The journal of Frederick Horneman's travels, from Cairo to Mourzouk, the capital of the kingdom of Fezzan, in Africa, in the years 1797-8Hornemann, Friedrich
History
The journal of Frederick Horneman's travels, from Cairo to Mourzouk, the capital of the kingdom of Fezzan, in Africa, in the years 1797-8
Hornemann, Friedrich
Berber languages; Fezzan (Libya) -- Description and travel; Libyan Desert -- Description and travel
Their territory is said to be fertile, but they bear the character
of robbers. A caravan of Fezzanners, from Begarmé and Bournu, about
the time of Mr. Horneman’s visit, was plundered by them. The Sultan
of Fezzan sent a force to punish them; the smallness of which, seems
to prove that the Burgu are either not numerous, or are very much
dispersed. (See above, page 107). The route of the Sultan’s army
helps to fix the positions both of Burgu, and of the Rock Tibbo.[70]
Mr. Beaufoy relates (ch. iv. 1790,) that on another occasion, the
Tibbo of Tibesty plundered a caravan of Fezzan, which robbery was
also punished: but on the last occasion, the Tibestians (who are
the Rock Tibbo), aided the Sultan. It appears by the geography, that
the caravans from the SE are much exposed to the Burgu and Tibesty,
in their route to Fezzan.[71]
4. _Arna._ This tribe is said to live five or six journies to
the eastward of the Burgu; and must therefore border on the sandy
Desert of the _Lebetæ_. Mr. Horneman appears to have known them
only by name.
5. _Bilma._ This is the principal tribe of the Tibbo. They occupy the
middle space, between Fezzan and Bournu, adjacent to the great Desert
of Bilma. Their capital of _Dyrke_ is said to be one journey from
Bilma; which may be the Balmala of Edrisi. They carry on a commerce
between Bournu and Fezzan. (See above, p. 106.) The _Billa_ of Ptolemy
may possibly be meant for Bilma; but is too far to the eastward.
Mr. Beaufoy states the distance to be 45 days of the salt caravans
from Agadez to the lake of Dumboo; which is situated within the
Desert of Bilma. These, at 13 G. miles per day,[72] give a total of
585 miles. The interval on the construction is about 60 less. Either
then, Agadez is more to the west, or Dumboo more to the east. Two
circumstances render it probable that Agadez should be more to the
west: Mr. Magrah was told that it lay S 30° W from Fezzan: and
that it lay N from Kashna. That part of the General Map of 1798,
has not been altered.
6. _Nomadic Tibbo._ These are the most southerly of the tribes; and
are seated in the _Bahr-el-Gazel_, which, Mr. Horneman was told, was a
long and fruitful valley, 7 journies north of Begarmé. Of the _Bahr_
(or _Wad_)-el-Gazel, I have already spoken, in page 168. The distance
of 7 journies N of Begarmé would place the Nomadic Tibbo within the
empire of Bournu. Perhaps, in Bournu, as in Persia, both ancient and
modern, Nomadic tribes find plenty of room:[73] but whether so far
southward, may be a doubt, for a river of the name of Wad-el-Gazel,
is said to flow even into the Desert of Bilma. Antelopes are found
in the neighbourhood of Dumboo; and there may be a river denominated
from them, in that quarter, as well as in that of Begarmé.
_Of the_ TUARICK.[74]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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