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THis Countrey some will have to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Agy∣synima, and Paulus Venetus calleth Zengibar; but the Persians and Arabi∣ans, Zanguebar; Zangue, in their Language signifying Black; and the Inhabitants Zanguy, or Neorroes.
Jan de Barros, extends this Countrey along the Sea-Coast, from the Cape das Correntas, to the River Quilmanzi; but Sanutus sets the Southerly borders thereof at Sofala, and Monomotapa, and the River Quama, and the Northerly borders at the River Quilmanzi: But Marmol extendeth it from the South to the North, to the Cape of Guardaseu, in about twelve degrees North-Latitude.
It contains the Kingdoms of Angos, or Angoche, Mongalo, Mozambika, Melinde, Mombaze, Quiloa; and some Islands.
The River Quilmanzi, by Ptolomy, with the near adjoyning Cape, call'd Rapte, and the great River of Africa, takes its original out of a certain Mountain in Abyssina, which the Inhabitants call Graro; as also the River Obi: But the Moores, lying at the Mouth thereof, call it Quilmanzi, from the name of a place they possess, by one of its chiefest Mouths, near the Kingdom of Melinde. The Portuguese Writers will have this River Quilmanzi, to be the same with Ze∣bee, which rises out of Maria, a Territory in the Abyssynes, from a place call'd Boxa; and from thence running South with a swift course into the Kingdom of Gingiro. Other Portuguese affirm, That it lieth no more than a thousand Paces from Melinde, being a very great River, flowing out of the Abyssine Countrey; but that they could never attain the full knowledge thereof, because those that were sent to discover it, were driven back, and assaulted by the Inhabitants.
The Air is very Unhealthy, Feaverish, and Corrupt; and no less unwhol∣some are the products of the Earth, caus'd partly from the Moorassness of the Grounds; and partly from the multitude of Rivers and Lakes which makes this Countrey a great pack of Islands.
The Inhabitants are black, having short curl'd Hair: they go from the shoulders down to the middle naked, but have their nether parts cover'd with party colour'd Clothes, or wild Beasts Skins; the Tails whereof, especially among people of Quality, hang down behind.
The Blacks on the Sea-Coast, and of the near adjacent Islands, live upon Fruits, the flesh of wild Beasts, and milk of the Cattel which they breed; espe∣cially the Moors, call'd Beduines, who dwell a little deeper into the Countrey, and Trade with the Kaffers.
Gold is none of the least advantages drawn from this Countrey, wherewith it so abounds, for which onely they get a supply of all other necessaries.
The Natives of the Main-Land are Idolaters; but the Islanders almost all Mahumetans, extracted from certain Arabians exil'd from their Countrey, for in∣troducing of some Heresie in their Religion; as following the Doctrine of one Zaid, Nephew of Hocem, Son of Haly, whereupon they were call'd Emossayders.