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

THE KINGDOM OF ARDER.

THis Kingdom of Arder contains about twelve Miles in length, * 1.1 begin∣ning four Miles Eastward of Popou, and ending at Aqua.

Three Miles Eastward of Popou on the Shore, appears a Town named Foulaen; * 1.2 five Miles Eastward of which, on the same Coast you come to Little Arder, * 1.3 three hundred Rods in length; beyond which, about fifty Rods from the Shore, runs a River of brackish Water. From Popou the Coast reach∣eth East and by South to Arda; and for eight Miles low Land, spotted here and there with Trees. Two Miles Westward of Arder stand four Woods. A Mile to the North North-East of Arder, * 1.4 you may see Jakkein, a Town so call'd from the Governor thereof.

The City is encompass'd fifteen hundred Rod about, with an Earthen Wall, and includes a stately Palace, the Residence of the Governor, and water'd with a small Rivulet.

Three days Journey from Jakkein lieth the Jojo; * 1.5 and a quarter of a Mile farther a Town call'd Ba, surrounded with a Mud Wall; * 1.6 over which a Fidalgo Commands in the King's Name. On the Sea-Coast stand two Gates, and on the Land-side runs a fresh River, which reacheth to Benyn.

About twelve Miles to the North North-East up in the Countrey, lieth Great Arder, an open Village, and straglingly built, but containing in circuit, as the Natives report, above three Miles. They may conveniently Ride to Arder on Horseback, or be carri'd in a Litter or Waggon, there runneth so straight a Way thither from the Shore. In the mid-way stands a Retiring place for Travellers, where they brew Beer of Mille. The King hath his Residence in this Village, and two Palaces, but he dwells onely in one, the other being re∣serv'd as a Retirement upon casualty of Fire. Both these Palaces are environ'd with an Earthen Wall of four or five Foot thick, with Coverings of Reeds, and have several Chambers and Apartments within.

Here are no Wall'd Cities, but open Villages in abundance, fitly scituate for Merchandise, and defensible for the Inhabitants.

The Air proves unhealthy to the Whites: * 1.7 for the greatest number of them that go to Land are quickly seiz'd by a Sickness, which for the most part kill's; whereas the Natives are very fresh and sound, and attain a great Age.

This Tract of Land is every where plain and fruitful, thin of Woods, * 1.8 but full of fine Villages, the Ways very convenient to Travel in, and several full∣stream'd Rivers, that irrigate, and with their Waters fertilize the Ground.

The Valleys are enricht with divers Fruits throughout the whole year, * 1.9 as Injames, Potato's, Oranges, Lemons, Coco-Nuts, Palm-Wine, and such like. The Injames are eaten either boyl'd, broil'd or roasted, with Butter for Sawce.

In the Marshes of Arder they make much Salt; which those of Kuramo buy and carry away with great Canoos.

Here breed many Horses.

The Houses are meer Mud-walls, two or three Foot thick, * 1.10 and cover'd with Straw.

Their Houshold-stuff no other than that before described on the Gold-Coast; * 1.11 and as there also, for Ornament, hang on the Walls their Arms, viz. Shields, Assagays, or Lances, Bowes and Arrows.

In Places of retirement, or, as we may call them, Inns, * 1.12 between the Shore and Great Arder, and in the Town Offer, they brew Beer of Mille in this man∣ner: First they steep the Mille in Water till it shoots, afterwards dry it in the Sun, then stamp it to Meal in great Mortars, and poure upon it boyling hot Water. They know also to make this Mash Work with Yeast, and to make it thick or thin, as they please. But this Beer, by the heat of the Mille, will soon sowre, and drinking of it causeth the Scurvey, but mixed with Water makes a good wholsom Drink.

Their Bread made of Mille they call Kanties, and their other Victuals Kade; * 1.13 being green Herbs, Rice, Beef, Pork, Cabrietes or Mutton, Dogs, and Hens.

The Men have three, * 1.14 sometimes four Garments hanging about their Mid∣dles, one shorter than another, so that part of them all may be seen; but the upper part of the Body, and Feet up to the Knees, remain naked. The bet∣ter sort have very sumptuous Cloathing of Silk, wrought all over with Gold; upon which they wear fine white and thin Cotton Cloathes; so that the glance of the Gold shines through it.

[illustration]

The Women are so addicted to Dancing, * 1.15 that they cannot forbear upon the hearing of any Instrument, though they be loaden with one Child in their Belly, and another at their Backs, where they commonly carry them.

Both Men and Women keep their Bodies very clean, washing every morn∣ing and evening; the Women anoint themselves usually with Civet, and other sweet smelling Herbs and Plants, to seem the more acceptable to their Hus∣bands.

When a young Man intends to put himself into a Marry'd condition, and hath observ'd a Maid that pleases his eye, instantly he seeks to make acquain∣tance with her, which hath no difficulty, because of the great freedom they have; by which means it happens often, that a mean young Man, gets a No∣blemans Daughter; and if they agree between themselves, the Marriage is concluded, without need of acquainting the Parents on either side.

A Nobleman may Marry as many Wives as he pleaseth, and every year, over and above, gets two or three of his Companions Daughters, eight or ten years old, who serve him as Naked as they came from their Mothers Womb, till he enjoys them, and then they obtain a little Garment on, and are esteem'd for Women.

The confirmation of the Marriage, is, by giving two or three little Clothes by the Bride-groom to the Bride, and seven or eight Pots of Drink; to the Friends and Neighbours to make merry with.

A Common Man, as before is declar'd, may Marry as many Wives as he can keep; yet for all that they run a Whoring, and must not be found fault with; but if a Woman go Astray, the Man may reject or sell her; so that hereby it seems, * 1.16 that they are much subjected to their Husbands, yet they are inclin'd to Wantonness, wherein they neglect no opportunities to satiate their Lusts; and this causes in many, an absolute sterility; in others, a seldom pre∣gnancy, so that they have but few Children; perhaps, two or three in their whole lives: if some happen to have eight, or ten, they win infinite respect,

both from the Husband and other Friends; whereas the Barren are despis'd by all: and although they love multiplicity of Children by one Woman, yet they question that Womans honesty, that has more than one at a Birth.

At Funerals they have many solemn Ceremonies, * 1.17 for all the Neighborhood attend; and the Nobleman, in whose Precinct the Deceas'd formerly liv'd, gives Clothes to wind up the Corps in, which is then laid in a Vault of his own Dwelling-house, bravely Hang'd with Mats.

Their own Mother-Tongue is with them little esteem'd, which they sel∣dom speak; but most of all the Alkomysh, which in that Countrey is held to be a noble Language.

The Europeans drive here a great Trade, especially in Little Arder, * 1.18 whither they bring several Commodities, to exchange for Slaves, Cotton Clothes, and Akori: but the readiest Merchandise which the Blacks Barter for here, are little Horns, call'd Bousiers, found under the Islands of Maldivi's, and brought over out of Goa, and Kochin in stead of Ballast: but it happens sometimes, that the Bousiers are hard to be gotten, and dear, every Pound worth Four Shillings; and then, in stead of them, other Wares are brought thither, especially fine Red Beads: but when the Trade is manag'd with Bousiers, they Barter usually one third part of Bousiers, and two third parts of other Merchandise.

The other Commodities fit for Dealing, and to Purchase Slaves; are,

• Javan, White and Red Damasks.
• Gold Leather.
• Cypress Cloth.
• Red Cloth, and broad Lists.
• Staves of Iron.
• Red Copper Pieces.
• Fine Linen.
• Copper Armlets.
• Red Beads.
• White Horse Tails, with the Dock.
• Black Hats, with flat Crowns, and broad Brims.
• Cambrick.
• Gilded Looking-Glasses.
• Brandy.
• Gold, and Silver.
• Red Cloth.
• Mariners Knives.
• Italian Tape, but no other Colours besides red and white.
• Strip'd Armosines, or Doublets with white Stripes for the Ground.
• Light Damasks.
• Flowers wrought with Gold and Silk.
• White Flower'd East-India Damasks.
• Indian Armosines, or Habits, and the like.

But all these Wares or Commodities are not onely esteem'd in the Coast of Arder, but also at Benyn and Kio Lagos.

The Inhabitants of Little Arder, * 1.19 and of all the other Towns lying near the Sea, maintain themselves partly by Fishing and making of Salt, and partly by Merchandise, but within the Countrey by Tillage onely.

The Method of their Husbandry and Solemnity of their Seed-time, * 1.20 is the same with that we described of the Gold-Coast.

In the Village Ba, every four days they have a free Market of Salt, * 1.21 brought from Jojo in great quantities by Canoos, and from thence carri'd to the Territo∣ry of Ulkuma, where 'tis ready Barter.

Four or five Miles from Ba, by a great Tree, a free Market is kept every day, where the Inhabitants, sometimes to the number of three or four thou∣sand, come with all sorts of Commodities.

