Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01 — John Shaqi
Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01Park, Mungo
History
Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 01
Park, Mungo
Africa -- Discovery and exploration; Niger River
In the afternoon my fellow-travellers informed me that, as this was the
boundary between Bondou and Kajaaga, and dangerous for travellers, it
would be necessary to continue our journey by night, until we should
reach a more hospitable part of the country. I agreed to the proposal,
and hired two people for guides through the woods; and as soon as the
people of the village were gone to sleep (the moon shining bright) we set
out. The stillness of the air, the howling of the wild beasts, and the
deep solitude of the forest, made the scene solemn and oppressive. Not a
word was uttered by any of us but in a whisper; all were attentive, and
every one anxious to show his sagacity by pointing out to me the wolves
and hyænas, as they glided like shadows from one thicket to another.
Towards morning we arrived at a village called Kimmoo, where our guides
awakened one of their acquaintances, and we stopped to give the asses
some corn, and roast a few ground-nuts for ourselves. At daylight we
resumed our journey, and in the afternoon arrived at Joag, in the kingdom
of Kajaaga.
Being now in a country and among a people differing in many respects from
those that have as yet fallen under our observation, I shall, before I
proceed further, give some account of Bondou (the territory we have left)
and its inhabitants, the Foulahs, the description of whom I purposely
reserved for this part of my work.
Bondou is bounded on the east by Bambouk, on the south-east and south by
Tenda and the Simbani wilderness, on the south-west by Woolli, on the
west by Foota Torra, and on the north by Kajaaga.
The country, like that of Woolli, is very generally covered with woods,
but the land is more elevated, and, towards the Falemé river, rises into
considerable hills. In native fertility the soil is not surpassed, I
believe, by any part of Africa.
From the central situation of Bondou, between the Gambia and Senegal
rivers, it is become a place of great resort, both for the slatees, who
generally pass through it on going from the coast to the interior
countries, and for occasional traders, who frequently come hither from
the inland countries to purchase salt.
These different branches of commerce are conducted principally by
Mandingoes and Serawoollies, who have settled in the country. These
merchants likewise carry on a considerable trade with Gedumah and other
Moorish countries, bartering corn and blue cotton cloths for salt, which
they again barter in Dentila and other districts for iron, shea-butter,
and small quantities of gold-dust. They likewise sell a variety of
sweet-smelling gums, packed up in small bags, containing each about a
pound. These gums, being thrown on hot embers, produce a very pleasant
odour, and are used by the Mandingoes for perfuming their huts and
clothes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account