I should have now to enumerate the tribe of the Terauye or Bédeyát (or, as they are called by the Arabs, Áuwa), who live in the district Énnedi, intersected with a great many valleys, one of which is called Káúle, and another, in the neighbourhood of Wádáy, Níyu, if I were sure that they belong to the nation of the Tebu. But the few words of their language which I was able to ascertain, such as water, fire, are entirely different from the corresponding words in módi Tedá:—“water,” mí (Terauye), éyi (Tedá); “fire,” jó (Terauye), wuëni (Tedá). One of their chiefs is Rúzzi, who has become well known on account of his connection with the mercantile enterprise of ʿAbd el Kerím Sabún the king of Wádáy.[78] This chief, who was still living in 1851, is a Moslim, while most of the Terauye are pagans.
[64]The name is written in Arabic in very different ways, the MS. account of the expeditions of Edrís sometimes having the form معوا at others ماوا; but the real indigenous form seems to be Mʿawó, a name exactly similar to Gʿawó, that of the capital of the Sónghay empire, and Yʿawó, the residence of the Bulála princes. It is not improbable that by corruption the name Mátán, which by Ebn Sʿaíd and Abú ’l Fedá (p. 162.) is given to a well-known place in Kánem, has originated in the name of Mʿawó, although they place it close on the shore of the Tsád (bahíret Kúrí), and north from Njímiye.
[65]In this last statement there may be some error.
[66]May the name Fúgó, Fugábú, have any connection with the tribe of the Fúgu mentioned by Masúdi (Golden Meadows, chap. xxxiii. p. 138. MS. Transl. R. Asiatic Society)?
[67]Bágalé is certainly an interesting example of the homonymy of African names in distant countries.
[68]From the origin of the people the name of the place is probably derived; for Bille Ngáre is the name which the inhabitants of Logón give to the Kanúri.
[69]In this passage, however, it seems almost as if there were a misunderstanding, “in a day” instead of “once.”
[70]Denham’s Journal, vol. i. p. 262, ff. It is not quite clear whether Denham reckons the fifty miles (p. 267.) to Mendoo or to Mʿawó, but probably to Mʿawó. The name Korata Mendooby (p. 267.) means the Keráda (Fugábú) of Mondó.
[72]The Yewórma, as well as the Tymmélme and Yéggada, have been almost annihilated by the Tawárek.
[73]As for the Traita, mentioned by Lyon, p. 265., and by Major Denham repeatedly, vol. i. p. 42. et seq., I think that this name is not indigenous; at least I have been unsuccessful in getting information respecting a people so called. Denham himself calls them once “the people of Traita.”
[74]Under this form they came also under Burckhardt’s notice. (Travels in Nubia, 2nd ed. Appendix I. p. 435.)
[75]There seems to be some Berber element in the word; but I think it is more apparent than real, for the word is distinctly written by Imám Áhmed Tumághira.
[76]See Capt. Lyon’s Narrative, p. 266., where a rather exaggerated account is given of the irrigation of the country, which seems certainly not to be at all sterile throughout.
[77]This name has obviously nothing to do with the name which the Kanúri give to pagans; the Tebu called pagans “érdi.”
[78]See Fresnel, Bulletin de la Soc. de Géogr. 1849, 3me série, t. xi. p. 53.
APPENDIX II.
GEOGRAPHICAL DETAILS CONTAINED IN “THE DIVAN,” OR ACCOUNT GIVEN BY THE IMÁM ÁHMED BEN SOFÍYA[79] OF THE EXPEDITIONS OF THE KING EDRÍS ALAWÓMA FROM BÓRNU TO KÁNEM.
First Expedition.
1 day, Ghambarú. غَمْبَرُوا, starting from Birni Ghasréggomo.
„ Zantam زَنْتَم.
„ Kishímuwa كشموه (returning westward).
„ Zantam (returning eastward).
„ Ghotúwa غتوه.
