[147]Aúgi and Méra, the principal towns of Kebbi, together with Koido, were destroyed by ʿAlíyu. Aúgi was situated N. from Señína, the same distance as from Gáwasú to Sókoto, from Argúngo E.N.E. eight or ten miles. Opposite Aúgi the dallul Gamínda joins the gulbi-n-Kebbi from the N., and along it lie the following places: Birni-n-Gamínda, B. Rúwa, Bakále, Alkalíji, Bizzer, Sakibiyáre, B. Buldi, Múza, Baiyáwa, Dankal, Bubúche, close to the junction, and about eight or ten miles from Argúngu.
[148]Támbawel, formerly the residence of the learned Bokhári, at present that of his son ʿOmáro, two days N. from Yúna. Near Támbawel Alíru. Yábo, two days E. of Birni-n-Kebbi, residence of Mohammed Nyello, with the title “Serkí-n-Kebbi.”
[149]Jéga, a very important place S.E. from Birni-n-Kebbi, at the same distance as Sókoto from Wurno; going there from Gando, you pass the night in Alíro, whence the distance to Jéga is the same as that from Wurno to Bamúrna. Jéga is the residence of Múslemu, a grandson of ʿAbd e’ Salám.
APPENDIX V.
PART I.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF DÉNDINA.
The Eastern part of the province of Déndina, in a political point of view, is now comprised in the province of Kebbi.
Yélu[150], the principal place of Déndina, at present the residence of a rebel chief. See what I have said, p. 250.
Gáya[151], on the east side of the river, a most important market-place of Déndina.
Kalímmadhí (Kalímmorí).
Tara.
Tánda.
Komba, an important place for crossing the river.
Karimámma.
Sanáfiná, junction of the gulbi-n-Sókoto.
Débe.
Kúsará.
| Dáki-n-garí. | ⎫ ⎬ ⎭ |
three important towns, very flourishing in former times. |
| Birni-n-Zágha. | ||
| Foná. |
Fingílla.
Kengakoye.—formerly very important.
Kamba.
Túnunga.
B. Kókkobá.
B. Dóle.
Bánamakáfo.
Chúso.
Bákway.
Matánkarí.
Kainíki, with a wonderful tree (an idol?)
B. Sengélu, with salt, close to Súru.
B. Ginga, with salt.
Bákoshi, with salt, which is boiled here.
Déndené, saltwork, baki-n-gulbi, on the bank of the Ísa.
Shábe or Sábe, salt.
| Kéji | ⎫ ⎪ ⎬ ⎪ ⎭ |
all along the gulbi-n-Kebbi. |
| Jakwa | ||
| Tauro | ||
| Bendu |
Birni-n-Lanne.
Girro.
Zondo.
B.-n-Búda.
Jáwaru baki-n-Kwára.
Aljennáre.
B. Kátaru, between Kéji and Foná.
Ungwa Mʿallem, east of Síko.
Koifa, east of Gíro.
Shíba, east of Bendu on the Kwára.
Baindi, between the Kwára and the fáddama Súru.
B. Zondu, near B. Súru.
Banimétte.
Lína.
Sólulú baki-n-Fógha.
B. Ríya baki-n-Fógha.
Banágagá, on the Kwára.
Dúde, on the Kwára.
B. Alahínne.
B. Táre, all these on the east side of the Kwára, E. and S.E. of Gáya.
B. Donubéni (almost deserted).
B. Kangnuáwel, between Gáya and Dóle.
Nyánsamá, south of Yélu baki-n-Fógha.
Latakírri, between Bunza and Fógha.
Géza, in the wilderness between Bunza and Fingílla.
Tórmushí baki-n-Fógha, south of Débe.
Rúma baki-n-Fógha.
Jókwa.
Séllowé, between Bunza and Zogírma.
B. Góde.
Síri, west of Góde.
Gedé, on a mountain in the fáddama, between Iléde and Zogírma.
B. Tarríkorá, east of Bakway.
Kébia, south of Tarríkorá.
Járiya, north of Kébia.
Bájurú, south of Járiya.
B. Íssedó, between Bakway and Gíro.
Kóla, baki-n-fáddama.
Toddul, east of Bakway, S.E. of Tarríkorá.
Hóre [Ilóre?], east of Súru, baki-n-fáddama.
Kahebóka, north of Súru.
Ballebómbori, on the Kwára, half-day east of Gáya.
Karjatáme, on the Kwára, S.E. of Ballebómbori.
Dumtínde, once destroyed by the governor of Zóma.
Dodíre, on the Kwára, S.E. of Karjatáme.
Sónkoro, west of Zágha.
B. Ánganá.
B. Wágguru, on an island in the river.
B. Niyaila, on the river.
B. Zagháy, on the river.
Búla, S.E. of Zagháy.
Ubínga.
B. Yógumu, on an island as large as Egga, and accessible by a ford in summer.
Gullingáre, S.E. of Yógumu.
Dabbéje.
B. Mongóttere, on an island.
B. Sóka, between Jókwa and Tóro on the river.
B. Kormíssa, between Ráha and Bunza.
Sómbila.
Kullwa, an island, many Fúlbe.
B. Gabáilo, on the river.
B. Tutúbará, on the river S.W. of Dódime.
Kojángu.
Chíwa, in the fáddama west of Tutúbará.
Júngul, in the fáddama.
