Narrative of travels and discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824Denham, Dixon
History
Narrative of travels and discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824
Denham, Dixon
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Africa, North
While we remained at Kabshary, we encountered another violent
storm, and were much amused at the economy of the Shouaas when the
storm approached. I saw all were extremely busy digging holes in
the sand with their spears, evidently too small for them to get
into themselves, and we were not a little surprised at seeing them
presently bury their shirts and trowsers two or three feet deep in
the sand, which, on the rain subsiding, they dug up, and put on,
quite dry, with an air of great comfort and satisfaction. They never
are affected by thus exposing their naked bodies to the fury of
the tempest, while we, who were always covered, had colds, agues,
and pains, that they were entirely free from.
We had news to-day that the people of Waday had, with a large army,
visited Begharmi, that persecuted country, and again pillaged all
the towns; and also that our huts had been broken into at Kouka,
and some, if not all, of our property stolen. The first report turned
out a false one, but the second, to our sorrow, was too true. Hillman
had been confined fifteen days to his bed with ague, and during this
time, in the night, the robbery was effected.
June 23.—We proceeded on our return, and again pitched our tents on
the banks of the Muggaby. In all the woods are flocks of wild animals,
called by the Bornouese korookoo, and by the Arabs el buger-achmer,
the _red bullock_: some of these were disturbed to-day, and one got
into the midst of our horsemen; it has immense horns, and is something
between the ox and the antelope. Spears were struck at him without
number, but he effected his escape, carrying off several sticking
in his flesh. The horses were exceedingly alarmed, and many of their
riders measured their lengths on the sand. The two kafilas from Soudan
passed us to-day, on their way to Kouka; they consisted of one hundred
and fifty slaves, with about twenty merchants and their servants,
and thirty camels. Most of the people ran to the outskirts of the
camp to see them pass, it being the custom, on these occasions, to
dress out these poor victims of the most cruel avarice that certainly
ever entered into the breast of man, in rags of different colours,
only to be taken from them again on the procession being over. The
merchants, who gratify their vanity the most in this way, lose, it
is said, fewer slaves; but I observed several of these before me,
whose unbidden tears flowed down their cheeks as they drew their
mantle close round them, seeming to wish by that means to stifle
their misery with the appearance of it.
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