Several days, Berí بري[79], having made short marches. However, the king did not encamp in the town of Berí itself, but round about a fortified place (شوكيه) called Ghátigha غَاتِغْه, which according to other accounts was situated at some little distance from the town of Berí. Berí was a celebrated place, on account of its situation, and of great importance in the intercourse between Bórnu and Kánem.[80]
1 day, Furtú فُرتُوا (arrival at the time of the káila, or kiyúla), passing by Sakala سكله, a locality (مكان), not an inhabited place, and by the town Ghayawá غَيَوا. The town of Furtú or Furtúwa is of the greatest importance in the geography of Kánem, as it is identical with the Íklí or Íkelí mentioned by Makrízí.[81] Imám Áhmed writes اِكْلِهْ. But it had besides a third name, viz. Gháljadú, or Gháljadúwá غَلْجَدُوا.
„ Alále, اْلاله, with easterly direction.
„ Ghibúwa-kanjiyíz غِبُوَ كَنْجِيِز, a locality, not an inhabited place.
„ Daghál دغال.
„ Burum بُرُم.
„ Róro بلد رُورُ.
„ Keswadá كَسوَدا.
„ Ghumámí غُمَامي.
„ Súlú or Súlúwá سُولُوا. This place in another passage[82] is called by the author a seat of the Kenaníya, a tribe which in former times seems to have formed the principal stock of the population of Kánem, and who were hostile to the people of Bórnu, but who appear to have suffered greatly by the expeditions of Edrís. See further on.
„ Múlghim مُولْغِم.
„ Kurú or Kurúwá كُرُوَا.
„ Melajerá, a river النهر المسمي بِمَلجَرا.[83]
„ Rimbawá رِمبَوا.
„ Mʿawó, written here معوا, but soon afterwards ماوا and p. 16. ماُو (even مَاوُو by mistake). He arrived here a little before zawál. The situation of Berí being ascertained by ourselves, and that of Mʿawó being laid down with approximative certainty, the whole route, supposing that it runs in a tolerably straight line, could be described with some approach to exactness in a map. Of course the uncertainty increases as we pass beyond this place into the south-eastern quarter of Kánem. Mʿawó was then a place celebrated throughout the whole of Kánem; but it was not the residence of any powerful chief. ʿAbd el Jelíl the Bulála prince at that time resided in Yitúkurma (or Yutúkurma, for both forms appear[84] يِتُوكُرْمه and يُتُوكُرْمَهْ) distant from Mʿawó “megíl” (that is to say, from five to six hours’ march, at a very swift rate), in a S.E. direction, as it seems.
From Mʿawó Edrís directed his course to Wasámí وَسَاْمِي in a northerly direction (p. 18.) distant about zawál, while the host of the Bulála came to Kírsila كِرْسِلَه, which probably[85] lay west of Wasámi. The Bulála fled (at the dhahúwe); Edrís went towards the southern parts of Kánem, arrived between dhohor and ʿaser at Mánmana مَنْمَنَه, where there was no water.
From hence to Tasa تَسه or Tusa تُسه. Arrived about zawál. Evidently a large place, as he remained here eight days. Here the Bulála fled a second time.
From Tasa, Njímiye or Shímiye (here written السِيمِ, a little further on الجِيم, and a few lines previously السيِمَ), before zawál; the old capital before the time of Dáúd. Unfortunately he does not add in what direction he went.
Here Edrís had the Kurán read thrice at the sepulchres of the old kings of Bórnu.
From Njímiye Edrís went to Ágháfí الاَغَافي, where there was a fortified place of the Bulála; arrived at dhohor (after a short delay on the march), met the hostile army there, who instantly turned their backs.
From Ágháfí to Sendú سَندُوه.
From Sendú to Íkima اكِمَه.
From Íkima returned to Ágháfí, and celebrated there the ʿAíd el Fotr according to the old fashion of Bórnu.
From Ágháfí to Fifísi فِفِيسِه, starting in the evening; marched the whole night, and arrived in the morning. Made here much booty, ʿAbd el Jelíl having taken to flight.
From Fifísi returned to Ágháfí in two days and a half, while ʿAbd el Jelíl was in Ghasikú غَسكُوا north from Ágháfí.
From Ágháfí Edrís went to Njímiye, starting at the beginning of ʿaser and arriving at el ʿashá.
