FOOTNOTES:
[68]About the 22d or 23d of October 1824.
[69]Explanation. The blanks in this list are those of the names of some articles which I could not make out; they being mostly English in the Moorish character, or described according to the idea those people have of their use. A. S.
[70]From this it seems, that the journey was made in forty-nine days, viz. the last day of Moharram, which is the first month of the year, the twenty-nine days of the following month Saffar, and nineteen days of the month in which Mohammed was born, which is the third in the year. Being unacquainted with the distance and the spot, I cannot, of course, pretend to give any farther illustration. A. S.
[71]The middle of Rajab is the 164th or 165th day from his first departure; and according to this, it appears that the sheikh, on returning home, made the journey in fifteen or sixteen days only; whereas, on going, it took him forty-nine days. This difference may perhaps be accounted for, on account of the incumbrances and slow movement of the army. A. S.
[72]The Sheikh says “he went” through the Kanoom (or Kanem) road, which is by the north side of the lake; and the difference of time occupied in the journey out and home may therefore be easily accounted for, by supposing him to have returned across the Shary by the southern end of the lake, this road being much the shortest, as will appear on referring to the map. Indeed, I see no other way of accounting for the difference. D. D.
Translation of an Arabic MS. brought by Captain Clapperton from the Interior of Africa, containing a geographical and historical Account of the Kingdom of Tak-roor, now under the Control of Sultan Mohammed Bello of Hoossa, extracted from a larger Work composed by the said Sultan.
“In the name of God, the merciful and the clement, &c. &c.
“This is an extract taken from the work entitled, “Enfak El-may-soor, fee tareekh belad Et-tak-roor,” (viz. The Dissolver of Difficulties, in the History of the Country of Tak-roor), composed by the ornament of his time, and the unequalled among his contemporaries, the Prince of the faithful, and defender of the faith, Mohammed Belo, son of the prodigy of his age, the noble Sheikh Ossman,” &c.
PART I.
THE GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT.
SECTION I.
“The first province of this dominion (Tak-roor), on the east side, is, as it is supposed, Foor (Darfoor); and, next to it, on the west side, are those of Wa-da-i, and Baghar-mee. Foor is an extensive country, containing woods, and rivers, and fields fit for cultivation. Its inhabitants are partly composed of itinerants who became settlers, and partly of Arabs who still wander about; and it contains a great number of herdsmen, or graziers of cattle. The food of these inhabitants is the dokhn dura (millet), and the daj’r, or peas. Mooslemanism spread itself very much in this province, and most of its inhabitants perform the pilgrimage; and, it is said, have great respect for the pilgrims, and interrupt them not on their way.
“The inhabitants of Wa-da-i and Baghar-mee are nearly of the same description. Baghar-mee, however, is now desolated. The cause of its ruin was, as they say, the misconduct of her king, who, having increased in levity and licentiousness to such a frightful degree, as even to marry his own daughter, God Almighty caused Saboon, the Prince of Wa-da-i, to march against him, and destroy him, laying waste, at the same time, all his country, and leaving the houses uninhabited, as a signal chastisement for his impiety.
“These provinces are bounded on the north by deserts and dry sands, which, in the spring only, are frequented by herdsmen; and on the south by a great many countries, inhabited by various tribes of Soodan, each of whom speak a different language, and among whom Mooslemanism is not much spread.
“Adjoining this country, Baghar-mee, on the west side, is the province of Barnoo, which contains rivers, and forests, and extensive sands. It has always been well peopled, even before the last mentioned country, and its extent and wealth are unequalled by any part of this tract of the earth. Its inhabitants are the Barbar, the Felateen, the before-mentioned Arabs, and a great many of the slaves of the Barbar. These Barbars are of the remnants of those who first inhabited the country between Zanj and Abyssinia, and who were expelled from Yemen by Hemeera[73], subsequent to their establishment in that country by Africus. The cause of their being brought to Yemen was, as it is related, as follows:—While Africus reigned over Yemen, and the Barbars in Syria, the inhabitants of the latter country, being oppressed by the iniquities and impiety of their rulers, applied to Africus to deliver them from their hands, and, at the same time, they proclaimed and acknowledged him as their legal sovereign. He marched against the Barbars, fought and destroyed them, except the children, whom he kept in Yemen as slaves and soldiers. After his death, and the elapse of a long period, they rebelled against Hemeera, who then ruled Yemen. He fought and turned them out of that country; whence they emigrated to a spot near Abyssinia (the coast of the Red Sea facing Mokha), where they took refuge. They then went to Kanoom, and settled there, as strangers, under the government of the Tawarék, who were a tribe related to them, and called Amakeetan. But they soon rebelled against them, and usurped the country. Fortune having assisted them, their government flourished for some time, and their dominion extended to the very extremity of this tract of the earth; and Wa-da-i and Baghar-mee, as well as the country of Hoosa, with those parts of the province of Bow-sher which belong to it, were in their possession. In the course of time, however, their government became weakened, and their power destroyed.
