Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855Barth, Heinrich
History
Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855
Barth, Heinrich
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel
They were tall men with broad coarse features, very different from any I
had seen before, and with long hair hanging down upon their shoulders
and over their face, in a way which is an abomination to the Tawárek;
but upon inquiry I learnt that they belonged to the tribe of the
Ighdalén, or Éghedel, a very curious mixed tribe of Berber and Songhay
blood, and speaking the Sónghay language. The mode of buying and
selling, also, was very peculiar; for the price was neither fixed in
dollars, nor in shells, but either in merchandise of various
description, such as calico, shawls, tobes—or in Negro millet, which is
the real standard of the market of Ágades at the present time, while
during the period of its prime, it was apparently the gold of Gágho.
This way of buying or selling is called “kárba.” There was a very
animated scene between two persons; and to settle the dispute it was
necessary to apply to the “serki-n-káswa,” who for every camel sold in
the market receives three “réjel.”
[Illustration]
From this place we went to the vegetable-market, or “káswa-n-
delélti[148],” which was but poorly supplied, only cucumbers and
molukhia (or _Corchorus olitorius_) being procurable in considerable
plenty. Passing thence to the butchers’ market, we found it very well
supplied, and giving proof that the town was not yet quite deserted,
although some strangers were just gathering for the installation of the
sultan, as well as for the celebration of the great holiday, the ʿAid el
kebír, or Salla-léja. I will only observe that this market (from its
name, “káswa-n-rákoma,” or “yóbu yoëwoëni”) seems evidently to have been
formerly the market, where full-grown camels were sold. We then went to
the third market, called Katánga, where, in a sort of hall supported by
the stems of the dúm-tree, about six or seven women were exhibiting on a
sort of frame a variety of small things, such as beads and necklaces,
sandals, small oblong tin boxes such as the Kél-owí wear for carrying
charms, small leather boxes of the shape here represented, but of all
possible sizes, from the diameter of an inch to as much as six inches.
They are very neatly made in different colours, and are used for
tobacco, perfumes, and other purposes, and are called “botta.” I saw
here also a very nice plate of copper, which I wanted to buy the next
day, but found that it was sold. A donkey-saddle, “ákomar,” and a camel-
saddle or “kíri,” were exposed for sale. The name “Katánga” serves, I
think, to explain the name by which the former (now deserted) capital of
Yóruba is generally known, I mean Katúnga, which name is given to it
only by the Háusa and other neighbouring tribes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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