When the Merchants Land at Arder, they are brought to the King, where they must give an account of their Trading to him in the Portugal Tongue: for none may Trade there before he hath first offer'd his Goods to the King, that, as he says, his Subjects might not have the best Merchandise, and he the course; besides this, they must give to the King for a Present, a Lump of fine Coral, six Pieces of Cypress Cloathes, three of Maurisses, and one of Diaper: yet nevertheless the Whites must seem to set out the best Wares, as Silk, and the like, uppermost; though generally they conceal better, because then the Sub∣jects must have the worst onely; which would not be for the Merchants pro∣fit: however, as we said, they must seem to correspond.

After the delivery of the Silk Wares, and some other sleighter, yet in the King's Court several Presents must be given to his Son; to the Foella, or Captain of the Whites; to the Porters, or Door-keepers; and to divers other of the Courtiers.

After leave obtain'd from the King to Trade, all the Nobility conduct the Whites off to the Stock-fish Town, lying a Mile from the South-West Shore, where a convenient place is appointed for them to Truck for Slaves.

But for liberty to Trade for Akory they must pay more, forty Pieces of yellow Armlets, twenty Hens, a Cabriet, or Sheep, besides other things to those that make Proclamation, that every one that will Trade with the Whites, may now do it freely.

The Wages for carrying the Merchandise to the King, is two yellow Rings, for a Chest or Pack carri'd by two Men; and four, for what four Men carry.

As soon as they come to Land, there must be something given to the Honga, or Captain of the Boat; for which he must be ready at all times with his Boat on the Shore for fear of any mishap, to preserve Goods and People; be∣cause by the beating of the Sea against the Shore, the Landing proves very dangerous.

When the Merchants have done, and are ready to depart, they must pay to the King two Musquets, and five and twenty Pound of Gun-Powder, or for want of that, in Silk-Worms, the worth of nine Slaves; to the Carte, to the Foello, or Captain of the Whites, and to Honga the Captain of the Boat, to each of them a like Present.

Provisions for the Whites may be had here for a reasonable Price, that is, a Cask of fresh Water, and a Sag of Wood, for two yellow Armlets; a Kof, or Chest of Salt, for three; five Hens, for four; a Pot of Beer, for one.

In time of Wars none are exempted from Service, * 1.22 but very old Men and Children; their disorderly manner of Fight you have before describ'd, as also their Barbarism to the Slain and Prisoners, and Method of Triumphing with their Heads; and therefore we will not here repeat, and cloy you with the same things again.

The King of Arder hath absolute and Soveraign Power over his Subjects, * 1.23 and according as they reckon State, carries a Majestick Splendor, both in Clothes and Servants, his Subjects tendring him great respect: He Creates Noblemen and Courtiers at his pleasure, and punishes Offenders, not any daring to con∣tradict.

Every Town, as Jakkijn and Ba, hath their Fidalgos or Noblemen to preside it, in the King's Name, who exacts a great Revenue from the Inhabitants, by Or∣der from the King.

When the King dies, * 1.24 for two or three moneths after, two sit waiting by

him, and some Servants are Strangled, as an ostentation of Power, not in ex∣pectation of Service in the other world.

The Crown descends to the Eldest or Youngest Son, after their Fathers De∣cease, and takes all his Father left, but his Wives, whom all but his own Mo∣ther, to whom extraordinary respect is shown, he imploys in his works of se∣veral kinds.

The Goods of the meanest sort, after their decease, falls to the Noblemen, whose Vassals they were.

Their Religion consists in no appointed Meetings, or setled Form, * 1.25 though they have Fetiseros or Priests; for every Person of Quality hath his own Chap∣lain, and if any be sick in their Family, the Fetisero comes, and taking Oxen, * 1.26 Sheep, and Hens for a Sacrifice, cuts their Throats, and with the Bloud be∣sprinkles their Fetisi or Sant, that is, sometimes no more than an old Earthen Pot, or Basket.

Every Family hath a Meeting once in six moneths, at which, their Priest offers Sacrifice to their Fetisi or Sant, put under a Pot with Holes; and then they enquire of what they desire to know: If the Fetisi be unsatisfied, the Priest can get no words from him; if otherwise, he hath an answer by a gracile, or small-piped voice, (as if it came from the Fetisi, whereas, indeed it is a counter∣feited sound by their Priests:) Then the Inquirer takes a Bason, fill'd with Beer and Meal, and gives to the Priest; then suddenly, somewhat in the Pot, under which the Fetisi sits, leaps; whereupon all promising obedience to the answer, and drinking a draught out of the Bason, depart.

They believe another life after this, but not for all; for they say, that a man after death, perisheth, and his bloud congeals; so that none must expect any Resurrection, saving those that are slain in the Wars, which they averre to have found by experience; and that the Bodies slain in the Wars, lie not two days in the Graves. But more probably, this seems a cheat of their Fetisero's, who in the night, steal the bodies from their resting-places, to make the people believe they were risen, and gone to another life; and to this end, to make them the more stout and valiant in the Wars.

Sixteen miles Eastward of Little Arder, * 1.27 Rio de Lagas empties his Waters into the Sea, before which a Shelf lyeth, that choaks the whole River, except at the East-side, where they may Row in with a Boat, but not without danger to overset in a rowling Sea. This Flood goeth in at North or North-west, and so passes to a Town call'd Curamo, lying on the South: * 1.28 from which Cotton-Cloathes are brought to the Gold-Coast, and with good Profit Traded for by the Europeans there.

The Kingdom of ULKAMI, or ULKUMA.

ULkami, or Ulkuma, a mighty Countrey, * 1.29 spreads Eastward of Arder be∣tween that and Benyn, to the North-East.

From hence they send many Slaves, partly taken in the Wars, * 1.30 and partly made such as a punishment for their offences, to Little Arder, and there sold to the Portuguese to be transported to the West-Indies.

The Boys in this Region are, * 1.31 according to the Mahumetan manner, Circum∣cis'd; but the Girls, when they attain the Age of ten or twelve years, they put a Stick up their Privacies, whereon Pismires, taken out of the Fields, are set to eat out the Flesh.

The Monarchy of BENYN.

THe Kingdom of Benyn, * 1.32 or Benin, so call'd, from its chief City Great Be∣nyn; borders in the Northwest, on the Kingdom of Ulkami, Jaboc, Je∣jago, and Oedobo; in the North, on that of Jaboc, eight days journey above the City Benyn; in the East, on the Kingdom of Istanna, and Forkado; and in the South, on the Sea.

How far this Principality of Benyn spreads, * 1.33 from South to North, is as yet unknown, by reason several places continue so full of great Woods, that they cannot be Travell'd; but it hath from East to West about a hundred Spanish Miles.

This Kingdom boast many good Towns, * 1.34 though little at present known, as lying eight or nine days journey beyond the City of Benyn; besides an innu∣merable number of Villages and Hamlets, sprinkled as Beauty-Spots on the Verge of the River; but the rest of the Countrey, not Inhabited, so overgrown with Brambles, and Bushes, as makes it unpassable, save onely where some nar∣row Paths lead from Town to Town.

Twenty miles or thereabouts, up the same River, near its Head-Spring, stands a Town call'd Gotton, * 1.35 considerable for its length and extent.

Nine or ten miles from which, * 1.36 but more into the Countrey Northward, Benyn shews its self; a City of that largeness, as cannot be equall'd in those Parts, and of greater civility than to be expected among such Barbarous Peo∣ple; to whom better known by the name of Ordor.

It confines within the proper Limits of its own Walls three miles; * 1.37 but ta∣king in the Court makes as much more. The Wall upon one side rises to the height of ten Feet, double Pallasado'd with great and thick Trees, with Spars of five or six Foot, laid Crossways, fasten'd together, and Plaister'd over with Red Clay, so that the whole is cemented into one intirely; but this surrounds hardly one side; the other side having onely a great Trench, or Ditch, and Hedge of Brambles, unpassable, with little less difficulty than a Wall, and con∣sequently a good Defence.

The Gates, * 1.38 being eight or nine Foot high, and five broad, and made of one whole Piece of Wood, hang, or rather turns on a Pin, in the middle, being the fashion of that Countrey.

The King's Palace is Quadrangular, * 1.39 standing on the right hand of the City, as you enter at the Gate from Gotton, of no less compass than it, and in like manner surrounded; sub-divided into several stately Courts, Houses, and Apartements in the Countries; containing within fair and long Galleries, one larger than the other, but all supported on Pillars of Wood, cover'd from the top to the bottom with melted Copper, whereon are Ingraven their War∣like Deeds and Battels, and are kept with exceeding Curiosity. Most of the Roofs of this Palace are cover'd with Palm Canes, and every corner adorn'd with a Turret, rising high with a Spire, on whose tops, as we do here, place

[illustration]

De Stadt BENIN. The City BENJN.

Fanes; so they set Birds with out-stretched Wings very Artificially.

The City hath thirty very Strait and Broad Streets, each a hundred and twenty Foot wide, from one side of the Houses to the other; from which, by several smaller cross Lanes or Passages, you may go to any part within the Walls.

