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 SOFALA.

THe Kingdom of Sofala lieth between the Rivers Magnice and Quama, up∣on the last of which it borders in the North, * 1.1 and the Kingdom of An∣goche; in the South, on that of Magnice, and the Territory of Buttua, or Toroa; in the West, on Monomotapa; and in the East, on the Indian Sea.

The chief City seated in an Island, they call Cefola, or Sofala, * 1.2 near which the Portuguese have a strong Fort, built in the year Fifteen hundred.

This City when the Portuguese first came to it, had but a small extent, and the Structures were very mean; but since that much improv'd with neat built Houses.

Linschot places here few other Cities, and Towns, * 1.3 contrary to the fancy of divers African Geographers, who reckon Hantema, and Dandenia, besides some stragling Huts, term'd Villages on the shore, as Sajona, Boccha, and Gasta.

The River Magnice seven and twenty degrees, * 1.4 and forty minutes South-Lati∣tude, was at the beginning call'd by the Portuguese, Rio dos Lagos, that is, The River of the Lake, but afterwards in the year Fifteen hundred forty five, Rio do

Spirito Sancto. * 1.5 It hath its rise (as some conjecture) out of the Lake Goijame, and after it has flow'd along way to Sofala, divides its self; one of which keeps the old name, and disembogues his stream into the Sea, between the Fish-Cape, and the Cape das Torrentas, having first receiv'd three other Streams, of which the chiefest is call'd by the Portuguese, St. Christophers River, because found on that day, but by the Inhabitants Magoa; the other call'd Marches, from Lawrence Marches, the first discoverer: both which pour down from the Mountains of the Moon, in the Territory of Toroa; the third stil'd Arroe, comes about the North from the midst of the Gold Mines of Monomatapa.

The other Arm of Magnice, * 1.6 entitul'd Cenama, or Quama, or Covanga, takes de∣nomination from a Castle or Fort, which Pigafet says, the Mahumetans possess on its shore, but higher up, the Inhabitants name it Sambere. This arm hath more plenty of water than the other, being Navigable above twenty miles, and receiving the Stream of Six other great Rivers, as Panhames, Luangoa, Arruga, Ma∣najova, * 1.7 Inandire, and Ruenie, all which make their way through Monomotapa, in many places casting up Grain-Gold: it empties it full-gorg'd Channel into the Sea by seven Mouths, which make seven Islands, all well peopled. At the mouth of this River the Portuguese have a Fort to keep the Inhabitants under obedience, built in the year Fifteen hundred.

The Kingdom of Sofala shoots not far into the Countrey, but lies wholly on the Sea-Coast: in the midst of it appears the Cape das Correntas, in three and twenty degrees and a half South-Latitude; between which Cape and the Island of Madagacar over against this Cape, lieth the Banks or Cliffs of India, call'd in Portuguese, Baixos da India, very dangerous, and causing many Shipwracks. They begin about the one and twentieth degree South-Latitude, in the Channel of the Coast of Sofala.

Matuka reacheth from Cape das Correntas to the River Cuama, * 1.8 or Quama, wherein are several Gold Mines, belonging to Monomotapa.

On the Coast of Sofala in the Countrey of Matuka, lieth the Capes of St. Saba∣stian, and St. Catherine.

The Air is healthy and temperate; * 1.9 the Land some places plain, and in some uneven, barren and desolate, from the mouth of the River Magnice, to the Cape das Corrintas, but from thence to Quama very fruitful and populous.

Matuka bears not an equal evenness, * 1.10 though being by Quama River, for the most part Mountainous, * 1.11 Woody, and interlac'd with many Rivulets; the Sea Coast low and plain, full of shrubby Trees, whose sweet smelling scent here∣tofore gave a quicker discovery than the eye could make of the place.

Great wild Elephants numerously overspread the Countrey, * 1.12 which the Na∣tives neither know how to tame or manage: nor are Lions, Bears, Stags or Harts and Bores fewer; besides Sea-Horses that sport themselves in the River Quama.

The Mines and Rivers afford abundance of Gold, * 1.13 which the Blacks gather in a kind of little Purses, of no small quantity.

