Travels in Kordofan : $b Embracing a description of that province of Egypt, and of some of the bordering countries, with a review of the present state of the commerce in those countries, of the habits and customs of the inhabitants, as also an account of the slave hunts taking place under the government of Mehemed AliPallme, Ignaz
History
Travels in Kordofan : $b Embracing a description of that province of Egypt, and of some of the bordering countries, with a review of the present state of the commerce in those countries, of the habits and customs of the inhabitants, as also an account of the slave hunts taking place under the government of Mehemed Ali
Pallme, Ignaz
Kordofan (Sudan : Province) -- Description and travel; Nile River; Sudan -- Description and travel
and have remained true to the character of their original parents
in Dongola. They will rather allow their goods to spoil than part
with them below their standard; they sell one article at the same
rate as one hundred articles, and make very little difference in
price as regards quality; for common or damaged cottons, rusty
or intact wire, are all sold at the same price. The merchandize
which is not damaged on the road is spoiled in the market-place,
where everything is thrown down on the sand in one large heap, and
no one troubles himself whether a person in the crowd walk over his
goods with dirty feet, or a shower drench them thoroughly. He who
first comes selects the best articles, and he who is forced to wait
until the greater part is disposed of, takes whatever he may happen
to lay his hands on, pays the same price, or sometimes even more,
considering the scarcity, but walks away equally contented.
I have convinced myself that the very commonest goods only should
be brought to this market, for every man may form an opinion of
the manner of transacting business, and of the mode in which the
merchandize is treated. I am certain that an European, accustomed
to the climate at an early age, and acquainted with the demands
of the country, who might establish a commercial-house at Lobeid,
and carry on his business with moderate caution, would realize a
handsome fortune. But, as I have before said, an European would
meet with difficulties, and irksome trials in this undertaking,
unknown to the natives. The time for engaging in a speculation of
this description is now at hand, for Mehemed Ali is about to throw
the trade open.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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