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 OR COUNTREY OF QUOIA.

THis Kingdom scituate by Cape de Monte, containeth especially two Countreys, viz. Vey-berkoma, and Quoia-Berkoma.

Vey-berkoma, that is, the Countrey of Vey, * 1.1 the Antient Name of the Inhabitants, is that Tract which lieth at Cape de Monte, near the River Mavah; below which lieth Dauwala, wherein the same River Northward of the Cape, hath its Exit into the Sea.

The Antient Inhabitants (as we said) Vey, are by Wars reduc'd to a small number, possessing onely a parcel of ruin'd Villages or Towns; insomuch, that their Name is almost forgotten.

Another People, nam'd Puy-monou, * 1.2 dwelt antiently before the Wars and Conquest of the Countrey by the Karou's in the Island Boebelech, and along the Banks of the River Mavah. But few of this Posterity are at present to be found; being for the most part by Inter-marriages with the Karou's so united, as if but one in Name and Nature.

Quoia-Berkoma begins at the Sea-Coast of the New-River, or Rio Novo, * 1.3 by the Inhabitants stil'd Magwibba, and extends to Rio Paulo, a Boundary between this and the Territory of Gebbe, shooting out into the Land above twenty miles.

This Kingdom boasts great numbers of Towns and Villages, most of them pleasantly seated on the Banks of the River Magwibba.

The first appearing in five Degrees and three and forty Minutes-North La∣titude, * 1.4 by the Inhabitants is call'd Wachkongo; and by the Portugals, Cabo Monte; although the Countrey both on the West and East is low and over-grown with Bushes.

This Point to Ships sayling out of the West shews its self in the shape of a Helm; but coming near, it appears long with a gap in the middle. Westward of this is the Road where the Ships Ride, that put in to trade upon this Coast.

Half a mile upwards from Magwibba on the left side, * 1.5 stands a Village call'd Jegwonga, where the King Flamboere settled his Royal Mansion, when he first left Tomvy; but at present he resides on the Island Massagh, in the Lake Plizoge, whither he retired to avoid the hazards of the people of Dogo, that invaded his Territories.

On the other side of the River stands the fair Town Fachoo, * 1.6 signifying, I watch the Dead; which Flamboere fortifi'd, and retir'd to as a place of security, upon intelligence that the Land of Folgia would make War upon him, though afterwards he found it but a rumor.

A mile and half farther up, * 1.7 on the same side, Figgia discovers its self, being formerly the Dwelling of Figgi, one of King Flamboere's Brothers.

A mile beyond that, * 1.8 on the same Shore, is seated Cammagoereia; and half a mile from thence, the handsome Town Jerboeffaia, where the Prince of Quoia, who commands the Countrey round about, keeps his Court; opposite to this last, King Flamboere about a year since began to lay the Foundations of a new Town.

From thence going, along the Sea-Shore lie dispersed some Salt-Towns, where the Inhabitants boyl Salt out of Sea-Water.

In the Vales of Tomvy, water'd by the River Plizoge, stands a great Town or Village, beset with Trees sprung up out of the Rubbish of its decayed Walls: From thence to Cape de Monte lye some forsaken and wasted Villages: On a Branch of the River Menoch or Aguado, is scituate Faly-hammaia, and two miles farther, another call'd Flomy-Seggaya.

The Region of Quoia hath the benefit of four excellent Rivers; * 1.9 the first in the West, Magwibba, or Rio Novo; the second, Mavah; the third, Plizoge; the fourth, Menoch, or Aguado.

The River Magwibba in Summer bears two miles and a half in breadth, * 1.10 but in Winter is broader and fuller of Water: It runs from the Sea up into the Land, taking a North-Easterly Course up into the Countrey; in the Mouth of it are so many Banks or Shelves, as great Bars, that make it dange∣rous to be passed with small Boats, although the English, Portuguese, and French have, and still venture over it in their little Skiffs.

As far as Davarouia, it may conveniently be passed with reasonable Vessels, being very deep, and four hundred foot wide; but above that place, by the interposition of divers Rocks, which cause great Water-falls, there is no passing.

The second call'd Mavah, * 1.11 or Maffah, on whose Shore formerly the Puy-mo∣nou dwelt, springs from a Mountain four and twenty miles within the Coun∣trey. The Channel is wide and deep, making its Exit into the Sea in the broken Land of Dauwala, almost a mile Northward of Wach-kongo, or Cape de Monte.

Between these two Rivers along the Sea-Coast, here and there, they say, stand certain Towns, where the Inhabitants make Salt.

The third, Plizoge, meets with the Sea a mile Northward of Cabo de Monte. * 1.12 This is sometime in dry weather very empty of Water, but so continues not long, being soon fully replenisht.

Three miles from this River appears a great Lake, a mile and a half broad, wherein stands the Island Massagh, the Courtly Residence of the present King Flamboere: on whose South-side flourish many stately Palmito-Trees.

The fourth, Menoch, or Rio Aq••ado, * 1.13 cometh out of the Countrey above the Hondous, and six or seven miles Eastward of Cape de Monte poures into the Sea. It is a deep and wide River, yet unpassable, because of several Water-falls, Cliffs, and Shelves of Sand that choak it. It hath on both sides Red-wood Trees.

Having thus given you the Scituations of Towns and Rivers in this King∣dom, we will now proceed to describe the Vegetables or Plants, Beasts, and then the Customs or Manners of the People: but by the way, in regard Gala-Vy, Hondo, Konde Quoias, Manou, and Folgia, lying round about, participate of the same qualities with Karou, already mention'd, or at least with very small difference, we will give you a cursory glimpse of these in particular, and then carry on our intended method.

Gala-vy, a member of Quoia, shews the original source of Mavah, * 1.14 near a great Wood of eight or ten days Journey in length. It bears the Names of Gala-vy from its Inhabitants, sprung at first from Galas, but being driven out of their Countrey by the People of Hondo, sought new Habitations in those places; whence they were neither call'd Vy, as those with whom they intermixt, nor Galas, their old Name, but Gala-Vy, that is, half Galas, and half Vy.

On the Borders of Hondo and Manoe, beyond the fore-mention'd great Wood, dwell the right Galas, who are under the Jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Manoe, and have a Prince entituled Gallafally.

The next is Hondo, inhabited by the Hondo-Monou, * 1.15 scituate by the side of this Wilderness, more North-Easterly then Gala-vy, and contains within it the pe∣culiar Lordship of Dogo.

Neighboring to these dwell the Konde-Quoia's, or High-Quoia's, * 1.16 that differ in Speech from the Maritime Quoia's.

Afterwards you arrive at the Kingdom of Folgia and Manou, or Manoe; * 1.17 which last is a Potent State, holding in subjection most of the Countrey round about; two small Rivers encompass it, viz. Rio Junk, and Arverado; the former Folgia East and by North above Rio Junk, the dividing limit between them, which with the other, in about five Degrees North Latitude, pour into the Sea.

Karou, whose Inhabitants took their Name from Karou-Monou, * 1.18 is a peculiar Territory, now included in Folgia by Conquest, but heretofore had a Prince of their own, and a Countrey large, and free from any slavish yoke.

At the Coast of Cape Saint Anne, and along to Cabo Monte, and Cabo das Palmas, * 1.19 the Rain begins with May and continues to October; during which time they have great and terrible Thunder and Lightning, with furious North-Westerly Gusts of Wind: however, this continual Showering so fills and pin∣guifies the before-cleft and parched Earth, as adapts it for the bearing of Rice, and other Fruits and Grains; for the whole face of the Ground is co∣vered with Water, that there can be no stirring for common converse, except in Boats.

During this time also the Sea sets hard all along the Shore towards the North-East, so that Ships which between July and September happen to fall be∣low Cape de Monte, can very hardly, and not without great labour, get about to the South. Besides, this Race makes mountainous Billows roll to the Shore, so that it is in effect impossible to approach the same in Boats, without danger of splitting.

There blows also upon this Coast a Land and Sea-Wind; the first begins after midnight, and continues till high-Noon; the last rises after two, and holds till Midnight. But these Seasons once over, from October to May, the Weather proves pleasant and dry, till endammaged by the fiery heat of the scalding Air.

¶ QUoia Berkoma, * 1.20 with the adjacent Fields, are by the before-mention'd Rains so impregnated, that they produce all sorts of Grain and Plants in great abundance: * 1.21 for first, there grows a great Tree call'd Bonde, in height exceeding all other Trees in the Wood, and scarce fathomable by six or seven Men, the Bark full of great Thorns, the Wood soft, of which they make Canoos, Stools, Spoons, and Dishes; the Roots lying generally four or five Foot above the Earth, they cut out into Planks and Boards for Doors to their Houses, and many other uses; with the Branches and young Sprouts Hedging the Towns, because being stuck into the Ground, they grow and make a Quickset-Fence: the refuse of the Wood they burn, and with the Ashes make a lixiviated Liquor, which boyled up with old Oyl of Palm, makes an excellent and very useful Sope.

The Tree Bassi grows high, * 1.22 and two or three fathom thick, having a Russet-Bark, which they use in Dying to give a Russet-brown Tincture, as of the Trunk they make Boats, and such like Utensils.

Kaey is also thick and high, * 1.23 of whose hard Wood, being not apt to rot, they also make Canoos; but the Barks and Leaves, for their Medicinal Vertues, they use in Physick.

Billegoh, * 1.24 a tall thick Tree, whose Wood exceeds that of most Trees in hard∣ness, and of notable use in Physick.

The Bossy hath a dry Bark, * 1.25 and soft Wood like the Bonde, yielding also a kind of Pot-Ashes, and bearing yellow Fruit, good to eat, and tart in taste.

The Mille shoots very high, * 1.26 the Wood soft, the Root like the Bonde, grow∣ing above the Ground, the Blacks use it in charming Potions.

The Borrouw grows but to an ordinary height and bigness, * 1.27 but upon the Bark stick crooked Thorns like the Talons of a Fowl; these being chopt, yield a yellowish white Juyce, (the like do the thick Leaves beaten and pressed) which taken inwardly is an effectual Purge, and so certainly good, that 'tis commonly used when other Remedies will not work. The Wood is damp, and unfit either for Service or Fewel.

Mammo a thick and high Tree, bears a Fruit white within, and of a tart taste, * 1.28 much us'd in Physick; and buried under the earth, remains good a whole year.

Quony, a high and thick Tree with a rough Bark, which they use in Philters or other charming Potions mixed with water; they make mortars of the wood, * 1.29 because tough, and not easily split, wherein they stamp Rice. It bears a venomous Excrescence, full of Juyce, wherein the Blacks dip their Arrows, that from thence contract a mortal Poyson.

Hoquella rises to a great heighth, bearing Shell-Fruit a foot and a half long, * 1.30 inclosing flat Beans; the Bark and Leaves have a Physical Quality, and there∣fore in much use: But the Ashes of the Shells burnt, make a most useful Lye.

Domboch bears Fruit pleasant and frequently eaten. The Bark bruised, * 1.31 and the Juice mixt in a convenient Vehicle makes an Excellent Purgative Medicine; but the wood they convert into Boats, Sugar-chests, and such like.

Kolach a Tree of ordinary size, bears Fruit like Plumbs, * 1.32 very agreeable to the Palate, whose Bark also is of use in Physick.

Bongia rising to a more than common size and bigness; * 1.33 of no use but in the Bark, and that onely for Physick, and to give a yellow tincture in Dying.

Duy in Growth like the former, produces round Apples, * 1.34 a profitable and wholesome Food both to man and beast: The Bark steeped in Wine and other Drinks, make them great Cordials.

The Bark of Niaukony tastes hot in the mouth like Pepper, * 1.35 and hath won the esteem of a more than common Remedy in many Diseases.

The Palmito-Trees grow here frequently, which young are call'd Quan, * 1.36 have many branches with long thorns, and small long Leaves, which hatchel'd, serves them in stead of Hemp, to make Nets and Ropes; grown up to the heighth of a man, it bears a kind of Nuts which are as big as Olives, of which the Palm-Oyl is made.

When it is shot up forty or fifty foot high, and proportionally large, the branches fall off, so that it stands naked like a Maste, onely with Branches and Leaves at the top, the undermost by degrees still falling off, while upwards new ones grow; thus full grown, it is call'd Tongoo; and when very old, af∣fords Wine, Oyl, and Hemp in one year. This Wine which the Blacks call Mignoll, they draw out by boaring a hole in the body of the Tree, where the Leaves at first began to sprout, out of which the Wine distills into a Pot or Pitcher hanging on a hook; in colour it resembles Whey, and at the first drawing is sweet and pleasant to the taste, like Wine; but the second day be∣gins to sower, and changes in short time into very good Vinegar. It intoxi∣cates the Brain, and makes those that drink too much thereof drunk, as other Drinks do: Out of one Tree two Gallons of this Liquor may be drawn in a day, without any damage to the Tree, or hinderance to the ripening of the Fruit; which are, as we said, a kind of Nuts, somewhat bigger than Olives, growing in a bunch; of which every Tree bears five or six, every one as much as a man can carry; every single Nut having within it in a hard stone a sweet Kernel.

When the Blacks gather this Fruit, they climb up with a Rope about their middle very readily and nimbly, and cut the Nuts from the bunch, whereof they make their Palm-Oyl in this manner; first they beat and stamp them, then boil it a first and second time; at the last boiling the Oyl swims at top, which they scum off with Spoons, and put into Pots or Pitchers: They use this Oyl as Butter or Oyl-Olive, which they have not, and anoint their Bodies therewith from head to foot, to make the Skin smooth and shining.

Bang bears a great resemblance with the Palmito, * 1.37 and like it also yielding Wine, which they call Makensy; the Leaves are large, and half a fathom long, of which they make a sort of Tow, which they work into Mats, Nets, and all sorts of Ropes. The Branches being long and thick, and bushy,

like common Brushes or Beesoms, serve for many uses, viz. for covering for their Houses, Shelters, and Fences for their Villages, and such like.

Dongah, * 1.38 a great Tree, growing by the Sea-Coast, bearing Shell-fruit like great Wallnuts, and having round well tasted Kernels.

Red-wood Trees, * 1.39 call'd Bondou, grow here numerously, having soft and thin Leaves: the Wood while it grows is yellow and soft, but after the cut∣ting hard and red.

The Tree Jaaia groweth abundantly in low and watry places, * 1.40 and on the Banks of Rivers, wherein, as if delighted in spreading his Boughs, the Oysters fix thereabouts, and grow.

There is another Tree, * 1.41 upon which grows a Fruit, by the Portugals call'd Kola; by the Blacks, Toglouw; five or six inclosed in a Shell, having a bitter taste, but a rare Medicine against the Dropsie; and used also in Inchantments and Witchcrafts. The Portugals drive a great Trade with it, as having an high esteem thereof.

The whole Countrey abounds with Cotton-Trees, * 1.42 which they name Fondy. Kong, from which they gather Cotton, to be woven into Cloth, and other things.

Here is also springing up in every place Lymo's, * 1.43 or Limonties, whose fruit hath the perfect similitude of a Lemon, but rounder and smaller: Also Oranges, Banana's, Bakovens, and other Fruit.

They dig up here a Root which the Dutch call Ignames, * 1.44 or Injamos, so great, that some of them weigh nine or ten pounds: they are white and mealy with∣in, dry in taste; being boyled, are eaten in stead of Bread.

