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 Jurisdiction of KAKONGO.

KAkongo takes beginning in the North at the River Lovango Lovize, * 1.1 in about fourteen Degrees and a half South Latitude, and borders in the South and West at the Kingdom of Goy, and ends at the River Sambo, some Miles up in the Countrey.

The Chief City is pleasant and well built, * 1.2 abounding with all sorts of Pro∣visions.

From Kakongo Southwards, all the Countrey by the Sea-coast for thirteen Miles, and for two Miles and a half Northward of the before-mention'd River Lovango Lovize, lies very low; but afterwards grows Mountainous, beyond this rising still higher: The Blacks call it Kaskais, but the Europeans the High∣land of Kaskais; about which place, a Mile Southerly, a great Water falls into the Sea.

This Kingdom can shew onely one good River, * 1.3 call'd also Kakongo, which mingles with the Sea in five Degrees South Latitude, gliding some eighteen Leagues through the Countrey.

A Mile Southward of this Stream lieth the Village Molemba, * 1.4 upon a great Bay, making a convenient Haven or Road for Ships. The Countrey there∣abouts, call'd Little Kaskais, spreads the Bay of Cabinde, in five Degrees and five and twenty Minutes South Latitude, being both before and all along the Coast very Rocky, and full of Cliffs: yet between the chief City and the River Sonho, full of Woods, pleasant Fields, and high Mountains; but can∣not boast any Fertility, because for the most part untill'd; although so Popu∣lous, that it dares number Inhabitants with Lovango it self.

The Natives are treacherous, * 1.5 revengeful, turbulent, and quarrelsom: yet shew but little Spirit in the Wars; all their Neighbours, especially those of Goy, continually infesting them, without fear of revenge; and perhaps would utterly destroy them, but that the King of Lovango interposes in their behalf, whose Mediation in such Cases prevails much with all his Neighbors.

Trades and Handicrafts are common with these People and those of Lo∣vango; * 1.6 such are Husbandry, Fishing, and dealing in Clothes, black stitch'd Caps, broad Irons, Beetles, Hammers or Mattocks, Tobacco, Red-wood or Takoel, and Linnen; which Commodities they carry to Congo, Sonho, and other Places, and there exchange for Slaves.

The Merchandises brought thither out of Europe, and desired by the Inhabi∣tants, are one and the same with those Vented in Lovango; but the Presents gi∣ven for the permission of Trade, are less.

Their Customs, Shape, Cloathing, Riches, Administration of Justice, In∣heritance,

Government, and Religion, differ little or nothing from what we have already described; we will not therefore nauseate the Reader with a needless Repetition.

The King of Cakongo may not touch, or wear any European Wares, * 1.7 nor dares any habited therewith touch him, because, forsooth, commanded by the Mo∣quisie. In all other things agreeing with Lovango.

At the River Sonho the Kings of Lovango and Cakongo keep a continual Watch, to receive the Custom of the travelling Merchant, and to observe that none should act any thing prejudicial to the Countrey.

At the side of the River Cakongo lieth the Territory of Serre, or Sarri, * 1.8 subject to the King of Cakongo, but was some years since, for a Mutiny and Rebellion against him, in a manner totally laid waste.

Upon the Edge of this, and near neighboring to Goy, * 1.9 a Territory call'd Lemba, claims a situation, being a High-land, comprehending onely one Vil∣lage of the same Name, whither the Whites come to Trade for Elephants-Teeth, Slaves, and Copper; the last of which they bring from more adjacent Mynes, that produce every year no small quantities.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Boundaries of the King∣dom of Kakongo.
• * 1.2

  Chief City.
• * 1.3

  The River of Kakongo.
• * 1.4

  The Village Molemba.
• * 1.5

  Constitution of the Inha∣bitants.
• * 1.6

  Trade.
• * 1.7

  A Command on the King.
• * 1.8

  The Territory of Sarri.
• * 1.9

  The Territory of Lemba.