutual Amity.

In this interim the Quabe-Monoaw, a People dwelling near Rio Cestes, had be∣gun a War with the Folgia's: for the management whereof, Flansire made his Brother Flonikerry his General, and referr'd the Trust and Care of all to his discre∣tion, as well satisfi'd of his great Experience in the Wars: Whereupon he drew to Rio Cestes with his Forces, and meeting with the Enemy, a fierce and ter∣rible Fight ensued, with great loss of Men on both sides, it being very dubious a long time to whose side the Victory would incline: but at length the Folgi∣ans good fortune prevailed; and assisted by the Conduct and Valour of their General, made a total Conquest both of the People and Countrey. The War thus luckily ended, * 1.6 the General with his Army returned back to Folgia; where he was courteously received by his Lord, and thanked for his faithful Ser∣vice.

During this War, * 1.7 Mendino the King of Manou (to whom the Folgians paid an Annual Tribute) died, whose Subjects and Favorites did strictly, according to their Custom, make enquiry how he came to his end; but the narrowest of their Scrutinies not being able to make any discovery, they were forc'd to ac∣quiesce: Nevertheless they took up an imbitter'd hatred against Manimassah, Brother of the deceas'd Mendino, * 1.8 that he was forc'd to drink the Quony; which seeing no other remedy, he did; yet evacuated the same again without any hurt, as a remarkable sign of his Innocency: Whereupon he demanded to be restor'd to his former Honour and Credit; but in stead thereof, the Tryers told him: The King was in his life time our common Father; should not we after his death endeavor to find out what did befall him, or caus'd him to dye? that were a great shame for us; we have examin'd and try'd you, but it shall not remain so; we will exa∣mine the business yet farther, and make the Soothsayers acquainted with it.

Manimassah mad at these inhumane usages, * 1.9 burst forth at last into these words: This shame is not to be suffer'd of my Subjects in my own Countrey; I will go under the Conduct of the Spirits, my deceased Friends, and seek a dwelling-place. In this man∣ner he left his Native Countrey, and travell'd a little Northward into Gala, inhabited by the Gala-Monou's, a mean and simple People, without any Prince.

These in a short time (won by Manimassah's endearing Behavior) besought him with an unanimous consent to be their Prince; * 1.10 to which he consented, with this Condition: That they should give him some of their Plants and Venison for an acknowledgement of their Subjection; this they yielded to, but such was their brutish Barbarism, that although they own'd him their Lord, they us'd him as their Companion; for being wholly unacquainted with Civi∣lity, when any of them brought him Wine, Rice, or Flesh, they came to him to require their Callibashes or Baskets; * 1.11 which unmannerly clownish behavior Manimassah so resented, * 1.12 (though upon due consideration, their ignorance might have pleaded a sufficient excuse) that he concluded to withdraw again to ob∣tain help and assistance (because he was not potent enough to bring the Gala's under his Authority) from Flansire, * 1.13 King of Folgia, whose Daughter he had married.

The King hearing the Request of his Brother-in-law, lent him many Soul∣diers for his help under the Conduct of Flonikerry as General, * 1.14 who unexpected∣ly fell into Gala, and subdu'd the People, setling Manimassah in an absolute Do∣minion; who hath ever since continued their Prince, and taught them with sorrow to learn more respective qualities. This Affair perform'd, at last Flo∣nikerry return'd to Folgia, and was there receiv'd and welcom'd with great Ap∣plause.

This Flonikerry had a Brothers Son nam'd Fesiach, * 1.15 who having been former∣ly at Cabo Monte, or Vey-Berkoma, and the places adjacent, many times told his Uncle the Conveniency and Scituation of the Countrey, and how easie a mat∣ter it would be to bring it under his Obedience: These Discourses before the King had wrought in him an inclination to the Proposal, which upon the ac∣count following came to effect.

Flonikerry had long before desir'd of the King, * 1.16 that he and his people might have design'd to them some places of the Countrey, upon promise to pay Tribute: To answer this Request, several things fell under consideration, at length Cabo Monte was propos'd; whereupon there was several long Debates between the King and his Nobility; but the King remembring his Generals honest Perfor∣mances for himself against those of Rio Cestos, and in Gala for the Service of his Son-in-law, resolving to content him in it, said, I shall do the desire of his heart; * 1.17 and gave him leave to go thither with the Karou's, sending a considerable Force with him for his help, that he might not be repulsed.

The Commanders of the Army that went out of Folgia to the Cape de Monte with Flonikerry, were these; Jelliva, Syala, Juba, Selboela, Mamnos, Syfre of the Cape of Mesurado and Fesiach, Flonikerry's Brothers-Son.