The People are well-set, * 1.14 and for the most part black, though some brown∣ish: Those which dwell at Cape Carnidos are less wild than them about Aiguilhas, or the Cape of Good-Hope; also taller of stature, and free of converse: they feed on Rice, Flesh, and Fish.

They go with the upper part of their bodies naked, * 1.15 but wear upon the nether part (from the Waste to the Knees) Clothes of Silk or Cotton, girt to them with a Girdle, whereto hangs a Dagger with an Ivory handle; and

winde about their heads Silk Stuff, in form of a Turbant; though some wear Scarlet Colour'd Caps.

Some of them speak Arabick, * 1.16 but most use the common Language of the Countrey; for you are to observe, that these present people are not the pro∣per Natives of the place, but came before the Portuguese on this Coast, over Sea from Arabia Faelix, to Trade with those of Monomotapa: And as they found greater advantage by the increase thereof, they began to Plant fresh Colonies in the void and desolate Islands, and at length remov'd thence into the main Coun∣trey.

The Inhabitants relate, * 1.17 that the Gold-Mines of Sofala afford yearly two Millions of Metigals, every Metigal accounted for a Ducket, and one third part; and that the Ships of Zidem, Meque, and many other places, in times of Peace, have yearly fetch from thence two Millions of Gold: And lastly, that this is the very true Ophir, from whence King Solomon had his Gold. * 1.18 And indeed according to the Writing of Moquett, no place in Africa affords better, and greater plenty of this Metal; for the General of Mosambique, during his three years Service in the Wars, receiv'd more than three hundred thousand Esckusos, or Crowns in Gold, besides the Pay of the Souldiers, and the third part an∣swer'd to the King of Portugal.

The Inhabitants Trade with other Mahumetans, coming over-Sea in small Ships call'd Zambuks, and bringing thither Silk Stuffs and Ash-colour'd, Yel∣low and Red Kambaian Beads, which they exchange for Gold; as those of So∣fala barter these Wares again with them of Monomotapa for Gold, which they re∣ceive without weight.

They have also abundance of Ivory, which they sell into Kambaya, * 1.19 and Am∣bergreece, which they get from the adjacent Islands of Usiques.

When the Inhabitants lying near the Sea, see any Out-Landish Ships, they declare by kindling of Fires their coming acceptable. They weave many white Cotton Clothes: For the Art of Dying they have no skill in; sometime they unravel the Kambaian colour'd Clothes, and Weave that among their white Yarn, and make Cloth of several Colours.

Their Weapons were onely Daggers, Bowes, and Arrows, * 1.20 but now they have the use of Guns, Powder, and Bullets, by instructions from the Por∣tuguese.

Pigafet holds an opinion, that the King of this Countrey was a Mahumetan, * 1.21 and Vassal to the Emperor of Monomotapa, with whom being at War, he entred into a League with the King of Portugal; But in the Voyage of Spilbergen, we find, that the King was a Portuguese by Birth; contrary to what Jarich menti∣ons, viz. that he is meerly Tributary to the Portuguese; but Marmol says, that in his time he obey'd the Emperor of Monomotapa.

The people (saith Pigafet) have imbrac'd Mahumetanism; * 1.22 which Osorus also confirms: although Jarick saith, they know no Religion at all, * 1.23 but are like a piece of Wax, fit to receive any. Certain it is, that for above two hundred years the Mahumetans flourish'd there, and have built a City call'd Sofala, upon an Island of the River Quama; who though but intruders, keep under the native Caffers.

And now it coming just in our way, * 1.24 and seeing both Expositors of holy Scripture, and Geographers understand this Countrey of Sofala to be the Gol∣den Ophir, to which King Solomon sent a Fleet of Ships, Man'd with the Servants of Hiram King of Tyrus, from Ezion-geber, a Haven lying at the Red-Sea; return∣ing

again after three years Voyage, loaden with Gold, and Elephants-Teeth. We conceive it not unfit in brief to relate the difference of the ancient Con∣test about this place, hitherto clearly decided, with the Arguments on both sides.