Batatases, * 1.45 another Root, like Potato's, or Jerusalem-Artichokes, but bigger than our Turnips, having a sweet and dry taste.

A few Sugar-Canes, some Tobacco, Ananasses, or Pine-Apples, may be had there, but scarce of their own growth, for the Inhabitants say they have them from Serre-Lions.

¶ THeir chiefest Sallet and Potherb has the Name of Quelle Togge, * 1.46 ha∣ving small Leaves, and short Stalks, which boyled with Flesh, hath a good taste.

The next Quantiach, shoots up high, with broad Leaves, which shred and boyled with Flesh, make a pleasant Sallet. They have variety of Herbs, which, because of their commonness, we shall not meddle with here.

They have besides Rice, * 1.47 Mille, Many-Jonglo, and Maiz, which here they call Turkish Wheat, and little regard it.

There is another sort of Mille call'd Jonglo, * 1.48 with a smaller Seed and longer Ear than the former, most eaten in Lent, or other times of appointed absti∣stence.

There is also Manigette, * 1.49 enough to serve their conveniency, as also two sorts of Pepper, Benynith, and Long-Pepper.

¶ QUoia, * 1.50 or Cape de Monte, with the adjacent Parts, hath many Elephants, which they name Kanmah, and several sorts of Civet-Cats.

The River Magwibba breeds Water-Elephants, * 1.51 call'd Korkamanou, being about the bigness of a large Horse, but much thicker and rounder, and seem as it were blown up.

[illustration]

Fol: 3 5 2

[illustration]

Fol: 3 8 5

Mavah produces the like, together with Sea-Cats, Crocodiles, and the like strange Creatures.

The Janaka hath the proportions of a Horse, but shorter, * 1.52 and more Bowe-Legg'd, with a long Neck, Bay or Sorrel-colour'd, strip'd with white, but Headed more like an Ox, having a Bag in the Flanks, of great use among their Soothsayers, which when they go about to make any Predictions, they blow strongly, with Tickling on the in-side, where the Augures and Soothsayers witch into them, using antick postures and bellowings.

There are two other of a smaller sort, call'd Cillach Vondoh, * 1.53 as big as Stags with us in Europe, having little Horns a span long, a Skin of the same colour, with a Tumour, or rather swelling Orifice on both sides, where the Wind co∣ming out, makes them unable or unfit, either for running or leaping.

The Buffles that breed here in great herds, * 1.54 do immense damage in the Rice-Fields.

Another Creature, call'd by the Blacks, Woey; and by the Portugals, * 1.55 Gazellus de Mutte, being as big as an ordinary Dog, small bone'd, and swift in running, makes good sport to Men and Women that Hunt it, using many cunning shifts to avoid the Nets.

The Tebbe is a brown-coloured Beast, of the bigness of a Sheep, * 1.56 and taken with Nets. So also the Culmo, but different in the redness of his Furre.

There are two sorts of wild Boars; one reddish-hair'd, call'd Kouja; * 1.57 the other black-hair'd, named Kouja quinta: The former like ours, but the later much bigger, and very mischievous, having monstrous Tusks, wherewith they cut and tear, as if it were split with a hatchet.

Porcupines also are of two sorts, a bigger, and a less; * 1.58 the bigger by the Natives call'd Queenja, resembles a common Boar, but armed with sharp and long Quills, which it can dart out suddenly with so great force, that some∣times they kill Leopards with them: The less are about a foot high, but not dangerous, in regard they do not discharge their Quills.

They have also Dontfoes or Camelions, living (as they suppose) by the Air, * 1.59 and in nothing harmful, onely they fancy it an ill Omen to see one, imagining one of their nearest friends shall die.

There is another strange Beast call'd Quoggelo, * 1.60 much resembling a Croco∣dile, six or seven foot long, very slender, but with a Tongue of extraordinary length: It is a Beast of Prey, and very strong, close set with gawdy Quills over the whole body, wherewith it onely offends men, and defends it self against other Creatures; for when the Leopard attempts to seize it, it converts into a round ball, setting up the points of his Quills, that no hold can be fixed. Their food is generally Pismires, which with their tongues they lick up at a great distance.

Both on the Sea-Coast and the up-land Countrey many Civet-Cats are found; of whose Genus there is great difference among Authors: * 1.61 Some will reduce them under the kind of Cats, according to their name; but Johnston ranks it with the Hyena; we will briefly describe it, and so leave the Reader to his own judgement: It more resembles a Wolf than a Cat; for it hath a long Head, with a small Nose, flat Mouth, and short Ears, their Teeth like those of a Dogs; the body part white, part ash-colour'd, speckled with black spots, the legs and feet of a middle size, with black hairs, having four Claws forward, and one backward, with black short flat nails; the Tail long, bushy and speckled, hanging to the ground.

From what part the Civet is gathered, * 1.62 there have been many different opini∣ons: The famous French Physitian Riolanus holds it to be the Dung, or Ordure; but Ruellius and Audreas Matthiolus more truly averre, that it is taken out of the Privities, and that the Cods were the Purse wherein it was bred; others main∣tain it to be the Sweat, or Sudor, about those parts, caused by violent motion and beating: but all these opinions vary from the truth; for the part wherein this odoriferous Perfume is found, is distinct and peculiar, lying between the Privities and the Cods, and seems at the first glimpse to be the Matrix: for it hath a long opening, and felt with the Hand, seems of the bigness of a small Egge, and grisly; which being opened with the Finger, two passages appear like Nostrils; under which are some small Cavities as big as Almonds, the place of the Civet, which is taken out thence with a Spoon, or other fit In∣strument.

But beyond all these is that monstrous Creature, * 1.63 which the Inhabitants call'd Quoias-Morrou, or Worrou; and the Portugals, Salvage, that is, A Satyr: It hath a great Head, a heavy Body, fleshy Arms, and strong, no Tail, and goes sometimes upright, and sometimes like an Ape on all four. The Blacks re∣port it to be of humane Extract; but by the alteration and change of the Woods and the Wilderness, it is become half a Beast. They sustain themselves in the Woods with Fruit and wild Honey, which they get out of the Trees: and as they are not few, so when they meet, continually fight one with the other. The Blacks relate strange things of them, and averre it for an infallible truth, that it not onely over-powers feeble Women, and unmarried Maids, but also dares set upon Armed Men.

The Woods produce also other wild Beasts, * 1.64 as Tygers and Leopards; the first they call Quelliqua, the latter Quelly. These two bear great enmity to each other; though the Tyger is generally master: wherefore the Leopard, when the Tyger pursues him, with his Tail will wipe out his foot-steps, that so by them he may not be traced. Some of the Antients, knowing the fierceness of the Tyger, attributed to him the command of the Woods: but here, in regard he hurts no Man, but onely Beasts, they make the Leopard the King of the Woods, * 1.65 because he is more dangerous. For this ravening they are hunted and kill'd by all that can, even for their own safety: yet when a Leopard is kill'd, they bring him dead unto the King's Town, there to be cut up and eaten; but if the Resiants there be not acquainted with it before-hand, they will not ad∣mit it without great opposition; and therefore, with Weapons in their hands, every man falls upon the bringers of the Leopard, who come also Armed to abide the expected brunt: Thus meeting, they fight eagerly, till one side be∣come absolute Victors: which for the most part are the King's Men, to whom the Leopard is left as a booty; which they commonly draw into the Town, & with extraordinary mirth convey to the place where they use to exhibit their Sports: where being flea'd, his Skin and Teeth they present to the King: but the People assembled eat the Flesh boyl'd as a great Dainty; spending the re∣mainder of the day in Revelling and Dancing, as at their most solemn Festi∣vals. But the King forbears to eat it, because it is, as we said, accounted the King of the Woods. But if this esteemed Royal Beast be taken by any, that that have neither strength nor confidence to make such a Bravado, they seek out among them some more than usually bold Fellows, who for some inconsider∣able hire will take upon them to bring the Leopard cunningly into the King's Town. These, by the help of one or two Comrades, drag the Leopard thither

unseen, and lays it near the Sporting-place; then withdrawing into the House of his acquaintance, waiting till some find it; who upon the first sight with great eagerness cries out: then assembling the People he tells them, There is yet another King brought in without our knowledge. Upon this all the People run out of their Houses, and the bringers discovering themselves, every one gives them the hand of friendship, and according to their fashion, indigitate the Person to all their Friends with these words, You are the Man to whom we may trust in need; we have seen your works, and so proceed to flea and eat it, as before.

The King sells the Leopards Skin, if he be not minded to sit upon it, nor to lay it upon the earth to tread on; but the Teeth (which are highly esteem∣ed) he bestows upon his Wives, who wear them in stead of Jewels both about their Necks, and upon their Clothes.

Insects breed there innumerably, as Serpents call'd Tombe, * 1.66 above two foot long, and as thick as an ordinary mans leg, with curious speckled Skins; they have no innate antipathy to man, whom they never offend till hurt or trod on; yet such is their venome, that whosoever they bite dies irrecoverably within two or three hours.

The Serpent Minia attains such largeness, * 1.67 that it can kill and swallow a whole Deer without chewing or tearing to pieces, and devours Boars and many other such like Beasts and Cattel: It lurks for Prey in some bush, which coming within reach, it suddenly seizes, winding two or three times about the body, and twists it self about the loins, till it falls down and dies; of which thus glutted, he lies not able to stir, till his gorged Paunch ha's di∣gested his meal. The Pismires have such a natural enmity to him, that if they find him thus infeebled with his over-feeding, they creep into his body, and kill him. The flesh of this Creature the Blacks account good Food.

¶ NOr are Beasts, Insects, and Reptiles onely found here, but Fowls also of divers kinds; particularly Qualontia, being of a large size, * 1.68 and ve∣ry strong, remaining most in the Woods, and feeding upon the flesh of Ci∣vet-Cats, and other Beasts, and roosting commonly in the high Tree call'd Banda.

The Bastard-Eagle which they name Quolantia Clou, * 1.69 keeps most at the Wa∣ter-side, preying on Fish, which swimming near the surface of the water, he takes in an instant.

The Buzzard or Kite call'd Simby, * 1.70 feasts it self with the flesh of all other smaller Birds.

The Poi also a Bird of Prey, * 1.71 and accordingly arm'd with crooked Ta∣lons, frequents the Sea-shore, and feeds upon Crabs, which with great cun∣ning and diligence it catches.

Blue Parrots with red Tails are numerous, roosting on the Palmeto-Trees, * 1.72 and eating the Nuts.

The Comma hath great variety of fine Feathers, green about the Neck, * 1.73 red Wings, black Tails, crooked Bills, and Claws like a Parrot.

There is a Bird in bigness like a Thrush, with black feathers, * 1.74 by them call'd Clofyf, who (as they say) by the difference of his chattering, prognosti∣cates either good or bad luck; insomuch, that when any travel through the Woods, if they hear this Bird cry about them, Kybo fy offygh, they take that for an ill Omen, and will by no means go any farther that day. On the contrary, if their Journey shall be prosperous, and this Bird cries in another

manner, which they expound, Forward, go on, in the Folgiaske Tongue, they no longer despair, but proceed forward in their Journey so soon as possible. They repute him an ominous and unlucky Bird, and say, that the Kigbofy hath sung his Song over all those that die an evil death. He keeps most in places where Pismires frequent, which are his principal food.

There is another little Bird like a Lark, * 1.75 call'd Fonton, who having found in the Woods a Buffel or Elephant, or Honey in a Tree, or a Tyger, or Snake, or any thing else whether good or bad, immediately flies towards the people, fluttering about them, and making a noise with his wings; whereupon they follow him, saying, Tonton kerre, Tonton kerre, that is, We come. Then he flies forward chirroping, till come to the thing he would show. But if they do not follow him, nor regard his noise, he never rests flying backward and for∣ward, till perceiving the unmindful Travellers approach near what he would discover, he perches upon a tree; by which sudden settling, they know they are not far from something he would shew to them.

There are also Swallows, * 1.76 which they call Lele or Lele-atterecna, that is, Day-Swallows, to distinguish them from Bats, which they call Lele-Sirena, that is, Night-Swallows. The Blacks report that they have another sort of Swallows, which they stile Tonga, of the bigness of Pigeons, but without any resem∣blance of the other. Their Flesh proves good meat, of which there is no scarcity; being so numerous, that sometimes sitting upon trees in flocks, their great weight tears down whole branches as big as a mans leg.

There is yet another Bird like a Wood-pecker, * 1.77 who with his Bill makes a concave hole in trees, and in that hollow breeds the young; of which the Blacks relate this following story.

This Bird (they say) complained in antient times to Kanou, that the people stole away his Young where ever he made his Nest, desiring Kanou, that for the future he would smother them when they committed such theft. Where∣to Kanou seem'd by promise to consent; but enjoyn'd, that in regard the huge trees would hinder the fall of the Heavens, he first cut them down, and then by weight of their fall upon the earth, he would certainly smother the people.

There are many Turtle-Doves, * 1.78 which they call Papoo, and three sorts of Partridges or Pheasants with speckled feathers. The first call'd Bollend, hath a tuft on his head; the second, Kambyge, bald and without feathers; the third, Decedeu, hath black feathers mixt with small white specks, and a white neck.

Cufonfoo is a Bird as big as a Raven, * 1.79 with black feathers, and a very long and broad Bill, making the Nest of earth in the Trees; when the Hen sits, she pulls off all her feathers to lay the young ones in, and remains sit∣ting without any going off, being daily fed by the Cock that flies abroad for food.

There are many Tigua or Cranes, * 1.80 which the Inhabitants of Cape de Verde call Aqua-piaffo.

Doco, * 1.81 a very great Fowl, frequenting Moors and Marishy Grounds, as whol∣ly living on Fish.

Jowe, * 1.82 a small Bird, no bigger than a Linnet, drops her Eggs by the way∣side.

All these, together with white and blew Herons, except the Jowe, Funtan, and Kigbofy, are by them eaten.

Bees, in this Countrey call'd Kommokesse, are not kept as in Europe, Hiv'd

and Hous'd, but swarm as it were wild in the Woods, Nesting in hollow Trees, by which half the Honey is not found.

The Bremsems, or Wasps, here call'd Quun-bokessy, come into the very Hou∣ses, but yield no Honey; but if disturb'd sting venomously, insomuch that the place stung swells up with great pain.

Besides these they tell of a third, and smaller sort of Bees than the right sort of Honey-Bees, but swarm, and Nest like them in Trees, making Honey rancker or sharper of taste than the other; brown of colour, and the Wax blackish: the Inhabitants name them Cubolig-boli.

Mescito's are here in such abundance, and so plague the People, that it is impossible almost to sleep, or take any rest for them.

In the time when it rains, which is about May, June, July, August, * 1.83 and Septem∣ber, some Crickets, call'd Gelleh, fall among them from the Clouds, as the Blacks themselves report; which are bigger than other Crickets, and afford them food.

Thus much we have thought fit to say concerning the Plants and Beasts, we will now shew you the Employment, Customs, and Nature of the Inhabi∣tants, and what else relates to them.