The Houses stand built in Rows, in good order close by one another, * 1.40 as here in Europe, having slop'd Roofs, cover'd with Palm Canes; they seldom exceed one Story, but of great capaciousness, with long Galleries, and many Chambers, Traverses, and Apartments, especially the Houses of the Nobility; and all the Partitions made of red Earth, with great Art and Beauty, which by washing and rubbing they keep Smooth, Bright, and Shining as a Looking-Glass; of the same matters are the Cielings made: In short, the Houses are neat∣ly Built here, beyond those of all other places in this Countrey, and every one furnisht with a convenient Well of pure and fresh Water.

A days journey Eastward of Benyn, lieth the Village Koffo. * 1.41

The Countrey appears low and full of Wood, in some places beautifi'd by Rivers and great Lakes; but between Gotton and great Benyn, the King hath ap∣pointed certain Officers to supply the necessities of all Travellers in what they want; for whose more fitting Accommodation, great Pots full of cool and pleasant Water, clear as Crystal, with Drinking-Horns near them, are set by the way side; yet none dares take it without paying the appointed Price.

Among other Rivers that run through this Territory, * 1.42 by the Inhabitants call'd Arbo; and by the Whites, Rio de Benyn, seems the best: It lieth eighteen miles Eastwardly from Rio Lagos, and with a broad and wide Mouth, enters the Sea: It hath a pretty convenient coming for Ketches and Slopes, but up∣ward, grows more narrow and crooked, dividing into many lesser Branches.

Here grow exceeding variety of Plants, and Fruits; as Oranges, Lemmons, and the like.

There grows also Pepper, call'd Benyn Pepper, but not in any quantity, * 1.43 and very often it grows like that of the East-Indies, but smaller; and Cotton in great abundance, whereof the Inhabitants make very fine Clothes.

Here breed divers sorts of Wild and Tame Beasts; as Tygers, Leopards, * 1.44 wild Board, Harts, Civet and wild Cats, Elephants, Horses, Asses, Goats, and Sheep, which have no Wooll, but Hair, onely long Legs, and well tasted flesh; besides many sorts of Squirrels, Land-Tortoises, Serpents, and the like; and of Fowls, Parrets, Pigeons, Pheasants, Storks, Turtle-Doves, and other great Birds; as Ostriches, and many others.

The Rivers feed Crocodiles, and very large Sea-Horses; * 1.45 also divers kinds of Fish, among the rest, a certain small one, which if touch'd by any, causes a quaking and trembling in the Arm, and therefore call'd, The Quaking-Fish, perhaps the Torpedo of Pliny.

The Inhabitants are all fashionable people, * 1.46 excelling other Blacks of this Coast, living together under good Laws and Justice; and shewing to all Fo∣raigners which Trade upon their Coast, great courtesie.

Their Cloathing, much like those of Arder; * 1.47 for persons of Ability wear two, three, or four Garments, one shorter than another, so pink'd, that the undermost appeareth through the upper; but the Common People have scarce one to cover their naked Bodies.

The Women have a blue Cloth from the middle, reaching below the Knee, * 1.48 and some small covering over their Breasts; their Hair neatly ty'd up, and

Pleited on the Crown of the Head like a Garland, the one half of a black, the other of a red colour, with Brass Rings on their Arms.

No man may go Clothed to, or in the Court, unless the King appoint him his Habit; insomuch that there are Men in the Palace of twenty, or twenty four years of Age, who go stark naked, without any sign of shame, onely with a Chain of fine Coral or Jasper about their Necks. But when the King gives them Garments, and together with them a Wife, ever after they always go Cloathed, and wash their Hair, which never grows to such length as to need cutting. Neither may the Women put on any Cloathes, till given by her Husband; so that Women of twenty, and five and twenty years old run along the Streets stark naked without shame or rebuke: but when the Husband hath once Suited her, he causes a House to be made for her, and sleeps by her, as by his other Wives.

Every Man Marries as many Women as he desires, * 1.49 yet keeps besides a great number of Concubines: But a White or a Christian may not be permitted to keep a Girl, because forbidden on pain of Death.

The Woman that hath had a Son by her deceased Husband, * 1.50 may not Mar∣ry again, but must be a Slave to her Son. Now if it happen, that any Man have a mind to such a Widow, he sues to the Son for her, promising to give him another young Maid in her stead, which must continue his Slavess as long as he please.

If the Parents bestow not their Daughter in Marriage before twelve or fourteen years of Age, after that time they have nothing more to do with her.

All the Women that after the death of the Husband admit another into their private Embraces, fall to the King, whom he bestows in Marriage; but such as keep themselves more reserv'd, the Son claims, and bestows upon re∣quest, as we have said already.

Sometimes the King doth not bestow these Women in Marriage again, but makes Regetairs, or Nurses of them. These, considering they need not stand in fear of a Husband, chuse as many single Men as they like, to whom they prostitute themselves at pleasure: and when any of them prove with Child, and bear a Son, they are free from paying of Tribute; but if they have a Girl, it becomes the King's due to dispose of.

There are great Regetairs, to whom the inferior give a yearly account, as they again to the great Fiadores, or Treasurers of the Empire, who declare the same to the King onely.

No Man may sleep with his Wife when she hath lay'n in Childbed, before the Child is a year and a half old: but she knows well enough how to play her Game in the mean time with others; of which if the Husband get any knowledge, he complains to the Fiadoors.

There are no Twins found, * 1.51 though likely enough that some are born; yet conceal'd with all care possible by the Midwife, because they count the bearing of two Children at a Birth, a great shame to a Woman.

They bury their Dead with all their Cloathes, * 1.52 and kill certain Slaves to serve them in the other World; after which they spend some days with Dan∣cing and Playing about the Grave: nay they sometimes dig the Corps up again, to honour him with new Sacrifices both of Men and Beasts. When a Woman dies, her Friends take Pots, Pans, Chests, and Boxes, and go with them upon their Heads along the Streets, with the sound of Drums and other Instru∣ments,

Singing to the honour of the Deceased. And according to her Degree and State, kill at the Grave some Slaves, and set near the Corps; so that no person of ability dies there, but the Funeral is attended with much expence of humane Blood.

Concerning Inheritance, * 1.53 the Husband takes all the Goods the Wife leaves behind her, except what she hath given her Children, while living; whereas the Woman may not, after the decease of her Husband, take the least part, be∣cause they all, as well Wives, Slaves, as other Goods, fall to the King; who for the most part, if there be a Son, bestows them on him.

No Foreigners can Trade up the River of Benyn without Order of the King; who chuses one Fiadoor, * 1.54 or Councellor of the Kingdom to Treat and Trade with them: Neither may those appointed for the Trade, so much as converse with the Whites, or come into their Store-houses, much less buy any European Wares, but are constrain'd to take them at the dearest rate of the Fia∣doors. On the other side, no Fiadoor, or Steward, may deal for any thing that belongeth to the Wars; so that every one must keep himself within the bounds of his Office.

When a Ship with its Lading Toweth along the Shore, a Messenger, * 1.55 or Passadoor, is sent to acquaint the King with it; who immediately dispatches two or three Fiadoors, accompani'd with twenty or thirty Veelies that are Mer∣chants, to go down and Trade with the Whites: These with great diligence go over-Land from Benyn to Gotton, where they Press as many Canoos as they want. Being thus arriv'd and provided of Boats, they chuse the best Houses and Dwellings, and without asking the Owner's leave, bring in all their Goods, turning him to shift for his Family; and yet he is bound the first day to Cook their Meat for them, without having any recompence for his pains.

When the Fiadoors come the first time into the Store-houses, * 1.56 they have neat Habits, with a Chain of Jasper about their Necks, and so kneeling, present the Salutation from their King and his Mother, and the greatest Fiadoors, in whose Name they bring somewhat to eat, ceremoniously enquiring of the state of their Countrey, Wars against their Enemies, and such like: so after a small Re∣past and Entertainment they take their leave, without speaking of Merchan∣dise; and the next day they return, asking to see the new-come Merchandise, which is shew'd them. Such Goods as they have brought of before, continue at the set Price; but new Goods have a Price set upon them: and when they have beat down Commodities as low as they can, and the Market set, they go on to Trade.

The Commodities, * 1.57 which the Europeans and other Whites Trade for in the River of Benyn, are Cotton-Cloathes, Jasper-Stone, and Women-Slaves, Leo∣pard-Skins, some Pepper and Akori, which is a certain bluish Coral, * 1.58 growing like a Tree in the Water. This Akori, carried to the Gold-Coast, the Women wear for an Ornament in their Hair.

The Inhabitants call the before-mention'd Cloathes Mouponoqua, being made of Cotton-Yarn, either all blue, or Strip'd with white and blue, two Ells and a half, and two Ells three quarters long, and scarce two Ells broad. And the other smaller, three of which make a Garment Ambasis.