Arias Montanus, Baftellus, Goropius, and others, are of opinion, that Ophir was that part of America, commonly call'd Peru; and divided North, and South Peru: therefore they conclude from the word Parvaim, in the Hebrew Text, being the Plural Number, and that this Gold was brought from the two Peru's; but ma∣ny opposite Arguments refel this Opinion.

First, It is probable, that Peru in the time of Solomon was not known; nor which is more, the Voyage to Peru, over so wide a space of Seas, not possible to be perform'd, especially for want of the use of the Load-stone and Compass.

Secondly, There are in Peru no Elephants; so that by consequence, from thence no Ivory, or Elephants Teeth could be brought.

Thirdly, If Solomon were to go with a Fleet to Peru in America, it might have been sent more conveniently out of some Haven of the Mediterranean-Sea, as be∣ing nearer than out of Ezien-geber, at the Red-Sea, to fetch so long a compass, by the Cape of Good Hope, and the whole Guinee-Coast.

St. Jerome, an ingenious Expounder of the Hebrew, who in the year Four hundred twenty two, in the Nineteenth year of his Age, departed this world under Theodosius the Emperor, by the word Ophir, understands good or pure Gold; and in his Translation sets down very good Gold, and not Gold of Pa∣ruaen, or of any Countrey: but this opinion also is long ago rejected.

Athanasius Kircher, in his Book of the Coptick or Egyptian Language, asserts, that Ophir is a Coptick, or Egyptian word; whereby the ancient Egyptians under∣stood the Indies, containing the Kingdoms of Malabar, Scilon, and the Golden-Cher∣sonesus, or the descending Countrey of Ptolomy, about the River Ganges, East∣ward of a Bay, by him call'd, The Great; as also Sumattra, the Molucca Islands, Great, and Little Java; and other adjacent Islands full of Gold, whither King Solomon's Fleet went with King Hiram: The Gold of Parvaim, Kircherus judg∣eth was the Gold of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Javim, that is, of the Islands of Java; having read in the Rabbins, these two Islands by the same name.

In setting Ophir in East-Indie, (as Kircher doth) and not in America, the chief∣est Geographers agree; as Ortelius, Volaterranus, Gramas, and others; yet divers make Ophir the same with Sofala, because it has much Gold, and Ivory. And if all the main Land (included between the Rivers Magnice, and Quama, and sub∣mitting unto Monomotapa) be all as Barros, Calles, or Sofala, as well as the rest on the Sea-Coast, it may with great reason be judg'd, that this Countrey can be no other than the Golden Ophir of Solomon; partly because of the Houses there to be found, near the Gold-Mines; not built after the manner of the Coun∣trey, but seem the work of Foreigners; and partly, because of the Inscriptions in strange and unknown Letters. Moreover, Thomas Lopez in his Voyage to the Indies affirms, that among the Inhabitants of this Countrey, there remain Books which shew, that Solomon every three year had his Gold thence. Besides the Septuagint Interpreters have Translated the word Ophir, into the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which agrees very near with Sofala. And Josephus the Jewish Historio∣grapher, calleth it Indian-Ophir; adding moreover, that in his time it was call'd The Gold-Countrey. A certain Writer, call'd Eupolemeus, mention'd by Eusebius, calleth it Ophir Ureten, and saith, 'tis an Island of the Red-Sea, from whence they used to Fraight Ships to Melanis, a City in Arabia.

The Countrey of ZANGUEBAR.

THis Countrey some will have to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Agy∣synima, and Paulus Venetus calleth Zengibar; * 1.25 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, * 1.26 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, * 1.27 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; * 1.28 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: * 1.29 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, * 1.30 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, * 1.31 wherewith it so abounds, for which onely they get a supply of all other necessaries.

The Natives of the Main-Land are Idolaters; * 1.32 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.

The Islands of QUIRIMBA.

OVer against Zanguebar, * 1.33 lie the Islands of Quirimba, extending above fifteen miles along the Coast, to the out-lying Point, call'd in Portuguese, Cabo del Gabo.