SECTION II.
“Adjoining this province (Barnou), on the south side, is that of Aáheer, which is spacious, and contains extensive plains. It is inhabited by the Tawarék, and by some remnants of the Sonhajá, and the Soodan. This province was formerly in the hands of the Soodan inhabitants of Ghoobér; but five tribes of the Tawarék, called Amakeetan, Tamkak, Sendal, Agdálar, and Ajdaraneen, came out of Aowjal, and took it from them; and, after having settled themselves, they agreed to nominate a prince to rule over them, in order to render justice to the weak against the powerful. They appointed a person of the family of Ansatfén; but they soon quarrelled among themselves, and dismissed him. They then nominated another, and continued upon this system, viz. whenever a prince displeased them, they dethroned him, and appointed a different one. These Tawaréks were of the remnants of the Barbar, who spread themselves over Africa at the time of its conquest.
“The Barbars are a nation, descendants of Abraham;—though it is stated that they descended from Yafet (Japhet); and others say, from Gog and Magog, whom “the two horned” Alexander (the great) immured[74]; but that, at the time, a tribe of them, happening to be at Ghair-oon, remained there, and intermarried with the Turks and Tattars.
“It is likewise stated that they (the Barbars) originated from the children of the Jan, or Jinn (Demon), under the following circumstances:—A company of them having gone to Jerusalem, and slept during the night in a plain there, their women became pregnant by the Jinn of that spot. They are, therefore, naturally inclined to blood-shedding, plundering, and fighting. It is also said, that they were the people who slew the prophets Zachariah and Eliah; and that, after leaving Palestine, they proceeded westwards till they arrived at Wa-leeba and Morakéba,—two towns in the interior, west of Egypt, where the Nile does not reach, but the inhabitants drink the rain water[75],—where they fixed their residence for some time. They then divided themselves into different tribes, and proceeded westwards in Africa. The tribes of Zedata and Magh-yala first entered the Gharb, and inhabited the mountains. These were followed by that of Láwata, who inhabited the country of Enttablos (Tripoli), which is Barka. They afterwards spread themselves over the interior of the Gharb, till they reached the country of Soossa, where the tribe of Hawazna took possession of the city of Lebda, and the tribe of Nafoosa entered the city of Ssabra, and expelled the Room (Greeks or Romans) who then ruled there.
“It is again stated that they descended from Farek, son of Yonssar, son of Ham; and that, when Yonssar conquered Africa, they spread themselves over the Gharb, and first inhabited Tunis. Thence they proceeded in tribes towards the southern parts of the Gharb, which communicates with the country of Soodan, where they settled at Aowjal, Fazaran, Ghadamess, and Ghata.
“Thus they came in five tribes from Aowjal, as before mentioned, and conquered this province (Aáheer), as before stated.
SECTION III.
“Next to the above-mentioned province, on the right hand side, and west of Barnoo, the country of Howssa lies. It consists of seven provinces, to each of which a prince is appointed to superintend its affairs, and the inhabitants of the whole speak one language. The central province of this kingdom is Kashnah, the most extensive is Zag-Zag, the most warlike is Ghoobér, and the most fertile is Kanoo.
“It contains rivers, woods, sands, mountains, valleys, and thickets inhabited by the Soodans (who originated from the slaves of the Barbars, and from the people of Barnoo), the Falateen, and the Tawarék. It is presumed that the first father of the Soodans of this country was a slave, named Ba-oo, belonging to one of the former kings of Barnoo; and, on this account we said above, their origin was from the slaves of the Barbars, and the people of Barnoo.
