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
They principally inhabit the Syrtis, where a considerable body always
remain; tribes of them, with their flocks, pitch their tents for
the months of pasture wherever they can find forage, and in times of
peace even to within a few leagues of Tripoli. When the present bashaw
determined on putting a finishing stroke to the Waled Suleyman, by the
extermination of the tribe, he, like a wily politician, sent offers
of peace and protection to the M’Garha, the ancient and inveterate
enemies of the Seffenusser[7]. In their occasional skirmishes, no
quarter was given; and a Waled Suleyman literally sucked the blood
of a M’Garha, after giving him the finishing blow: children were
even called upon to follow the parent’s example, so that they might
imbibe all the hatred felt by their ancestors, and vice versa. The
tribe of M’Garha readily accepted the bashaw’s offers; and with
their assistance, about six years back, the Waled Suleyman struggled
with the power of the bashaw for the last time. It was near the
borders of Fezzan, in one of those extensive upland plains called
Hormut Mahulla, that the grandsons of Seffenusser, the last of the
house, returned from Egypt, and headed the remaining followers of
their ancestors. The Orfilly, and several other tribes, flocked to
the standard: the M’Garha marched from the eastward to assist the
bashaw, who came from the side of Tripoli; the rebels were surrounded,
and the Orfilly capitulated, promising an enormous tribute. No terms
were, however, granted to the Waled Suleyman; they were followed
with fire and sword to their very huts—Seffenusser’s children
fell into the hands of their enemies; they were, however, spared,
and two of them sent to Mourzuk. Since that time, the name of Waled
Suleyman is scarcely breathed; indeed the tribe has ceased to exist,
with the exception of some few who escaped to Egypt. A solitary
being, who thinks himself unobserved, is sometimes pointed out to
you as having been one; but his misery protects him. So complete
an overthrow of the most numerous tribe that inhabited the regency
of Tripoli, and one whose riches and influence were so well known,
has had the effect of humbling the turbulent spirit of the Arabs to
a wonderful degree: the bashaw rules them literally with a rod of
iron, and for the slightest cause he has the heads of their sheikhs
over the gates of his palace in a few hours. He makes it his policy
to keep up their feuds and ancient enmities, by which means he
prevents that unanimity which might make them dangerous. The name
of Seffenusser is, however, still the tocsin of revolt; it is in
itself a thousand strong; and the bravery displayed by Abdi Zeleel,
the eldest survivor of the name, during the late campaign in the
negro country, has not a little contributed to strengthen the feeling.
Abdallah Bougeel, a chief and a warrior, from the Shiati, whose
father and grandfather died because they would not fly; who never
attended to flocks, but were chief in fight—twenty men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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