From Njímiye he then went to Melíma مَليمَه from dhohor till mughreb at a swift rate.
From Melíma to Ghasikú.
From Ghasikú returned to Ágháfí by Melíma and Njímiye, and resided there for a long time, collecting the chiefs of the Bulála and even the Arabs and the tribe of Fittrí, and conferring the government of Kánem on the fáki Mohammed ben ʿAbd-Allah.
From Ágháfí Edrís went to Ghamtilú the burial-place of Bíri ben Dúnama.
From Ghamtilú, southwards to Belághi بَلَاغِ.
(While the King Edrís went to Belághi, his imám, Áhmed ben Sofíya, the author of the history of Edrís’ expeditions, keeping more to the west, visited an old mosque called مسجد اَرْمِي apparently one of the first places of Mohammedan worship in the country.)
From Belághi Edrís went again southwards, in the direction of the lake الى جهة النهر من اليمين to Fisla فِسلَه where he remained a long time, receiving embassies from Arabs and Kúka, or rather Kúkú كوكوا and Fittrí.
From Fisla Edrís turned westwards towards Bórnu:—
First to Díyawá ديَوا where he made some stay.
From Diyawá to Ghalá, or rather Ngalá, غَلَا.
From Ngalá to Áwano, اوَنُه.
From Áwano to ʿAlúwa, علُوَه.
From ʿAlúwa (returned?) to Ngalá.
From Ngalá to Madaghama مَدَغَمه where he was joined by Mohammed ben ʿAbd-Allah and his army.
From Madaghama, having heard that ʿAbd el Jelíl had come again to Yitukurma, Edrís returned once more eastward to Ngalá, thence again to Madaghama.
From Madaghama, proceeding straight for Bórnu, in one long day, to Súlú.
From Súlú to Keghusiti, كغُسِطِه.
From Keghusiti to Síki, البلد سِيكِه, which at that time formed the frontier between Bórnu and Kánem, on which account the drum was there beaten.
From Síki to the district of the Sugurti or Sukurti ارض سُكُرْت.
From Sugurti to Bulúghi بُلُوغِ.
From Bulúghi to Ngughúti (Ngurúti) غوغوته, further on غُغُوته.
From Ngughúti to Berí.
But his return to Bórnu was frustrated; for, having learnt in Berí the news of a battle fought between ʿAbd el Jelíl and Mohammed, whom he had made governor of Kánem, near Yitukurma, in which the latter was apparently vanquished, he returned once more to the east, dividing his army into two portions, and taking only one division with him.
From Berí to Ghátíghi (here written غاتىْغِه) the same fortified place which has been before mentioned as lying quite in the neighbourhood of Berí, and where the armies used to assemble.
From Ghátíghi or Ghátiga to Ngughúti.
From Ngughúti to Bulúghi.
From Bulúghi to Kirteti (?) كرتتي.
From Kirteti to Keghusiti.
From Keghusiti to Ririkmi رِرِكْمِه.
From Ririkmi to Gharni-Kiyála غَرْني كِيَالَه a large walled town, evidently one of the two Kiyála mentioned (p. 484.) as belonging to Shitáti.
From Gharni-Kiyála to Yesembú يَسمبُوا starting in the night, at a swift rate, and reaching the place after sunrise; but apparently it did not lie in his way, as he returned from thence into the direct road.
From hence to Wasámi.
From Wasámi to Melíma, reaching it at the káila (about eleven o’clock).
From Melíma to Njímiye (east), arriving in the evening.
From Njímiye to Ágháfí, or the fortress of Ágháfí, starting after midnight, and arriving before sunrise. Pursuing thence ʿAbd el Jelíl, he caught part of his Zmála, with the queen Ghumsu Wábi.
From Ágháfí returned to Njímiye.
(The khalífa Yeríma Yaghá, whom Edrís had left with the sick in Wasámi, pursuing his march from thence at a slow rate towards the north (الى جهة الشمال), went first to Díru ديرُ.
From Díru to Madhími مَضِيمِ.
From Madhími to Njímiye, where he met Edrís.)