“My friend, the prince of the faithful, Mohammed El-bákery, son of Sultan Mohammed El-ad-dal, informed me that the inhabitants of Kashnah, Kanoo, Zag-Zag, Dor, or Dowry, Ranoo, and Yareem, originated from the children of the above-named slave, Ba-oo, but that the people of Ghoobér are free born; because their origin was from the Copts of Egypt, who had emigrated into the interior of the Gharb, or western countries. This tradition he found in the records which they possess.
“These seven provinces (of Howssa) contain a great many wonderful and rare things; and the first who ruled over them was, as it is stated, ’Amenáh, daughter of the Prince of Zag-Zag. She conquered them by the force of her sword, and subjected them, including Kashnah and Kanoo, to be her tributaries. She fought, and took possession of the country of Bow-sher, till she reached the coast of the ocean on the right hand and west side. She died at Atágára, or Ataghér.
“In consequence of these conquests, the province of Zag-Zag is the most extensive in the kingdom of Howssa, including in it the country of Bow-sher; which consists of various provinces inhabited by tribes of Soodan.
“Among the provinces of Bow-sher, the following are the most considerable:—First is Ghoo-wary, which contains seven divisions, inhabited by seven tribes of Soodan, who speak one language, and who have not embraced Mooslimanism. Second is Ghoondar. Third is Reer-wa, or Rear-wee, which contains a lead mine. Fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, are Yass, Kodoor, Kotoo, and Aádám. Eighth is another Kotoo, which contains a copper mine, and one of alum. And ninth is Kornorfa, which embraces about twenty divisions, ruled by one king, who often sallied forth upon Kanoo and Barnoo, and caused much desolation. A gold mine is found in it, as likewise one of salt, and another of antimony. Near to this province there is an anchorage or harbour for the ships of the Christians, who are sent by two sovereigns to traffic or trade with the people of Soodan.
“The province of Atagára, or Ataghér, is likewise one of the most extensive in the territory of Zag-Zag; and near it there is also an anchorage or harbour for the ships of the said Christians. Both these places are on the coast of the ocean.
“In all the above-mentioned provinces of Bow-sher and Zag-Zag, Mohammedanism was not known before our conquest.
SECTION IV.
“West of Kashnah and Ghoobér there are seven different provinces, extending into the territory of Howssa, which are—Zanfarah, Kabi, Ya-ory, Noofee, Yarba, Barghoo, and Ghoorma. To each of these there is a prince appointed as governor.
“With regard to Zanfarah, it is presumed that the first father of its inhabitants was from Kashnah, and their mother from Ghoobér. They had the government of the province in their own hands, and their authority increased after the decline of the power of the people of Kabi. They had once a very ambitious sultan, named Yá-koob (Jacob) ben Bub, who, on coming into power, marched against Kabí, and conquered and ruined most of its towns and villages. He likewise went to Kashnah, and conquered the greatest part of it. Their power, however, was destroyed by one of the sultans of Ghoobér, whose name was Bá-bari, and who, after taking possession of their country (Zanfarah), entailed it upon his generation for a period of fifty years, till they were conquered by us.
“Kabí is an extensive province, containing rivers, forests, and sands. Its inhabitants, it is supposed, had their first father from Sanghee, and their mother from Kashnah. They ruled their own country, and their government flourished very much during the reign of Sultan Kantá, who, it is said, was a slave of the Falateen. He governed with equity, conquered the country, and established peace in its very extremities and remotest places. His conquests, it is stated, extended to Kashnah, Kanoo, Ghoobér, Zag-Zag, and the country of Aáheer; but having oppressed the inhabitants of some of these places, Sultan Aly-Alij marched from Barnoo against him, through the road leading to Simbaki, and passed north of Dowra, or Dowry, and Kashnah, and west of Ghoobér, till he entered the country of Kabí, and reached the fort of Soorami. The Sultan of Kabí met him on the morning of the feast. They fought together for an hour; at the end of which the former fled westwards, and the Sultan of Barnoo remained there to reduce the fort. But it being very strong, he was obliged to retire, taking the right hand road, till he arrived at Ghandoo, from which place he returned to his own country.
