The Progress of Ethnology: An Account of Recent Archaeological, Philological and Geographical Researches in Various Parts of the Globe, Tending to Elucidate the Physical History of ManBartlett, John Russell
History
The Progress of Ethnology: An Account of Recent Archaeological, Philological and Geographical Researches in Various Parts of the Globe, Tending to Elucidate the Physical History of Man
Bartlett, John Russell
Anthropology -- History; Ethnology -- History
The region which forms the subject of the memoirs just alluded to, is
doubtless one of the most interesting fields for exploration of any on
the African continent. The languages spoken by the several nations
between the two oceans, which are here separated by a space of sixteen
or seventeen hundred miles, in a direct line, are believed to belong to
one great family, or at least to present such traces of affinity, that
an expedition, if sufficiently strong, aided by interpreters from the
Zanzibar coast or the Monomoezi tribes, might traverse the continent
without difficulty. Obstacles might be thrown in the way by the
Portuguese traders, who would naturally feel jealous at any
encroachments by rival nations; but by a proper understanding, these
might be overcome, and this interesting and hitherto unknown portion of
Central Africa be laid open to commerce and civilization.
The latest attempt to explore this region was that of M. Maizan, a young
officer in the French navy, who towards the close of the year 1844, set
out for the purpose. In April, 1845, he left Zanzibar, furnished with a
firman from Sultan Said to the principal chiefs of the tribes of the
interior, though in reality they enjoyed the most complete independence.
Having been warned that a chief, named Pazzy, manifested hostile
intentions towards him, he stopped some time on his way, and after
having acquired information relating to the country he wished to survey,
he made a grand _détour_ round the territory over which this savage
chief exercised his authority. After a march of twenty days, he reached
the village of Daguélamohor, which is but three days' journey from the
coast in a direct line, where he awaited the arrival of his baggage,
which he had entrusted to an Arab servant. This man, it appears, had
communication with Pazzy, and had informed him of the route his master
had taken. Pazzy, with some men of his tribe, overtook M. Maizan towards
the end of July, at Daguelamohor, and surrounded the house in which he
lived. After tying him with cords to a palisade, the savage ordered his
men to cut the throat of their unfortunate victim.[34]
Mr. M'Queen gives some particulars obtained from a native African
relating to the country between Lake Tchad, or Tshadda and Calabar. This
portion of the African continent has never been visited by Europeans,
and although little can be gained of its geography from the statements
of this man, there is much in them that is interesting on the
productions of the country, the natives, their manners, customs, &c.
ALGIERS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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