¶ THe Quoia's have no Trade, * 1.84 but maintain themselves with Sowing of Mille and Rice, and by the planting other Herbs and Fruits; for the Countrey being large, and more than two thirds untill'd and woody, every one may manure what he thinks fit, and cut down as much Wood as he plea∣seth. After a Place hath been once Sown, they let it lie Fallow two or three years, till the Earth, which they suppose impoverished by bearing, hath re∣covered a new vigor by lying uncultured: yet notwithstanding the before∣mention'd liberty for the encouragement of such as take pains, no person may Sow in a Field which hath been Ploughed by another.

In the middle of January, or in the beginning of February, * 1.85 they begin first to order the Fields intended for Rice, cutting down the Wood, Bushes, and Weeds, laying all even and smooth. The Ground thus prepared, one goes before with the Seed, which he sprinkles upon the Ground, while others with crooked Iron-Rakes turn it under the Soyl. This commonly sprouts on the third day; but then must be carefully lookt after, to keep it from Birds, which flock thither in great numbers: but after it hath taken firm Root they mind it no farther, nor have more trouble till grown ripe, and fit for gathering. In some places they are forced to Fence their Fields to keep out wild Beasts, especially Buffles and Water-Elephants, which else would rob them of all the fruits of their labors, and the hopes of the ensuing Har∣vest.

The second Rice-planting is begun in April, in the High-land, * 1.86 and at the time of the first Rains. Those that are good Husbands, and diligent, may sowe Rice three times in one Summer; the first in the Low-land; the se∣cond in higher, and the third in the highest Land; every one a moneth af∣ter the other; because they will not have all ripe at a time, not being able then to get it in; for it must be cut off ear by ear, with great leasure.

The first Crop growing in low and moist places, is cut off in the begin∣ning of April; the second in the higher Land, in June and July; the third in September or October.

Such as are wary, save commonly good quantities against the next Seed∣time;

whereas more lazy and careless persons that eat up all their store, are compell'd to betake themselves to other places, as to Hondo, Gala, or Gebbe, where they buy it for Basons, Kettles, Cloathes, or other things.

The Women Manure and Dig the Fields, * 1.87 and Sowe the Rice, and the Men cut down the great Trees, and clear the Bushes, and sometimes help the Women in the rest, to dispatch the sooner. But the chiefest business wherein the Men employ themselves, is Fishing, Hunting, and building of Houses: for those Sports of Hunting and Fishing are free; * 1.88 yet all sorts of Hunting is used not by all: for the Hunting of Elephants and Buffles is dangerous, and undertaken by such onely as will venture their lives; for few escape mischief or death at one time or other.

The King hath for his proportion, * 1.89 of Elephants and Buffles, one out of two; of Boars, Harts, and other wild Beasts, a third part; but Water-Elephants, and Sea-Cows, belong wholly to the King, who bestows upon the taker a Present of Rice and Mille; but yet less than a tenth part. All people are bound to offer the best of the Fruits and Plants to Belly their Idol for Junanen, that is, for the health of the Souls of their deceased Friends and Parents.

¶ THe Houses, * 1.90 or rather Huts, are round; so likewise the Villages, and inclosed with Trees, standing close together; and with their Boughs Plashed and interwoven, make a good Defence, or Bulwark; the Gates are low, and so narrow, that but one man can go through at a time; the whole Inclosure shadowed with Bangoela, that is, Branches of Vine-Trees, or Tomboe, bound together so close, that they are forc'd to make certain Holes therein to Shoot through, which they can open and shut at pleasure. At every of the Gates there is a Hut, or moveable Turret, fifteen or sixteen Foot high; which they can carry in time of need, and set in any fit place, made as the Walls, wherein always some exquisite Archers keep Guard, and are as Sentinels, both for discovery of the Enemies approach, and to defend against their assaults.

In the middle of the Town lies an open Green to play in; cross ways leading to the Gates, are Streets, between whose ends and the Tree-Wall, round about, is a passage to go from place to place. The Towns thus fenced with Trees, they call Sansiah; but other unfenced, Fonferah, that is, an open place: so that properly we may term the former Cities, and the later Villa∣ges or Hamlets.

Into these Fortifications the Countrey people also without restraint repair in time of need, to secure their lives, and what they have from depraedations, and also by their Persons and Valour to defend their Abodes.

By vertue of an antient Law made by the Tribe of the Karous, * 1.91 the Inhabi∣tants are prohibited to eat Beef, or Fish with Scales, which they observe ve∣ry strictly; believing, that if they should break it, they should either in∣stantly die, receive some remarkable judgement, or else fall into phrensie.

The people in general are very libidinous, * 1.92 but their ability answers not their desire; however such their too frequent actions, and dealing with vari∣ety of Women, draws upon them no small inconveniences: Nor do the Wo∣men fall short of the men in their Unchastity, wholly giving themselves up to Venerial Exercises; and as if continually troubled with a Furor Uterinus, at all times chaw and eat such Herbs and Barks of Trees, as are the greatest In∣centives to heighten their desires to almost hourly Congresses.

Both Men and Women are much inclin'd to drink Brandy; yet they will not give Elephants Teeth in exchange for it, but onely barter Provisions of Victuals.

They are courteous one among another, holding firmly together, * 1.93 helping each other upon all occasions. Whatever any wants, (wherewith his own store or penury cannot furnish him) his friends and acquaintance supply free∣ly. They shew great Friendship to one another in Gifts of Clothes, and sometimes of Slaves; and in House-keeping live as it were in common, eve∣ry one participating of the others Diet without grudging: None appears, or makes any address to the King empty-handed; insomuch, that all Merchant∣strangers, having any occasion to speak to him, make their way by Presents; some few of the baser sort will steal from Strangers, but yet be just among their own Countreymen; they neither swear, curse, nor quarrel, but have a natural antipathy against those that cause Bloudshed amongst their Neigh∣bours.

There are found many among them which can work strange effects with Herbs, Powders, Characters, and Figures; * 1.94 and some Diabolically mischie∣vous, whom they enstile Savah-Monou, that is, Poisoners and Bloud-suckers; be∣cause in the absence of any person they can fetch out his bloud, and bring him by that means into a Malady.

They have amongst them another sort of people call'd Senearts, that by Incan∣tations and Charms can mischief a Childe, spoil Rice and Plants, and do other prestigious Facts. This particular Art they call Pilly; but all the rest Sovach-Monousin: all which though so much practis'd, yet if any Complaint be made against the users thereof, they are punish'd with great severity, and sometimes with Death.

¶ THe Word Sovach signifies an Evil Imagination, * 1.95 Atra-biliary Sadness or Melancholy; or in a word, Malicious Envy. Now the Blacks af∣firm, that Men or Women possest with this mischievous humour, pining and despairing, go into the Woods, where in solitary murmurings venting their discontents, and inclinations to damnifie their Neighbors: macerated with those perplexed thoughts, fitted now to receive any impressions, the Sovach ap∣pears, and speaking to them, teacheth them to do hurt or mischief, instructing them in the method, and what Herbs they shall use. He that is thus spoken to by the Sovach, for a time is totally bereav'd of understanding, not being capa∣ble to distinguish Men from Beasts; so that raving about, he kills the first he meets: but upon the perpetrating such a crime, as if restor'd to his Senses, he seems to become wise and circumspect, no longer retaining his unsociable madness, but thence forward grown perfect in his Diabolical Knowledge, acts his designs warily, yet not afraid to instruct others in the same black and ab∣struse Arts.

That sort of Conjuration call'd Pilly, vents its malice on all things, * 1.96 begin∣ning with Men, and descending to Plants, Grain, Clothes, Arms, Iron, and what not?

There is yet another kind of Witchcraft, call'd, Sticking of Needles, * 1.97 which they use towards proud and imperious persons, to make them more affable and fit to be treated with: the manner this. They stick through the Eye of a Copper or Leaden Needle, a Splinter, which indiscernably they throw at the person on whom they intend to practise; whose least touch carries with it so

dangerous and effective an operation, that hazards life, unless some speedy re∣medy be found to prevent it.

Against this Sovach-Belly they prescribe some Antidotes, * 1.98 or preservative Me∣dicines, by whose use, if first taken, the Person is secured, and the Sovach becomes powerless: But if the Sovach be first taken, no Medicine can be found powerful enough to drive it out.

¶ SOlitariness they repute the sole cause of this Evil; * 1.99 and therefore none, how valiant and daring soever they be, will venture to go alone into the Woods; and if any be observed to use it, he gains the name of a dissolute and desperate person. People of quality go always accompanied, partly for the cause aforesaid, partly that they might have aid and assistance at hand, if any wild Beasts should attempt upon them; alledging moreover, that company gives cause of Discourse, and that diverts the Fantasie from melancholy thoughts, which generally bring the Sovach to converse with them.

¶ BIgamy and Polygamy are accounted Vertues, * 1.100 every Man keeping as many Wives as he can maintain.

The Parents used formerly to procure Wives for their Sons; but finding the Women they get were not regarded, now they let them chuse for themselves, according to their own pleasures. However, before the Marriage, the Bride, according to custom, must be purchased with Presents and Slaves. Such whose small Stocks cannot reach to that, get their Wives by obsequiousness and ser∣vice, that is, they build Houses, draw Wine, work in their Rice-Fields, and do all other things wherein they may be useful; which sometimes endures three or four years before they can attain their desire.

If any take a liking to a Woman brought by the Merchants from a foreign Countrey, with a purpose to Marry her, he makes known his Suit by Presents after their manner: And the like, as we said, if any man cast his affection upon a Maid, who is not reserved for some other Person; but if she be set apart by agreement or promise, they admit no hearing to any other: but the intended Bridgroom invites the Maid in the Evening to come to his House, to eat and drink; which, if she stands upon her honour, she takes no notice of three or four times; but at last goes with her Friends, and after that the solemnity is concluded, the Bride remains sometimes ten or twelve days before she ask for her Bride-Presents, if they live both in one Village; but if the Maid come from the Countrey, and her acquaintaince which have brought her thither, would go away, then she asks for them before their departure. And these must always be paid at three distinct times, viz. first she demands her Cola, or Togloe, which signifies, Give me somewhat that is next to hand, whether Beads, or other Ornaments; the second time she requires her Jasing, that is, some Goods which the Whites bring thither, as Cloth, Garments, or the like; the third time she asks her Lesing, that is, a Bason, Kettle, and Chest that she may keep her Cola and Jasing in, and a Slave that may wait upon her, and look to her Goods: then, when she hath received all her Dowry, she goes with them to her Friends, and so re∣turns from whence she came.

If now this Woman grow with Child, and it happen upon her Delivery to be a Boy, the Father, so soon as it can go, fetches it away; but if it be a Girl, it remains with the Mother.

If the Man be pleased with the Woman that he hath thus had knowledge of

then he sends by his people Presents to her Parents for their Good-will; who ask their Daughter of her intentions: if she desires her Parents to receive them, that makes up the Match; if not, they send them back again. After the Marriage thus perfected in this manner, yet the Man must gratifie the Parents, and Maids Companions with some Gifts; which sometimes they retaliate: But to take many Presents from the Womans Parents, turns greatly to his prejudice: for if it happen that the Wife had rather have another Man, or that the Hus∣band will turn her to her Parents, thenceforth all the Presents given to him are demanded back, but what-ever he hath bestowed on her or them, they keep; for he must do no injury to the Woman, nor to her Parents: But if the Wife will be reconciled, she may; for it is at her choise, because the Parents may not force or compel her. But if he have not accepted any of their Gifts, then such a Daughter, if her Husband will, whether she like it or no, must continue with him, and yet shall have no other esteem, than according to the Riches she brings him.

We have said before, that the Men may have as many Wives as they can maintain; but the first Wife that the Man hath Married is the chiefest, and call'd by the other Makilmah, that is as much as to say, The Governess of the Women: but they are all subjected under the authority of the Husband.

When any that is of Noble Extract will send his Daughter to her Husband, after the Marriage-Presents are compleated, he gives to accompany her in the way, some of his Subjects and Slaves, with two Coats, or Shirts, a Quiver full of Arrows, and a Simiter with a Belt, for a Present for her Husband, and three or four Kanasters, or Bags with Rice, and other small trifles.

¶ THe giving of Names to their Boyes, * 1.101 is done with a particular Ceremony, viz. when the Childe is eight or ten dayes old, on a set Day, early in the morning, the Person design'd to give the Name, with a great company carrying Bowes and Arrows, comes leaping and shouting with great hurliburly and noise; which others in the Town hearing, go out also with Bowes and Arrows, Assagays or Javelins, and Shields: the company thus assembled, they lay about them, as if fighting with their Enemies. After half an hours playing in that manner, the Name-giver taking the Child from the Mother, layeth it down upon a Shield in the midst of the Concourse, and puts a little Bowe, made for that purpose, into its hand; then he makes a Speech above half an hour long over the Child, admonishing it to be as he is, and to follow his example, to be diligent in Tillage and Husbandry, that he may get much Rice, that he may give to every one to eat that ask it, and thereby to get a praise-worthy Name; not to covet after another Man's Wife, nor to deceive, or cheat, or be treacherous, whereby a Man, says he, shall come to scorn and contempt. This solemnity being ended, he brings the Child to the Mother again: afterwards they must go a Hunting, while others provide Wine: after Noon they return home with the Beast they have caught, of which, boil'd with Rice, they make a Feast; and so, with the Women make themselves merry, and frolick the greatest part of the Night.

But the solemnity at naming a Daughter is not so great; for a Woman, with some few attendants, fetch the Child out of the Mothers House, and lay it upon a Mat, amongst the rest, putting a Stick in its Hand, admonishing it to be dili∣gent and industrious, to wash it self clean, for that cleanness is an ornament to a Woman; to be chaste and modest, not to ru•• from one Man to another, lest

she cast away her own happiness; to be ready to make and cook Dainties, that her Husband may take a good liking to her; and to associate constantly with him at all times: so re-delivering it to the Mother, the Ceremony con∣cludes.

The Women keep from the Men as long as the Children cannot go, or com∣monly till it attain the age of a year and a half; for they believe, unless the Child Suck so long, it would be infected with some remarkable Infirmity.

¶ THe Inhabitants are subject to many strange Sicknesses, * 1.102 unknown to us in Europe, such as these following:

Ibatheba, * 1.103 a kind of Murrain, happening, though not often, among the Beasts; who, as they say, are invisibly struck by splay-footed Dwarfs and Fairies, which they call Thebano's, that produceth a Botch, out of which there falls com∣monly a piece of corrupt, or dead Flesh. This Distemper kills Elephants, Buf∣fles, Hogs, Dogs, and many other Beasts: sometimes also Men are infected, but it seldom proves fatal to them.

The Bloody-Flux begun in Serre-Lions, * 1.104 in the Year Sixteen hundred twenty and six, and spread it self through the whole Countrey; raging with that vio∣lence and misery, that caus'd a direful Mortality, and swept away such vaste multitudes, that for want of people, the Rice-Tillage stood still above three years together; every one more dreading the day of his Death, than making Provision for the sustaining of such an uncertain Life.

The Meazels here do not seize upon Children onely, * 1.105 but general afflicts both old and young, as an Epidemical Disease, with such a fatality that few escape: and therefore with them it is very much fear'd. The Pain of the Head which the Physicians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but themselves Honde-doengh, is fre∣quent among them: So also the Jydoeng, or Pain in the Teeth. Some languish under a continual Haemorragy, or Bleeding, till they almost insensibly expire; which they say is effected by the Sovach, or his Scholars: Some have lost their Noses and Lips; and others go with sore Arms and Feet, as if totally infect∣ed with the Morbus Gallicus, though it proves nothing but a natural course of the Climate, for that it is not contagious to any that converse with them.