The Whites give in Exchange for these Cloathes, such and the like Wares following:

• Cloth of Gold and Silver.
• Red Cloth.
• Canvas, strip'd with red at one end.
• All sorts of fine Cotton.
• Linnen.
• Confection of Oranges and Lemons, and other green Fruits.
• Crimson Velvet.
• Brass Armlets, each of five ounces and a half.
• Lavender, and Violet Cotton-Seed.
• Course Kersies.
• Fine Coral.
• Flower'd Stuffs, and stiff Gumm'd.
• Red Glass Pendants for the Ears.
• Iron Staves.
• Gilt Looking-Glasses.
• Crystals.
• East-India little Horns, or Shells, which they use in stead of Money.

The greater Strip'd Cloathes, transported to the Gold-Coast, have a good and quick Vent; but those that are all blue, are sold for most advantage in the River of Gabon in Angola.

Every three or four days, in the Town of Gotton, a Market is kept, to which those of Great Benyn, Arbon, and other Towns round about, repair; where not onely the aforesaid Cloathes, but all sorts of Provisions may be had.

The Inhabitants of Benyn have for their own use other Cloathes, made in Coffo, a Town lying a days Journey Eastward from thence; but no Whites may come there.

Between Gotton and Benyn great Plains spread themselves, wherein on Set-Days rich and plentiful Markets are found, extraordinarily crowded by all sorts of Dealers.

All Differences arising about Trade, the Nobility decide; for the Judges of the Place meddle not, so long as any remain there that belong to the King.

Their Arms are Shields, * 1.59 Spears, Bowes, Lances, or Assagays, and empoy∣son'd Arrows, which the Fetisero's, or Devil-Hunters, prepare very artificially. The Nobility, when they go to the Wars, Cloathe themselves in Scarlet, as a Badge of Eminency; others have Gorgets of Elephants and Leopard-Teeth, and high red Caps, Wrought and Quilted with Leopards and Civet-Cat Skins; unto which hangs a long Horse Tail for Ornament.

The common Soldiers usually go with the upper part of their Body naked, but on the lower wear a Cloth as fine as Silk.

In Fighting they keep a good Discipline and Order, for none may stir from his Place, though he see Death inevitable before his Eyes. None participate of the Booty but the General, or Field-Martial, by them call'd Owe-Aserry, or Siasseere: and yet every one thanks the King, that he will account them worthy of Employment, and deign to send them to the Wars for him. What Arrows remain after the Battel unshot, they lay up in several Chambers in the King's Armory, and presently make as many new again; which poyson'd by the Feti∣sero's, become useful for further Service.

The King of Benyn can raise (as they say) in one day twenty thousand Men in Arms, * 1.60 and in time of need, eighty, or a hundred thousand: so becomes dread∣ful to all his Neighbors. The care and charge of his Militia he reposes in a Field-Martial, or Generalissimo, who Commands over all the Forces, and in all things acts according to his own pleasure.

The King ruleth with an unlimited Power, * 1.61 and so absolute a Soveraignty, that all his Subjects, how great soever, be no better than Slaves: And that ac∣counted no small Priviledge, that Parents present to him their Children, to receive a peculiar Mark to authorize them to be reckon'd in that number.

[illustration]

His Jurisdiction extends over many Cities, Towns and Villages, wherein none of his Neighbors can equal him. Besides, he holds as Tributaries the Kingdom of Istama, Forkado, Jaboe, Isago, and Oedobo.

For the more orderly Government of the Kingdom, he makes three chief Counsellors in Great Benyn, call'd by the Portuguese, Figdares; who manage the Affairs of the whole Countrey under the King, (besides whom none superior to them but the Field-Martial, and the King's Mother:) These have Com∣mand over every Corner and Quarter of the City, and draw great Profit from thence: their Names of Office being Ongogue, Ossade, and Arribo.

These send into every City or Town, a certain number of Noble-men, call'd also Fiadoors, who decide all Causes, except such as relate to Life and Limb, and may condemn the guilty Person according to the greatness of his Offence, in a Mulct or Penalty; but those greater Trials are sent to Benyn, to be decided where the Courts of Justice sit. But the Judges oftentimes, though unknown to the King, yet not without the connivance of some of the greatest Fiadoors, are Brib'd to partiality.

The present King keeps a thousand Wives; * 1.62 for by the Death of his Father Kambadie, such Women as had been taken up for his use, but never known by him, became his Sons by Inheritance: the rest, with whom the Father had fa∣miliarly conversed, may never Marry again, but are shut up together in a Cloyster, and kept by Eunuchs.

This Prince makes great Wars against his Neighbors towards the East and North, winning from them many Cities and Towns, * 1.63 and thereby enriching his Treasury, with great Booty of Jasper-Stones, and other things.

He keeps such a reserv'd State, * 1.64 that he appears but once a year at the chief Festival out of his Court, before the Commons, and then on Horseback, adorn'd with all sorts of Royal Ornaments, and attended with three or four hundred Noble-men, both on Horseback and on Foot, and many Musitians before and after, in that manner as is mention'd in the foregoing Description

of the City of Benyn. But he rides not far, onely fetching a little compass, soon returns. As an Ornament to this short Cavalcade, he exposes to sight some tame Leopards Chain'd, which he keeps for his Recreation, many Dwarfs and Fools, to shew mimick Tricks, and antick Postures, and make Pastime for the People.

At this Festival, ten, twelve, thirteen, or more Slaves, for the honour of the King, are put to death; which they believe, after they have been a while dead, are going to another Countrey, and there reviving, enjoy the greatest felicity imaginable.

Upon another Day the King sheweth his Riches, consisting in Jasper-Stone, Coral, and other Commodities, before all Men, hanging out to publick view; and then he bestows many Presents of Slaves, Women, and other things, on the well-deserving: And also confers on his Favorites many Offices, which concern the Government of Cities and Towns.

The King's Mother, * 1.65 for her greater honour, hath a particular Palace with∣out the City, rich and stately built; where she keeps Court, with many Wo∣men and Maids Attendants; and so highly esteem'd, that her Counsel is us'd in all Causes of the Land: yet nevertheless, by a particular Custom, which they term Law, the King and his Mother may not see one another as long as they live.

When a King dies, * 1.66 a great Cave is digg'd in his Court, broad below, and narrow above, and so deep, that the Diggers must be drown'd in the Water.

In this Cave they put the Corps, and then all his Favorites and Servants ap∣pear to accompany and serve him in the other Life; and when they are gone down to the Corps in the Cave, they set a great Stone over the Mouth, the People that day and night standing round about it.

The next day some go to the Cave, and removing the Stone, ask them within, What they do? and, If none be gone to serve the King? To which then per∣haps nothing else is answer'd but No.

The third day they ask the same Question, and then sometimes receive an∣swer, That such are the first, and those and those are the second, whom they highly praise, and esteem happy.

At length, after four or five, or more days, the Men dead, and none left to give answer, they give account thereof to the new establish'd King; who pre∣sently makes a great Fire over the Cave, whereat spending a great quantity of Flesh to give away to the Common-People, so solemnizeth his Inaugu∣ration.

After the Cave stopp'd, many Men, as they pass along the Streets, and some in their own Houses, are struck down dead; whose Heads cover'd with a Cloth none dare remove, but so let it lie to be devour'd by Carnifferous Fowl; which are of these two sorts, one call'd Goere, and the other Akalles.

Some hold opinion, that into the foremention'd Cave, no living, but onely the Trunks of beheaded Men are put; as also that they throw in great part of his Royal Vesture, Houshold-stuff, and other Wealth.

By the King's Order yearly Festivals are kept, * 1.67 in Commemoration of the deceased Kings; wherein they make horrible Sacrifices of Men and Beasts, to the number of four or five hundred; but never more than three and twenty in a day: most of them Malefactors, who have deserv'd Death, and reserv'd in the Trunk of a Tree for this Time. But if it happen that there be not Malefa∣ctors enough, then the King, to compleat the number, sends for some of his

Servants in the Evening into the Streets, to take all those that go without Lights, and bring them into the Prison. If the surprised be a poor, or idle person, he must expect no favor, but hurri'd to Prison, soon receives his doom; but a rich Man may redeem himself. The greatest Fiadoors cannot excuse their Slaves from this duty but by another. And in this manner, the Fetisero's in∣tending to make a humane Sacrifice to the Devil, gets a Man by order from the Court, which they may dispose of as they please.

The Crown descends to the Sons, and for want of Sons, to the Brothers.

When the King lieth upon his Death-bed, he sends for one of his Nobility, * 1.68 whom they call Onegwa; to whom he declares the right of Succession, and who shall be his Heir; which this Noble-man does reveal to none, till a competent time after the King's Death; but then takes upon him the oversight of the de∣ceased King's Goods and Children, who come with great humility and Salute him, not as yet knowing who shall Inherit the Crown. Every one makes ad∣dress to this Onegwa with great respect, in hopes of future advantage, but he continues silent till the appointed time; when sending for the Owe-Asserry, that is, the General, tells him which Son the deceased King appointed to Inherit the Crown: whereupon the General, without speaking a word, withdraws to his House; and the Onegwa sets up that Son to be King; whereof the retir'd Ge∣neral receiving notice, after five or six days, he comes again to the Court, and calling for the Onegwa, demands if that were the old King's will; wherein re∣ceiving an affirmative satisfaction, immediately they present the deposited In∣heritance of the Crown, and he receives the Dominion; whereupon, after thanks return'd, he puts on Royal Robes, and sits down. Then come all the Vassals, from the highest to the lowest, and do homage upon their Knees.