B. Gerkwa, on the Kwára, S.E. of Dáki-n-garí, once the residence of a king of Kebbi, who fled before the king of Zánfara.
B. Kamagéme, south of Zágha.
B. Júgudí, north of Foná.
B. Dánia, on the river between Ráha and Nyanga.
B. Nánia, on the fáddama, a rocky eminence with plenty of deléb-palms.
B. Kíria, on the ford where the river is crossed to Íló (baki-n-maikétare-n Íló).
B. Modibóji, on the river.
Kúllwa, in the Kwára, birádam gungu. Gungu-n-Gáya (Akétekú), island of Gáya.
B. Dorówa, between Gáya and Tara, nearer to the former, on the river.
B. Baléa, on the Kwára, a small and populous town.
B. Buldi, between Gáya and Kengakoye.
B. Máddochí or Káhi, south of Túnunga, on the Kwára.
B. Káttika, south of Síko, on a branch of the Kwára, with plenty of river horses.
B. Yáay on the Kwára, Féllani-n-Jogadáwa.
B. Béli, at a short distance north of Yógumu.
B. Kárufa, also called Jamde and Munday, on the fáddama of the Kwára.
B. Bokki-bodéhi (bokki means baobabs), east of Bákway, many Féllani.
B. Rufáni, close on the west side of Súru.
B. Gójia, called B. Biríji by the Fúlbe, on the west side of the river of Bunza.
B. Fónia, on the same water.
B. Kusége, west of Bákoshi, between it and Matánkarí, south of Bunza.
Dembul, between Jinga and Bunza, west of Kermíssa.
Shéma, south of Bunza.
B. Íssafay, south of Bunza, with much agriculture.
B. Bókkiré, south of Bunza.
B. Dúkkishi on a ráfi, between Géza and Fingílla.
B. Kúkadó, at a short distance east of Débe.
B. Karíya, east of Kúkadó, south of Zogírma.
B. Ówa, on an eminence overhanging a water with crocodiles, east of Karíya.
B. Belaide, south of Ówa.
B. Bamba, south of Yélu.
Kahínjanáwa, south of Bamba, east of Débe.
Búnu, east of Kahínjanáwa.
Wauna, between Débe and Gáya.
Dówa, west of Gíro.
Babá-abú, between Bendu and Gíro.
Barkéhi or Kalgo, between Tóro and Gíro, on a ford of the river.
Bilámo, south of Jókwa, between it and Gíro.
Yánderúdwel, formerly a hamlet, now a town in the fáddama.
Bólopássi, south of the former, and between it and Gíro.
Goljilláhi, on the Kwára.
Towns inhabited, or colonies founded, by Dendi or Songhay on the west side of the river, in the country of Barba or Burgu.
Íló, beyond the Ísa, one day from Búsa.
Garú.
Loló.
Birni-n-Sámiya, a Songhay colony, one day S.W. of Íló, on the Góru, a shallow branch joining the Kwára.
Takku, one day south from Sámiya; the inhabitants have vindicated their independence against the Fúlbe.
Shéguná, at no great distance W.N.W. from Takku.
Derénna, S.W. of Shéguná.
Ifínna, south of Derénna.
Súgu, residence of an independent governor.
Udíllo.
Garí-n-Danga, Lord of Géndané.
B. Girris.
Yántalá.
B. Táru.
B. Gésseró.
Láffagá, west of Beréwuay.
B. Búttulé, east of Íló.
B. Fúttufúttu, west of Búttulé.
B. Kóchi, west of Fúttufúttu, inhabited by people called Koi-jebába, subjects of the governor of Gáya.
B. Genne, on the Kwára, rich in dorówa trees.
B. Búri, on the Kwára, east of Genne.
B. Bailil, on a rocky eminence on the Kwára.
B. Béfoye, west of Tanda, south of the Kwára.
B. Somsum, south of the Kwára, which separates it from Gáya.
B. Fárma.
I here add the itinerary of the track from Sókoto to Komba on the Niger, which was the common route of travellers a few years ago, and which will show the situation of several places mentioned in this and a former Appendix.
1st day. Tózo, open place, having passed the gulbi-n-Sókoto.
2nd. Katámmi, territory of Khalílu.
3rd. Aúgi, walled place, skirted on the west side by a watercourse navigable in the rainy season.
4th. Kánará, in the same valley.
5th. Gulma, at the foot of a large mountain, skirted on the east side by a fáddama.
6th. Sáwa, rich in corn.
7th. Kaikayági, a village skirted on the south side by a fáddama.
8th. Kúka, birni, with a fáddama on the south side.
9th. Dáji (wilderness; no town).
10th. Débé, birni.
11th. Yélu, birni, in the valley of Fógha, where salt is found.
12th. Tunga, a hamlet on a fáddama, with plenty of rice and fish.
13th. Sánehína, on a fáddama or backwater of the Kwára.
14th. Komba, on the other side of the Kwára, which you here cross. The latter places, beginning with Débé, inhabited by Songhay or Jermábe.
PART II.
A FEW REMARKS ON THE PROVINCE OF YÁURI, AND ON THOSE OF MÁURI AND ZABÉRMA.
Mohammed, the elder brother and predecessor of Khalílu, granted imána to Dan-Ay, a Nyffáwi by birth, who ruled Yáuri for thirty years, and was succeeded by Mafóri, who governs Yáuri at the present time.