From Njímiye Edrís went eastwards to Kawál كَوَالْ. Arrived at dhahawe (about nine o’clock A.M.).
From Kawál he started at midnight; went first south, at dawn turned eastwards gradually towards the north, and fell upon the Tebu (evidently about the Bahr el Ghazál).
Returned from this predatory excursion to Kawál.
From Kawál returning to Njímiye [apparently by a long detour], went first to Saghi (Sheghi, Shiri?) سَغِه which he reached at sunset.
From Saghi, starting before sunrise, reached Njímiye by way of Íkma اِكْمَه and Ghurfala غُرْفَلَ.
The return of Edrís to Njímiye happened just at the right time; for the Bulála king, who had received the news of Edris’ return to Kánem on his way to Bagírmi, or as it is here written, in the form usual to the Kanúri, Bagharmí بَغَرْمي led his host against the Bórnu army, and had almost succeeded in taking the camp by surprise, when Edrís arrived and compelled him to fly.
From Njímiye Edrís now went to Ghimará غِمَرا.
From Ghimará, in a southerly direction, to Satóm سَتُوم a place close to Yitukurma.
From Satóm to Daghelú or Daghelwá دغلوِا, where ʿAbd el Jelíl had taken up his residence, but fled. [Daghelú, most probably, is identical with Taghghel.]
Returning from Daghelú to Satóm, Edrís met his vizier in Kargha-Simsim كرغه سِمسِم[86] [consequently Daghelú lay south from Kargha, or in the southern part of Kargha].
In Simsim, Edrís had a conference with some Arabs [Shúwa] and Tebu or Tubu تُبُ as Áhmed generally writes the name. The latter chose to migrate to Bórnu, while the former, who enjoyed a strict alliance with the Bórnu king, remained behind in Kánem.
From Simsim Edrís went northwards to Bárí باري [evidently the district mentioned above]. (The vizier also, whom Edrís had left behind in Satóm, in order to meet his master in Simsim, had traversed Bárí).[87]
From Bárí Edrís went to Mandó مندو [Mandó Yagóre].
From Mandó Edrís went northwards, when he became aware that the enemy was marching westwards, and changed his march till he came to Kitaki (?) البلد كِطَكِ.
ʿAbd el Jelíl, being pursued, fled into the desert.
(The officer Mídalá ben Fátima, left in Mandó, followed his king slowly, but nevertheless, on starting from Mandó, did not encamp before he had passed Mʿawó.
Having in this encampment received the order to come to Yira, he went first to Yíkima يِكِمه.
Thence to Yira يِرَه where he arrived at the time of the hejír, that is to say, a little past twelve o’clock.
From hence he went to Sitati (probably Shitáti) سِطَطِ(thus written thrice).[88]
From Shitáti Edrís turned westwards on his home-journey to Bórnu, but encamped the first day quite near, where the Arabs (Shúwa) took leave of him.
From hence he proceeded slowly to Berí[89], where the booty was divided, and all those among the captives who were free men allowed to return to their families or tribes, without any ransom, according to a very remarkable custom observed from ancient times by the Bulála, in their predatory incursions into Bórnu—a first germ of international law.
Second Expedition.
Scarcely had Edrís Alawóma dismissed his governors and officers, in order to prepare all that was wanted for another expedition into Kánem, when he received the news that his indefatigable and harassing enemy had come into the neighbourhood of Bulúji, or Bulúghi.
Edrís therefore hastened back from his favourite town Ghambarú, when ʿAbd el Jelíl turned off towards the north to Kara كَرَه or Kura كُره and Jitkú جِتْكُوا [probably so called from the Tebu tribe of that name], while Edrís ben Harún, the faithful and valiant vizier of the Bórnu king, was stationed in the neighbouring town of Butti بُتِّه.
Edrís came from Berí to Ghayawá غَيَوَا, where he met his vizier.
From Ghayawá he came to the district of the Sugurti arriving about the ʿashá.
From Sugurti he went to “the red water” الما لاحمر.