“Sultan Kanta, however, soon prepared an expedition, and followed him through the same road, till he reached Onghoor, where they met, and fought together, and Kanta gained the battle. After making much booty, he returned to a place called Doghool, in the province of Kashnah, where he attempted to subdue a tribe of the Soodan who were disobedient to him. He had a very severe battle with them, during which he received an arrow, which wounded him mortally. On arriving at Jir he died, whence his body was carried by his troops to his palace at Soorami, and there interred. He had three favourite capitals, where he had residences; the most ancient of which was Ghonghoo, then Soorami, and, the last, Leek. His dynasty continued reigning for about one hundred years after his death, notwithstanding the desolation of most of their territories. There were no greater than them in these countries, and their tradition has no equal. Their power was only destroyed when Sultan Mohammed Ebn Shárooma of Ghoobér, Agabba Ebn Mohammed El-mobárék, Sultan of Aáheer, and the Prince of Zanfarah, allied together, and marched against them, taking possession of their dominions, and destroying the three above-named capitals.
“The province of Ya-ory contains mountains and valleys, and is situated on the coast of the river called the Nile. It is inhabited by some tribes of the Soodan, who are mostly weakminded[76].
“Noofee is a province that has, on the right and left sides, rivers, forests, sands, and mountains; and its inhabitants are tribes of the Soodan of Kashnah; but their true origin is a mixture from Kashnah, Zag-Zag, Kanoo, and other places. Their language is different from that of the people of Howssa. They possess much knowledge in the fine and rare arts; and from their country many elegant and marvellous things are still exported.
“Yarba is an extensive province, containing rivers, forests, sands, and mountains, as also a great many wonderful and extraordinary things. In it the talking green bird, called babaga (parrot), is found.
“By the side of this province there is an anchorage or harbour for the ships of the Christians, who used to go there and purchase slaves. These slaves were exported from our country, and sold to the people of Yarba, who resold them to the Christians.
“The inhabitants of this province (Yarba), it is supposed, originated from the remnants of the children of Canaan, who were of the tribe of Nimrod. The cause of their establishment in the west of Africa was, as it is stated, in consequence of their being driven by Yaa-rooba, son of Kahtan[77], out of Arabia, to the western coast between Egypt and Abyssinia. From that spot they advanced into the interior of Africa, till they reached Yarba, where they fixed their residence. On their way they left, in every place they stopped at, a tribe of their own people. Thus it is supposed that all the tribes of Soodan, who inhabit the mountains, are originated from them; as also are the inhabitants of Ya-ory.
“Upon the whole, the people of Yarba are nearly of the same description as those of Noofee.
“The province of Barghoo contains forests and sands[78], and is inhabited by tribes of the Soodan, whose origin, it is supposed, was from the slaves of the Falateen. They are insubordinate and stubborn, as also very powerful in magic.
“And Ghoorma is an extensive country, larger than Barghoo, and contains rivers, woods, sands, and mountains. Its inhabitants are almost like those of Barghoo, and chiefly robbers and depraved.
SECTION V.
“Near the last-mentioned province, there is an extensive country called Moo-shér, which contains rivers, trees, and a gold mine. It is inhabited by tribes of the Soodan.
“Adjoining to it, on the north side, the province of Sanghee lies. It is extensive, very fertile, and well peopled. Its inhabitants are remnants of the Sonhaja, the wandering Arabs, and the Falateen. They profess the Mohammedan faith, and their princes ruled them always with equity and justice. A great number of learned and pious persons have distinguished themselves from among them.
“Next to Sanghee, on the west side, and north of Barghoo, the country of Malee is situated. It is a very extensive province, and inhabited by the Soodan, who, it is said, originated from the remnants of the Copts of Egypt. Among its inhabitants, some of the Tow-rooth, the Falateen, the Arabs, the Jews, and the Christians, are found. It is likewise supposed that their origin was from Sarankaly, or the Persians. It contains a gold mine, and has an anchorage or harbour for ships sent by two Christian sovereigns, since former periods. This country has always been in a flourishing state from times immemorial. It embraces the province of Banbara, which is very extensive, and contains rivers, forests, and a gold mine. The Soodan who inhabit it are very powerful, and to this time still infidels.
