Esprit; having in the South, the foot of the Mountains of the Moon, and the aforemention'd Cape; in the North, the River Magnice; and in the West, the Stream of Bravagull.
The chiefest Cities, are Zenebra, and Fatuka.
In this Countrey, far to the In-land on a Plain,
in the middle of many Iron-Mills, stands a famous Structure, call'd Simbaoe, built square like a Castle, with hew'n Stone, of a wonderful bigness; the Walls are more than five and twenty Foot broad, but the heighth not answerable; above the Gate, appears an Inscription which cannot be read or understood, nor could any that have seen it, know what people us'd such Letters.
Near this place are more such Buildings, call'd by the same name, signify∣ing, a Court, or Palace; and for that, all the places where the Emperor at any time makes his abode, are call'd Simbaoe; this Building is guest to be one of the King's Houses.
The Inhabitants report it a work of the Devil, themselves onely Building with Wood, and aver, that for strength it exceeds the Fort of the Portuguese at the Sea-shore, about a hundred and fifty miles from thence.
The Emperor keeps a Garrison in it, as well for the safeguard of the place, as of several women he maintains there.
A little way from the Sea-shore, are many beautiful places richly Verdur'd with Grass, and stockt with Cattel, but destitute of Wood; so that the Inhabi∣tants use the dry'd Dung of Beasts for Fuel.
They have many rich Gold-Mines, whereof Boro,
and Quitici are the names of two, lying about a mile and a half from Sofala.
The Habit of the People is but mean,
being onely the rough Skins of Beasts.
The Wealth of the Countrey, besides the beforemention'd Mines,
consists in Elephants-Teeth, whereof they sell infinite numbers; and Salt, which they send abroad into most parts of Africa, to their no small advantage.
The City Fatuka boasts great abundance of Gold, Silver, and Pretious-Stones, beyond all her neighbors.
They have a Prince of their own, but a Vassal to the Emperor;
his name Buro.
The Countrey of INHAMBANE, and INHAMIOR.
THis Kingdom lies a little within the Countrey, under the Torrid Zone;
having for its Metropolis a City call'd Tonge.
The heat is so great, that the people of Europe residing there for Trade, are not able to endure it, but are discommoded by several strange and troublesome diseases.
The Inhabitants generally keep to their ancient Idolatry, though many by the diligence of the Portugal Jesuites, have embrac'd the Christian Religion; and in particular, as we told you, Gonzalves Silveyra, in the year Fifteen hun∣dred and sixty, Baptiz'd the King and his whole Court.
The place where the King keeps his Court, lieth about half a mile from the Town Sema; the residence of many Portuguese.