As soon as the Field-Officers with their Souldiers came to Cape de Monte on the South side about Tomby, they invaded the Vey-Monou; who being numerous, * 1.18 and withal of a haughty courage, were not quickly master'd; but the continual Onsets of the Karou's at length tired them out, for they shot poysoned Ar∣rows, whose wounds proved irremediably mortal; whereas the Vey's, * 1.19 not be∣ing accustomed to such Fights, used onely Darts, and Assagayes or Lances, having no skill in preparing Poyson; so that finding they could not any lon∣ger defend themselves, they went with their Hoods upon their heads to Quolm, a Fort of the Karou's, erected at the River Plizoge, a little Eastward of Tomby, to ask favour, which Flonikerry naturally inclined to pity, easily granted, bid∣ding them go lie down with their Faces to the ground, according to the man∣ner of the Countrey in such case; then coming out, he trode upon them with his Feet. He made an Agreement with them as followeth: First, * 1.20 some Hens were kill'd in the presence of them all, of whose bloud the conquered swal∣lowed a little, as a token of Agreement. Afterwards the dead Hens were boyl'd, and the flesh eaten among them, onely the legs were kept for a perpetual re∣membrance; for if any man after that time transgressed or broke his promise, to him were the legs shown; who upon sight thereof soon recanted, for fear of the punishment that after would assuredly follow.

In the consideration of this success, Flonikerry overjoy'd, let loose his thoughts, * 1.21 giving them free scope to range further; but first for assuring his new con∣quer'd Dominion, he sought by all means to win the minds of the vanquish'd to him, and to contract a firm League of friendship and correspodency with the Karou's of his own Countrey. But wavering fortune that minds nothing less than the continuance of friendship, will blemish his new gotten glory, with

a dire and unexpected mishap; for scarce were the minds of the Vey's or Karou's united, but there came out of Gala, Miminique, Son of the aforesaid named Ma∣nimassah, with a great Army of Gala's and others, to make War upon the Karou's and Vey's, to whose design his Father was not unwitting, having voluntarily forgotten the kindnesses received from Flonikerry's Arms, in the Conquest of his now acquired Dominion. Wherefore Flonikerry upon the first intelligence, drew together his Forces, to which joyning the Veys, he formed a considera∣ble Army; wherewith marching towards the Enemy, they soon met and came to a Battel, wherein the Gala's at first by their multitude put the Karou's to a disorderly Retreat, which Flonikerry a valiant and undaunted person seeing, and not used to shrink before his Enemies, digged with his hand a hole in the ground, and put his knees in it, with a resolution, either to die there, or re∣main Conqueror over his Enemies. And indeed he had his desire in the one, for after a long and sharp Contest, at length as it were covered with Assagayes and Arrows, he was slain on the spot. However, his men gathering fresh courage to revenge their Princes death, Rally'd and gave a fresh Charge upon their Enemies with such fury, that they turn'd the fortune of the day, and be∣came solely masters of the Field.

But the death of Flonikerry, whose body they buried in the Fort Quillone, was sometime kept secret, till they sent for his Brother Zyllymanque to take his Charge, who immediately accepting the same, pursued the Victory, and drew near to the Camp, where he soon brought under the Puymonow, giving their Spoil as a Booty to his Souldiers.

After this Victory he marched with his Army to Quoia-Monou, lying along the River Magwibba, or Rio Nova; but the people would not endure to run the risque of War, but yielded themselves up to Subjection without blow. And in this manner the Kanou's, by the aid of the Folgia's, became masters of the whole Countrey, and gain'd the reputation of a mighty people.

Soon after he went to the River Maquelbary, or Rio Galinhas, where he subdu'd the Quilliga-Monou after a little resistance; and with them he ended his Wars, and retir'd with his Forces to Tomby, his old habitation; but was at length poy∣son'd, as was thought, leaving behind him several sons, which were but little, and not capable to manage their Fathers Dominion.