This Solemnity ended, the King retires to another Town, call'd Goseboe, * 1.69 to keep his Court; for till a set time-he may not come to Benyn, unless to make a wicked Sacrifice of Men and Beasts: But when the Siasseere thinks time enough to have been spent, and that the Lessons and Life of his Ancestors be enough inculcated, the same Siasseere, or General, invites him to, and entertains him in Benyn; where thence-forward he keeps his Court, and Rules according to his own pleasure.

The King once setled upon the Throne, * 1.70 endeavours to cut off all his Bro∣thers, to secure himself against Competitors: of late some of them have been spared; but they made such ill use of that favor, by confederating with the Friends of some condemn'd and banish'd Fiadoors, that this present King smo∣ther'd, and other ways put to death all his Brethren, not clandestinely, but upon publick notice: though some stick not to report, that he forc'd them to hang themselves, because none may lay hands on the Royal Bloud to kill them; yet after their Death he order'd them to be hang'd with great Magnificence and State.

Their Religion, if any, consisteth in honouring the Devil, to whom, * 1.71 as we said before, they sacrifice Men and Beasts: for though they well know and be∣lieve, that there is a God, who hath created Heaven and Earth, and still Rules, yet they esteem it unnecessary to Pray to, or Serve him, because he is not evil, but good; but they seek to appease the Devilwith Sacrifices, for that he al∣ways prosecutes them with evil. They call God, Orisa; and the Whites, Owiorisa, that is, God's Child. They have wooden Fetisies, or Idols, which they Worship; and Fetisero's, or Priests, who enquire of, and receive answers from the Devil.

The Fetisi also foretels what shall befall them, either in the Wars, or other∣wise, by a contriv'd sound, proceeding out of a Pot with three holes, as is rela∣ted before. They offer yearly great Sacrifices to the Sea, that it may be favo∣rable; and swear no greater Oath, than by the Sea and their King. They ob∣serve many high and solemn Times, with Dancing, Leaping, Playing, offering both Men and Cattel.

In the Village Lebo, lying before the River Arbon, or Bonya, liveth a Conju∣rer, all whose Ancestors practis'd the same Art: for they could, by report of the Inhabitants, Charm the Sea in divers manners, now raising Tempests, anon causing a Calm; sometimes foretel Wracks and Losses, otherwhiles the safe arrival of Ships from strange Countreys; for which, or rather for fear, the King gave him this Hamlet, with all the Slaves; which he yet possesses. He hath such strange fancies and behaviour, as if possess'd, that none dare take him by the Hand.

The Bonyan Agents, when they come thither, stand in great awe of him; and he himself dare not come to Bonya, nor near it, by command of the former Kings: yet the Prince hath many of those Necromancers about him, and holds them in great esteem.

The Kingdom of ISAGO, JABOE, and ODOBO.

THe Tributary Dominion of Isago borders in the West, * 1.72 on the Domini∣on of Benya, being a Countrey full of Horses, which the Inhabitants use onely for Wars; whereof having gotten together a very considera∣ble Body some years ago, * 1.73 they intended to set upon the Bonyans; who being pre∣acquainted with their Design, underhand digg'd many Pits in the Fields, and covering the same with Earth, went to meet the advancing Enemy; but soon retreated, as if surprised with fear, till they had drawn the Foe within their danger: The Isago's supposing they had fled indeed, betook them to a speedy pursuit; but in stead of their hop'd Victory, they fell into the prepared Pits: out of which the Benyans fetch'd and kill'd most of them, making the Coun∣trey Tributary: Since which they never have dar'd to act against the King of Benya.

At the same West-side lie the Kingdoms of Jaboe and Odobo, * 1.74 but of smaller Power, and less considerable then the Isagon; whose King, though subjected as before related, yet in Power and Ability falls little short of the Benyan himself.

The Jurisdiction of Istanna.

IStanna, lying to the East of Benyn, hath been formerly very powerful, * 1.75 but divers years since reduced and brought under the subjection of that King, to whom they pay an annual Tribute.

The Territory of Gaboe.

GAboe lieth at the River Benyn, * 1.76 eight days Journey above the great City of the same Name.

The Europeans get in this Countrey much Akori, which they carry to the Gold-Coast, and many Jasper-Stones: but most of the Trade is for Slaves: The People seem to be good natur'd, and their Custom little differing from those of Benyn.

Biafar, or Biafra.

MOre on to the East lieth the Kingdom of Biafar, or Biafra, * 1.77 according to Anamin and Linschot, having on the West certain Mountains, which divide it from that of Medra, and spreads Southward to the fourth Degree of North Latitude. The chief City also call'd Biafra, and ac∣cording to Hues, scituate in six Degrees and ten Minutes.

The Inhabitants are generally inclin'd to Conjuration and Witchcraft; * 1.78 so that they believe by that Art they can do all things, viz. procure or cause Rain, Lightning and Thunder, or any other Weather, foretell Events to suc∣ceed, and what not? for which knowledge they honour the Devil so much, that they sacrifice, not onely Beasts and Herbs to him, but also their own Children.

The Principality of Owerre, or Forkado.

ABout four and twenty miles Eastward of Benya, * 1.79 Rio Forkado intermingles with the Sea; near or by whose Banks the Territory of Owerre, other∣wise call'd the Kingdom of Forkado, claims a scituation.

The Edges of this River are pleasantly shaded on both sides by neighboring Trees, and the Stream very commodious for Ketches of a reasonable Burden, being in breadth half a Mile, and in depth twelve Foot, or more.

A Mile inwardly upon a small Outlet, stands a Fishers Village, call'd Bolma.

About seven and twenty Miles upward appears the chief Town Owerre, * 1.80 where the King keeps his Court, containing half a Mile in circumference, and

surrounded on the Land-side with Woods. The Buildings not contemptible, especially the Houses of the Gentry, yet cover'd with Palm-Leaves, and made up of gray Earth.

The King's Palace is built after the method of that in Benyn, but much less.

The Air proves very unhealthful, * 1.81 not onely by reason of the great Heat, but also from bad and unwholsom Mists; whereof Strangers Trading in the River being ignorant, and carelesly lying and sleeping in the Evening, or in Moon-shine, oftentimes die suddenly.

The Soyl is so barren, * 1.82 that Grass and Corn are strangers to it; but it yields many fruitful Trees, as those bearing Coco-Nuts, sowre and sweet Grapes, with divers others; also a little Pepper. Baranasses in great numbers, and Mandihoka; of which they make Farinha, or Bread.

By reason of the barrenness of the Fields, there are neither Horses nor Cows; but Poultrey they have in abundance, and very large; being roasted eat well. Fish also, and Sea-Calves, whose Flesh dress'd yields a pleasing relish.

Both Men and Women are of comely Stature, and fair Countenances, ac∣cording to the account of Beauty in that Countrey, and all marked with three Cuts, each something more than an Inch long, that is, one in the Forehead above the Nose; and one on each side of their Head by the Temples; and may wear their Hair long or short as they please.

Their Habit resembles those of Benyn, * 1.83 as to Fashion, but commonly made of Silk, which the other may not wear, fastned under their Arm-pits with a cu∣rious Girdle.

Every one here, * 1.84 as in other parts of Africa, may take as many Wives as he will, or as he can get; and sometimes the King bestows some Widows, as a mark of his Favor.

The Whites come and Trade in the River Forkado, * 1.85 with the same sort of Wares as in Benyn, which they exchange for Slaves, Jasper-Stone, and Akori; but they hold them in great esteem, and will not sell them but above the va∣lue. They are no quick nor expert Dealers, but cheapen a Commodity a whole Moneth, onely to beat down the Price; but to little purpose, because the Mer∣chant rates his Goods according to the value set by the Natives upon their Commodities, which he never recedes from.

The Portuguese us'd in former times to trust them always, which the pre∣sent Traders never do; so that they now bring the Slaves when they fetch their Goods.

The King of Owerre, * 1.86 though Tributary to Benyn, Governs notwithstanding his People with full Power, as an absolute Prince; and hath a Council con∣sisting of three great Noble-men, whose Power and Command none dare oppose.

The King which Govern'd in the Year Sixteen hundred forty four, was a Mulato, by the Portuguese and other Europeans, call'd Don Anthonio de Mingo; whose Father, by Name De Mingo, was Married to a Portuguese Maid, which he brought with him out of Portugal, where he had been himself in Person, and had this Son born by her. He goes like a Portuguese, wearing always a Sword or Ponyard by his Side.

