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
En-Noor related a pretty anecdote of himself and his younger days in our
tent to-day. After saying, that formerly the Asbenouee people were the
only folks considered bad in these parts, he observed, that now he
himself and the Asbenouee were certainly much improved in their manners
and dispositions; "for," added he, "there were once four fighis
(charm-writers) who employed people to speak against me, and bring me
into disrepute. What did I do? I called them to me, gave them fine
presents of burnouses and a great supper, with an apartment in which to
pass the night. But when they were fast asleep I dug a large hole,
fetched them all out of the room, killed them, and covered them up in
the hole. Now, however," continued his highness, "we do not go so far as
this, but content ourselves with taking away an enemy's camels."
_15th._--Weather cold this morning. Thermometer at sunrise, 43°. I hang
the thermometer on the tent-ropes, just outside, at about a foot from
the ground.
Hamma (son-in-law of En-Noor) returned this morning from the
salt-caravan. He marked on the sand that the caravan would be
thirty-five days before it returned; so, I imagine, we have still from
this time some thirty days to wait here. He left the caravan on its
entering the Hamadah, between this and Bilma.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF TESAOUA.
(_From Amankee's relation._)
1. Tesaoua: people 1400; residence of the governor. Two large wells and
one small one.
2. Harmaua: 500. A little water.
3. Ungua Korna: 400. One well, much water.
4. Haidaua: 500. One well, and much water.
5. Nuwala: 500 or 600. No water; but only half an hour from Haidaua.
6. Nachira: 800, scattered about in small groups. Much water.
7. Ungua-guka: 500. One well.
8. Ungua-tallai: 400. Much water.
9. Gindaua: 1000. Large wells; few trees.
10. Saulawa: 40 or 50.
The capital and nearly all this country is full of trees. Not a stone is
to be seen, and the soil is sandy.
The Sultan, or Governor of Tesaoua, is subject to the sovereign of
Maradee, who is the only independent black prince in this part of
Africa. The inhabitants are mixed, pagans and Muslims, but these last
are not bigoted.
En-Noor visited us this evening, and I asked him if he recollected
earthquakes in this country. The old Sheikh emphatically replied,
_Babo_, "There are none."
_16th._--Barth has picked up a good many words in Aghadez, mostly
correct.
_17th._--It was colder this morning, although yesterday was very
pleasant. Thermometer at sunrise, 41°.
It is expected that we shall still remain here thirty days, which time,
if divided half between Haussa and half between Bornouee, will help me
on in these languages, the principal of the interior of Africa. Mohammed
Tunisee is now the servant of Barth alone. Overweg has given him up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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