“Near to Banbara there is the province of the Tow-rooth, and that of Footá; which are extensive, and inhabited by their own people, and by those of Sarankaly, or Persians. The Tow-rooth nation, it is said, originated from the Jews, others say from the Christians, and others make them to be descendants of the Soodan of Banbara.
“Beyond the last mentioned countries there is only the province of Dámlá, or Damloo, which lies on the coast of the ocean. In it Mooslimanism is not known; and its inhabitants presume to hear the sound of the sun on reaching the meridian at noon. This country contains many wonderful, rare, and extraordinary things, which we are prevented from detailing by the pressure of time.
“Thus we now conclude what we intended to insert in this extract, for the purpose of giving an outline of the geography of the kingdom of Tak-roor.”
END OF PART FIRST.
N. B. The next, or Second Part, contains only the details of the actions and battles that took place when Bello’s father conquered these countries.
Observation.—It is proper here to explain, that the only deviation I made from the original is in dividing the Pamphlet into two parts, and separating the geographical from the military account.—A. S.
FOOTNOTES:
[73]On referring to the History of Yemen, by Mass-oodi, to ascertain the period at which these two sovereigns reigned, I find that the author of this pamphlet has made a mistake in asserting that Africus reigned anterior to Hemeera; whereas Hemeera ruled Yemen many hundred years previously to Africus, and that “Africus was the sovereign who removed the Barbars from Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, to their present countries.”
From the above-mentioned history (if it can be relied upon) it appears, that the reign of Hemeera was after the demise of the Prophet Heber, and that Africus reigned soon after the death of Alexander the Great. A. S.
[74]The Eastern, and all Mohammedan people, considering Alexander the Great as the only monarch who conquered the globe from east to west, give him the title of “the two horned,” in allusion to his said conquests. They likewise believe that Gog and Magog were two great nations, but that, in consequence of their wicked and mischievous disposition, Alexander gathered, and immured them within two immensely high mountains, in the darkest and northernmost parts of Europe, by a most surprising and insuperable wall, made of iron and copper, of great thickness and height; and that, to the present time, they are confined there: that, notwithstanding they are a dwarfish race—viz. from two to three feet in height only—they will one day come out and desolate the world!—A. S.
[75]Perhaps in the Oases.—A. S.
[76]This expression means nothing less than that the people of Ya-ory are chiefly light-headed; for the author, in this part of the MS., is very clear and intelligible.—A. S.
[77]This was a great sovereign of Arabia, to whom the people of that country gave the title of “Father of Arabia;” and, according to Mass-oodi, he was the first who ruled over Yemen, and wrote the Arabic language. His reign was, as the said historian says, during the lifetime of the Prophet Heber.—A. S.
[78]This province seems to contain no rivers; because the word “rivers” was inserted in the MS., but afterwards struck out by the writer.—A. S.
NOTE BY THE TRANSLATOR.—In my translation of the first part of this pamphlet, I stated that the second part embraced only the details of the battles and actions that took place when Sultan Bello’s father conquered his present dominions; which details are those of the battles of Kashnah, Dowra, Kanoo, Kabi, and of three actions in the province of Kadawee. These being of no general interest, I considered it superfluous to translate the whole; but, in order to give an idea of the military tactics of the Africans, and the manner of their warfare, I have selected the account of the first battle of Kadawee, which is the longest, and somewhat interesting.
A Narrative of the first Battle of Kadawee.