Their Religion comes near that of Benyn, * 1.87 onely they do not sacrifice so many Men, but esteem it a great abomination and delusion of the Devil; so that by a little instruction they might be brought to the Christian Faith. They alllow neither Conjurers nor Witches among them. In brief, both

the Inhabitants and the King himself maintain in some measure the Roman Religion.

There is a Church with an Altar in the City Owerre, and on it stands a Cruci∣six with the Pictures of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles, and two Candle∣sticks besides them, into which the Blacks come with Beads like the Portuguese, and Read their Prayers. They are in general very zealous, and can Write and Read, and are desirous of Books, Pens, Ink, and Paper.

The Coast of the Cape of Formosa, to the Highland of Amboises.

AT the East-end of the Kingdom of Owerre, * 1.88 shoots a prominent Point into the Sea, by the Whites call'd Cabo Formosa, that is, The Fair Cape, per∣haps for its fair and pleasant appearance at Sea. It lieth in the heigth of four Degrees and eight Minutes North Latitude; so low and plain, that they can discern no Land at five and twenty Fathom Water.

The Countrey between the River Benyn and Cape Formosa, appears a very low Land, but full of Trees.

About a Mile to the Westward a small River takes its course; and upon the Banks of the Sea stands a Village call'd Sangma; and a sandy Bank, * 1.89 dry at Low∣water.

Between this Cape and Rio Reael, or Calabare, lie seven small Rivers, with broken Land.

The first little and narrow, call'd Rio Non, * 1.90 about half a Mile Eastward of Cabo Formosa.

The second Rio Odo, in the heighth of four Degrees and ten Minutes, * 1.91 four miles from Formosa, and three and a half from Rio Non.

The third and fourth of a like bigness, and not far distant from each other.

The fifth Rio St. Nicholas. * 1.92

The sixth Rio de tres Jermaus. * 1.93

The seventh Sambreiro, the next to Calabare, and spreads North-West. * 1.94

All these Rivers are passable onely with Boats, and that in the Good Time, * 1.95 as they call it, viz. from October to June; yet enter the Sea such force, that they discernably penetrate it above half a mile.

In divers Maps and Sea-Cards some others are named, as Rio di Tilana, Rio de St. Barbara, and Rio de St. Bartholomew.

The Territories of Calabare, Krike, Moko, Bani, &c.

THe Countrey of Calabare lieth near the River of the same Name, * 1.96 and the next Westward to Sambreiro, or Sombreiro, being about sixteen miles from Cape Formosa.

This River in some places very shoal, * 1.97 and therefore onely Navigable for

small Ketches; spreading Northerly, and hath within its second Point, at the Western-shore a Hamlet, * 1.98 call'd by the Whites, The Wine-Village, from the abun∣dance of Wine there, but by the Inhabitants, Fokke. Then dividing into two Branches, one at the Westerly-end, the other at the Easterly-shore: In the Eastern you find a Road, or Haven for Ketches, which put into this River for Trade, of about two miles and a half in bigness.

At the North-side of the aforemention'd Branch appears the Village Cala∣bare, * 1.99 the chiefest Place of Trade, surrounded after the Countrey manner for Defence with Pallisado's; and on the North having a Moorish Ground. Southward of this you discover a long, low Island, full of Trees, separated from the Continent onely by a small Pool. Eight miles Westward hereof lieth a Hamlet named Belli, Govern'd by a Captain. Fourteen miles Westward runs the Easterly Branch, whose Banks are garnish'd with divers Villages.

Northward of Calabare, * 1.100 a Territory call'd Krike shews it self, bordering up∣on another named Moko. * 1.101

Southward of which last, * 1.102 at the Sea-Coast, comes the Lordship of Bani; wherein is seated a pretty large Town, by Name Kuleba, the Residence of a Deputy-Lieutenant, who Commands over eight or ten adjacent Townships.

All the Blacks inhabiting the Easterly-shore of the greater Calabare, * 1.103 to∣wards the North, are Cannibals; for they eat up whatever Enemies they kill, but their Prisoners they sell for Slaves. The Number One they call Barre; Two, Ma; Three, Terre; Four, Ni; Five, Sonny, &c.

The Women here have a peculiar way of Circumcision with Pismires, as before related in Arder, and therefore we shall not repeat it.

In Moko they have Coin'd Money, made of Iron in form of a Roach, the Rundle as big as the Palm of a Hand, with a Handle about an Inch long.

The Whites give here in Barter for Slaves, * 1.104 great Copper Armlets, long-fashion'd, and with a round Bowe very neatly made, else the Blacks, who are very curious therein, will not buy them: also red and smooth Copper Bars, (the smoother the better) every Piece of a Pound and a quarter weight, and about an Ell long: for fourteen of those they purchase a good Slave. The Blacks fashion these Bars longer and thinner; which they divide into three parts, and then bray'd, or twist them together like a Rope made of three Strings; which they fashion into great and small Armlets and Collers, or Neck-bands: for the Armlets, term'd Boctu, brought thither by the Whites, they use onely in stead of Money.

The Blacks in this River use great Canoos, * 1.105 wherein twenty Row on each side, can carry sixty or eighty Men, and are cut out of the entire Body of a Tree, by burning and cutting it hollow, and some near sixty, nay seventy Foot long, sharp before and behind, but wide in the middle, having Planks laid cross from side to side, and fastned, which lie a hand-breadth over: on which Planks, and on the edges of them, such as manage the Boat, sit; which they drive for∣ward, not with Rowing, but with Padling.

On each side hang two great Shields, * 1.106 with some Bowes and Wooden Assa∣gays, or Launces, to defend themselves against the Assaults of their Enemies. Every Canoo hath also a Hearth; near which the chiefest of the Boat have their Sleeping-places.

When they stay out a Nights with their Canoos, * 1.107 they make a Tent over them, with Mats hang'd upon Polls, set up in holes of the sitting-Planks: under

this covert they lay small flat Sticks, bound together with Rushes, whereupon they lie down to rest and sleep; but the Slaves lie dispers'd about the bottom of the Boat.

The Slaves brought by the Blacks to sell, at the River Calabare, * 1.108 come most from the East, and are the same which they take Prisoners alive in the Wars; for those that are kill'd, they eat, as we said before.

Eastward of Great Calabare, about two miles from its East Point, * 1.109 glides the River Loitomba, otherwise, Rio Sante Domingo, whose East corner a petty Town shews it self, large and full of Merchants, who Travel into the Countrey to buy Slaves, which they sell again to the Whites.

After Loitomba, follows Old Calabare, by some stil'd Old Kalhorgh, * 1.110 passing through a Plain, but Woody Countrey; from the East Point of Rio Reael, to this, the Coast spreads East South East sixteen miles.

Next you come to Rio del Key, a very great and wide River, * 1.111 with three Fa∣thom Water, and a Muddy Ground, neither troubled with Sandy Shoales, nor Rocks.

At the Northerly Shore thereof, lieth a Township, over which (some years since) one Samson had the Command; but driven out by those of Ambo, he hath ever since maintain'd himself by Robbing; for his Village was so wasted by Fire, that very few Houses remain'd, and those all made of Palm Canes, from the top to the bottom, as well the Sides as the Roof.

The Countrey far and near, is all low and marshy Ground, * 1.112 so that there is no fresh Water, but that which runs from the Village, or gathered from the Roof of the Houses.

The People living up higher, call'd Kalbongos, are very subtil and cunning; * 1.113 so that a White must look well to himself. Both Men and Women go naked, onely a small covering before their Privacies; and so barbarously cruel, that the Parents sell their Children, the Husband his Wife, and one Brother and Sister the other; and as to decency or order, scarce a degree above Beasts.

The Men tie the top of their Virile part with a piece of Bark, * 1.114 or else put the same in long Callabashes; the rest of their Bodies remain Naked, onely Painted with Red Colours. They wear their Hair Pleited in several Fashions, and many have their upper Teeth fil'd as sharp as Bodkins or Nee∣dles, chiefly supporting themselves by catching Fish.

When any amongst them stands accus'd, * 1.115 he clears himself by taking an Oath in this manner; He cuts himself in the Arm, and sucks up his own bloud, and this they repute a sufficient Purgation: and this custom those inhabiting the high Land of Amboises in Ambo and Botery, also observe.

This River affords many Slaves, for Copper Bars, * 1.116 and likewise for coun∣terfeit Corral Beads, and Copper Basons, which on the Gold-Coast for their sleightness cannot be sold: Akori also, and Elephants Teeth, against Knives, and Assagayes, or Lances; the Teeth generally so large, that three pieces make a hundred weight.

Between Rio del Key, and that of Kamarones, narrow, but deep Rivers, * 1.117 makes his way; from whence the Coast spreads East South East, about three miles, with low and Woody Land, and a plain Shore.

The Trade here agrees in all points with that at Rio del Rey, * 1.118 but differ in speech; for here they call the number One Mo; Ba, Two; Melella, Three; Me∣ley, Four; Matam, Five.

The Territory of AMBOSINE, or the High Land AMBOISES.