The annual tribute which Yáuri pays to Gandó consists of 500 shirts, and from thirty to fifty slaves; while that of Núpe consists of 1000 shirts and 300 slaves.
I will here add a few remarks with regard to Núpe or Nyffi. The northern frontier of Núpe or Nyffi is Fáshi; the eastern border towards Gwári is Líffe; the southern one, Kóro, towards Yúguchi and Búnu. The large town Charági, inhabited half by Yorubáwa, half by Nyffáwa, is two days from Rába by way of Karákará. It is the Yorubáwa who call the Núpe people, Tápa. The Nyffáwa themselves call the Háusáwa, Kenchi, and the Fúlbe, Goy. The Háusáwa call the Nyffáwa, as well as some other related tribes, Baibay. The rivulet or fáddama called Kontagóra separates the territory of the Abéwa or Ebbáwa from that of Núpe, while on the other side it borders upon Yáuri. On the Kontagóra is the large town Kúra, belonging to the Kámbari. The Abéwa live especially on the Manjára, are said to have an idiom of their own, and are armed exclusively with arrows. The people of Núpe Proper are exclusively cavalry.
Principal towns and villages in the province of Yáuri, beginning from Bessekúttu:—Shenga, Kákaté, Dukku, B. Yáuri, Gangwo, Sáwasi, Tondi, Funtu-n-dúchi, Fombo, Sombo, Árgidá, Shóbbonó, Rábakó, Bágedé, Mofóngi, Lúchi, Móchipá, Ngáski, Águrá, Óbaká (large place), Berway, Kwéne, Zente, Mojínga, all near to B. Yáuri; Mófiló (domain of the heir apparent or “dan serkí,” half a day E. from Yáuri), Wára (a place of embarcation, “báki-n-makétare,” on the Kwára), Jatáwu, Kawóje, between Yáuri and a place called Dandi Féllani; Bokki-júrurú, Lanne, Sonwuay, Dúchi- or Dútsi-n-Mári. Now follow the islands, or “gúngu,” in the river, all of which are inhabited by Kámbari: Shíshiya, Rópiya, Gabáilo. The principal towns of the independent Kámbari are: Rejó, Béto, Fantandáchi, Áchira, Shébbenó, Rába-n-Kámbari, Ubakka.
I here add the seats of three particular tribes settled in the neighbourhood of Yáuri: the Bangi, between Yáuri and Kotórkoshe; the Shengáwa in Jakwa, between Yáuri and Haúsa; and the Dekérkeri settled in Tabé, Zúru, Bangen-jatáwa, and in Kagaye.
From Bunza to Yáuri.
(a.) Western road.
1st day. Tsáru.
2nd. Állelú, on a river of the same name.
3rd. Dáji, perhaps the word meaning wilderness; no town.
4th. Gangu (gúngu, “the island” [on the Kwára?]).
5th. Yáuri.
(b.) Eastern road.
1st day. Bussukúttu, according to this information, a village of Kebbi; but generally regarded as belonging to the territory of Yáuri.
2nd. Kúsará, lying on the other side of a rivulet called Gulbi-n-Chúso; here you sleep, when the river is full of water, the crossing of it occupying a long time; else proceed, and halt in Zángo-n-dúmmia.
3rd. Gangwo.
4th. Yáuri.
I here give, as I have no other place, a short itinerary from Yáuri to Kotú-n-kúra, or rather Kotá-n-koró.
1st day. Rágadá, belonging to the territory of Yáuri.
2nd. A hamlet of the Kámbari.
3rd. Kotá-n-koró, a place larger than Zínder, under the dominion of Kátsena, with a daily market.
ZABÉRMA.
The province of Zabérma, or Zérma (Jérma) is bordered towards the south-west by the Niger: towards the south by the province of Déndina and the district of Támkala; and towards the south-east by the province of Máuri. Its northern, or rather north-western, border cannot be well defined with the insufficient knowledge which we possess of that quarter; although thus much is clear, that the district of Ímmanan, which lies between the former and Kidal, the province of the Debbákal, or the Benú Sékki, is to be sought for in that neighbourhood. It is inhabited by a race of Songhay and Tawárek, but, apparently, of a degraded and mixed character, who give to the country, or at least to the eastern portion of the province, the name Chéggazar, which however seems to attach to one locality in particular; the people of this tract appear to have a chief of their own named Hatta. The country, with the exception of one or two open places, appears scarcely to have any centres of a settled population; and the chief interest attaching to it seems to be the broad valley, rich in natron, which intersects the province. (See Itineraries in the note.[152]) The trees most common in the province are the góreba or dúm-palm, the ákkora, and the gʿaó, and the valley is said to be girt by fine tamarind trees. This province is also famous on account of its rich pasture-grounds, and is for this reason frequented also by a good many sections of the Fúlbe or Féllani, during some months of the year, if the state of the land is favourable, even the cattle of the Féllani-n-Kátsena pasturing in that country.
I here give a list of the sections of the Fúlbe or Féllani who usually pasture here.
Féllani-n-Zabérma:
Jelgóbe, Démbubé, Kurmé, Señínankoye, Módibankoye, Wárbe, Fíttuga, Nibángankoyen, Kúlasankoyen, Jáborinkoyen, Chenbángankoyen, Dárëankoyen, Fármaké[153], Báliyankoyen, Túkankoyen, Kúdurankoyen, Gargánga.