They are not all of one equal bigness, nor alike distant from the Main-land, and sever'd one from another by Channels, so small and shallow, that at low-Water they may be Waded over. And although each Island hath its particular name, yet the Portuguse call them all Quirinba.

The Islands were formerly inhabited by the Arabians; as may plainly appear by the Ruines of the Houses, and Mosques, being built by people less barbarous, than those that have their Residence there at this day, of Lime, Stone, and Tiles, like the Cities of Quiloa, Monbaza, and Melinde. But since the Portuguese began to set forth their Ships to the East-Indies, the Souldiers and Mariners, out of a natural hatred and antipathy to all Mahumetans, thought it not enough to rob them, burn their Houses, and Mosques, and to carry them away for Slaves, but with a sweeping Rage, sparing neither Age nor Sex, destroy'd all of the remainder.

These Islands many years since, lay waste and void of people, till some Por∣tuguese from the Main-Land wafted themselves over thither, and planted them, and so became subject to the Governor of Mayambique, about three and thirty miles from thence; from whence every year cometh a Judge to decide Con∣troversies.

The Lord of every Island hath his House built of Stone, and Lime, wherein resides his Wife, Children, and Slaves of both Sexes, as also Friends, and Ser∣vants, whom they hire, to have their assistance against the Negro's of the Main-Land, which by their living so near, are ready enough to do them a mischief; And therefore, both themselves and Slaves are Arm'd with Muskets, Pistols, and other Weapons.

Most of these Islands are not above half a mile, or a mile in compass, but very fruitful, full of Palmito-Trees, Oranges, Figs, Grapes, Herbs, and Pome-Citrons; and excellently accommodated with fresh Water.

They have besides many Oxen, Cows, Goats, and an infinite number of Fowl, among which, Wild-Pigeons, and Turtle-Doves: but Corn, Rice, Drugs, dry'd and confected Fruits, are brought to them from Ormus.

The Island of Quirinba is the biggest, and was the first Peopled, yet hath one∣ly twenty five Houses, inhabited by Portuguese and Mesties; they stand not close together, but lie scatter'd, here and there two or three together.

Every one of these little Islands hath their own Governor, which every three year are chang'd. From Gou they receive a Dominican Priest, who celebrates Mass, and performs all other Sacred Duties; to which end, there stands a Cloy∣ster in the midst of the Houses, whither all those of these Islands come to do their Devotion.

The second of these Islands call'd Oybo, * 1.34 is not so big as Quirinba, but the Air more temperate and fresher; so that a man may well say, that the whole makes one pleasant Garden, moisten'd and besprinkled in many places, with the best and most wholsomest Waters in the world.

The other Islands have no Road nor Haven, where Ships can come to an An∣chor, because in the deepest Channel at a low Ebb, there is not three Foot water.

Over this Island Oybo, a Portuguese Commands, who dwells in a great and handsome House, with Chambers below and above; and behind it a Garden, incompass'd with a Stone-Wall of two Fathom high, with Spiers at the top, so that it may seem in stead of a Bulwark: This, with assistance of his Houshold Family, who are all Arm'd, may be defended against any Incursion of the Blacks, from the Main-Land, if they should offer to attempt it; but they live in good Peace one with another, because of their mutual Trade.

The Kingdom of MONGALO, and ANCHE, or ANGOS.

UPon one side of the River Quama, lieth Mongalo, a Tract of Land inhabi∣ted by Mahumetans, or Moors.

They have abundance of Gold brought thither from Monomotapa; not far from thence you see the River Ango, by Pigafet, call'd in Italian, Agnoscia; by Moquet, in French, Angoche; but by Barbosa, Angos.

The Countrey produces great store of Mille, Rice, and Cattel.

The Inhabitants are of a middle Stature, but very black; they go with the upper part of the body naked, but cover'd from the Girdle downward with Cotton and Silk Clothes: Some wear Turbants upon their heads, and others Caps made of Silk Stuff.

They use a peculiar form of Speech, though many of them speak Arabick. * 1.35

These Moors of Angos are all Merchants, Trading in Gold, Ivory, Cotton, Silk, * 1.36 Clothes, and Kambain Beads, or Bracelets. The Cotton, Silk, Cloth, and Beads, they receive from the hands of the Merchants of Quiloa, Mombaze, and Melinde, which bring them thither in small Baskets, or Almides, cut out of the whole Wood.