From this place, instead of taking the road by Súlú, he kept more to the north, reached a copious well at zawál (between twelve and one o’clock), started again at ʿaser, and reached at sunset the well Rubki رُبْكِه or Rubku رُبْكُه with irrigated plantations (khattatír).
From Rubku, starting at midnight, reached Íkeríma اِكريمه where ʿAbd el Jelíl had taken up his residence, about zawál, made a great booty; the Bulála king fled.
Edrís returned from Íkeríma to Rubku in two days and a half.
From Rubku he returned to Berí, and from thence returned to Ghambarú, as it would seem from Imám Áhmed’s account, at an enormously swift rate, traversing the space from Berí to Ghambarú, 130 geogr. miles in a straight line, in about 25 hours’ actual march.
Start from Berí at ʿaser, arrive at Kebúwa كَبُوَه at the ʿashá.
Start from Kebúwa in the morning, arrive at Kikeri كِكَرِه at the káíla.
Start from Kikeri in the afternoon, arrive at Debúbu دبُوبُو or دبُوبُه at the ʿashá.
Start from Debúbu in the morning, arrive at Ruwáyah رُوَايَه at the káíla.
From hence Ghambarú, a few miles, from the beginning till the end of ʿaser.
Third Expedition.
Edrís having rested but a short time, immediately prepared another expedition, in order to return to Kánem before the gathering in of the dates.
The army collected in Ghátigha close to Berí.
Setting out from thence, along the shores of the Tsáde, or Tsádi يسير بطرف النهر ثَادِ he went to Ngughúti.
From Ngughúti to Bulúji.
From Bulúji to the district of the Sugurti.
From hence to Róro, from whence he sent his light and choice cavalry in advance.
From Róro to Kimisnó البلد كِمِسْنو arrived at zawál.
From Kimisnó, starting at the beginning of the ʿaser, at a very swift rate, reached before sunset Lebá لَبا, a celebrated locality with artificial irrigation.
From Lebá, proceeding in an easterly direction, to Gharni Kiyála, in two days and a half.
From Gharni Kiyála, starting at ʿaser, following an easterly direction, for Ísembú, or Yisembú, dismounting only at sunset to cook, and feed the horses; and thus continuing on the whole night, and only dismounting again to say the prayer of dawn, Edrís continued his march till he had passed Wasámi, which was near Yisembú, evidently towards the west, and made a rich booty.
From Yisembú he went to Delli البلد دَلِّه which was famous on account of its richness in dates, and its general exuberance. Here he gathered the dates in all the different stages of maturity.
From Delli, Edrís turned westwards, in order to join the officer Yíruma Yaghá, when, receiving intelligence that the Tebu wanted to cut him off, he attacked them, and made an immense slaughter.
Went from hence to “the great well”—name not given.
From hence to Gharni Kiyála, following an experienced Tebu guide.
From Gharni Kiyála Edrís turned eastward towards the places or valleys rich in date-trees. Encamped in a vale بقعة.
From hence he went without stopping till he reached Yídh يِضْ or Yídhi يِضِه a place especially famous on account of its dates.
From hence he turned southwards, and went to Fógha فوغه likewise rich in dates. (Another place with date-trees is here mentioned, of the name of Debekú.)
From Fógha back to Delli, or rather a little beyond it.
From hence in several days, in a southerly direction, he went to Íwana إِوَنه, in the southern part of Kánem.
From hence, by way of Delmi, he went to Daghelú or Daghulwá, here written دَغُلوَا, the place above-mentioned, but which, on this occasion, the historian represents as a place especially celebrated with the people of Kánem, and at that time extremely wealthy. Slept on the shore of the lagoons, as his whole road led through numbers of lagoons or ponds, just then full of water; arriving the next morning at the town, found it empty, but the Koyám, and those of his army who were mounted upon camels, followed the people northwards, and made rich booty.
The king of the Bulála and his party meanwhile fled into the desert.
Edrís returned homewards towards Bórnu.
First to Ngalá, a cluster of villages, or rather district البلد غلا او الفليم غلا.
From Ngalá to Tentebú تَنْتبُوا.
From Tentebú to Róro.