The Féllani-n-Háusa call all those countrymen of theirs who are scattered over these western districts by the nickname Menénnata Háusáre (properly, “I do not understand Háusa”); proving by such a name, which is an opprobrium to themselves, their own loss of nationality, and that they, although Fúlbe, usually address their own people more in Háusa than in their own idiom, the Fulfúlde language.
List of Places in MÁURI or ÁREWÁ.
Zormakoye (residence of a special governor), Lokoye (the capital of the province in former times), Gíwaye, Dámana or Dammána, Tiwellíje (Séberi), Gómbora, Birni-n-Máuri, Bébe (with caverns), Gálewa, Degéji, Sákari, Báki-n-dútsi[154], Lóga.
[150]Yélu, one day from Zogírma through forest, one day W. from Bunza, south of the former road, and about 8 m. S. of Kallíul, on the dallul Fógha.
From Yélu to Gáya, one day S.W., passing through the following places:—Bamba, a large hamlet, Kahínjanáwa, Fatagásu, Rúwa-n-kangwa Zagónji, Póde-bodéji, a hamlet of Fúlbe, or rather Zargábe; then Birni-n-Gáya.
From Yélu to Yáuri, S.S.E., 8 short days.
Foná, formerly a large town, which gave its name to a whole province.
Kúsará.
Windefáda.
Bessekúttu, a hamlet belonging to the territory of Yáuri.
Shenga.
Sáwasi.
Tóndi.
Birni-n-Yáuri.
[151]Between Gáya and Kirotáshi, another town higher up the Niger, about 15 m. S. from Say, lie the following places:—Tara, Sanáfiná, and Bángagá. At Kirotáshi, the ráfi-n-Zabérma, which skirts the east side of Támkala, joins the Ísa, or Niger.
1.—Itinerary from Aúgi, along a winding track, by way of Máuri and Zabérma, to Támkala.
1st day. Kókoshé.
2nd. Dámbugél, belonging to the territory of Máuri or Árewá.
3rd. Dammána.
4th. Karákará, at the western frontier of Árewá.
5th. Fergéza, village of elephant-hunters, the first place (mafári) of Zabérma.
6th. Tembekíre.
7th. Dóso, open capital of Zabérma; residence of Dáúd, son of Hammam Bákara, during the period of my journey independent. Beside him, there seems to be another chief in Zabérma, named Hammam Jymma. From here direction S. or S.E.
8th. Yéni, on the eastern side of the broad dallul Bóso, or Bosso, which comes from Kúrfay, and rejoins the Kwára at Kirotáshi; it is full of natron, but along the border of the valley there are wells of fresh water one fathom in depth.
9th. Támkala.
2.—Indication of Route from Yéni to Kúrfay, in very long marches in a N.W. direction along the natron valley.
1st station. Téghazar, or Chéggazar, on the west side of the dallul, at several miles’ distance, and evidently E. or N.E. from Dóso. The data furnished by Mohammed el Másini are of the utmost importance, and fully confirmed. Jérma (Zabérma) on the right, probably S.E., of Téghazar, and extending down to the very border of the river Kwára: Téghazar, on the contrary, three days’ from the river, through a barren desert full of wild beasts, and the deep stream running at half a day’s distance.
2nd station. Ímmanan, likewise on the western or rather north-western side of the dallul.
3rd station. Kurfay.
[153]Whether the name of this tribe has any connection with the name of the province Fermágha to the W. of Timbúktu, I cannot say. Mr. Cooley suggests to me that it may have some relation to the Mandingo.
[154]It is very remarkable, that while this town is mentioned in that excellent little geographical treatise of Mohammed Ben Áhmed Másini, appended to Captain Clapperton’s Second Travels, p. 332, as belonging to the country or district of Emanoo, none of the other towns of Máuri which I have enumerated are there named, with the exception of Lokoye (Lu-koo-yow), but in their stead four others of which I heard nothing. But those places which then were the most considerable may have been since either greatly reduced, or even destroyed. There can be no doubt that Mohammed’s Emanoo is the district Ímmanan, mentioned by me as lying between Téghazar and Máuri.
APPENDIX VI.
INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO THE PROVINCES OF GURMA, MÓSI, AND TOMBO.