They own no Governor, unless one who speak their proper Language, and by profession a Mahumetan; yet all their care doth not keep them from a mix∣ture of Heathenism.

The Kingdom of MOZAMBIKE.

A Little beyond Angos, appeareth the Kingdom of Mozambike, so call'd from the Island of that name, exceeding those her two neighbors of St. James, and St. George, living all three near at the Mouth of the Ri∣ver Meginkate.

Over against St. Georges Island, but at the distance of an English mile, you may see a Point call'd Cabo Ceira, being a hanging Islet, joyn'd to the Main-Land of Africa, by a small Istbmus overflow'd at High-Water; but at other times passa∣ble on Foot.

The Countrey of Mozambike is very fertile, in producing many sorts of Fruits; * 1.37 as Rice, Citrons, Oranges, and Mille, which the Blacks are compell'd to guard

and defend against Elephants by the kindling of Fires, whereof these Beasts are very much afraid.

There groweth also a certain Plant call'd Pao, or Wood of Antak, which creeps along the ground, and is very like the Herb Aristolachia, or Heart-Wort. The Fruit is long, small, with green Seeds or Grains. The Roots have a strange ver∣tue, in curing a Disease call'd Antak, which seizes on the Foreigners, by con∣versing with the Blacks, and can be expell'd by no other Medicine.

The Inhabitants make Wine of Mille, which they call Huyembe, or Pembe.

Here is no want either of tame or wild Fowl, * 1.38 nor of Stags or Harts, wild Hogs, Cows, Oxen, and Elephants; which last are so numerous, that the Inha∣bitants dare not travel without fire, to defend them from their assaults. Wild Hens breed in the Woods, being speckled with many small white and gray spots: their Heads are much less than our common Hens, with a short Comb, but thick, and of a high colour: and not onely the upper part of the Head, but also part of the Neck, cover'd with a blue Skin like a Turky.

Many Silver, Gold, and other Mynes are found in the Countrey.

The People have short Curl'd Hair, * 1.39 great Lips, long Visages, and very large Teeth.

They go stark naked, onely a blue little Clout before their Privacies: They Paint ther Bodies with divers Colours, but account it the greatest Ornament, to have streaks of a certain red Earth. They make in each Lip three holes, in which they hang Bones, Jewels, and other things. But this Fashion and Trimming eminent People onely use.

They feed in general upon all sorts of Fruit, * 1.40 and Flesh of Beasts: yet they eat also the Flesh of Men, taken Prisoners in the Wars, but they esteem the Flesh of Elephants as the choycest Dainty.

They are revengeful and treacherous, dull of understanding, and inured to labour like Beasts, not grutching to be Slaves.

Every Lordship or Province produces a several Language; * 1.41 yet it proves no hindrance to their converse one with another.

Their Riches consist in Gold, * 1.42 found in the Rivers, Ivory, Ebony, and Slaves; yet are so fearless of any attempts to be made upon them, that they debar no Foreigners to come into their Havens, the Portuguese onely excepted.

Their Weapons of War are Arrows, Battel-Axes; but can neither boast any number of People, nor extent of Land.

The Inhabitants are, according to Linschot, some Heathens, and some Mahu∣metans; but Pyrard averrs, they have neither Religion nor Laws, but that they are onely Kaffers.

The Island MOSAMBIKE.

THe Island Mosambike, half a Mile from the Main Land, contains about three quarters of a League in length, a quarter in breadth, the whole compass not exceeding a League and a half, with a white Shore. It extendeth South and North, along the Main Land; between which and this Isle and Fort, appears the Bay, serving for a convenient Haven, Land-lockt from all Winds, being very large, and carrying eight or ten Fathom Water: Within a Stones-throw of which the Ships ride at Anchor.

This Island hath the Main Land on the North, and two other uninhabited small Islets on the South, the one nam'd St. James, or Jago, and the other St George; but neither affording any conveniency, not being inhabited, being wholly overgrown with Shrubs and Bushes.

