The epithet _agrestis_ is peculiarly applicable to the rude Fulah shepherds, who were almost barbarians compared with the settled, industrious, and even cultured Hausa populations, and whose oppressive rule has at last been relaxed by the intervention of England in the Niger-Benue lands. [183] "One of their towns, Kano, has probably the largest market-place in the world, with a daily attendance of from 25,000 to 30,000 people. This same town possesses, what in central Africa is still more surprising, some thirty or forty schools, in which the children are taught to read and write" (Rev. C. H. Robinson, _Specimens of Hausa Literature_, University Press, Cambridge, 1896, p. x). [184] See C. H. Robinson, _Hausaland, or Fifteen Hundred Miles through the Central Soudan_, 1896; _Specimens of Hausa Literature_, 1896; _Hausa Grammar_, 1897; _Hausa Dictionary_, 1899. Authorities are undecided whether to class Hausa with the Semitic or the Hamitic family, or in an independent group by itself, and it must be admitted that some of its features are extremely puzzling. While Sudanese Negro in phonology and perhaps in most of its word roots, it is Hamitic in its grammatical features and pronouns. But the Hamitic element is thought by experts to be as much Kushite, or even Koptic, as Libyan. "On the whole, it seems probable," says H. H. Johnston, "that the Hausa speech was shaped by a double influence: from Egypt, and Hamiticized Nubia, as well as by Libyan immigrants from across the Sahara." "A Survey of the Ethnography of Africa," _Journ. Roy. Anthr. Soc._ XLIII. 1913, p. 385. Cf. also Julius Lippert, "Ueber die Stellung der Hausasprache," _Mitteilungen des Seminaers fuer Orientalische Sprachen_, 1906. It is noteworthy that Hausa is the only language in tropical Africa which has been reduced to writing by the natives themselves. [185] _Campaigning on the Upper Nile and Niger_, by Lt Seymour Vandeleur, with an Introduction by Sir George Goldie, 1898. "In camp," writes Lt Vandeleur, "their conduct was exemplary, while pillaging and ill-treatment of the natives were unknown. As to their fighting qualities, it is enough to say that, little over 500 strong (on the Bida expedition of 1897), they withstood for two days 25,000 or 30,000 of the enemy; that, former slaves of the Fulahs, they defeated their dreaded masters," etc. [186] The Kano Chronicle, translated by H. R. Palmer, _Journ. Roy. Anthr. Inst._ XXXVIII. 1908, gives a list of Hausa kings (Sarkis) from 999 A.D. [187] For references to recent literature see note on p. 58. Also R. S. Rattray, _Hausa Folk-lore_, 1913; A. J. N. Tremearne, _Hausa Superstitions and Customs_, 1913, and _Hausa Folk-Tales_, 1914. [188] By a popular etymology these are _Ka-Nuri_, "People of Light." But, as they are somewhat lukewarm Muhammadans, the zealous Fulahs say it should be _Ka-Nari_, "People of Fire," _i.e._ foredoomed to Gehenna! [189] E. Gentil, _La Chute de l'Empire de Rabah_, 1902.