The whole triangle interposed between the Niger towards the north, and the country of the Eastern Mandingoes or Wángaráwa towards the south, appears to be inhabited by a single race of people, whose language, although they are divided into several different states and nations, nevertheless appears originally to have been of the same stock. It is very probable, that this race in ancient times occupied the whole upper course of the Niger, and that this tract may have been wrested from them in later times by the Songhay, and the Mandingoes, especially that section of the latter which is generally called Bámbara. These are the Gurma towards the N.E., the Tombo towards the N.W., and between them the Mósi, or, as they appear to call themselves, Móre. Gurma, also, does not appear to be the indigenous name by which those people designate themselves, but is, I think, of Songhay origin. The Gurma, on account of the neighbourhood of the centres of the Songhay empire, appear to have lost almost their whole independence and nationality, the Songhay conquering from them great part of their territory, and wasting the remainder by continuous predatory expeditions; but the former seem to have recovered part of their strength since the weakening of the power of the Fúlbe in these quarters, who followed upon the heels of the Songhay, and who appear to have formed settlements all along the great high road from Másina to Háusa, having established themselves firmly in the latter province from very remote times. The strongest among these pagan kingdoms five centuries ago, and even at the present moment, is that of the Mósi, although the country is split into a number of small principalities, almost totally independent of each other, and paying only some slight homage to the ruler of the principality of Wóghodogó. The Mósi are called Morba (perhaps originally Móre-bá; bá being, as Mr. Cooley informs me, a formative of personal nouns in the Mandingo language) by the Bámbara; they themselves give peculiar names to the tribes around them, calling the Fúlbe, Chilmígo; the Songhay, Marénga; the Gurma, Bimba; the Wángara, Tauréarga; the Háusa people, Zángoró; the Asanti or Asianti, Santi. The inhabitants of Gurma call the Háusáwa, Jongoy; but the name of the Fúlbe they have changed only very slightly, calling them Fuljo in the singular, Fulga in the plural form. The Bámbara give to the Áswánek or Swanínki the name Marka. With regard to the line of Mandingo or Wángara settlements, which extend through the whole breadth of this tract along about the tenth meridian of north latitude, I shall say more further on. I will here only remark that Mr. Cooley (“Negroland of the Arabs,” p. 79) seems to have been right in his supposition respecting the original settlements of that eminent African race.
Besides the nationalities mentioned, there are in the tract described several smaller tribes, the degree of whose affinity it is not so easy to determine, especially as the names are more or less corrupted by the traders: Tuksáwa, Gurúnga, Basánga, well known also from other sources, with the chief places Lárabu and Tangay, the Susámga, Samgay, Kántantí, Kárkardí, Chókoshí, whose chief place situated on an eminence seems to be Gambága, formerly supposed to be the name of a country; Choksáwa is probably only the Háusa form of Chókoshí.
The Tombo[155] seem to have been very powerful in former times, extending probably to the very banks of the Niger at Timbúktu, and became known to the Portuguese from the end of the fifteenth century; but having still, in the latter half of the last century, constituted an important political power, they seem since to have suffered very severely by the continual attacks of the Fúlbe, who have invaded their territory from two different quarters at the same time, from Másina towards the N.W., and from Gilgóji towards the N.E., the latter province being entirely wrested from them, so that they have lost all national independence, although they still retain a large territory of about 150 miles in every direction. I will here at once proceed to communicate the little information which I have been able to collect with regard to them, in order then to subjoin a network of routes which will constitute a fair framework whereupon to lay down in an approximate manner the topography of Gurma and Mósi.
The country of the Tombo at present extends from the province of Gilgóji in the N.E., the greater part of the inhabitants of which belong to the same race, and Dwentsa in the N., and from near Konna towards the N.W., to the territory of Benendúgu, or country of the Beni, in the S., and to that of Yádega in the S.E. From the latter they seem to be separated by the territory of the Urbá and Tinógel, who, however, evidently belong to the same stock. The eastern and western portion of the region thus included is mountainous, the central part more level, and clothed with a rich vegetation of tamarind and other trees. The chief place of the whole territory is said to be Árre, situated fifteen days from Gilgóji, and fifteen from Dámmajé, a place on the road to Wóghodogó, nine days from Sofára; and the next in importance are said to be the following towns or villages:—Nínge, one day south from Dwentsa, Bambar, Kája, Nayámma, Hónduk, Dímbilí, Kong, Shóle, Ámmalá, Kómmogam, Shógo, Kaulu, Yelme, Kul, Tiyaugu, Shanger, Wódibú, (apparently inhabited, at least partly, by Mandingoes), Kána, Andúl, Gímle, Índe, Káwar, Fanjékkara, Kommaige, Tamtóngo, Mówe, Tímmin, Ulúl. All these places or towns are said be of considerable extent, and to have each its own chief.
I now proceed to give the itineraries illustrating the geography of Gurma and Mósi. But I must first say a word about Mr. Duncan’s route from Abóme to Ada-fudia[156], or, as he writes, Adda-foodia, which will be found to coincide partly with the region here described by myself. This route of Mr. Duncan will be found in course of time to contain a few gross mistakes, to say the least. It is quite impossible for an African traveller to go over such distances in so short a time as Mr. Duncan did, who one day counts his journey at not less than forty-four miles.[157] It is not clear from his journal whether the population of the places visited by him be Mandingo or Fulfúlde; although it appears to be evident from certain hints which he throws out, that he supposes it to consist of these two elements[158], but in reality the more northern part of the route travelled over by him is entirely inhabited by native tribes. Supposing the population of the country thus traversed consisted of Felláta or Fúlbe, it seems very unlikely that these people, who are so suspicious, should allow a traveller to hurry on at this rate, without any stoppages. Moreover, I doubt very much whether in any of the countries hereabout dromedaries and elephants will be found tamed, such as Duncan found in Sogbo; and whether the sugar-cane and the oil-palm grow there. I have not been able to connect any of the towns between Assafúda and Adá-fudía, as laid down by Duncan, with my itineraries, nay, I have not been able to learn the names, or become aware of the existence, of any such places; but this I leave to future travellers, who may have the fortune to visit that quarter.
I now give first an itinerary from Komba on the Niger to Sansánne Mangho, in order to circumscribe the country of Gurma on its south-eastern side, and thence to Selga, the great entrepôt of the gúro-trade.
A.—Route from Komba to Sansánne Mangho.