THis Lordship of Amboisine, * 1.119 by the Europeans call'd the High Land of Am∣boses, because they suppose it to be as high as the Pick of Tenariffe, and by the Spaniards therefore nam'd, Alta Terra de Ambosi; takes place be∣tween Rio del Rey, * 1.120 and Kamarones. At the West side thereof lie divers Villages, among others Bodi, or Bodiwa, otherwise Cesge.

The Countrey produces great plenty of Grain, * 1.121 but no Palm-Wine, which want, the Inhabitants supply by a Root call'd Gajanlas, which they boile in water, and make a Drink of, pleasant in taste, but hurtful for the belly, if ta∣ken in excess. Other Provisions they have in such quantities, that Seame•• esteem it a good and desirable place to refresh in.

The Islands of AMBOISES.

FOur miles to the South East of this High Land, * 1.122 lie three small Islan•••• the Sea, call'd also Amboises; of which the Eastermost is the biggest, almost as Towring as the High Land of Amboises, being very populou••

Within these, great abundance of Provision, good Palm-Wine, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be had, but little Trade; and for that reason, as little frequented: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before it the Ships Ride at Anchor, to buy Slaves and Elephants Teeth brought thither from Kamerones.

The Inhabitants, * 1.123 which for the most part speak Portuguese, live on the mid∣dlemost Island of the three, from whence they go often to the main Land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 get Provision and Fruit.

About five miles from Amboises, * 1.124 the River Jamoce glides in a narrow Cur∣rent.

In the middle of which, * 1.125 towards the South Wall, a small Island call'd Buf∣fels Island, discovers it self; from which spreads a Bank of Rocks South East∣erly, so steep, that one side of a Ship touching it, on the other side may find six Fathom water.

Two miles within the third Point, * 1.126 you arrive at a place by the Whites, call'd The Teeth Hole, but by the Natives, Monoka; and opposite to that another, nam'd The Monombas Hole, whereto adjoyns a Village, the usual Trading place.

At the North, live the Kalbangas, whose Governor nam'd Moneba, hath the repute of one of the powerfullest of the adjacent Princes. The Town where he keeps his Seat Royal, stands scituate on a Hill, very neatly Hedg'd about with Trees, so that they account it the pleasantest place in all that Tract; and not onely so, but exceedingly stor'd with abundance of Provision, as Injames, Bananassen, Palm Wine, and Bordon Wine, both of the same species; but the lat∣ter the worst, as growing in Fenny places: The Houses are built in Quadran∣gular form.

Little Ivory can be gotten here, and less Akori, but many Slaves, * 1.127 which makes them cheap.

The Commodities desir'd there, and carry'd thither by the Netherlanders, are,

• Thin beaten Bosses, which they use in stead of Money.
• Bars of Iron.
• Copper Bars.
• Copper Pots.
• Hammer'd Kettles.
• Violet Beads.
• Paste of Oranges and Lemmons.
• Cows Horns; And such like.

The People which live by the River Kamerones, are strong, fat, and lively, smooth Skin'd, from the top to Toe, and generally of as large a stature, as the lustiest Englishman.

Next Kamerones, on the Sea Coast, follow the Rivers, Monoka, Borba, or Bourn, Rio de Campo, Rio Sante Benito, and Rio Danger.

Rio Sante Benito lieth in two degrees Northern Latitude, * 1.128 and the Coast spreads South and North.

Seven miles Southward, in one degree, and five and thirty minutes, you come to another River, and four miles farther a third, abounding in Water.

Five miles from the last opens a Bay, bearing eight Fatnom Water.

Six miles below which, a prominant Point, stil'd, Cape St. John, * 1.129 fronted with a ridge of Rocks.

None of these Rivers are much frequented for Trade, except that of Danger, in one degree North Latitude.

The People prove ill Neighbours to each other, being never free from Ani∣mosities, Feuds, and Quarrels upon every trifle.

The Island KORISKO.

THree or four miles Southward of Cape St. John, appears an Island, * 1.130 to which the Portuguese have given the name of Ilhas des Korisko, that is, The Island of Lightning, from the more than usually frequent Light∣nings happening there, when they first discover'd the place.

The Land towards the Sea Coast is generally Sandy, * 1.131 except on the North West, where Stony. But more within, overgrown with high Trees, whose Wood is Redder, if Sanutus say true, than that of Brasile; perhaps it may be the Red Wood which the Inhabitants call Takoel.

The Road for Ships lieth in five and forty minutes, Northward of the Line, * 1.132 and convenient for Shipping: According to Sanute, the Island not inhabited, being indeed not above half a mile in compass, but the propriety of the Beny∣an King.

The Countries lying about the River Gabon, and the Cape of Lope Gonzalvez.

THe River Gabon, * 1.133 by Linschot call'd Gaba, and in some Maps Gabam, ly∣eth under the Line.

The North Point of which the Seamen call the Cape of St. * 1.134 Clare, much resembling that of St. John, and in a manner differenc'd onely in this; that coming out of the Sea, and approaching near the Shore, they see a white Spot against it, as if it were a Sayl, which is not to be seen at the Cape of St. John.

In the Mouth this River is four miles wide, but grows afterwards smaller and narrower; * 1.135 so that it is not above two miles over at the Island Pongo. Its South Point is low, and overgrown with Trees; but the North Point almost choak'd up with Flats and Sands. At the South Shore, about three or four miles inwards, another Point discovers it self; known by the name of the Sandy Point: many Crocodiles and Sea-Horses breed herein, to the great dam∣age and hazard, both of the Natives and Strangers. Five miles more inward, you come to two little Islands; the one, the Inhabitants call Pongo; and the Whites, * 1.136 The King's Isle, because he keeps his Court there: and the other, Parrets Isle, from the great abundance of Parrets breeding within it; which last yields also great plenty of Bananasses, Injames, Oranges, and other Fruits.

The King of Pongo hath the report of a powerful Prince; they entitle him, Manipongo, that is, Lord of Pongo; as the King of Kongo, Mani-Kongo. 'Tis true, two other Princes claim a great Jurisdiction near him, viz. one at Majombo, and another at Gabon, yet neither dare resist; he, Pongian, and his Palaces nam'd Goliparta, exceed in magnificence and extent, all the rest of the Buildings which pretend to Beauty or State.

The Men naturally incline to Cheating and Thieving, * 1.137 but not so much among themselves, as towards strangers, to whom also bloudy, barbarous, and unnatural; but the Women shew great courtesie and affability, accounting it an honor to make acquaintance with them.

In Marriage they have no respect to neerness of Relation; * 1.138 for the Mother may Marry her Son, and the Father his Daughter.

The Houses have no other Walls or Partitions than Reeds, * 1.139 very neatly or∣der'd, and fastned together, and cover'd with Leaves of the Bannana-Tree.

They lie all along on the ground when they eat; * 1.140 the common People using Earthen Vessels, but more eminent persons Dishes of Tin. Their Food chiefly Potatoes, and Injames, Roasted or Boil'd, and many other Roots: Also Fish, and Flesh mixt together; but first either smoak'd or dry'd in the Sun: During the Meal they never Drink, but having done Eating, swallow great Cups full of Water, or Palm-Wine, or a sort of Mead, which they call Melaffo.

For Apparel they wear Cloth made of Mats, * 1.141 and the Shell of the Matombe-Tree, over which some hang the Skins of Apes, or Sea-Cats, or any other wild Beast, with a Bell in the middle.

Both Men and Women go for the most part bare Headed, having their Hair

Brayded; some wear Hats made of the Bark of Trees, or Coco-nuts; others in stead of Hats have Plumes of Feathers, made fast to a Wire about their Heads.

Some for Ornament make holes in their upper lips, * 1.142 in which they put pieces of Ivory; and in the under lips, for the like purpose. Many wear Silver Jewels, or Pendants at their Ears and Noses, of three or four Ounces weight; others put thin pieces of Wood thorow them, of five or six Fingers long, or Rings, or Ivory, and pieces of Horn. They colour their Bodies with a Red Paint, made of Takoel Wood, and Dye one of their Eyes with it, the other Painting white and yellow, and make two or three Rays like Sun-beams on their Faces. Most of them have rough Girdles of Briffels Skin, three, four, five, or six hands broad, yet the ends meet not, but remain about four Fingers breadth asunder, ty'd together with a small String; to which at an Iron Chain hang their Knives.

Some hang round Boxes about their Necks, but they will never let any bo∣dy see what they have in them: Moreover, their Skins be cut and Carv'd in divers manners, but never go abroad, without either a Sword or Ponyard by their sides. Some Women wear Flaps of Bulrushes, and a few great Rings of Iron, Copper, or Tin, on their Arms and Legs.

The Whites exchange in the River of Gabon, with the neighbouring Blacks, * 1.143 Elephants Teeth, which they bring from Kamerones, and Amboise for Slaves; also Elephants Tails and Skins, which they barter again on the Gold-Coast with great gain.

