Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's GovernmentRichardson, James
History
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government
Richardson, James
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel; Richardson, James, 1806-1851
The story of the Tibboo is going the round of the town, and becoming the
daily gossip. This story has now assumed a substantial historical shape.
The facts are, as I have already intimated, that the Tibboo persecuted
me to give him a medicine to enable him to trade with profit. I
scribbled over a bit of paper, cut in the shape of a dollar, the number
10,000 dollars, and told him to swallow it, and afterwards to bring it
me in the same state. The price for this was a fowl. He swallowed the
paper, and went off to get the fowl. Not succeeding in the souk, he went
to the Shereef Kebir, and requested him to give him a fowl for a sick
person. The Shereef gave him what he asked, and the Tibboo brought it to
me. This story since has been greatly embellished at the expense of the
Tibboo, and affords infinite amusement to the Moorish and Arabic
merchants of Zinder.
I have just noticed some sable ladies, with their hair all twisted into
three or four great points--vain attempts at curls. The back parts are
all covered with a paste of indigo. The hair is well dressed, and free
from any woolly appearance.
Yesterday the Sheikh Lousou paid me a visit. I presented him with a loaf
of sugar, and a cotton handkerchief. He received them with manifest
pleasure, and promised to write a letter to the Queen, that, in the
event of other English people or Europeans passing through the Tuarick
country of Aheer, he would render them all the protection in his power.
Lousou is esteemed by some persons as great a man as En-Noor in Zinder,
but this estimation is exceedingly out of place. Lousou could give
protection to European travellers and merchants, but not in an equal
degree to En-Noor. As he is a younger man than En-Noor, however, it is
desirable to secure his friendship, and, if possible, that of the
Sarkee. Lousou wore the bag of camphor which I gave him, showing it to
me with great satisfaction.
According to the information of a slave of the Sarkee, Gumel is a large
Bornouese province, the capital of which is Tumbi: the Sultan's name is
Dan-Tanoma. Gumel is one day and a-half from Zinder, but the capital is
three days by horse and five days by camel travelling. Gumel has twelve
great officers. Bundi is a large province of Bornou, the capital of
which is Galadima: the Sultan's name is Kagami. Galadima is three days
from Zinder. Aoud, a large place, is one day from Galadima. Alamaigo,
also a large village or town, is half a day from Galadima. Meria, is
three days from Galadima, and three from Zinder.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account