Some through anguish of spirit run raving up and down, perfectly distract∣ed; others, as if possest, do many strange Feats, contorting and writhing their Bodies; * 1.106 a third are meer Ideots, call'd Colga; not so born, but happening (as they say) by finding the Nest of a Fowl call'd Jouwa, which not onely deprives them of Rationality, but incapacitates them to Virility. They are cur'd of this Disease by Witchcraft; but with this Injunction, they must never taste of any feather'd or flying Fowl.

Some having attained the full Perfection of Age, are suddenly vex'd with a terrible Swelling in their Cods, * 1.107 and a Shrinking of their Virile Part, without any possible means of Cure: * 1.108 Such as neighbour the Sea, and the places adja∣cent, are most subject to this Malady; to wit, the Inhabitants of Bolm, Cilm, and Bolmberre; and among them, such as sell and drink immoderately of the Palmito-Wine; and therefore it may with reason enough be suppos'd, this Dis∣ease grows by the use of that Wine: but whether so or no, we shall leave it to be determin'd by such, whose Curiosity hath better inform'd their Experi∣ence.

¶ WHen any man dies according to the course of Nature, * 1.109 or by Mis∣chance, presently all his Friends and Acquaintance meet, and encom∣passing the Corpse, sing Elegies and Epicediums, wherein they set forth at large the Praises and Actions of the Deceased in several Languages, every one chusing that wherein he thinks himself best skill'd and able with most Excel∣lency to express his fancy; for besides their own Quoian, they can all speak the Timnian, Hondrian, Mendian, Folgian, Galaan, and Gebbian Tongues.

For they account it a great Honour to have such a Funeral-Elegy compos'd and spoken in a high Strain and lofty Stile: And if any that have no continu∣al or publick Employment, happen at such a time to neglect to shew his Love to his deceased Friend or Relation, by such a Valedictory Gratulation, all his surviving Kindred and Acquaintance will exclaim against him, as one that merits not their kindness living, who will not joyn to lament for them dead.

After the Funeral-Orations are finish'd, the Corpse is washed, the Hair pleated, and the Body set upright, supported with stayes at the Back, and un∣der the Arms. If it be a Man, then they put a Bowe and Arrow into his hand, and array him with his best Garment, and his Friends bring Presents to the Funeral; viz. one Needles; another a Kettle or Bason; the third a Garment; a fourth Dishes, and Earthen and Tin Cups.

The Corpse thus set up and drest, some of his nearest Kinsmen come and play with Bowes and Arrows before him; and that done, kneel down with their backs turn'd to the Corpse, and draw the Bowe-string as far as they can, to signifie, that they would fight against his Enemy; and if he were slain in the Wars, or kill'd by any malicious Person, they would with such force take vengeance.

And lastly, a Man or a Woman is left by the Corpse to keep it, and take care to beat away the Flies, and Vermine which otherwise might annoy the body.

When the nearest Relations have finish'd their Ceremonies, and come from the house, immediately some Women of her Acquaintance apply themselves to the Widow to lament and condole with her; and falling down at her feet, use these words, Bqun e, Bqun e, that is, Be comforted, or Cease your lamentation. After the accomplishment of these sorrowful Complaints, the men carry the Corpse upon a Biere to the Grave, commonly made near the Sepulchres of their Ancestors, in some Tombouroi, or desolate Village, and there inhume it not above knee-deep; casting into the Ground after him Mats, Kettles, Basons, Beads, or what other Wealth he possest himself with, or was presented after his death, and then fill up the Hole with Earth, covering it over with a painted Mat fasten'd with Pins, and an Iron; close by setting up a Pole, whereon (if it be a Mans Corpse) they hang his Clothes and Arms in the manner of a Trophy; but if it were a Woman, some Pewter Porringers or Dishes are made fast with a Pin to the Ground: And with all convenient speed the Friends erect a Hut over the Grave, as a defence from the Rain, and also for a Monument, that their Memories may not altogether be forgotten.

The Kings Kindred are buried in an Island call'd Masach, lying in a Lake belonging to the River Plizoge, where King Flans-Sire, Father of the present Reigning King Flambore, in his life kept his Royal Seat, and now lies En∣tomb'd.

If any of the Friends have been absent, or in a Journey, upon his return he comes to the House of the Deceas'd, though it be two or three moneths after;

and falling down at the feet of the nearest Kinsman to the Deceas'd, bewails his loss. If he meets any of his Acquaintance of the near Friends to the De∣ceas'd, he embraces him, and salutes him with these words, Clau e, Clau e, that is, Lament, Lament; and then talk together of their Affairs.

When any Nobleman dies, one or two of his Slaves or Slavesses are put to death at the Grave, to be his Attendants in the Elizian Fields; others wait at the Grave, to whom the Friends of the Dead carry Presents of Bracelets, Beads, Coral, Rice, Tobacco, the Fruit Kola, and a Hen boil'd with Rice, which they may dispose as they please.

Though this destroying and killing of Slaves and Slavesses was an old Cu∣stom here, yet it is not much practis'd of late; and those of the Slaves that can run away, or defend themselves with weapons in their hands, are free: Therefore when an Eminent Person is dying, all his Slaves get away where they cannot be found, though the danger of their Lords Death is conceal'd as much as possible. The Run-away-Slaves when they come again, are rail'd at and upbraided with these or such like words: You will eat of your Lords Cost, but not die with him; who excuse themselves, saying, Life is sweet, and no man would willingly leave or have it taken away against his will.

The chiefest of the Friends at the beginning of the Mourning make a Vow of Abstinence, swearing by a holy Token, which they call Bolly-Gowe, with lifting up of hands, that they will keep it; for a common Person eight or ten days, and for a Lord, a moneth, or longer; in which time they may not eat any Rice, nor drink out of any whole Vessel or Cup, but onely out of a Pot∣sheard, or a little hole made in the ground; neither do the Men sleep with their Wives, nor may wear any Painted or Colour'd Clothes, but onely Black or White, cut with flashes, shaving their Hair, and sleep upon the bare ground.

When the time is expired, they come to the Bolly-Gowe, and discharge them∣selves with up-lifted Hands from the aforesaid Promise and Vow, with assu∣rance that they have kept the same. Lastly, a Funeral-Banquet is prepared; for which the Women boyl Rice, and the Men go into the Woods a Hunting, and bring home what they catch, which they boyl and eat, and so the whole Ceremony concludes.

Those that have fasted are gratifi'd with Presents, every one according to his quality; that is, common persons, one with a Bason, another with a little Garment, or Salt-Basket, or a piece of Iron or Mat; but persons of account, with a Staff; Iron, or other Goods, which with them are highly esteemed.

If the acquaintance of the Deceased have any suspicion that he died not a natural Death, they neither wash the Dead, nor lament, till the doubt be resolved; for they say, if any should mourn before, it would be impossible to bring to light the guilty person, because the Spirit of Envy over-hearing it, would not give any intimation of it.

The Enquiry is performed in thismanner: They take the Corps, or in stead of that, a piece of his Cloathes, with pairings of his Nails, and some of his Hair, sewing it up like a Pudding, mixed with scrapings of Bondu, or red Dying-wood: this Roll they put into a Mortar, where they stamp it. Then two eloquent Men are elected, who stand with two Iron Bills or Halberds be∣fore the Staff-bearers, and clashing their Bills, ask the Dead what he died of; and whether God took him away or no: if yea, then the Staff-bearers nod, as if they were half asleep; but if not, they shiver and shake. In like manner

they do upon the other Question of Who did it? Where is he? and, In what man∣ner was it done? At length they receive answer, that he died a violent Death, being kill'd by some Bolly; for Bolly is with them all manner of Medicinal Herbs, but the Herb that is venomous or poysonous, is call'd Sovach. But if Bolly hath kill'd him, then the Names of most Physical Herbs are recited, till they have found which of them was used; concluding however at last, that So∣vach hath kill'd him. Then is asked whether he was kill'd by a Man or a Wo∣man: and at last is asked concerning the place of his dwelling, and person. The guilty person being found, immediately they are chained to a great Block, and asked if he or she will acknowledge the Fact. If they can be brought to no acknowledgment, then is given to them Quony; or else, upon acknowledg∣ment of the Fact, are cruelly put to death.

This Quony is a Rind, or Bark of a Tree so call'd, which in the presence of Friends, by the suspected person, is pull'd off, that the Sap or Juice may be used without any deceit. The outermost scurf of the Bark they pare off, and beat in a Mortar with Water, which after the setling affords a very tart Juice; of which they give to those that are taken, three or four Kalabasjes, or Quarts, to drink in the Morning, and not at any other time. In the mean time they conjure and perswade themselves, that if the Captive be guilty of the Crime, he will die, or else not: At last, vomiting the Quony, he is held to be quit; but if he cannot do that, though at first he brings up a little Froth, he dies; and the Body is either burnt, or else cast into the River.

But if it happen that they cannot receive any answer, or but such as is un∣certain and Amphibological, resting thereon, though with much dissatisfa∣ction, they forthwith, without farther enquiry, interre the Corps: Yet never∣theless, they go to a Jakehmo, or Soothsayer; a vagrant sort of People, who have no certain Dwelling-place, but rove up and down; and before they answer any question, run about distractedly, one with a certain kind of Pots, or Cups; another sounding a Horn; the rest with Tabers, or little Drums, making a great noise and hurliburly, seeking, and calling for the Sovahmo; from whom, when they have received any information concerning the guilty person, then they proceed to the trial with the Quony, in the manner aforesaid.

¶ IN Right of Inheritance, or possessing of Goods, this method is observed: * 1.110 When the Man dies, and leaves behind him some Children that are un∣der Age, the elder Brother takes the possession of all the Slaves, Wives, Children, moveable and not moveable Goods of his Father, except his own Mother. Thus taking upon himself the government of the Family, after time of mourn∣ing finished, he draws to the place of Exercises before the King, in presence of all his acquaintance, with his Father's Bowe in his hand, and his Quiver of Arrows at his back, one end of the Bowe he sets upon the Ground, holding the other end in his hand; in that posture he declareth openly, that resolving to be valiant, and to follow his Father's course, he will now give a proof be∣fore all the Spectators. After he hath shewed his skill and activity, he pre∣sents himself before the King in the same posture as before, saying, He is resol∣ved to bear the burthen of his Family, to give the Children under Age an Example, to Till the Ground, to defend the Right of his Family, and what else befits him.

After the Decease of this Son, the next eldest Brother takes all. But if the eldest Son live, and have Children, then his younger Brothers and their Chil∣dren have onely so much of the Estate, as shall keep them till they come to

Manhood, and maintain the Slaves or Slavesses given him in his Father's life∣time: for it is the custom in that Countrey, that people of ability bestow up∣on their Children, as well Sons as Daughters, from their Infancy some Slaves.

But if the Father dies, leaving onely Daughters, either his Father's Brother, if living, or else his Father's Brother's Son, that the Name may not be extinct, shall inherit.

But if there be no Male-issue of the Father's side, the King is Heir, and takes as well Slaves as Goods and Women to him, allowing a sufficient mainte∣nance to some trusty Person for the bringing up of the Children.

¶ THe Quoia's speak not onely their own Timnian, * 1.111 Hondian, Mendian, and Folgian Languages, but also those of Gala and Gebbe.

The People of Gebbe and Folgia differ in Speech but little; however the Fol∣gian, being the smoothest and the noblest, is call'd Mendi-ko, The Lordly-Tongue; partly (as we said) for its Elegancy and Smoothness, partly because of the Dominion the Folgia's hold over the Quoia's, and Gebbe-Monou, that is, the Peo∣ple of Gebbe; for Monou in that Idiom signifies People.

They of Konde-Quoia or High-Quoia, differ in Dialect from the Quoia's near the Sea.

¶ IN the Head of the Constellation Taurus, * 1.112 are five Stars near the Pleiades, which they call Manja-Ding, that is, Lords-Childe, upon which they look to know whether it be Midnight, * 1.113 or past Midnight; but know not how to divide Time into Hours, nor how to reckon the Age of the Moon. Those that dwell in Daula look upon these five Stars appearing in the Evening to the West, as a Sign of a Raining-time.

¶ THe Authority and Greatness of Quoia, * 1.114 is at present supported more by Wisdom and Policy, than by Power; because the subjected Countreys of Cilm, Bolm, and Bolmberre, are accounted more powerful than it. This the Parable of King Flamboers Brother, nam'd Cia-Haddo, seem'd to hint to Flamboere's eldest Son, threatning Massakoey, Lord of Bolm, to take his Coun∣trey. There was (said he) in antient time a Fowl, with a very fine red Head and Neck, but beyond that, thin of Feathers, and a small Train; but for his beautiful out-side appear∣ance, was by other Birds chosen King: This Bird sensible of his own defects, kept in a Bottel; and when the Council of Fowls was assembled, put the Head and Neck onely out; till at length by course of time, the great Sacrifice was to be made to the Idol Belli in the Wood, which none but the King in Person might perform; at which time compell'd to dissert his Bottle, his poverty and wants were discover'd to his great damage. Thus far Cia-Haddo. And without doubt he discover'd a great Prudence in that witty Apo∣thegm; for to prevent discovery, it is not permitted to the People lying Northwards, to pass through the Easterly Countreys; nor for those of the East, to go with their Ambassadors or Merchants through the West Coun∣trey: and this (as we said) that they should not discover the Secrets, and Conveniences or Inconveniences of the State; therefore they of Quoia keep them at distance, and traffick for Eastern Wares at reasonable Rates, which they vent to the West, in Exchange for such as are fit for Barter; and Exchange with European Merchants, for such Commodities as yield ready Truck with those of the East.

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In like manner also the People of the Upper Countreys prohibit the Quoians to travel through their Land; for it is a particular favour, that the King of Quoia may take to Wife the Daughter of the King of Manou, and at his plea∣sure pass through the Folgian Territories.

¶ WE will next proceed to their Government; * 1.115 and first begin with Quoia-Bercoma, at present Commanded by a King, with the Title of Don∣dagh, his Name Flamboere the Fourth, Grandson of one Bokwalla, formerly Prince of the Karou's, who by the assistance of the Folgians conquering the Veyes after a tedious War, laid here the Foundations of a Potent Monarchy to his Successors; invited thereto by the fertility of the Soil, and an innate ambition and thirst of Soveraignty. This acquired Grandeur hath been supported with such Policy, that the Inhabitants at all publick Meetings and Solemnities to this day Sing, He descended from above.

This King, like his Ancestors, holds in subjection Folgia, * 1.116 the Region of Cape de Monte, and the adjacent places formerly belonging to the people Vey and Puy; whereupon the Heir of the Crown, when the King dies, requires Earth from the Ambassadors of Folgia in token of Acknowledgement, and Installs the Lord of Bolmberre with the Title of Dondagh, by a particular Ceremony; of which we shall give this brief Account.

The Heir is laid flat upon the ground, with his Face downward, and some Earth thrown upon him: Lying thus, they ask what Name he desireth to have; and what he chuses, they impose together with the Title of Dondagh. Then they cause him to rise, and put a Bowe into his hand, and a Quiver of Arrows, to defend the Countrey with; which performed, he distributes Slaves, Clothes, Kettles, Basons and such like Presents to the King of Quoia.