From Róro northwards to Siru سِرُه. In going, Edrís employed a day and a night يوما وليلا but on returning from Siru to Róro only marched from morning till sunset, so that the distance cannot be very great, as he was then laden with spoil (a great booty in cattle and goats, but no camels).
From Róro to Limárá لِمَارَا, where he stopped two days.
From thence to Ghayáwa.
From Ghayáwa he took another road to Dilárá دِلارا where he left half of his army, returning with the other half to Ghambarú.
Fourth[90] Expedition.
The next year, on the first Sunday in Shawál, Edrís again left Ghambarú, reached Kesúdá by way of Zamtam, Ítanáwa, Berí, Ngurúti or Ngughúti, Sugurti, Róro.
From Kesúda, leaving the road to Ghumámi on one side, he went to Síki.
From Síki to Rírikma ريركمه.
From Rírikma to Wagham وَغَم.
From Wagham to Wasámi.
From Wasámi to Mʿawó or Máwó, here written ماوا.
From Mʿawó to Ghamirá غَمِرَا.
From Ghamirá to Njímiye, the chief town of Kánem المدينه الكبيره البلد الكبير.
From Njímiye to Belághi, taking with him a great provision of water.
From Belághi to Ágháfí; starting at ʿaser, arrived before sunset.
From Ágháfí to Ghanjáya, arriving near zawál.
From Ghanjáya to Ragharkú رغَرْكوا.
In their fortified encampment near this place the Bórnu army on the 25th Dhu el kadá, was attacked at night by the Bulála, when a very severe struggle ensued, and the camp was almost taken by the enemy with great slaughter of the Bórnu people, and considerable loss of property.
From Ragharkú Edrís went to Delli, when the Bulála gave up their last stronghold, Aghó اغو or اغوا, a very old place which they had rebuilt and restored after Edrís had destroyed all their strongholds in Kánem, even the two other most famous places Íkima and Ágháfí.[91] Aghó was evidently situated on the brink of the vale or hollow which we passed on our march, the 10th of October; and Delli is identical with the place mentioned above among the most important inhabited spots of Shitáti.
From Delli Edrís went southwards towards Kelu كَلُه very slowly, till they crossed the river which divides Kánem from Kelu[92], and he pursued his march till he came to Listerí لِسْتِرِي a place which is stated to have belonged formerly to the tribe of the Kilábetí كِلَابتِي and which contained a great number of cottages or tents كثيرة البيوت. I should believe that Kelu is the country of the Kaleáma in the south-eastern quarter of the Tsád, if anything were said about his having crossed Bárí and Kargha; but at least it is evident that it was a distant march of several days.
From Kelu, Edrís returned northwards, and fought a sanguinary battle with ʿAbd el Jelíl, the Bulála king, before Kiyáyaka كِيَايَكَهْ (a little further on less correct كِياكَهْ).
Kiyáyaka was a district where the Bulála, after their other strongholds Íkima, Ágháfi, and Aghó had been destroyed, had built a new fortress, at the instigation, it is said, of the princesses. This fortification, or rather group of three different forts, Yekí يَكِي, Makaranna مَكَرَنّه, and Kurkuriwa كُرْكُروَه[93], became a large and important place, the Bulála transferring thither by force the inhabitants from all parts of Kánem, with the exception of those of Tetálúwa or Tetálú تتالوا and Áfági افاقِه.[94] But principally they settled there all the Tebu, even the Keserdá (كَسردًا) most probably a mistake instead of Sakerdá, so that but few of this tribe remained behind in Kánem. The Bulála made, moreover, strict alliance with the people of the south (اهل جهة اليمين), the people of Kargha, in order to provide them with corn, which they bought with tobes and cattle. This intercourse ceased only when Edrís came to Ragharkú.
The battle which was fought near this important place of Kiyáyaka, was won by the king Edrís through his personal valour, after much slaughter on both sides, when he entered the town, and having encamped there for two days, all the time beating the drum, burnt the whole place.
From Kiyáyaka Edrís went eastward to Mi بلد مِه probably the place of this name mentioned above as belonging to Shitáti, although this would carry back the situation of Kiyáyaka very far westward, as from the author’s words it appears that the distance between both places was considerable.