However the eldest call'd Flansire was admitted Successor, during whose Mi∣nority his Uncle Jemmah, his Fathers Sisters Son, as Guardian, took care of the Government for some time; but Flansire growing in years took the Royal Au∣thority into his own hand, and to shew that he inherited as well his Fathers Valor as Countreys, resolves to enlarge his Bounds yet farther; and to that end went with his Forces over the River Maquelbary, or Galinhas, taking all the adjacent places as far as Serre-Lyons, which he also by force of Arms brought under his Subjection; and in all the chief places before his departure set Garri∣sons, and appointed Governors over them, viz. over Serre-Lyons he made Kan∣daqualle Commander in chief; over the Countreys at the River de Palm he set as his Deputy one Selboele, from whom the River took name: and to com∣mand the people about Rio Galinhas, he appointed one Sytre. Having thus set∣led his new Conquests, he return'd into his own native Principality, where he spent a good part of his life in peace and quietness, till inconstant Fortune, which seem'd to have serv'd him too long, began to create him new troubles: For there came news from Serre-Lyons, * 1.22 that Kandaqualle was driven out thence, and forced to flie with all his people to the Islands Bananneo, not being able to

withstand Dogo Falma, a native of the Countrey of Dogo, a Territory in Hondo, who with a mighty force had invaded him. Flansire startled at this news, and very well knowing that a matter of such concern required expedition, sent to the Bolmian Lords, his Substitutes, to gather their people together, and to meet him at an appointed Rendezvouz: but they had made a private con∣federacy with Gammina their Masters brother, by whose instigation they neg∣lected and slighted his Commands.

Flansire knowing nothing of this Combination between his Brother and his Provincial Governours, * 1.23 after he had committed the Lieutenantship of his Kingdom, and the care of his Wives and Children to the Protection of his Brother, marched forth with his eldest Son Flamboere, the present King of Quoia, not doubting but that his Provincials durst not have a thought to leave him. First therefore he went by Land to the River Galinhas, and from thence with Canoos over the Islands Banannes, to take with him the People that were driven from Serre-Lions, as we lately mention'd, and so passed directly to Serre-Lions; where Landing with his Forces, * 1.24 he began a sharp War with Dogo Falma.

This Dogo Falma had been heretofore a great Man in favour with the King of Dogo, or Hondo, but had attempted, and lay with one of the King's Wives; * 1.25 whereat the King was so enraged, that not contented the offence, according to custom, should be bought off with Gifts or Slaves, he caused his Ears to be cut off, and banished him his Presence: but length of time so wore out the King's fury, that Dogo Falma was admitted again to the Court; where he had not long been but he began to shew his insolence, * 1.26 and at length accosted the King in these terms: Sir King, considering the wickedness committed against you my Lord and Master, I am obliged to thank you for your gracious Sentence by which I am punished, that every one that looks upon me derides and scorns me; and the rather, because the punishment is unusual, and the like offence customarily bought off with Goods and Slaves: Now as you were pleased to punish me, so I desire the like offence in others may be punished in the same manner. It may happen that some of the King's Servants or Subjects may fall into the same Lapse: but if it be either deni'd, or not performed, I shall complain against my Lord the King in the Ways and in the Woods, to the Jannanen and Belli, that is, to all the Spirits and Daemons.

The King having heard this audacious Speech, took council upon it; and, notwithstanding his implicite menace, determin'd, that the punishment inflict∣ed on him should not follow upon all: But nevertheless to pacifie him in some measure, and take off his complaint, he made him General of an Army, * 1.27 to recover Serre-Lyons out of the hands of Kandaqualla, who presided there for Flamboere.

To repel this Invader, Flansire, as we said, was come to Serre-Lyons with an Army, and made sharp War; at length by the help of some Whites, he fell upon the Town Falmaha, and with axes cutting down the Tree-wall; at last they forc'd an Entrance, and set the Houses on fire, * 1.28 whose fury soon increased to an impossibility of being quenched. Whereupon Dogo Falmah finding himself unable to resist, fled; whom King Flamboere with the Karou's pursu'd, though to no purpose: however Flamboere won great reputation at this time, for his va∣lour, the people crying him up in these terms, Dogo Falmah, Jondo Moo, that is, Pursuer of Dogo Falmah.

Thus Flansire reconquer'd Bolmberre, * 1.29 and settl'd Kandaqualla again in his Lieu∣tenantship, and then Retreated with his Company, intending to return to

his Wife and Children. But on the way he receiv'd notice that his Brother Gammanah, whom he had given Commission to manage the State and supervise his Family in his absence, had usurp'd his Dominion, and kill'd all his Sons he could come at, and taken his Wives to himself, and set up his Residence by Rio de Galinhas, as a convenient place to intercept or impede his Brothers return: And as commonly, fluctus fluctum sequitur, one trouble falls in the neck of another; so here, this Rebellion of his Brother was attended with an In∣vasion of the Gebbe-Monou who dwell about Cabo Mesurado, who fell into Do∣wala and Cape de Monte, * 1.30 where they burnt the Town, and lead away Prisoners all persons they could meet with, intending to make them Slaves.