The Power of the present Quoian-Prince is absolute and unlimited; so that he is the onely and sole Judge of all Causes: For although he admit his Coun∣sellors sometimes to give their Opinions, yet they signifie nothing, for he fol∣lows his own single resolved Determinations.

This absolute Power makes him jealous of his Honor: For, he will not en∣dure it should be diminished by any. His highest Pomp consists in sitting upon a Shield, whereby he gives to understand, that he is the Protection and De∣fence of the Countrey, and the manager of all Wars, pacifying Civil Insur∣rections, and other Weighty Matters belonging to him alone. His Title as we said is Dondagh, which is as much as Monarch.

When any Nobleman proves disobedient and will not appear before him on Summons, then he sends his Koredo, that is, his Shield, * 1.117 as if he would say upbraidingly, if you be not obedient, be Lord your self, and bear the burden of the Countrey. This peremptory Command by the Shield is sent by two Drummers, who as soon as they come near the Offenders Habitation, begin to beat their Drums, and so continue without ceasing, till they have delivered the Shield; upon receipt whereof, without delay, he must speed away to the Court, carrying the Shield with him, which he presents to the King, begging forgiveness of his miscarriages; and so taking up Earth before the King, hum∣bles himself.

¶ THose that make an Address to the King to obtain his Favor, * 1.118 make their way with Presents of Ribbons, Elephants-Teeth, or such things which he must deliver at the house of the Kings chiefest Wife; who receiving

the same bears it to the King, with request, that the person may be admitted to his Presence: If the King accept it, the person hath leave to enter, other∣wise, if any complaints be brought against him, he sends it back, yet so, as the Presenter dares not receive and carry it away, but continues his Suit by Friends without intermission; by whose frequent and renewed mediations, the King at last seeming a little pacified, remits his severity, takes the Present, and calls for the Suppliant; who entring the Royal Presence, goes bowing all along towards the King, who sits on the ground upon a Matt, leaning upon a Stoole: when he approaches within two steps, he bows himself to the Earth, kneeling down upon one Knee with his right Elbow to the Earth, and names the Kings Title, Dondagh: whereupon the King if pleas'd answers, Namady, that is, I thank you, if not, sits silent. If it be a person of Quality, and his Subject, the King perhaps causes a Matt to be spread on the ground, upon which sit∣ting at the distance of a Pace, he declares what he hath to request. But if he be a Foraigner that comes onely to Salute the King, without any further Cere∣mony he is conducted to him, receiving an immediate dispatch. If the person have any Proposition, Petition or Complaint to make, upon notice thereof, a Jilly, or Interpreter is call'd, who coming with his Bow in his hand, opens to the King the whole matter, sentence by sentence; whereto according to the qua∣lity of the Affair, he receives answer, with promise, if upon a Complaint, that as soon as he hath heard what the other party can say in his defence, he will forthwith give Judgment according to Right.

If any man come to thank the King for doing Exemplary Justice in a dif∣ficult Cause, * 1.119 after his Presents receiv'd, he devests himself of all his Clothes and Ornaments, saving onely a little Cloth to cover his Pudenda; so casts him∣self backwards upon the ground, and instantly turning again, rises upon one knee, takes up earth with his hand, and lays it upon his head; then leaning with one elbow upon the earth, he says three times, Dondagh: whereupon the King answers some times, Namady, that is to say, I thank you; and some∣times otherwise, as he thinks fit.

The first Address usually is perform'd in his own House in the presence of his chiefest Wife. But such as concern Justice, or the State of the Countrey, he hears in the Council-House, in the presence of the Lords of the Council: This Assembly they call Simannoe.

When some Eminent Person sent from a Neighbor King desires Audience, one of the Kings Wives goes with a Present, and tells him who sent it: where∣upon the Person appears before the King, and takes earth.

When an Ambassador sent from another great Prince approaches the Bor∣ders, he gives notice of his coming; whereupon he is order'd to remain in the next Town till all be made ready, as is requisite in the Kings Town. There he is receiv'd with great Festivals, which consists in Exercising with Bowes and Arrows, Assagays, Launces and Shields, as if they were fighting against Enemies, with great Drummings and Songs of War; which the Ambassador having seen, and the Sport ended, the King retires to the Council-House; where after a little stay, enquiry is made if the King may be saluted; where∣upon having permission, the Ambassador enters, and kneeling upon his knee with his back to the King, and his Bowe in his hand bent to the utmost, allusively implying, that he will set himself to the utmost against his Enemies. In the intervals of these Passages, the Ambassadors Followers chant forth his Praises, as before the Kings Servants sung Elogiums to his Honour. These

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Encomiums they always begin with these words; Polo, Polo, Sammach: Then continuing, they say, Comme bolle machang, that is, His handy-work is not to be equal∣led by another man: Doogo Doogo Folmaa Hondo Mco, that is, Pursuer of. Doogo Fol∣maa and Hondo Moo; Sulle Tomba Query Asch, that is, I will stick as close as Pitch to him that opposes me.

This Address the King receives in his Simannoe, or Council-House, being open on all sides, with great attendance round about. After this Gratulato∣ry Salutation, the Ambassador desires leave to relate his Embassie, but is put off till the next day; so retiring, he diverts himself till the appointed time in Feasts and Sportive Recreations.

The Ambassador receives Answer by the Kings Direction from a Jilly, or In∣terpreter; after which they shew the Ambassador and his Retinue the place where they are to remain; where the Kings Slaves bring them Water to wash, and the Kings Women bring very neatly drest, in Dishes set on their heads, Rice and Flesh, much or little, according to the number of his Attendants. The Entertainment ended, the King sends him for his Welcome, Wine, and other Presents, either a Kettle, Bason, or such like.

If any European Merchant bring the King a Present, he is invited to eat with him; but with no Black, how great of State soever, will he eat out of the same Dish: but lets their Meat be carried by his Women to the place where they are.

When the King dies, the eldest Brother succeeds in his Throne, * 1.120 and enjoys his Rice-Fields, Slaves, and Women, except those which in his life were given to the Children.

The Folgia's are under the Emperor of Manou, or Manoe, a mighty Prince; * 1.121 who receives of them yearly Tributes in Slaves, Salt, red Cloth, Kettles, Ba∣sons, and such like: for which he bestows on them as a Gratuity, certain Cloathes call'd Quaqua-Cloathes, which the Folgian send to the Quoians, as they again to the Bolmian, or Hondoian Lords.

The People of Gala-Monou also give Presents to this King of Monou yearly, whose Name at present is Quawawoe, but his Predecessors was Mendino; but the Folgia's, as an acknowledgment of their accustomed subjection to them of Monou, call them Mendi-Manou, that is to say, Lord, the word properly so sig∣nifying. For the same cause the Quoians have the like Title of Mendi-Monou both from the Folgia's, Bolmasses, and Timnasses. And this Power of the Mendi-Monou is (as we said already) more maintain'd by Wisdom than Force.

The Folgia's are esteemed Rich, and their Language Courtly and Eloquent; which wins great respect, and by their Neighbors call'd Mendi-Co, The Lordly Tongue.

¶ HOndo hath many several Princes; the chiefest, appointed by the Quoians, * 1.122 are Mossilago, Dedowach, Dangoerro, and Dandi, each lying far distant from the other. From hence come yearly Merchants, bringing Slaves and Elephants-Teeth; who apply themselves in the name of their Lords to King Flamboere, who returns by them back again to their Lords, red Cloathes, Cop∣per Kettles, Basons, Cypress, or Quaqua-Cloathes, and Salt which is not dri'd in Pans by the heat of Sun; but boil'd from the Sea-water with great labour and toil.

¶ THe Quoians, * 1.123 as also those of Bolm, Timna, Cilm, Folgia, Hondo, Gala, and Manou, are all Circumcised according to the Mahumetan manner, and acknowledge one God, the Creator of Heaven, Earth, and Men; and jointly with these they worship no visible earthly Creature; but they highly honour the Sun, Moon, and Stars. They neither represent the Deity nor Spirits in the shape of Men or Beasts; onely in Bolma and Timna some Images, by them call'd Janaa, they set in the Ways, and by their Houses, as remembrances of their deceased Ancestors and Friends.

They believe that the Almighty, * 1.124 whom they call Kanuo, will punish all their misdeeds, and encourage well-doing; therefore they call upon him when they are oppressed, for his presence and aid; and that he will take no∣tice of their Cause, and do them Justice; continually inculcating in all their speeches; That there shall a time come, in which all evil-doers shall receive their wages.

They believe that their Friends after their death become Spirits; which they call Jannack, or Jannanen, and say, that they are omniscient to take cognisance of all Causes which happen among them; and therefore they hold familiar Colloquies with them, telling them all troubles and adversities under which they labour.

Those that go into the Woods to Hunt, * 1.125 and take Elephants, or Buffles, or begin any other dangerous Enterprize, go first and offer to the Spirit of their deceased Parents, either a Cow, or Wine, or Rice, which they leave on the Grave.

The high times of Sacrificing are kept among them with great Joy, Dan∣cing and Singing. But besides those solemn times, the King calls upon the Souls of his Father and Mother almost in every Matter of difficulty.

They believe the Spirits of their near acquaintance are protectors of their Houses, and therefore in all Sorrow and Sickness they bring Wine and Food out of their Houses into the Way, and there leave it for an Offering.

They say farther, that these Spirits have their habitation in the Woods: whereupon all that are distressed, and look for help from God by them, go thither, complaining and lamenting their affliction; but with awful reverence: for how great soever any man is, yet he fears very much in the presence of God. For this cause all acts of Devotion are performed in those solitary Re∣cesses; into which no Women or Children may be permitted to come.

In this Place twice; thrice, or oftner in the year, according to the fruitful∣ness of the Season, and when Hunting is good, all sorts of Meat-offerings are brought to feed the Spirits.

They say Circumcision hath been received among them from hand to hand from all antiquity, * 1.126 and that God hath commanded it.

They Circumcise Children at half a year old, though sometime, by the Mothers tenderness, they are kept to the second or third year; but then the Cure proves more difficult, because the Children going naked, the Air and Sun make the Cut swell and fester; which they heal by washing with the Juice of green Herbs.

They have together with Circumcision another Custom, which they call Belli-Paaro, whereby they say they become incorporated into the society of Spirits, and therefore take part with them in eating the before-mention'd Offerings. But this is kept hidden from Women, and unskilful persons; to whom they affirm, that the Jaananen, or Spirits themselves eat it: And if any

dare be so bold, as either out of covetousness or curiosity to peep into this secret, if it happen to be known, they are by some sudden and undiscovered means im∣mediately made away.

The received Tokens of Belli-Paaro are seldom shewn, viz. once in twenty, * 1.127 or five and twenty years, and then they tell strange Stories of it, and how they came to the high favour of receiving them: which are nothing else but some rows of Cuts, from the Neck along both the Shoulder-blades. * 1.128 Those that have them are accounted very understanding persons: and when they grow old, in all Assemblies and Councils, relating to State-Affairs, or Causes Criminal, wherein Life is concern'd, may be present, and give their opinion.

Of the manner of receiving these Marks, take this short account:

There is by the Kings order a place in the Wood appointed of about two or three miles compass, * 1.129 whither are brought the Youths that have not been Marked, by main force and against their wills, because they believe they shall be kill'd or chang'd; and therefore they take a sorrowfull farewell of their Friends and Parents, as if they went indeed to their death.

When now they are lodged in the Wood, continually some Ancient per∣sons which have had the Tokens of Belli-Paaro very long, attend to teach and instruct them what behavior they shall use; leading them a strange and uncouth Dance, and causing them to learn some Verses which they call Belli-Dong, being Songs and Encomiums of Belli, stuffed with obscene and scurrulous lan∣guage.

Hither the women bring Rice, Bonano's, and all sort of Fruit, prepared for an Offering, and give it up to the Soggonoe, that is, the Ancientest Marked, whom the women hold for Saints, praying them by all means to hinder that their Children in the change should not be burnt to ashes. Thither also goes the King, and stays two or three days.

This living in the Wood continues four or five years; during which time there are new comers daily brought thither.

None unmark'd may come near this place, onely women in manner before mention'd, and they too must come and go singing with a loud noise; for if it fall out that any pass by silently, they are taken away by the Spirits, without ever being heard of more.

When they come out of this Wood, * 1.130 they are brought by the Belli-Soggonoe into Huts made for that purpose, where they are permitted to eat and drink familiarly with the women, and afterwards are anew instructed in causes which concern the Wars, Justice, and Government.

At their first coming abroad, they behave themselves as if they then came newly into the world, not knowing (or at least wise so pretending) where their Parents dwell, and so totally changed, that they have forgot their Names; nor indeed do they the meanest or most common act of Childhood, without being first tutor'd therein by the Soggonoe.

At this their beginning appearance, * 1.131 they are habited with Plumes of Fea∣thers, and Caps made of the Bark of Trees, with long flappets hanging down before their Faces. After some days stay in the Huts, in such array, with Bells about their Legs, and Beads mixt with Leopards Teeth about their Necks, and their Hair plaited, they are brought openly to the Sporting-place, where the women and other people of all sorts, of all Towns and Villages lying round about, are gathered together to see them Dance the Belli-Dance, the postures whereof they learned in the Wood.

Those whose dull apprehensions, * 1.132 or unactive bodies have not carried them forward to perform their parts in this Dance, are contemned, as having spent their time in abhorr'd idleness.

After the end of the Dance, every one call'd by his new name, receiv'd in the Holy Wood from the Soggenoe, is delivered to his Parents with these words, These are your Parents or Tutors, learn hereafter to know one another again.

Lastly, * 1.133 Every one of them must swear by Belli-Paaro, that is, by Divine Ju∣stice, That he will do the Command imposed on him; that he will not withdraw out of this or that Town, nor reproach any persons or places, or carry any thing away, or hinder the passing of the Canoo's, or keep Oyl, Nuts, and Houses: Then they put a Stick in the Earth, with a bush of Rushes, resembling a Broom on the top, and Charm it by these words, Hucquonono Hucquo, Hucquonono Hucquo, Hucquonono Hucquo, which concern Belli onely, and are not used otherwise in the Language. Who ever offends against this Oath, receives punishment according to the weighti∣ness of the matter.

In case of breaking this Determination, * 1.134 the Falsifier is laid into a Basket with Thorns, and so rowl'd thorow the Town, and back again, till that his skin and flesh is torn; besides they give him Buasille, that is, Pepper mixt with wa∣ter, which they put into his Mouth, Eyes, Ears, and strow or sprinkle it over his whole Body.

But the Trial of Adultery by this kind of Oath, * 1.135 is made by the Magistrate after many Pre-admonitions, and inflicted onely upon the transgressing Wo∣man, according to this Custom.

The complaining Husband, who will have his Wife tryed by Belli, or be deliver'd up to the Spirits, as they call them; brings her in the Evening into the Sporting-place, before the Council assembled for that purpose; where af∣ter the calling of the Jannanen into her company, she is blindfolded, that she may see nothing, and admonish'd to forsake her evil life, and not go to any but her own Husband; and presently a great noise and murmure is rais'd, as if Spirits did appear, with some not intelligible (though articulate) Sounds, that are interpreted aloud before the whole Congregation, with threatnings, that if ever she commit such an offence again, she shall be punish'd according to her deserts; and if she be ever thereafter detected of the like Crime, she shall, together with her Paramour, be carried away by the Jannanen.

