Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 5 (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. 5 (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
These are the free tribes of this group; the following are the degraded
and servile tribes, the “lahme” or “khoddemán”:—the Yadás, the Ládim, or
rather only a small portion of that tribe, the Árakán, the Áhel ʿAísa
Tajáwa, El Ússera.
The second group of the Berabísh as a whole, bears the remarkable name
of “Botn el jemel,” on account of its being composed of heterogeneous
elements, brought together by chance, just as is the case with various
kinds of food in the “stomach of the camel.” It is ruled by a chief of
the name of Hamma, and consists of the following tribes:—Welád Relán;
Welád Derís, originating from Tafilélet; Welád Bú-Khasíb; Welád Ghánem,
and the Turmus, the latter being the tribe of which I have spoken on a
former occasion.
E.—_Route from Bóne or from Hómbori, by way of Konna, to Hamda-Alláhi._
Dalla the chief place of the province of the same name, is of
considerable size, and the residence of a governor. Módi Bóle, who was a
man of some note, died a short time before the period of my journey. The
place is mostly inhabited by Tombo, only a small portion of the
inhabitants being Songhay. The mountains are inhabited by the Sána,
probably a section of the Tombo who have still preserved their
independence. The town of Dalla is two good days’ journey from Hómbori,
and one from Bóne.
1 day. Dwentsa, a considerable place, said to be as large as Kúkawa, and
important as a market-place. The road traverses a mountainous region,
described as being supplied with running streams (in the rainy season?),
and to be richly clad with trees.
1 day. Dúmbará, large place, seat of a governor, but destitute of any
handicraft. Country mountainous.
1 day. Nyimi-nyába, a middle-sized place. Country a little mountainous.
1 day. Boré, a large town, seat of a governor. Country mountainous,
intersected by channels for irrigating the kitchen gardens. Cotton,
rice, and corn is cultivated. All these appear to be very long days’
marches.
2 days. Timme, a large town, seat of a governor. On the road you see the
Dhiúliba, or rather its floods, on your right, at least during part of
the year. Cultivation of rice exclusively.
2 days. Karí or Konna (as the Songhay call it), seat of a governor, and
important as a market-place. All the black inhabitants of the town speak
the Songhay language. The town is also called Benne-n-dúgu or Bana-n-
dugu, the tribe of that name, the Benni, having probably extended much
farther to the N. in former times. See Caillié ii. p. 16.
2 days. Niakóngo, seat of a governor of the name of Háj Módi, brother of
Háj ʿOmár. After the rainy season, the floods of the river closely
approach the town.
1 day. Hamda-Alláhi.
F.—_From Timbúktu by Gúndam to Yówaru, and from Yówaru to Hamda-Alláhi._
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