(Meanwhile his vizier pursued ʿAbd el Jelíl to Kawál, evidently the place mentioned above;
From Kawál to Kuwáka كواكه.
From Kuwáka to Ítanáwa, also mentioned on a former occasion.
From Ítanáwa, while ʿAbd el Jelíl fled into the open desert, the vizier Edrís fell upon the Tebu and made great plunder. He went thence and joined his master the sultan in Mi, where they celebrated the ʿAíd el kebír.)
From Mi, Edrís returned to Kiyáyaka.
(From Kiyáyaka the king sent Farkama Mohammed to Kála الى البلد كَالَه.)
Edrís himself went from Kiyáyaka to Gharikú, where he had a long conference with the Arabs.
From Gharikú he proceeded a great distance northwards on an expedition against the Tebu, while he sent the heavy part of his army to Njímiye.
Having vanquished the Tebu, he returned to Tínu تِينُه.
From Tínu to Njímiye, south, from dhohor to sunset, and from morning to zawál.
In Njímiye the Tebu came to make their submission, and in the sansanne (evidently the fortified camp of his army), which the sultan then entered, he received legations from the inhabitants of Fittrí اهل البلد فِتْرِي and from the Arab or Shúwa chief ʿAli ben Yerdha, and a messenger from the tribe of the Kúka من قبيله كوكو مِلِه (what Mili is I do not know, but suppose it to be the name of a particular spot or division of the Kúka). During his stay here he was plentifully supplied with corn by the Arabs.
(From Njímiye Edrís sent part of his army in pursuit of ʿAbd el Jelíl, who had turned westwards, and then probably to the north, for the Bórnu men directed their course first to the northward, but, having gone to a great distance without finding ʿAbd el Jelíl, gave up their pursuit, and ransacked the town Kiríwa كِريوَه.
From Kiríwa they went to Mʿawó to wait for the sultan.)
Edrís himself went from Njímiye westward to Ghamirá غمِرَا made an alliance with its inhabitants.
From Ghamirá southward to (?[95]), and remained there some time.
From this place, which is somewhere in the south about Kargha, Edrís returned to Mʿawó, where he met his people.
From Mʿawó Edrís began his home-journey to Bórnu:—
First to Málehí مالَهِي.
From Málehí to Múlí Ghim and Múlí Fúlí الى الموليين مُولِي غِم ومُولِي فولِ.
From Múlí to Súlú سولوا where he fixed his camp in a place called Fíyú فيو.
From Sulú to Kesúdá كسودا.
From Kesúdá, by the well-known places Róró, Sugurti, Bulúji, Ngughúti, to the celebrated place Ghátigha, or Ghátighi, near Berí.
From Ghátigha to Ítanáwa, starting at ʿaser and arriving at ashá.
From Ítanáwa to Ruwáya.
From Ruwáya to Ghambarú.
Fifth Expedition.
Having spent ten days in his favourite place Ghambarú in great festivity, Edrís prepared another expedition to Kánem against the tribe of the Kenáníye قبيلة الكنانيِة. I have already spoken of this tribe on a former occasion[96]; and I must confess that I doubt whether the name Kenáníye be indigenous, but rather think that the people who bear it are identical with the Haddáda, or Bongu, who seem to have once formed a very numerous tribe, and may have been the original inhabitants of Kánem altogether. At that time the principal seat of this remarkable tribe was Súlú, the place mentioned already repeatedly, and were therefore generally known under the name of “the people of Súlú” اهل سولوا. But being afraid of the Bórnu king, whose wrath they had provoked by their predatory habits, they left their seats, while he was returning from Kánem, and retired to Kargha كَرْغَه.[97]
Edrís collected his army in Fakará about middle of Jumád I.
From Fakará he went to Dalikina دَلِكِنه; arrived at káíla.
From Dalikina to Madáwa مداوَه; arrived at káíla.
From Madáwa to Keri Kurúku كَرِه كُرُوكُ, arriving at noon.