In like manner, some are adjur'd for breaking the Decrees made by the King, or the Magistrate, for Bloudshed, and for taking away the Slave of an∣other, and selling him, and such like.

Now this taking away of Offenders by the Jannanen, * 1.136 is made terrible by this means; In the Evening with a great rushing noise comes into the Town, their Belli. Soggenoe having certain Rattle-clappers, making a great noise, so that the common people wonder at the hurliburly; being come to the Sporting∣place, where the Offenders are set, they take with them as many as are there, with such a fearful Clamour, that the Out-cries of the Offenders cannot be heard; so are they hurried to the Holy Wood, from whence they never return. During the time of this Performance, no Woman or unmark'd person may look out of the house, upon pain of being fetcht from thence in like manner.

This Belli-Paaro is also common in Hondo, * 1.137 Folgia, Gala, and Gebbe; also a∣mong the Bolmesses and Cilmesses.

And though it is apparent enough, * 1.138 what it is to be kill'd by Belli, for that

the Execution of Belli is but the Kings Form of Justice; yet no man dares for fear of Death, take upon him to interrupt it: For the Belli-Soggenoe hold this Ceremony to be so Sacred, and have it in such high esteem, that the King himself (who is as it were the Head of Belli) declares himself his Vassal, and to be subject to his Mysteries. Indeed he takes care in the Council, * 1.139 that none be adjur'd by Belli, nor that the Jannanen take away any without his know∣ledge or consent; onely inflicting that Punishment upon his own Subjects, though sometimes a few have dar'd to resist it, and fly into another Province rather than submit.

And here we may observe, that none is given up to the Jannanen, * 1.140 but with good Consideration, and upon clear Evidence of Guilt; to prove which, they have a Water of Cursing, boyl'd of Barks and Herbs, which by the Elders of the Mystery is put upon the hand of the charg'd Party lukewarm; if he be innocent, it will not hurt; but will corrode and burn the Skin off, if guilty.

Thus is Adultery, Thievery, and Lying try'd.

The foresaid Water of Cursing, or rather of Divination, wherewith they ex∣tort the Truth in all doubtful matters, as we have related, is thus prepared. The Bollimo takes the thick Rind of the great Tree Nelle, and the Rind of Quo∣ny, growing also upon a great Tree bearing Seed, used in the making of Poy∣son for their Arrows; and mixed with water, as we said, is given to them to drink who are accused of Sovach. Thirdly, He takes some leaves of the Borrow-Tree, from which beaten and pressed proceeds a white Juyce, which with some mitigating Ingredients makes an excellent Purge, but the strongest taken alone is mortal Poyson. Moreover, the Bollimo adds to the before-recited long Pepper, and a piece of Mannoone about the bigness of a Bean. All these are put into a little Pot or Horn, and filled up with the Urine of a young man that had never known a woman. This done, they scrape in a little Bonda, that is, red Dying-weed. Lastly, daubing the four sides of the Pot with Mannoone chawed in the mouth, it is ready to be set on the fire, which must be made un∣der the open Heaven in the morning at Sun-rise, or in the evening at Sun-set, of green Wood. As soon as the water begins to boil, the Bollimo takes a piece of Domboo, being a Tree that bears fruit like a Medlar, and puts it under the Seeth∣ing Pot; in the mean time trying whether the Ingredients have boyl'd enough, and repeating secretly the names of the suspected persons, or of other matters, * 1.141 to which the Witchcraft must be applied. When all is ready, the Bollimo takes the arms or legs of the suspected persons, and washeth them clean with fair water. At length he puts his Divining-Staff, which is bruised and tufted at the end, into the Pot, and drops or presseth the water out of it upon the arm or leg of the suspected person, muttering these words over it: Is he guilty of this, or hath he done this or that; if yea, then let it scald or burn him, till the very skin come off. Now if the person remain unhurt they hold him innocent, and proceed to the trial of another, till the guilty be discovered; and this is done so long, till the name of the guilty, or the person be found out.

The Criminal thus found, is without any long procrastinating put to death. The manner of which, according to the variety of Places is different; but the most usual thus: The Executioner takes the Offender, and leads him with his Hands tied behind, and his Eyes blind-folded, either into an open Field or a Wood; whither being come, the Offender upon his Knees, his Head bowed down, he first runs through the Body with an Assagay, or Simi∣ter,

and afterwards chops off his Head with an Axe: for they do not believe he is dead till his Head be cut off. The Carcase cut into four quarters, after great lamentations, they leave in the Field as a Prey to the Beasts and Fowl, but the Friends take away the Head as a great Present, and boiling it in a Kettle, drink up the Broth, but hang the Scull by their Fetisso, or Idol.

The like Trial is also made of other Offences among the Blacks in Quoia; and also in Gala, Hondo, Bolm, Cilm, and many other Places: so that every one had need to be circumspect and careful to prevent suspicion, especially the Women, who are for every trifling Caprichio of their Husbands, brought in question of their Honesty.

Now if one of the King's Women lash out, * 1.142 or go abroad after other Men, and the King be enraged against it, then he causeth them to be so posses∣sed, that if they touch any Masculine person, small or great, they suddenly fall into a kind of Epileptick Fit; according to which three Wives of the present King Flamboere suffered: one of which receiving her Daughters Child, not knowing it was a Boy, fell into a Swoon, and might therein have died, if the other Women had not run to the King, and beseeched him that the Bollimo might release her from the Curse. But because this is an extraordinary thing, no other but the King himself may put it in execution, and that very seldom.

¶ ANd as the Men have the Marks of Belli, * 1.143 so here the Women have a Mark of Obligation, which they call Nesogge; which first took origi∣nal from Goula, and done in manner following: They bring ten, twelve, or more Maids of full Age, as also Women, into a peculiar place in the Wood not far from the Town; where first Huts are made for them, then a Woman comes out of Goula, whom they call Soghwilly, to be the chiefest in this Work of the Garnoer, or Vala Sandyla, as they term it. This Soghwilly, or Priestess gives the Assembly Hens to eat, with the Obligation to stay with her in that place, which she names Sandy-Latee, that is, Hens of the Agreement. After that she shaves off their Hair, and the next day brings them to a Brook in the Wood, where the aforesaid Soghwilly, by Incision cut out the Mother, not without great pain and terror; then washing and healing the Wound with green Herbs, which sometimes requires ten or twelve days time.

They stay there afterwards three or four Moneths, to learn Dances and Verses of Zaudy; which are not onely difficult to learn, but contain very lit∣tle that can be sung with honesty, by any that do but pretend to be chaste and modest. During their abode together in recess they go as naked as they were born, their Clothes being taken away at the first coming of the Soghwilly. When the time draws near that they shall be brought from thence, they make a kind of Garments of the Rind of Trees, Dy'd red and yellow; and their Friends are permitted to bring them Arm-Rings, Beads, Bells, to put about their Legs when they Dance, and other things to adorn themselves at their coming forth. When they enter the Town, or Village, where the People ga∣ther together as if it were some Holiday, the Soghwilly leads to the Sporting-place, where one sits Drumming with two Sticks on a round hollow piece of Wood. By the ill-tun'd Musick of which (if so we may call it) Instrument, the Simodiuno, or Sandi-Simodiuno, that is, Children of Sandy, every one understands his time; and they all seek to exceed one another in Dancing.

This Solemnity ended, they make these Women to swear by Noe-Soggo, that

is, by their Faithfulness: and thenceforth all people must give credit to their words.

They have no select Days set apart for their Ceremonies, * 1.144 nor do they keep holy the seventh, but the first Day of the New-Moon, when they see it appear; for then they do no manner of work: neither do they any work in Planting on that day when any one drinks Quony, nor when any one dies in the same Town; for they believe if they should, that the Mille and Rice would grow red, seeing, as they say, it is a day of Blood; but they may freely go a Hunting.

Thus far we have thought fit to give an account of what concerns the King∣dom of Quoia; now we shall, for the better connexion and understanding of what before is mention'd, and that which is yet to be related, give you the Narrative in what manner the Karou's were dispossest of their Countrey by the Folgia's; and Vey, Puy, and Quoia-Berkoma subjected.

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, * 1.145 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, * 1.146 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, * 1.147 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; * 1.148 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, * 1.149 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, * 1.150 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, * 1.151 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, * 1.152 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, * 1.153 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; * 1.154 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; * 1.155 which unmannerly clownish behavior Manimassah so resented, * 1.156 (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, * 1.157 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, * 1.158 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, * 1.159 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, * 1.160 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; * 1.161 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, * 1.162 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, * 1.163 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, * 1.164 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, * 1.165 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, * 1.166 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, * 1.167 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, * 1.168 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; * 1.169 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, * 1.170 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, * 1.171 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, * 1.172 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, * 1.173 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, * 1.174 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, * 1.175 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.

The Coast from Cape de Mesurado, to the Grain-Coast.

ABout twelve miles Eastward from Cape de Monte, lieth Cape de Mesurado, * 1.176 a high Mountain, at the North Point. A mile and a half, * 1.177 or two mile Eastward of which the shallow River of St. Paul falls into the Sea, passable onely with Boats and Sloops. The Land about Cape de Monte and this River, containing about ten miles and a half, is low, over-grown with Bushes and Brambles; but the Cape a high Mountain, and runs with the South Point steep down in the Sea, and seems to Sea-men coming from the South an Island, because the low Grounds on the other side cannot be seen.

The Countrey about the Cape de Mesurado, is call'd Gebbe, * 1.178 and the People Gebbe-Monou, subjected and conquered, as in the manner newly related.

Nine or ten miles from Cape Mesurado, lieth Rio Junk, * 1.179 also in Portuguese call'd Rio del Punte, having a violent Stream; yet at the deepest not above eight Foot Water: by which impediment made passable not without great labour and dif∣ficulty. The Land hereabout over-grown with Bushes and Brambles, yet standing higher, may be farther seen to the Sea. On the South-end of Rio Junk, some little Groves appear upon a rising Ground; beyond which to the In-land, three swelling Hills raise heads to a heighth discernable far off at Sea.

Eight miles from Rio Junk, St. Johns River empties its Streams into the Sea, * 1.180 being shaded with lofty Trees. The Coast reacheth betwixt both, South-East Easterly.

Eastward of this River, within the Countrey, a high Mountain shews it self in the shape of a Bowe, being high in the middle, and low at both ends.

Six miles from it lieth a Village call'd Tabe Kanee; and a little forward to the Sea, a Cliff; where the Land begins to grow low, and so continues to Rio Sestos.

In the mid-way between Tabe Kanee and Sestos, stands a small Village call'd Petit Dispo, with an adjoining Cliff like the former.

Three miles from Del Punte, you meet with the Brook Petit, or Little-water, by the Blacks call'd Tabo Dagron, perhaps from the Name of the King who has the Command there.

The Grain-Coast.

THe Grain-Coast, so call'd by the Europeans, * 1.181 from the abundance of Fruits and Grain there growing, (the chief of which, named by Physicians and Apothecaries, Grain of Paradise) takes its beginning at the River Sestos, and reaches two miles beyond Cape de Palm, being a Tract of forty miles, though some make it begin at Cape de Monte, or Serre-Lions, and end as before.

Divers Geographers make this whole Coast one Kingdom, * 1.182 and name it Mellegette, or Melli, from the abundance of Grain of Paradise there growing,

which the Natives call Mellegette. And they not onely give it the Grain-Coast, but further include within it the Jurisdiction of Bitonen.

But Leo Africanus circumscribes it with other Limits; * 1.183 for in the North he bounds it with Geneva, or Genni, below Gualata; on the South, with certain Wilder∣nesses and Mountains; in the East, Gago; and in the West, divers great Woods; adding further, that the chiefest City, named Melli, lying thirty days Journey from Tombute, contains above six thousand Houses, and gives Name to the whole: But we will not farther dispute this matter, but proceed to set before you the Places and Rivers, lying upon, and within this Coast.

Six miles from Petit Brook, * 1.184 and nine from Rio Junk, the River Sestos glides, with a smooth strong Current, between high Cliffs on either side: Westward of which the Countrey appears woody. Here the Grain-Coast takes its begin∣ning.

Three miles up this Water stands the King's Village, where commonly the Ships lie at an Anchor to Trade.

A mile and a half Eastward you come to Little Sestos, * 1.185 a Village, neighbor'd by a Cliff extending into the Sea, and having one Tree upon it as a Land-Mark.

Five miles forward lieth Cabo Baixos, * 1.186 that is, Dry Head, by reason of the Shelf lying before it in the Sea. It is a round Hill, a mile and a half from the Main Land.

Eastward of Cabo Baixos you may see a white Rock, appearing far off coming by Sea out of the South, like a Ship with a Sail. And farther into the Sea many others, which threaten great danger to the ignorant Sea-man; and the rather, because most of them are cover'd with Water.

Three miles from hence the Village Zanwyn shews it self, * 1.187 with a River of the same Name; on whose Banks stands a great Wood, where are many tall and lofty Trees.

A mile Easterly lies the Hamlet Bofow; and half a mile thence Little Setter: distant from which three miles you may view the Village Bottowa, seated on the rising of a high Land near the Sea-Coast, opposite to Cape Swine; and to the Southward, a Village of the same Name, by a small Rivers side.

Four miles more Eastward you discover the little Town Sabrebon, or Souwe∣robo; then to a place named Krow, which directs you presently to a promi∣nent Cape with three black Points. From Bottowa the Coast reaches South-East and by East for five miles, with low and uniform Land, little known to Sea-men, onely before Setter and Krow some high and bare Trees raise them∣selves into the Air like Masts of Ships laid up.

Passing four or five miles from Krow you come to a Village call'd Wappen, * 1.188 or Wabbo, in a Valley, with a Stream of fresh Water adjoining, and five or six streight Trees on the East-side.

Before Wappen lieth an Island, and by it the greatest Cliff in all this Coast, besides many smaller; and farther on the right hand another Cliff, uni∣ted on the East with the Land; at whose Edge lieth a Pond, whereinto the fresh Water falls out of the Woods. Hither the Sea-men bring their Casks commonly into the Village; which the Blacks fill with Water, receiving for their pains Cotton-Seed, or Beads. The like Pond is by Krow, behind the Cliffs: whither also the Sea-men commonly go with their Boats to fetch fresh Water; which the Blacks bring them in Pots out of the Woods, and re∣ceive the like reward.

From Wappen you come next to Drowya, thence to Great Setter, * 1.189 by the French call'd Parys; adjoyning to which rises a large Pool of fresh water. This Tract runs South-East and by South: About three miles from Great Setter you may discover the Township of Gojaven; and two miles more forward Garway, * 1.190 close by Cape de Palm; and two miles to the East, another Village call'd Grey∣way or Grouway. Here a small River passes, but full of Rocks and Sandy Banks, yet passable enough with Boats along the Southern Shore, where some few Houses are erected. From hence all Ships that arrive there, plentifully furnish themselves both with fresh Water and Wood.

Next in order comes the high Point, Cabo das Palmas, or Cape Palm, * 1.191 in four Degrees, and fifteen Minutes North Latitude; on whose Westerly Corner are three round Hills; and a little farther within Land, a round Grove of Palm-Trees, which may be seen far at Sea, from whence this Point took the Name of Cabo das Palmas.