Some place two Cities upon Mosambike-Isle, affirming the one to be plenti∣fully peopled by Portuguese, and the other with Blacks; but Pyrard makes the whole so fully inhabited, that it seems but one Town, comprehending within its Circuit a very large and strong Fort, together with five or six Churches, Chappels, and Cloysters.

From the Description of the Navigation to the East-Indies, made by Verhoeven, in the Year Sixteen hundred and seven, it appears that the City of Mosambike is very large, having good Walls, fine Houses, and some Churches and Cloy∣sters: wherewith agrees Paul van Caerden, in the Journal of his Voyage to the East-Indies.

Moquet allots to the City not above two hundred Houses; but Linschot leaves all the places open and unwall'd, except the Castle, where the Portuguese Go∣vernor with his Soldiers have their Residence.

Garias de Silva Figueora, in his Persian Embassy, comprises in the City an hun∣dred and fifty Houses, but most of them built of Wood, Straw, and Palm-Tree Leaves.

For the deciding these different Relations we may suppose, that the first Writer, who placeth two Cities here, mistook two Villages for Cities; and Linschot himself mentions the Dwellings severally, making one part of the old Fort, commonly call'd Fortarez a Velha, and another of some Houses close by it. Others may have taken a great number of Houses standing close together to be a City; however it is, we may modestly guess, that at the time of these Wri∣ters things were found thus.

There is a Cloyster of St. Domingo, with a rich Hospital, said to have been a Castle in former time, built by the Kings of Portugal, into which those of that Nation are put, coming sick from Sea.

Besides St. Anthony, St. Dominick, and St. Gabriel's Church, all lying without the Fort; they have another, Nossa Seniora do Balvarte, built close under the Fort.

The Air being generally more than warm, proves very unwholsom, * 1.43 inso∣much that few live there any while free from dangerous Distempers, which no doubt are much augmented by the want of fresh Water, there being onely one small Spring, of little consequence, in a Thicket of Palm-Trees; so that most of them drink salt Water, mingled with a little of that fresh.

This great Drought sufficiently declares, that the Land proves barren, * 1.44 and unfit to produce any thing: Yet provident Nature hath recompenced the want of all other Provision with Coco-Nuts, Oranges, Citrons, Ananassed-Figs, and other Indian-Fruits, but these onely in manured and well cultivated Gar∣dens.

They have neither Wheat nor Rice growing, but all brought from the Main Land, or from Goa and the East-Indies; so also Raisins or Grapes, and Spa∣nish-Wines, with several other Necessaries both for benefit and sustenance; so that it is much dearer living here than in any other Place possessed by the Por∣tuguese in this Coast.

Here breed great Herds of Oxen, Cows, Sheep, * 1.45 with Tails as big as a fifth part of their Bodies; Bucks, Goats, and Swine: whose Flesh hath gain'd such

an esteem, that the Doctors oftentimes order the Sick to eat it, and forbid them all other sort of Meat; it being a delicate Food, pleasant and delightful of taste.

There are also many excellent Birds, with black Feathers, and black Flesh, either boyl'd or raw, yet accounted no unwholsom Food.

The Haven swarms with Fishes, which the Inhabitants call Marraxos, and the Portuguese, Tintoreas; they are very ravenous after Man's-flesh, for so soon as they see a Man fall into the Water by chance, or go to swim, they will im∣mediately catch and devour him.

The Inhabitants are a mixture of Mestiffs, Mahumetans, and absolute Hea∣thens, yet all subject to the Portuguese.

The Natives of this Island are black of Complexion, * 1.46 and low of Sta∣ture, with short Curl'd Hair like Wool; they smell very ranck, when grown warm; they are by nature barbarous, cruel, and revengeful, but withall, ti∣morous.

Both Sexes go naked, * 1.47 onely the Men have a small Clout before their Priva∣cies, and the Women cover their Bodies from their Breasts half way to their Knees, with course Cotton-Clothes.

