Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 4 (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. 4 (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
However exaggerated the projects of my protector were, considering his
mild disposition, and although by exasperating the Fúlbe more and more
he no doubt increased the difficulties of my situation, the moving of
his encampment outside the town afforded me a great deal of relief, both
in consequence of the change of air which it procured me, and of the
varied scenery. I could also get here a little exercise, although the
more open the country was, the greater care I had to take of my safety.
In the morning, particularly, the camp presented a very animated sight.
The two large white tents of cotton cloth, with their top-covering, or
“sarámme,” of chequered design, and their woollen curtains of various
colours, were half opened to allow the morning air to pervade them. The
other smaller ones were grouped picturesquely around on the slope, which
was enlivened by camels, cattle, and goats, that were just being driven
out. All nature was awake and full of bustle, and the trees were
swarming with white pigeons. In the evening, again, there were the
cattle returning from their pasturage, the slaves bringing water on the
backs of the asses, and the people grouped together in the simple place
of devotion, laid out with thorny bushes, in order to say their prayers,
guided by the melodious voice of their teacher, who never failed to join
them. At this time a chapter of the Kurán was chanted by the best
instructed of the pupils, and continued often till a late hour at night,
the sound of these beautiful verses, in their melodious fall,
reverberating from the downs around; at other times animated
conversation ensued, and numerous groups gathered on the open ground by
the side of the fire.
We returned into the town on the 13th. The first day had passed off
rather quietly, save that a party of twelve Imóshagh, of the tribe of
the Igwádaren, partly mounted on camels, partly on horses, trespassed on
the hospitality of the Sheikh. I had an opportunity of inspecting their
swords, and was not a little surprised at finding that they were all
manufactured in the German town of Solingen, as indeed were almost all
the swords of these Tawárek, or Imóshagh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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