Near to this, in Sandy-Bay arriving Ships finde a convenient Harbour: A mile Easterly of which up into the Countrey, appears a long Mountain, look∣ing like double Land: From the first Point of Palm Cape, a ledge of Rocks shoot South South-East, a mile into the Sea; and before them a great Shelf two miles long; between them the Tide runs very strong to the East, having ten or eleven fathom Water: Two miles more Eastward, * 1.192 the Village Gru∣way stands seated at the end of the Grain-Coast.

This whole Shore is very full of Rocks; for which reason, the Ships which Ride there, are in no little danger.

In February, March, and April, here is fair and clear Weather, with cooling Breezes, and gentle Westerly Winds.

In the middle of May there begin South and South-East Winds, * 1.193 which bring with them not onely stormy Gusts, as Hericanes, but also Thunder, Lightning, and great Rains, that continue June, July, August, September, October, November, December, and to the latter end of January: During part of this time, the Sun being in the Zenith, or Vertical Point of the Heavens, sends down its Beams perpendicular.

The Land here yields great plenty of Mille, Cotton, Rice, * 1.194 good Palmeto-Wine, besides divers sorts of Grain, especially that call'd of Paradise, or Me∣legette.

The Plant that bears Melegette hath thick Leaves, better than three inches long, and three broad, with a thick rib in the middle, out of which shoot many Veins, which have a Spicie-taste like those of the Seed.

The Fruit is but little of size, cover'd with a poisonous, tough, Russet-co∣lour'd, or rather Pale-brown Shell, and under that a Film fill'd with many smooth and pointed small Seeds, white within, biting as Pepper and Ginger.

The unripe Grains are red, and pleasant in taste.

The greatest, smoothest, and Chess-nut-colour'd, are the best; and the blackest the worst.

No kind of Beasts are here wanting, by which means there is all necessary Provision to be had for Seamen.

The Blacks in these Parts are very envious to all Strangers, * 1.195 and steal from them what ever they can lay their hands on; so that it behoves all Dealers to have a circumspect eye over their Goods: And in some places they must be careful of themselves; for being Cannibals, they eat whomsoever they can get into their power.

[illustration]

'T FORT TACARAY, ofte WITSEN.

and about half flood a fathom and a half deep, but within very dry and nar∣row, that it gives little advantage either to the Natives or Seamen.

At the West-side of it rises a Rocky and steep Hill, full of Brambles and Trees; but on the East-side a Sandy Bank, by which as it were split, it runs in two small Vills, one to the North-west into the Countrey, and the other North-east; but (as we said) both dry and not Navigable.

Near St. Andrew's River, the Sea-Coast bellies out to the South-east, as far as the Red-Land.

Between the fourth and fifth Cliff, some high Trees grow in a Valley, whose edge is remarked with two little Vills, the one named Tabattera, the other Domera.

Having left behind you the Red Cliffs, you come to Cape La-Hou, * 1.196 the ut∣most limit of this, and the beginning of Quaqua-Coast, which spreads it self to Assine: the whole Land hereabouts low and poor, over-grown with Bram∣bles and Trees, yet a mile and a half Eastwards lyeth a Village call'd Koutrou, * 1.197 or Katrou.

Five miles from this Cape, stands the Village Jakke La-Hou, in a very barren spot: five miles farther Jak in Jakko; and six miles beyond that, the Bottomless∣pit, so call'd from its unfathomable deepness; for the Seamen having Sounded with their longest Lines and Plummet, could never reach the bottom. This Hole is in the Sea, not above a Musquet-shot from the Shore, so that the Ships which come about this Pit, must come to an Anchor betimes to prevent danger.

Three miles from this Pit on the Shore, runs a small River Eastward into the Countrey.

From Cape de La-Hou to the aforesaid Pit, the Coast spreads Eastwardly with double Land.

Sixteen miles Eastward, bi La-Hou takes place, * 1.198 before which the Sea runs very deep, for a stones cast from the Shore it has forty and fifty Fathom water.

Eight and twenty or thirty miles from the Cape La-Hou, * 1.199 is seated the Village Assine, where the Guinny-Gold-Coast begins, full of high Woods, but the Land low; the houses (such as they are) stand on the Sea-shore, so that they may easily be seen in the passing by.

Two miles from Assine stands a Hamlet call'd Abbener or Albine, * 1.200 a little to the West of a four-square Wood.

Then follows in order Taboe; and two miles farther Cape Apolony, * 1.201 being a ri∣sing ground, and seeming to Sailers like three great Hills.

In Jernon, a little Village scituate on the side of this Promontory, the Nether∣landers have a Storehouse.

All along this whole Coast grow many Palm-Trees: nor is it destitute of other Conveniences, yielding extraordinary variety both of Fruits and Plants.

The Inhabitants, as we mention'd before, are call'd Quaqua's, because when they see any Trading-Ships approach, they declare their welcome by crying aloud Quaqua.

These People by their Aspect seem the unseemliest of all the upper Coast; but are indeed the modestest and honestest, and most courteous; for they esteem it a great shame, either at meeting to Salute, or at parting to take leave with a Kiss. When they come to the Ships to Trade, they put their Hands in the

Water, and let some drop into their Eyes; by which they testifie, as by an Oath, their uprightness, and hatred to all Cheatings, or Knavish actions.

Drunkenness they not onely abstain from, * 1.202 but abominate: for the avoiding which they will drink no Palmito-Wine, but a smaller sort call'd De Bordon, or Tombe, and that also mixt with Water; alledging, that from Drunkenness pro∣ceed many Quarrels, the two frequent occasions of Murders, and other incon∣veniencies; which are all prevented by Sobriety and Temperance.

The chief Merchandise to be had here, * 1.203 are Elephants-Teeth, of a larger size than usually elsewhere; but withall dearer. Some Cloathes also sold here; which the Europeans, and other Traders, from the Name of the Coast, call Quaqua-Cloathes; being of two sorts, the one bound with five Bands, or Strings; the other with six: from the number of the bindings giving denominations to the Places they are sold in.

Cape Lahou yields many of these Clothes, which the Inhabitants barter for Salt; which they, according to their own report send abroad by Slaves or otherwise, who with it travel so far into the Countrey, till they come to white People, that Ride on Mules and Asses, and use Lances for Arms; but they are not altoge∣ther white, as the Europeans. By this Description we cannot but imagine, these Mungrel Whites they mention, must without peradventure be Moors of Barbary.

The Blacks of other Places exchange these Cloathes for yellow Arm-Rings, and sometimes, but seldom, for Beads. Heretofore some Gold was to be had; but now that Trade is lost here, and carried to Akara.

The Government here is Monarchical, * 1.204 the present Regnant King call'd Sakkoo; of whom all the neighboring Territories stand in great fear, because he is a Conjurer, firmly believing, that if he pleased to put his Arts in practise, he could bewitch all his Enemies to death.

In the beginning of December this Sakkoo sends a Canoo to Atzyn and Little Kommany, and all places on the Gold-Coast, with Negro's; where they throw some compounded Conjuring-stuff into the Sea, using some formal words in doing it; which is done onely to free it from Hericanes, or Whirlwinds, and tempe∣stuous Storms. So soon as this Canoo returns, the Merchants come with their Cloathes to the Gold-Coast, but in such order, that no more may come off till the first come back, for the prevention of the hinderances of one another. The five Band Villages have the priority in coming off, and after those of the six Band: this continues till April, or the beginning of May: when the Sea begins to run high, then the King's Canoo comes as before, using the same formality, and returning, the Gold-Coast Trade ends for that Year.

The Quaqua-Blacks have a well-govern'd State according to their Mode: As for example, those that are Fishers must all so remain, without daring to alter their Employment: As likewise all Merchants are so preferred there, that no other may deal in fair Laces, and Garments of Akori, but they; insomuch that all others who have those Commodities, are necessitated to put them into the Merchants hands.

The method of their Worship, * 1.205 if any, is Diabolical, sacrificing Men to their Idols, and thereto so addicted, that they will not be won to alter it; yet cour∣teous enough to Strangers, from whom they endeavour to conceal those ab∣horr'd Oblations.

Gold-Coast.

THe Gold-Coast receiv'd its Name from the abundance of Gold there to be had: It spreads to the length of fifty miles, from the Village Assine, * 1.206 twelve miles Eastward of Korbi Lahou, to the Golden Village of Aka∣ra lying at the Sea. And although some Gold may be had on the Grain-Coast, and Eastward of Akara, yet that Tract is not reckon'd under the Gold-Coast; because the quantity is but small.

This although known by this single Name to the European Merchants, consists in many rich Villages, Kingdoms, and Territories, yet but small in Circumfe∣rence; the particular Places we will onely name here in brief, being these; viz. Atzyn, Little Inkassan, Ygwira, Great Inkassan, Inkassan Iggina, Anten, Tabeu, Atty, Adom, Mompa, Wassa, Wanqui, Guaffo, Sabou, Abramboe, Kuyfora, Akanien, Dohoe, Junta, Ahim, or Great Akany, Akan, Fantyn, Aqua, Sanquay, Ayhwana, Aquamboe, Abonce, Tafoe, Akara, Labbede, Ningo, Abora, Quanhoe, Bonoe, Kammanah, Equea, La∣taby, Akaradii, Insoka, Gaui, Aquambou, or Aquimena.

The Kingdoms lying at the Sea, are Azin, or Atchin, Little Inkassan, Ante, Guaffo, Fetu, Sabou, Fantyn, Aghwana, Akara, Labbede, and Mingo; all which are commonly visited by the English and Netherlanders chiefly, and sometimes by the French; which several people have in divers places particular Store-hou∣ses and Forts for the keeping of their Wares, and for the Conveniency of the Trade, which they have built by the permission of the Inhabitants.

The chiefest Villages lying at the Sea, are Atzyn in the Kingdom of Atzyn, the Village at Cabo tres-Puntas in Little Inkassan, Takorary, Botrow, Poyera, Pan∣do, Maque Jakquim, Sakonde, Sama in the Kingdom of Anten, Agitaki, or Little Ko∣mendo, Terra Pequerime, or Pekine, Dana, or De Myn, Ampea, Kotabry, Aborby, and two Salt-Villages; in that of Guaffo, Moure; Sabou, in the Dominion of Sabou; Anemabo, Adja, Kormantin, in that of Fantyn; the Rough Poynt, Soldiers-Bay, Devils Mountain, New Biamba, Great Berku, Inka, Koks-bred, Little Berku, in that of Ay∣wana; Akara in Great Akara; Labede in Labede.

The Territory of ATSYN, or ATCHIN.

THe Territory of Atsyn, or Atchyn, or Aksem, * 1.207 (as the Blacks call it) hath on the East little Incassan, and on the North Igwira, the Sea-Coast on the South with Cliffs of Stone.

Near the Sea, three Villages are erected, inhabited by Fishers; * 1.208 the one Achorbene, three miles from Cape de Tres-Puntas: The second Achombene, near which the Portugals in the time of King Emanuel built a small Fort; but after∣wards by agreement with the Blacks, they rais'd another greater Castle on the main Land, nam'd from the neighbouring Village, The Castle of Asyn, * 1.209 or At∣chin, at present possess'd by the Netherlanders, who in the Year Sixteen hun∣dred forty two, the Ninth of January, before the Peace made between them, and the Crown of Portugal, had dispossess'd the Portugals of what strength they had there.

Coming at Sea out of the West, this Castle in a clear Sun-shiny day, yields a pleasant Prospect; but coming right against it, the sight is hinder'd by an Island lying before it. Westward thereof runs a Rivulet, which though very poor in Water, yet visits several Dominions, being supposed to take the ori∣ginal far off in the Golden-Land of Igwira.

Half a mile from the aforemention'd Fort, * 1.210 a River passes, by some thought to run through the Jurisdiction of Akana; but of this no certainty, nor any likely to be, by reason of its many and strong Water-falls. Those of the Myne used to go thither with Canoos, which they laded thence with Shells for the burning of Lime; but since the like Shells have been found in the Ditches of the Myne, that labour is left off.

The next River bears the name of the Province among Merchant-strangers; * 1.211 but the Inhabitants denominate it Manku, whose first sight invited the Traders to search its Channel; but they soon had enough of it, for they met with so many Shelves and absconded Rocks, besides high and precipitious falls, that it was impossible to pass them: however 'tis not altogether waste, for the Na∣tives dig out from under the Cliff good store of Gold, and fetch it up from un∣der the Water, in Trays mixt with Earth, Stones, and other Rubbish.

The Territory of Little-Inkassan.

LIttle-Inkassan hath on the West Atsin, * 1.212 on the North Igwira, on the East Ante, and in the South spreads with three Points into the Sea; and therefore the Portugals have nam'd it, Cabo das tres Puntas. It lies in four degrees, and ten minutes South-Latitude, three miles Westward of Atzin Castle, and fifteen miles Eastward of Albine.

The Principality of Anten.

ANten lying about seven miles from Cape de Tres Puntas, * 1.213 and ten from At∣sin, hath neighboring on the West Little-Inkassan; towards the North-West, Igwira; on the North North-West, Mompa; in the North, Adom; in the North-East, Tabu; and in the East Guaffo: the whole River full of Villages, inhabited by Fishermen, as amongst others, Botrow, Pogera, Pando, Takorari, or Anten, Maque, Jaque, Sakonde, Sama, whereof Takorari is the chief: behind which lies a remarkable Promontory, with a convenient Road or Haven for Ships. At Botrow the Netherlands have a considerable Fort.

The King of Anten keeps his Court about three or four miles up in the Countrey, commanding all the Countrey, as well the In-land Villages, as those that lie at the Sea. A mile Eastward of Anten, Rio St. George falls into the Sea: close by whose Banks the Village Jabbe is seated.

Near Tekorari the Hollanders some years since built a Fort, from the neighbor∣ing Village call'd The Fort of Tekorari, * 1.214 but to themselves known by the Name of Witsen; originally belonging to the Dutch West-India Company; but before the great War between the Crown of England and the States of Holland, by them remitted to the States-General.

In the Year Sixteen hundred sixty and four, in the Moneth of April, * 1.215 this Fort was attacqu'd by Captain Holms and one Joseph Cubits, in behalf of the Royal African English Company, with two of the Kings Men of War, six Frigats, and some other Ships, and by them with no great difficulty won; but regained again the next Year on the fifteenth of January, * 1.216 by Admiral De Ruyter, being at that time onely mann'd by four or five in health, and about as many more sick English-men, and leaving in it seven Iron-Guns, six or eight Pounders.

Immediately upon the retaking, the Guns being drawn off to the Ship, De Ruyter caus'd it, as not to be maintain'd without many people, and great Charges, with Twelve hundred pound of Powder, to be blown up into the Air and totally dismantl'd.

The Negro's of the Myne in the mean time Plunder'd Takorari, * 1.217 and laid it waste by Fire and Sword, out of malice which they had against the Blacks of Takorari; there came down thither about nine hundred in three hundred Canoos, who having as it were by surprize won the Victory, exercis'd great cru∣elty upon such Prisoners as they took, cutting off their heads, with which they went Dancing and Leaping up and down, and at last carri'd them home, in token of Victory.