When the King of Pongo fears any War, he removes to another Island, part∣ly defended by its natural strength, and partly, by the great number of Guns, which he hath gotten from the Netherlanders, French and Portuguese Ships, sur∣pris'd, or otherwise taken.

Heretofore this King of Gabon, or Pongo, * 1.144 War'd against the King of the Cape Lope-Gonzalves, and overcame him in a Pitcht Field, totally destroying his Ar∣my; by which means, he grew very surly and proud; but by the intercession of the Europeans, at that time, there the difference was afterward compos'd; * 1.145 so that since, they have kept a true Allyance and Friendship one with an∣other.

Some years since, * 1.146 the same King went with fifty or sixty Canoos thorow the Countrey; and first (with his people about him) came to Kamarones, from whence he carry'd all away that he could find, as Elephants-Teeth, and Slaves. The same he did in Amboises, and in the Countreys lying near the Princes of Rey, and Olibata; which shews him to be a powerful King, and one with whose Subjects the best Trade may be had, either for Slaves, Money, or Ivory.

Every Village or place hath a peculiar Governor, call'd Chaveponto, * 1.147 who acts and doth all things in the King's Name.

The Cape of Lope-Gonzalves.

EIght miles from the River Gabon, * 1.148 Northward of Olibata, appears a large and Prominant Point; from the first Discoverer in Portuguese, call'd Caba des Lope-Gonzalves, lying in forty six Minutes South Latitude; or to explain it better, the Cape in one degree, and the Road, where the Ships come to Anchor, in six and forty Minutes: A little Southward of this Cape, the River Olibata in∣termingles with the Ocean.

Here live no People; * 1.149 but when the Blacks hear of any Ships arriving, they come out of the Countrey, and bring sometimes Elephants to sell; but Oli∣bata yields the most Trade to the Whites. If the Seamen will have no hin∣drance in their fetching of Water they must give the Blacks good store of old white Linnen, Beads, and other trifles.

Most of all the Inhabitants, * 1.150 both here, and at Gabon, speak, besides their own Language, broken Portuguese, as learn'd by their long conversation with that People.

The Inlanders have a King of their own, * 1.151 who liveth six or seven miles up in the Countrey.

In March, May, and June, the Current of the Sea sets under the Line, or from this Cape Gonzalves, most about the South, along the Coast of Angola, so that Ships may easily Sail about the South in that time; whereas at other times, it sets continually to the North, with Southerly Winds, so that 'tis almost impos∣sible to come about by the South. Next this Cape, lie the Rivers of Paradia, St. Bacias, and Fardinand de Vaz.

And thus have we lead you, as it were by the hand, through Negroland.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Kingdom of Arder.
• * 1.2

  The Town Foulaen.
• * 1.3

  Little Arder.
• * 1.4

  Jakkeins
• * 1.5

  Jojo.
• * 1.6

  Ba.
• * 1.7

  The air unhealthy.
• * 1.8

  The conditions of the Land.
• * 1.9

  Their Fruits.
• * 1.10

  Houses.
• * 1.11

  Houshold-stuff.
• * 1.12

  Beer of Mille.
• * 1.13

  Food.
• * 1.14

  Habit.
• * 1.15

  The kind of the Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.16

  The Conditions of the Women.
• * 1.17

  The Funeral.
• * 1.18

  Their Merchandise.
• * 1.19

  Their Maintenance.
• * 1.20

  Tillage.
• * 1.21

  Merchandise.
• * 1.22

  The Wars.
• * 1.23

  Dominion.
• * 1.24

  Funeral.
• * 1.25

  Their Religion.
• * 1.26

  Fetisero's, or Priests.
• * 1.27

  Rio Laga.
• * 1.28

  Curamo.
• * 1.29

  The Kingdom of Ʋlkami
• * 1.30

  Their Trade.
• * 1.31

  Religion, or Worship.
• * 1.32

  Borders of the Kingdom of Benyn.
• * 1.33

  Bigness.
• * 1.34

  Latb••.
• * 1.35

  Gotton.
• * 1.36

  The City of Benyn.
• * 1.37

  Bigness.
• * 1.38

  Strength.
• * 1.39

  The Kings Court.
• * 1.40

  Houses.
• * 1.41

  Koffo.
• * 1.42

  Rio Benyn.
• * 1.43

  Fruits.
• * 1.44

  Beasts.
• * 1.45

  Fishes.
• * 1.46

  The cordition of the In∣habitants.
• * 1.47

  Their constitution.
• * 1.48

  Clothing.
• * 1.49

  Marriage.
• * 1.50

  A Widow is a Woman-Servant to her Son.
• * 1.51

  Why there are no Twins.
• * 1.52

  Funeral.
• * 1.53

  Inheritance.
• * 1.54

  Merchandise.
• * 1.55

  When a new Ships La∣ding comes, Fiadoors are sent to Gotton.
• * 1.56

  How the Fiadoors wel∣come the Whites.
• * 1.57

  Benynish-Wares.
• * 1.58

  Akori is a kind of blue Coral.
• * 1.59

  Arms, or Weapons.
• * 1.60

  The Potency of the King.
• * 1.61

  Government.
• * 1.62

  The King of Benyn keeps many Wives.
• * 1.63

  He makes great Wars.
• * 1.64

  Comes but once a year out of his Court.
• * 1.65

  The King's Mother is in great Honour.
• * 1.66

  The Funeral of the King.
• * 1.67

  The Festival time of the deceased King.
• * 1.68

  The Inheritance.
• * 1.69

  The new King may not at first dwell in Benyn.
• * 1.70

  The new King kills all his Brethren.
• * 1.71

  Religion.
• * 1.72

  The Kingdom of Isago.
• * 1.73

  The fruitless Invention of the Isagos's on those of Benyn.
• * 1.74

  Jaboe. Odobo.
• * 1.75

  The Kingdom of Istanna
• * 1.76

  The Kingdom of Gaboe.
• * 1.77

  The Borders of the King∣dom of Biafar.
• * 1.78

  The Inhabitants inclin'd to Witchcraft.
• * 1.79

  The Kingdom of Owerre.
• * 1.80

  The City Owerre.
• * 1.81

  Unwholsom Air.
• * 1.82

  Plants.
• * 1.83

  Habit.
• * 1.84

  Marriage.
• * 1.85

  Trade.
• * 1.86

  Government.
• * 1.87

  Religion.
• * 1.88

  Cape of Formosa.
• * 1.89

  Sangma.
• * 1.90

  Rio Non.
• * 1.91

  Rio Odo.
• * 1.92

  Rio St. Nicholas.
• * 1.93

  Rio de tret Jermaus.
• * 1.94

  Rio Sambreiro.
• * 1.95

  Are not Navigable.
• * 1.96

  The Countrey of Cala∣bare.
• * 1.97

  The River of Calabare.
• * 1.98

  Wine-Village.
• * 1.99

  The Village Calabare.
• * 1.100

  Krike.
• * 1.101

  Moko.
• * 1.102

  Bani.
• * 1.103

  Those of Calabare are Cannibals.
• * 1.104

  Trade.
• * 1.105

  Canoos.
• * 1.106

  How they are Arm'd.
• * 1.107

  How they make Tents over their Canoos.
• * 1.108

  From whence the Slaves come, which the Netherlan∣ders buy.
• * 1.109

  The River Loitomba.
• * 1.110

  The River of old Cala∣bare.
• * 1.111

  Rio del Key.
• * 1.112

  Constitution of the Coun∣trey.
• * 1.113

  Nature of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.114

  Apparel.
• * 1.115

  Oath.
• * 1.116

  Trade.
• * 1.117

  Little Kamaroms.
• * 1.118

  Trade.
• * 1.119

  The Territory of Amboi∣ses.
• * 1.120

  The Village Bodi.
• * 1.121

  Nature of the Countrey.
• * 1.122

  The Islands of Amboises.
• * 1.123

  Inhabitants.
• * 1.124

  River of Kamarones.
• * 1.125

  Buffels Island.
• * 1.126

  Yeeth Hole, or Monoka.
• * 1.127

  Trade.
• * 1.128

  Rio Santo Benito.
• * 1.129

  Cape of St. John.
• * 1.130

  The Island Korisko.
• * 1.131

  Nature of the Countrey.
• * 1.132

  The Road or Harber.
• * 1.133

  The River Gabon.
• * 1.134

  The Cape St. Clare.
• * 1.135

  The Island Pongo.
• * 1.136

  Parret Island.
• * 1.137

  The nature of the Inha∣bitants.
• * 1.138

  Marriages.
• * 1.139

  Houses.
• * 1.140

  Food.
• * 1.141

  Habit.
• * 1.142

  Their Ornament.
• * 1.143

  Trade.
• * 1.144

  The War of the King of Gabon, against him of Lope-Gonzalves.
• * 1.145

  Is Ended.
• * 1.146

  The victory of the King of Pongo.
• * 1.147

  Government.
• * 1.148

  The Cape of Lope Gon∣zalves.
• * 1.149

  Trade.
• * 1.150

  Language.
• * 1.151

  Government.