1st day. Korkojángo garí-n-ʿAbdu Féllani, a Púllo settlement.
2nd. No village.
3rd. Mákuru, on a watercourse without a current, numbers of wild beasts.
4th. Dágu, a village, belonging to Gurma, and skirted by a fáddama on its west side.
5th. Sófo-n-Dágu “Old Dágu,” at present uninhabited.
6th. Bizúggu or Bisúgu, large place, residence of chief Yanjo. Between Dágu and Bizúggu, one day perhaps is left out; at least, other travellers make three stations between these two towns, the first in Súdo-melle, the next in Zokóga a Gurma village, the third in Mekkéra, another Gurma village.
7th. Tanga, a hamlet, bordered towards the south by a mountain, and skirted on the east side by a watercourse running from W. to E.
8th. Majóri, a hamlet, on the north side of a large mountain.
I here add another direct road from Komba to Majóri without passing by Bizúggu:
1st day. Korkojángo.
2nd. Féllalé, a mountain, and therefore called Féllalé-n-dútsi (dútsi meaning mountain in Háusa), with a watercourse.
3rd. Small watercourse, with water occasionally.
4th. Dágu, a village of Gurma.
5th. Súdo-melle, a large market-place of Gurma, probably a settlement of the Wángara, who are always called by the natives of this district Wángara-Melle; “súdo” means dwelling, in Fulfúlde.
6th. A village belonging to Barba or Búrgu.
7th. A village of idolaters, in a mountainous district.
8th. Sabálga, a pagan village, still under Gurma. Bizúggu, one day west from here.
9th. Sabálgu, a small village, the whole country mountainous.
10th. A small watercourse.
11th. Majóri now deserted.
9th. Halt in the wilderness “on the bank of a river” (baki-n-gulbi), which is crossed on skins.
10th. Barbar, a hamlet.
11th. Famma; a mountain towards the east.
12th. Halt “on the bank of a river” (baki-n-gulbi) in the wilderness.
13th. Fálalé or Féllalé, a large village, inhabited by native Gurma, naked and only protecting their hind quarters with a wisp. Mountainous. “Fálalé,” as I have said, means mountain or rock.
14th. Belgu, called by the Háusa-traders “maigigíña,” on account of its being so rich in deléb-palms. Situated on the bank of a river in a mountainous district.
15th. Sansánne Mangho or Mango (“the camp of Mohammed”), an old settlement of the Mandingoes or Wángaráwa, who seem to have been settled in this quarter from ancient times, engaged in the gold trade between Kong and Kúkia (the old capital of Songhay), which received its gold from hence. Even now a peculiar weight of mithkál (see Vol. V. p. 23) is still used here. The number of inhabitants about 3000. The name of the present governor is Kancho. From hence a track leads to Wóghodogó.
16th. Halt on the border of a river, having crossed another river in the course of the day.
17th. A well inhabited (probably Mandingo or Wángara) place called by the Háusa traders “garí-n-maíbéndega,” on account of the people being all armed with muskets. Territory of governor Mangha.
18th. Sakoiga, territory of Yendi.
19th. Yendi, an important place, but not near so large as was believed formerly, from the account given by the travellers to Asianti, it appearing in reality to have a population of about 5000. They are idolaters, and drink búza or péto in great quantity. The name of the governor is Kirgángu, before whose house two baskets of meat are daily given to the vultures, to whom a sort of worship seems to be paid.
20th. Sambo, a village situated on the other side of the river.
21st. Kóbier or Kóbia.
22nd. A halt on the bank of a river, no village.
23rd. Sungúngu.
24th. Túru, a village.
25th. Yánsalá.
26th. Salga, or Selga, capital of the province of Gonja, residence of a governor; population about 1000 inhabitants, the market of the gúro trade, and destitute of water, which is brought from a rivulet at some distance called “gulbi-n-baráwu,” on account of its being occasionally infested by robbers.
I will now give at once the route from this place, which is connected with Kumássi the capital of Asianti by a tolerably ascertained route, to Tañéra or Tangréra, an important point approximatively laid down according to Caillié’s route.
B.—Route from Selga to Tañéra by way of Kong, very short marches.
1st day. Súgunkollo, a small town belonging to the province of Gonja, but ruled by a governor of its own.
2nd. Kónkorosú, a place in a district rich in gúro trees.
3rd. A rivulet called by the Háusa traders “kúrremi-n-fítta,” on account of its banks being richly clad with the tree which supplies the leaves called “fítta,” wherein the gúro is packed up in the little baskets called “wágha.”
4th. Halt in the wilderness, traversed by a rivulet, and frequented by elephants.
5th. A rivulet containing gold particles in its sand, and therefore called “gulbi-n-zinária.” Territory of Gonja.
6th. Bitúgu, a large town, residence of a governor of the name Adángara, who acknowledges the supremacy of Asianti.
13th. Another river with gold, called therefore “gulbi-n-zinária.”
26th. Kong, a large town, the houses consisting entirely of clay dwellings. The inhabitants, Mandingoes or Wángara, and most of them Mohammedans. Also Fullán or Fúlbe are found there. They have a good deal of weaving, and their cotton is very celebrated, especially the kind called “el harrotáfe” in Timbúktu, with alternating stripes in red and black.
27th. Náfaná, a village.
28th. Halt in the fields of Náfaná.