These Negro's of the Myne were well Arm'd, according to their Countrey fa∣shion; some of them having Caps made like Helmets, adorn'd with Feathers and Horns of Beasts, and Swords hanging before upon their Belly, whereon, in∣stead of Handles, they put Bones of Tygers, Lions, and other Beasts. Their Faces generally Painted with Red and Yellow, so also on their Bodies, which made a very strange and terrible sight.

Three miles lower stands a large Town, call'd Sama, containing about two hundred Houses, under the Government of one Braffo; nevertheless both he and his men own as their Superior Lord the King of Gavi, whom they serve in his Wars in time of need, and pay him Tribute.

The Portugeuese had in this Village a Stone Bulwark, with a Store-house, but now decay'd, and deserted by them; but by reason of the great conveniency of the River for fresh water, and the adjacent Grounds for Fire-wood, the Netherlanders have Rebuilt and possess it, and have rais'd the middle foursquare Battery fourteen Foot high, and a Store-house, whither those of Adom and Was∣sen come to Traffick with them.

Close under the Town runs a handsome River, whose Water is fresh and pleasant. Two, three or four miles upwards, but higher up, is full of Cliffs and Rocks, so that it is not passable, although for a while it was conceited otherwise, till experience manifested the contrary; for several of the Traders there hoping to have got some advantage by it in their Gold-trade, sent six persons in a Ketch, with three weeks Provision to search, who turn'd back the thirteenth day, relating that they had Row'd up eleven or twelve days, but were not able to get any further, because of the forcible fall of the Water six or seven Foot higher; and that above, they discover'd so many Cliffs and Rocks, that it was impossible to get through them.

Anten is a plentiful Countrey, producing great store of Fowl, * 1.218 and Poultry of several sorts; besides great variety of Fruits and Vegetables, especially Injame's, Ananasse's, and Palmitor's, from which so much Palm-wine is extracted, that the Blacks come ten or twenty miles to fetch it thence in Canoo's, and carry it up the whole Gold-Coast.

The people along the Shore maintain themselves by Fishing, * 1.219 and in the Countrey by Handy-labor and Husbandry.

They have always held themselves in an indifferent neutrality towards all people, * 1.220 and formerly, were sought to sometimes by the English, sometimes by the Dutch to Trade with them; but they finding the Gold they had, was brought to them from Igwira and Mempa, in small quantities, signifying little, neither of them prosecuted it any further.

The best Conveniences to be had among them, are Water, Wood, and Ballast for Ships.

The Government is mixt, being constituted of a Braffo or Captain, and Ca∣bosero's, or Chiefs of the People.

The Jurisdiction of GUAFFO, or GREAT-COMMENDO.

GUaffo or Great-Commendo, * 1.221 or Commany, borders in the West on Anten and Tabeu, having a small River for a Boundary, between both; in the North-West, on Adom; in the North, on Abramboe; in the East, on Fetu; and in the South, on the Sea.

Formerly Commendo, Fetu, and Sabou, were united under one Prince, and the Inhabitants then, as now by strangers, call'd Adossenie's; as those of Fantijn, Fan∣tenie's; but at present divided into three several Kingdoms.

On the Shore lie several Towns, as Aitako, or Agitaki, otherwise Little-Com∣mendo, but by the Portugal's call'd Aldea de Torres, being the head Town on the Shore, scituate on the Borders of Fetu, two miles and an half Eastward of Sa∣ma; then Ampea, or Apene, Cotabry, Aborby, Terra Pekine; and half a mile East∣ward another Commendo.

Within the Countrey, stands a great City upon a Mountain, by the Inhabi∣tants stil'd Guaffo; and by the Europeans, Great-Commendo, for a distinction from Little-Commendo before-mention'd, lying near the Sea.

Most of those Towns have suffered terrible devastations by those of the Myne, who use on a sudden to invade them by Water, burning and spoiling all before them, being not able to cope with the Guaffin's at Land: but they of Abramboe once made War against this Countrey by Land, got the Victory, and kill'd their King.

All sorts of Fruit and Provision are daily brought to Market in abundance by those of Guaffo, * 1.222 and sold at a reasonable Price; so that several Ships in time of need may furnish themselves very commodiously.

The Land about Little Commendo boasts exceeding Fertility, * 1.223 especially of Fruit, which is not to be had so cheap in any place thereabout; so that it may with good reason be term'd, The Great Fruit-Market.

The Inhabitants are very expert Fisher-men, * 1.224 but prove bad Souldiers; therefore in the former generally employ themselves, having to that purpose exceeding many Canoos. They often go out to Sea with seventy or eighty of

these Boats early in the Morning, and come home again about Noon laden; for which they have so good Vent, that several Hamlets maintain themselves by Fishing, without any other Manufacture or Trade.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vey-Berkoma.
• * 1.2

  Puy-Monou.
• * 1.3

  Quoia-Berkoma.
• * 1.4

  Cape de Monte.
• * 1.5

  Jegwonga.
• * 1.6

  Fachoo.
• * 1.7

  Figgia.
• * 1.8

  Cammagoereia.
• * 1.9

  The Countrey of Quoia is watered by four Rivers.
• * 1.10

  The River Magwibba.
• * 1.11

  The River Mavah.
• * 1.12

  The River Plizoge.
• * 1.13

  The River Menoch.
• * 1.14

  Gala-vy.
• * 1.15

  Hondo.
• * 1.16

  Konde-Quoias.
• * 1.17

  Folgia and Manou.
• * 1.18

  The Countrey Karou
• * 1.19

  The Winter-Season.
• * 1.20

  Plants.
• * 1.21

  Bonde.
• * 1.22

  Bassi.
• * 1.23

  Kaey.
• * 1.24

  Billegoh.
• * 1.25

  Bossy.
• * 1.26

  Mille.
• * 1.27

  Borrouw.
• * 1.28

  Mammo.
• * 1.29

  Quony.
• * 1.30

  Hoquella.
• * 1.31

  Domboch.
• * 1.32

  Kolach.
• * 1.33

  Bongia.
• * 1.34

  Duy.
• * 1.35

  Niaukony.
• * 1.36

  Palmito-Tree.
• * 1.37

  Bang.
• * 1.38

  Dongah.
• * 1.39

  Bondou.
• * 1.40

  Jaaia.
• * 1.41

  The Fruit Kola.
• * 1.42

  Cotton-Trees.
• * 1.43

  Lymo's, or Limonties.
• * 1.44

  Ignames.
• * 1.45

  Batatases.
• * 1.46

  Sallet-herbs.
• * 1.47

  Mille.
• * 1.48

  Mille-Jonglo.
• * 1.49

  The Grain Manigette.
• * 1.50

  Beasts.
• * 1.51

  Water-Elephants.
• * 1.52

  The Beast Janaka.
• * 1.53

  Cillach.
• * 1.54

  Buffles.
• * 1.55

  Woey.
• * 1.56

  Tebbe. Culmo.
• * 1.57

  Two sorts of Boars.
• * 1.58

  Two sorts of Porcu∣pines, or Hedghogs.
• * 1.59

  Dontfoe.
• * 1.60

  Quoggelo.
• * 1.61

  Civet-Cat.
• * 1.62

  In what part the Civet is gotten.
• * 1.63

  Quoias-Morrou.
• * 1.64

  Tygers and Leopards.
• * 1.65

  What Customs are used upon the taking of a Leo∣pard.
• * 1.66

  Insects.
• * 1.67

  The Serpent Minia.
• * 1.68

  Eagle.
• * 1.69

  Bastard-Eagle.
• * 1.70

  Kite.
• * 1.71

  Poi.
• * 1.72

  Parrots.
• * 1.73

  Comma.
• * 1.74

  Prognosticating Birds call'd Clofyf.
• * 1.75

  Fonton.
• * 1.76

  Swallows.
• * 1.77

  The Fowl which picks the Trees hollow.
• * 1.78

  Turtle-Doves and Pige∣ons.
• * 1.79

  Cufonfoo.
• * 1.80

  Cranes.
• * 1.81

  Doco.
• * 1.82

  Jowe.
• * 1.83

  Crickets.
• * 1.84

  The Quoia's are dili∣gent in Tilling.
• * 1.85

  The first Planting of Rice.
• * 1.86

  The second Planting of Rice.
• * 1.87

  The Work of the Wo∣men.
• * 1.88

  Hunting is free.
• * 1.89

  The Revenue of the King.
• * 1.90

  Houses and Villages.
• * 1.91

  The Karous may not eat Fish with Scales, nor Beef.
• * 1.92

  The Lustfulness of the In∣habitants.
• * 1.93

  They are gentle and cour∣teous.
• * 1.94

  They understand Sorcery very much.
• * 1.95

  The signification of the word Sovach.
• * 1.96

  Sorcery call'd Pilly.
• * 1.97

  Needle-sticking.
• * 1.98

  A Remedy against So∣vach-Belly.
• * 1.99

  Solitariness held to be the cause of this Evil.
• * 1.100

  Marriage.
• * 1.101

  The accustomed Solem∣nity at the naming of their Children.
• * 1.102

  Strange Sicknesses.
• * 1.103

  Ibatheba.
• * 1.104

  The Bloody-Flux.
• * 1.105

  The Meazels.
• * 1.106

  Colga, or Ideots.
• * 1.107

  The swelling of the Cods.
• * 1.108

  Who are most subject to this Disease.
• * 1.109

  Eakotima, that is, the de∣parture or Funeral.
• * 1.110

  The Inheritance.
• * 1.111

  Their Language.
• * 1.112

  Signs of their Summer and Winter-Seasons.
• * 1.113

  They have no Hours.
• * 1.114

  Their Strength and Power.
• * 1.115

  The Government.
• * 1.116

  The King of Quoia holds subject the Folgia's.
• * 1.117

  In what manner the King deals with any man who keeps away from his duty.
• * 1.118

  An address to the King to obtain his favor, now it is made.
• * 1.119

  How the King is thank'd for doing good Justice.
• * 1.120

  The In••eritance of the Kingdom.
• * 1.121

  The Folgia's are under the Manou's.
• * 1.122

  The Government of Hondo.
• * 1.123

  Their Religion.
• * 1.124

  Their great Superstition concerning the Souls of the Deta••••ed.
• * 1.125

  The Offers or Sacrifices to their deceased Parents.
• * 1.126

  Circumcision.
• * 1.127

  When it is done.
• * 1.128

  What they are.
• * 1.129

  They are received in the Wood.
• * 1.130

  What they do when they come out of the Wood.
• * 1.131

  How they are clothed when they come out of the Wood.
• * 1.132

  The Belli-Dance.
• * 1.133

  The mark'd must swear by Belli-Paaro.
• * 1.134

  The Punishment of such as transgress this Adjura∣tion.
• * 1.135

  The Adjuration in case of Adultery.
• * 1.136

  How Offenders are car∣ried away by the Jannanen.
• * 1.137

  Where the Belli-Parro is in use.
• * 1.138

  How highly Belli is e∣steem'd by them.
• * 1.139

  Who are free from Belli.
• * 1.140

  Water to know if any be guilty or not guilty.
• * 1.141

  How this Sorcery-water is used.
• * 1.142

  The Punishment of chief Women for Adultery.
• * 1.143

  The Marks of Nesogge;
• * 1.144

  They have no Holy-days.
• * 1.145

  The Contention and Quarrel between the Ka∣rous and Folgians.
• * 1.146

  The Folgians seek for Ad∣dress by Sorcerers, how to overcome the Karou's.
• * 1.147

  The Karou's overcome by the Folgians.
• * 1.148

  They are civilly treated by the Folgias.
• * 1.149

  Flonikerry remains Gene∣ral of the Karou's.
• * 1.150

  Overcometh the People of Rio Cestes.
• * 1.151

  The Death of the King of Manou.
• * 1.152

  The Kings Brother Mani∣massah drinks Quony.
• * 1.153

  Retires Northward.
• * 1.154

  Becomes Prince of the Ga∣la-Monou's.
• * 1.155

  Was uncivilly dispossessed
• * 1.156

  He withdraws again, be∣cause of their Disobedience.
• * 1.157

  Upon what he withdrew.
• * 1.158

  Cometh again with an Army, and compels them to Obedience.
• * 1.159

  Fesiack gives opportunity and occasion of overcoming of Vey-Berkoma.
• * 1.160

  Flonikerry desires some Countreys to Farm of the King of Folgia.
• * 1.161

  The King appoints to go against the Countrey of Cape de Monte.
• * 1.162

  The Karou's come with their Army near the Vey-Monou's.
• * 1.163

  They overcome them by shooting of poyson'd Ar∣rows.
• * 1.164

  Their way of making an Agreement.
• * 1.165

  The former successful Victory of Flonikerry made him insolent.
• * 1.166

  Serre-Lions is taken by Dego Falmah.
• * 1.167

  Flansire draws towards Serre-Lions.
• * 1.168

  He comes with his Forces to Land.
• * 1.169

  Dogo Falmab punish'd by the King of Hondo.
• * 1.170

  His Speech to the King upon his having punishment
• * 1.171

  He is made General of Serre-Lions.
• * 1.172

  The Town of Falmah is taken and burnt.
• * 1.173

  Gammanah stands up a∣gainst Flansire.
• * 1.174

  The Gebbe-Monou's fall upon Dowala.
• * 1.175

  Flansire subdues the Peo∣ple of Gebbe-Monou.
• * 1.176

  Cape de Mesu••ado.
• * 1.177

  The River St. Paul.
• * 1.178

  Gebbe.
• * 1.179

  Rio Junk.
• * 1.180

  The River St. John.
• * 1.181

  The Grain-Coast.
• * 1.182

  The Kingdom of Melli.
• * 1.183

  Other Borders of the Kingdom of Melli.
• * 1.184

  The River Sestos.
• * 1.185

  Little Sestos.
• * 1.186

  Cabo Baixos.
• * 1.187

  Zanwyn.
• * 1.188

  Wappen.
• * 1.189

  Great Setter.
• * 1.190

  Goaven. Garway. Greyway.
• * 1.191

  Cape de Palm.
• * 1.192

  Gruway.
• * 1.193

  The Air.
• * 1.194

  Grain of Paradise, or Melegette.
• * 1.195

  The kind of the Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.196

  Cape de Labou.
• * 1.197

  Koutrou.
• * 1.198

  Corbi Labou.
• * 1.199

  Assine.
• * 1.200

  Albine.
• * 1.201

  Taboe.
• * 1.202

  They shun Drunkenness.
• * 1.203

  Merchandise.
• * 1.204

  Government.
• * 1.205

  Religion
• * 1.206

  Gold-Coast.
• * 1.207

  The Territory of Atsyn.
• * 1.208

  Achombene.
• * 1.209

  The Fort Atsyn.
• * 1.210

  The River.
• * 1.211

  The Atsyn River.
• * 1.212

  The Territory of Inkassan.
• * 1.213

  The Kingdom of Anten.
• * 1.214

  The Fort of Witsen, or Tekorari.
• * 1.215

  Sublued by Captain Holmes.
• * 1.216

  Recover'd by De Ruyter.
• * 1.217

  The Negets of the Myne are sent to assist De Ruyter.
• * 1.218

  The Condition of the Countrey.
• * 1.219

  Their Maintenance.
• * 1.220

  Trade.
• * 1.221

  The Kingdom of Guaffo.
• * 1.222

  Guaffo.
• * 1.223

  The Fruitfulness of Com∣mendo,
• * 1.224

  Their Employment.