Their Ornaments consist in three or four Strings of white, * 1.48 green, blue and red Beads about their Necks, and ten or twelve Copper or Tin Armlets about their Arms. They make holes in their Ears, wherein in stead of Pen∣dants they hang pieces of Copper or Lattin; cutting and carving the rest of their Skin for an Ornament.

Their common Food is Fish, * 1.49 and Rice boyl'd in Water with Honey.

Their Drink is Palm-Wine and Water, and a sort of Liquor call'd Arak, made of Rice.

Their Skiffs, Boats, or Canoos, consists all in one Piece, as we often men∣tion'd.

They speak generaly a kind of broken Arabick. * 1.50

There are a certain sort of handsom Mats, * 1.51 made by the Inhabitants, which are sent to Goa.

The Portuguese drive a smart Trade here with Spanish-Wine, Oyl, Cotton, Skiffs, red Beads, and such like, notwithstanding they have a quick Market at Sena, Makuno, Sofala, Quamma, and other places.

Their Arms are Bowes, * 1.52 Arrows, or Lances; but of late they have begun to learn the use of Fire-Arms.

The Portuguese have many years ago built a Fort, supposed the strongest they possess in those Parts, consisting of four Bulwarks, from whence with their mounted Artillery they can defend and make good the Haven against any ordi∣nary attempts. It hath strong and well designed Flankers, fortifi'd and sur∣rounded with three double Walls, and a broad Trench made about it in the Year Sixteen hundred and thirteen.

Several vain Onsets have the Dutch made upon this Fort, but chiefly in the Year Sixteen hundred and six, when after a formal Siege of thirty two days, they were compell'd to withdraw first, as an effect of their malice, having burn'd many Ships, Canoos, Houses, and Churches, those two especially of St. Ga∣briel and St. Domingo beforemention'd.

Some of the Inhabitants, by reason of the Converse and Trade of the Arabi∣ans on this Coast, are drawn to Mahumetanism, others are Christians; but the most part of them are Idolaters.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Borders.
• * 1.2

  The chief City Sofala.
• * 1.3

  Geoge. Nub.
• * 1.4

  The River Magnice.
• * 1.5

  Joseph. Barros. lib. 10. c. 1.
• * 1.6

  The River Quama.
• * 1.7

  Grain Gold.
• * 1.8

  The Countrey of Matuka.
• * 1.9

  The Air.
• * 1.10

  Sanus.
• * 1.11

  Scbiq. Spilberg 1601.
• * 1.12

  Beasts.
• * 1.13

  Abundance of Gold.
• * 1.14

  The constitution of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.15

  Clothing.
• * 1.16

  Language.
• * 1.17

  The Riches. Navig di. T••o. Lopez.
• * 1.18

  Hence King Solomon setch•••• his Gold. Moq. lib. 4.
• * 1.19

  Voyage of Spilb.
• * 1.20

  Arms. Osor. lib. 4. Spilber.
• * 1.21

  Dominion.
• * 1.22

  Religion.
• * 1.23

  In the fourth Book of the Expedition of the King Ema∣nuel.
• * 1.24

  The differences about the right place of Ophir.
• * 1.25

  Jan. Barr. lib. 13. c. 4.
• * 1.26

  Lib. 12. Borders.
• * 1.27

  The River Quilmanzi.
• * 1.28

  Air.
• * 1.29

  The constitution of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.30

  Food.
• * 1.31

  Riches.
• * 1.32

  Religion.
• * 1.33

  L'Ambassade de D. Gar∣vas Figuerra en Perse.
• * 1.34

  Oybo.
• * 1.35

  Language.
• * 1.36

  Their Customs.
• * 1.37

  Plants.
• * 1.38

  Animals.
• * 1.39

  The Constitution of the Inhabitants.
• * 1.40

  Food.
• * 1.41

  Language.
• * 1.42

  Riches.
• * 1.43

  Air.
• * 1.44

  Unfruitfulness of the Soyl.
• * 1.45

  Beasts.
• * 1.46

  The Nature of the Inha∣tants.
• * 1.47

  Apparel.
• * 1.48

  Omaments.
• * 1.49

  Food.
• * 1.50

  Language.
• * 1.51

  Trade.
• * 1.52

  Arm••.