From Keri Kurúku to Keri or Kuri Keramnú كُرِه كَرمْنُوه.
From Keramnú to Wurni وُرنِه, arriving at kaila.
From Wurni to Lebúdu, arriving at noon.
From Lebúdu to Kesúdá.
Then by Bulúji, Berí [erroneously written for Burrum], to Róro.
Having arrived at Róro at noon, he left it again at ʿaser, said the prayers of mughreb at a ghadír called Kitanáka كِتَناكهْ, started again in the evening, and arrived at Síki about two o’clock in the morning.
In Síki he divided his army into three parts, one going with the keghámma southwards to Ríríkma رِيرِيكْمَه and other places of the Kenáníye, another with the Yeríma, northwards, to Máy and the district thereabouts, inhabited by the same tribe.
Edrís himself took the middle road towards Dídí دِيدىِ and other places in the neighbourhood, made a great plunder (about one thousand slaves), and then turned back.
From Dídí to Ríríkma, where he arrived at ʿaser.
From Ríríkma he went and encamped near a celebrated ethel-tree which marked the very frontier of Kánem, having rested during the heat a couple of hours at the ghadír or pond of Kitanáka, where he arrived at zawál.
From the frontier (which must have been somewhere near Síki; see above) to Róro.
(From thence by the great road to Birni.)
From Róro to Burrum [here again by mistake Berí is written].
From Burrum to Bulúji.
From Bulúji to Fúrtu.
From Fúrtu to Melfífí (not a town, but a pond or basin الحوض المسمي بملفيفي), apparently not far from Berí.
From Melfífí to the place Merdalí البلد مَردَلِي.
From Merdalí to Ghuwi Kefúkwa غُوِه كفوكْوَه, where he met a caravan of Bórnu and Tebu merchants with plenty of horses.
From thence to Ghíghir البلد المعروف بغيغِر, starting at dhohor, and arriving at the end of ʿaser.
From Ghíghir to Ghiskirú البلد غِسكِرُوا.
From thence to Zamtam.
From Zamtam to Ghambarú, having crossed the river البحر الكبير.
From Ghambarú to Birni, or Burni, in the evening.
The result of this expedition had been that the tribe of the Kenaníye, which had hitherto been the most numerous in Kánem, was entirely humiliated.
Last Expedition to the Borders of Kánem.
When Edrís received the news in Birni that Mohammed ben ʿAbd Allah, whom he had made king of Kánem, had vanquished the Bulála king ʿAbd el Jelíl, chiefly with the assistance of the Arabs, or Shúwa, and especially that of the powerful chief ʿAlí ben Yerdha, he returned once more to Kánem in shawál, going—
From Ghambarú to Zamtam;
From Zamtam to Ghetú;
From Ghetú to Mílu;
From Mílu to Ledá لدا;
From Ledá to Burkumúwa بُركُموه;
From Burkumúwa to Ghawáli غَوَالِه;
From Ghawáli to Milti;
From Milti to Berí, here written بَرِيَه;
From Berí to Ghayawá;
From Ghayawá to Melhú مَلْهُوا;
From Melhúwa to Dighimsil دِغمسل;
From Dighimsil to Hughulghula حُغُلْغُله, near Dílaram دِيلَرَم;
From Hughulghula to Róro;
From Róro to Kesúdá.
From Kesúdá to Síki, here distinguished by the surname داننمَه (sic).
Here he met the new king of Kánem, Mohammed ben ʿAbd Allah, and had a conference with him on the subject of the borders of their respective kingdoms; and they stipulated that the whole of Keghusti and the whole of Síru (Shíri), as well as Babáliyá, should belong to Bórnu.[98] The latter condition, in particular, is of great interest.
Mohammed ben ʿAbd Allah took an oath of obedience, and in conformity the officers of the Bulála took two oaths,—the first to the king of Bórnu, and the second to that of Kánem.
Having held a review of the army, Edrís returned by Síki, Róro, Dílaram, Bulúji, Ghayawá, Berí, Multi, Dídí, Mílu, Ruwáya, Berselma, Ghatawa, and across the komádugu النهر الجاري to Birni.