Flansire understanding these mischiefs, marched towards the River Maqual∣bary with all speed; but complaining to the Kanon and Jananie's, that is, to God and the Angels, of his distress in these words, To you onely it is known, that my Father left me rightful Heir in his Kingdom, which falls to me by the Laws of the Land, seeing I was the Eldest Son, and that my Brother hath rebelled against me, and hath set himself up to be Lord: be you Judges between him and me in this intended Fight, and let it, if the Cause be unjust that he manages against me, come upon his own head.

Thereupon he passed with all his Souldiers over the River, where the Ar∣mies suddenly met, and his Brother, with great number of his men, slain, he got a compleat Victory; but still kept the Field, although no further opposi∣tion appeared against him.

In this time, while the King remain'd encamp'd in the Field, to be the more ready against any other appearing Rebels, his Son Flamboere went with a Squadron of Souldiers into the Woods to hunt Civet-Cats; and by his Sports trained far into them, they discover'd some of the Rebels busie in burying the dead body of the Usurper; but as they perceiv'd Flamboere and his followers, immediately they betook themselves to flight, imagining he had purposely come with that Force to find them out, and left the Corps behind them, with three Shackell'd Slaves, intended to have been dispatch'd at his Grave accord∣ing to custom. By this means ascertain'd of Gammanah's death, when they least expected it, they took and brought the three Slaves to Flansire, who having un∣derstood out of their mouthes all circums tances of what had happen'd, and how all things stood in the Countrey, he sent them to their fellow-Rebels, to admonish them to come to him to ask him pardon, and to assure them, that he would not think of their misdeeds: Which goodness of the Kings, though pre∣sented by the mouth of these Slaves, wrought the desir'd effect, for the Rebels immediately submitted, and receiv'd their pardon.

This Rebellion thus quash'd, * 1.31 King Flansire, with all his Power march'd to Cape Mesurado, to reduce the Gebbe-Monou, which he did with great slaugh∣ter, and the Spoil of the Countrey, and then retir'd with his Forces home again, taking his habitation in his old City Tomby, till the Dogo Monou made a new In∣surrection, to revenge the losses of Dogo Falmah; at first he left the Town, and retir'd to Massagh, an Island lying in a Lake of the River Plyzoge, whither the Dogo-Monou with Fleets following to Attaque him, were in a manner totally subdu'd by Flansire's people.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Contention and Quarrel between the Ka∣rous and Folgians.
• * 1.2

  The Folgians seek for Ad∣dress by Sorcerers, how to overcome the Karou's.
• * 1.3

  The Karou's overcome by the Folgians.
• * 1.4

  They are civilly treated by the Folgias.
• * 1.5

  Flonikerry remains Gene∣ral of the Karou's.
• * 1.6

  Overcometh the People of Rio Cestes.
• * 1.7

  The Death of the King of Manou.
• * 1.8

  The Kings Brother Mani∣massah drinks Quony.
• * 1.9

  Retires Northward.
• * 1.10

  Becomes Prince of the Ga∣la-Monou's.
• * 1.11

  Was uncivilly dispossessed
• * 1.12

  He withdraws again, be∣cause of their Disobedience.
• * 1.13

  Upon what he withdrew.
• * 1.14

  Cometh again with an Army, and compels them to Obedience.
• * 1.15

  Fesiack gives opportunity and occasion of overcoming of Vey-Berkoma.
• * 1.16

  Flonikerry desires some Countreys to Farm of the King of Folgia.
• * 1.17

  The King appoints to go against the Countrey of Cape de Monte.
• * 1.18

  The Karou's come with their Army near the Vey-Monou's.
• * 1.19

  They overcome them by shooting of poyson'd Ar∣rows.
• * 1.20

  Their way of making an Agreement.
• * 1.21

  The former successful Victory of Flonikerry made him insolent.
• * 1.22

  Serre-Lions is taken by Dego Falmah.
• * 1.23

  Flansire draws towards Serre-Lions.
• * 1.24

  He comes with his Forces to Land.
• * 1.25

  Dogo Falmab punish'd by the King of Hondo.
• * 1.26

  His Speech to the King upon his having punishment
• * 1.27

  He is made General of Serre-Lions.
• * 1.28

  The Town of Falmah is taken and burnt.
• * 1.29

  Gammanah stands up a∣gainst Flansire.
• * 1.30

  The Gebbe-Monou's fall upon Dowala.
• * 1.31

  Flansire subdues the Peo∣ple of Gebbe-Monou.