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
The distance to Febabo was stated to me by the Augilarians to be
ten days journey, (twenty-one miles per day,) and that during the
first six days no water is to be found. The most southerly of the
Tibbo tribes are the Nomadic Tibbo, who live in the _Bahr-el-Gasel_,
which is said to be a long and fruitful valley, seven days journey
from Bergami northward.
SECTION II.
The west and south of Fezzan is inhabited by the Tuarick, a mighty
people, who border south-west on Burnu; south on Burnu, Soudan,
and Tombuctoo; eastward on the country of the Tibbo and Fezzan;
northward on part of Fezzan, and the Arabs who live behind the
regions of Tripoly, Tunis, and Algiers; and westward on the great
empire of Fez and Morocco, of whom a few colonies are found in Sockna,
(in the dominion of Fezzan), Augila, and Siwah; in which places the
language of the Tuarick is the only one spoken by the inhabitants.[13]
The Tuarick are divided into many nations and tribes, who all speak
the same language; but, by their colour and manner of living, it
is probable that they differ widely in their origin. As I will give
only certain informations, on this account I confine myself, in the
following relation, to the Tuarick of the nation of Kolluvi and the
tribe of Hagara. These are thin in growth, rather tall than short;
their walk is swift but firm; their look is stern, and their whole
demeanour is warlike. Cultivated and enlightened, their natural
abilities would render them, perhaps, one of the greatest nations
upon earth. Their character (particularly that of Kolluvi,) is much
esteemed. The western tribes of this nation are white, as much as
the climate and manner of living will admit. The Kolluvians who
reached the region of Asben and conquered Agades, and mixed with
the nations, are of different colours; many of them are black;
but their features are not like those of Negroes. The Hagara and
Matkara are yellowish, like the Arabs; near Soudan there are tribes
entirely black. The clothing of this nation consists of wide dark-blue
breeches, a short narrow shirt of the same colour, with wide sleeves,
which they bring together and tie on the back of their neck, so
that their arms are at liberty. They wind a black cloth round their
head in such a manner that at a distance it appears like a helmet,
for their eyes only are seen. Being Mahometans, they cut off their
hair, but leave some on the top of the head, round which those who
wear no cap, contrive to fold their black cloth, so that it appears
like a tuft on their helmet. Round their waist they wear a girdle of
a dark colour; from several cords which fall from their shoulders,
hangs a koran in a leather pouch, and a row of small leather bags
containing amulets. They always carry in their hands a small lance,
neatly worked, about five feet long. Above the left elbow, on the
upper part of the arm, they wear their national badge, a thick,
black or dark-coloured ring, of horn or stone.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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