29th. A village belonging to the territory of Tágonó, which stretches southward to the neighbourhood of a considerable place called Árna.
30th. A large place, likewise in Tágonó.
31st. Halt on the bank of a rivulet running from N. to S., navigable during the rainy season, and then animated by river horses, but without water in the dry season.
32nd. Kému, a large town of the territory of Tágonó, with a considerable mountain towards the south, and many small watercourses.
33rd. Another village of Tágonó.
34th. Village belonging to the territory of Fúluná.
35th. Another village of the same.
36th. A village of the territory Kurdúgu. All these different territories are inhabited by Mandingoes or Wángara.
39th. Kanyénni, a large town situated on a kúrremi or a small watercourse and an important market-place, the most important one of this whole tract with the exception of Furá. The inhabitants Wángaráwa, moslemín, and idolaters.
40th. Ségganá, on a watercourse, as it seems, the same as that of Kanyénni.
50th. Ganóni, an important market-place of the Fúluná.
59th. Tañéra, another place of the Fúluná larger than Ganóni, and built of clay. This is evidently Caillié’s Tangréra (i. p. 385, et seq.). In going from Tañéra to Yámina, or Nyámina, a journey of twenty-nine short marches, the traveller reaches on the fourth day a large river (probably the Bagoë of Caillié), on the other side of which the territory of Yámina commences.
C.—From Kirotáshi, a town on the east side of the Niger, one day south of Say, to Wóghodoghó.
1st day. Halt on the west side of the Kwára or Ísa.
2nd. Bóti, residence of a chief of Gurma.
3rd. Wilderness.
4th. Wilderness.
5th. San-katatúgu.
7th. Bizúggu, called by the Háusa traders “Fáda-n-Gurma,” “palace of Gurma,” and residence of a chief called by them Tobáni-n-kífi.
8th. Yenga, the frontier town of Mósi in this direction.
9th. Bennanába (or rather Be-nába) or Nungu, called Nomma by the Fúlbe, Fáda-n-Gurma by the Háusa people, the residence of Bojjo the supreme chief of Gurma: the name of his predecessor, it seems, was Chenchírma or Yengírma. The distance from Bizúggu to the latter place seems rather long for two common marches, although it certainly does not exceed sixty miles; other people make four halts, the first in Landó; the second in Burgu; the third in Kankancháli, a large town; and the fourth, in a place called by the traders “Garí-n-Magájia.”
I here subjoin a route leading from Champagóre to Landó or Lendó, a place which is of considerable importance on account of its being the residence of the warlike chief Wintélle, whose princely title is Fan-du. From Champagóre:—Mayánga a hamlet inhabited by slaves of the Fúlbe; Champelga, already belonging to the territory of Lendó; Lendó.
10th. Tánkurgú.
13th. Kulféla, a well-frequented market-place of Mósi, and of greater importance than all the other towns of Mósi; the governor’s name is Nábere Gáger. The inhabitants are celebrated archers. Another informant going from Kulféla to Tánkurgú makes three stations, the first in Ligílde Málgumá, a large town, the second in Lúlugú, and the third in a village called Kógo.
15th. Wóghodoghó.
N.B.—If this were a tolerably direct road it would have a great influence upon the position of the various places mentioned; but it would seem that my informant turned away from his direct track in order to visit the market-place Kulféla. Other people, in going slowly from Kulféla to Wóghodoghó, spend eight days on the road, sleeping the first night in Páshipánga, the second in Tángay, the third in Zorógo, the next in a place ruled by a man called Máne Bogónje, the fifth in another village called Tángay, and reach Wóghodoghó on the eighth. I shall here join Tánkurgú with Sansánne Mangho by an itinerary, which, however, does not lay claim to completeness.
1st day. Benda, belonging to the territory of Busánga.
2nd. Samga, a large town.
3rd. Kántantí, residence of a chief of its own.
4th. Yanga.
5th. Sansánne Mangho.
D.—From Yágha to Belánga (long marches).
1st day. Kábo, a village of Yágha.
2nd. Selúngu, a Gurma village belonging to the territory of Belánga.
3rd. Jafánge, a large Gurma place (long march).
4th. On the bank of the river Shirba in the wilderness.
5th. Beláng or Belánga, residence of one of the Gurma chiefs, styled Bélem-béttu (béttu means chief, king, in the Gurma language), who at present is one of the most powerful rulers of that country; his territory extending about four days’ good march in every direction,—the more important places being Yamba, Sírbalé, Jepángalé, Basérilú, Balga, Tubga, Déngo, Tampódo, Mokka, Yopónga, Japángo, Béla.
From Belánga to Nungu or Be-nába there are four very short days, passing by Yamba, a large place, Yébel-yébel, and Tubga.
E.—From Jíbo, capital of the province of Gilgóji or Jilgódi (about 60 miles S. from Mundóro, 55 W.S.W. from Áribínda, and 35 S.S.W. from Tínge), by way of Kaye, to Máni and Wóghodoghó (very short marches).
1st day. Káje.
2nd. Sebbe.
3rd. Gánkomá (not Gaikomá).
4th. Tóngomelle or Tóngomaye, a market-place of some importance, which may be reached on horseback in one day from Jíbo.
5th. Nyange.
6th. Kóbay.
7th. Surgúsumá, the last place of the territory of Gilgóji.
8th. Kélbo, the first village of the territory of Mósi. The border-district in general is regarded as very unsafe.
9th. Déffia.
10th. Sokkopéndu.
11th. Kondu-bétto (probably not the name of the place, but that of the chief; this is perhaps the place Kondu or Kamgo, which is said to have resisted successfully an expedition of Sheikho Áhmedu).
12th. Sába.
13th. Mákkeri.
14th. Kaye, an important place, where several roads meet.
From Kaye to Wóghodoghó.
1st day. Jetínga.
2nd. Nessemetínga.
3rd. Lúda.
4th. Máku.
5th. Bússumo (or as it is called by the traders “Fádan Bússumo”), an important place, residence of a powerful chief, probably the most powerful of the Mósi chiefs at the present time, especially with regard to cavalry.
6th. Kurzumógo, residence of a governor (“yeríma”) under Bússumo.
7th. Máni, another residence of a powerful chief who, however, in a certain degree seems to acknowledge the supremacy of Bússumo.
8th. Yáko, a considerable place.
10th. Wóghodogó.
F.—From Máni—Yádega.
1st day. Yáko.
2nd. Kurzomógo, not identical, as it appears, with the synonymous place mentioned in the previous itinerary; residence of a governor under Yádega.
3rd. Jegá, a considerable place, with huts of reed.
4th. Zámche.
5th. Damméko.
6th. Píssela.
7th. Yerímchí (probably only a name given to the place by the traders as being the residence of a yeríma or governor).
8th. Yádega.
G 1.—From Máni to Kong and back by a more easterly road.
1st day. Temma.
2nd. Yáko.
3rd. Lá.
4th. Sarma.
5th. Bófori.
6th. Sáfané.
7th. Langaféra.
8th. Ditóri.
9th. Téberé.
10th. Kong, a large place, according to informant, inhabited by Bámbara. It can scarcely be identical with the well-known town Kong, if the itinerary be correct; but nevertheless it may be the case.
G 2.—Return from Kong.
1st day. Furá, a large market-place.
2nd. Dálo.
3rd. Kebéne.
4th. Dúllugu.
5th. Dakay, a place belonging to the territory of Mósi.
6th. Kamshégo.
7th. Neténga.
8th. Lúmbilé.
9th. Jéngaré.
10th. Tenga.
11th. Yáma.
12th. Ímigu.
13th. Máni.
H.—From Kaye to Belússa, and thence to Belánga.
1st day. Dimla, a large town of Mósi, with a warlike population, therefore called “maimáshi” (mistress of spears) by the traders.
2nd. Ponsa, also a considerable place.
3rd. Píssela.
4th. Belússa, a large town, seat of an independent Gurma chief who possesses numerous cavalry.
From Belússa a person on horseback reaches Belánga comfortably the second day, the great station between these two towns being Alitínga, still belonging to Mósi, and an important place, inhabited by Mósi and Háusa traders; but common native travellers generally halt twice between Belússa and Alitínga, in Nyennyéga and Kobúri, and once between Alitínga and Belánga in a Gurma village called Yamba. Belússa seems to be situated from Belánga not true W., as I have placed it in the map which I sent home, but a little more to the N.
Between Belússa and Kulféla lie the following places:— Jíga, Zámche, Sálugu (still belonging to the territory of Belússa), Kumshégu, Sóre (a market-place), Wunógo, Yirnába (residence of a Mandingo or Wángara chief, whom the traders call Yergáwa), then a village belonging to a Púllo resident in Kulféla (“ungwa serkí-n-Féllani-n-Kulféla”); Futínga, Nakálba, Ligíddemél-demá, and Kulféla.
I.—From Píssela to Dóre in Libtáko (very short marches).
1st day. Nagabíngo.
2nd. Ponsa, a large place, the same as that mentioned in the preceding itinerary.
3rd. Gungay.
4th. Nantínga.
5th. Lógu.
6th. Sambánga.
7th. Nákorí.
8th. Kéum.
9th. Belga.
10th. Néba.
11th. Kwála.
12th. Tambo.
13th. Marárraba, belonging to Libtáko, and inhabited by Fúlbe. Marárraba means “half-way” in the Háusa language; and it would be important to know what the names of the two places are between which this village is considered as lying half way.
14th. Kála, also inhabited by Fúlbe.
15th. Débbero-ónkoy, Fúlbe.
16th. Láraba.
17th. Dóre.
K.—Route from Ségo on the Niger to Méggará in Mienka or Menka.
1st. day. Fenya, having crossed a considerable river called Bábelé Sirsénkené.
2nd. Fáraní, a place inhabited by Dhiúli, Júli, or Mandingoes.
3rd. Fínyaná (ditto).
4th. Kaya, inhabited by Júli and Bámbara.
5th. Gondígasó.
6th. Sinsúnkoró, Bámbara.
7th. Enjénené.
8th. Furá, a village inhabited by slaves of the Fúlbe.
9th. Konobúgu, Bámbara.
10th. Sanánkoró, Bámbara.
11th. Kónina, Bámbara.
12th. Segebúgu.
13th. Yensa, in the territory of the Fóngfoná.
14th. Yessímaná.
15th. Jinna or Jinniná, in the territory of Menka.
16th. Jitámaná, residence of the chief of Menka.
17th. Méggará. Here the territory of Bóbó begins. Tenyéra from here ten days S.S.W., and Kong about twenty-three, by way of Fó and Natkhe, S.E.