“When we assembled and consulted together, respecting the conquest of Kadawee, and our opinions agreed upon its execution, we encamped out, with our troops, commanded by general Aly Jedo. After leaving Manee, or Moona, we marched till we arrived at the west suburbs of the capital, where we found the infidels prepared and intrenched within some thickets. We fought them; and God Almighty gave us the victory. We then proceeded till we reached Boori, about half a day’s journey from Kadawee, where our friends, the tribes of the Falateen, who had fought the infidels at the right side suburbs, sent and announced to us that they (the infidels) had embraced Mooslemanism; and that a great number, of both settlers and wanderers, who had been beaten by our other troops, had also followed their example. The fight continued on that day till our soldiers reached Jerwa; which place is very near the capital. At sunset, I and my guards retired from the western suburbs, but our people besieged the southern; and the next morning when our brother, the pious Namooda, arrived with his troops, they advanced upon the eastern suburbs. We then held a council and agreed to attack the city, notwithstanding the immense number of the enemy’s troops (whose amount God only knows) that was collected in it. This being known, every one of our party, who were besieged in it, and made their escape, came to us. After encamping at Manee, and most of our friends and people had joined us, we marched, commanded by the great vizier Abdullah, till we arrived at Boori, where we stayed till the rest of our followers reached us. We now marched towards Ghazik, and early in the morning came near the capital, which was very strongly fortified, and well protected by being situated between trees and thickets. Our general hastened and advanced till he reached the vanguard of the enemy, where he found that they had prepared, on each side of the town, a company to defend it. They sallied forth, and bore upon our left; we resisted and fought them for an hour, while their people, from the fortifications of the city, were shooting upon our troops volleys of arrows: so that we were attacked on one side by their troops, who came out to us, and on the other by their archers from the town. During this engagement my uncle was wounded in the foot. God Almighty, however, helped us against them, and we routed their troops; and, when we obtained this advantage of their backs, the battle became very hot and sanguinary. I pursued them with a portion of our troops (while the rest, on the right wing of the army, remained fighting against the city), till I drove them towards the place where I was encamped. I then sent to the right wing to join me; and, while we were thus engaged, the enemy came out with a fresh body of horsemen and followed us. On seeing this movement, I hid myself, with a number of my cavalry, till they passed and got near our troops, whereupon I started and bore upon them from behind; by which surprise God dispersed and made them fly. We then returned to our troops, and encamped till the next morning, when the enemy sent out against us an immense number of horsemen, at whose head we thought was their prince himself. Our cavalry started and met them; and after a severe battle, routed them. We pursued them till we reached Zoghrob, on the right side of the capital, where we rested three nights, and then marched to re-attack it. On Sunday morning we fought the enemy most terribly, till it appeared as if the city was on the point of being opened to us. In this battle a great number of our people fell martyrs, and we killed as many of the enemy. At sunset we retired to the camp.
“Here the Tawarek conducted themselves with treachery and deceit: they came to us and declared their submission; but, afterwards, they went to the infidel Soodan, and united with them against us. They, likewise, on seeing our success in the first action, swore and agreed among themselves, to seize upon and capture our family. But our friend and brother, the most virtuous among them, Ahmed ben Heeda, having written to us a detail of their design, and cautioned us, we immediately despatched a part of our troops, headed by the vizier, to protect our family. I remained with the rest of the army, contending with the enemy, till the vizier returned and brought the family safe to us.
“During his absence, however, I sent a body of soldiers to seize upon Ackoowee; which they pillaged, and returned safely, bringing with them an immense booty.
“In the mean time the noble shaikh, my father, moved with a multitude of troops, and arrived at Boori; where, on hearing of his march, I repaired to meet him.
“The Tawarek again deceived us, by writing letters, in which they pledged themselves to meet and unite with us. But when they assembled and joined us, and we encamped at Thunthoo, and our people were scattered in search of provisions, while only the nobles and leaders remained in the camp, we were surprised by the appearance of the enemy near us. The nobles then started to encounter them with what they could collect of our troops, while I and my company were intrenched behind our baggage and animals. At this moment, our friend, the pious brother of the shaikh Saado, came to our assistance, with the royal standard in his hand, and desired that we should advance against the enemy immediately. I told him, he had better wait till they approached us nearer. He refused, and advanced by himself and people. I, being very ill, was obliged to remain behind. They reached the enemy, prepared, and darted upon them. After a severe action of an hour, the enemy fled, but not without a great number of our people having fallen martyrs. By this time, our uncle, the vizier, came to our succour, followed by the noble shaikh, our father, and his party.
“They pursued the enemy, and God gave them the victory, and enabled them to plunge their weapons into their bodies, and disperse them in shreds (small parties). In this engagement we lost about 2,000 martyrs, most of whom were of our best soldiers, and of the most pious and virtuous of our men: as the chief justice Mohammed Thanboo, the noble Saado, Mahmood Ghordam, Mohammed Jamm, the learned and intelligent poet and reciter Zaid, Aboo-bakr Bingoo, the true diviner Es-sudani, and several others. After burying as many as we could of them, we retired and encamped till the next morning, when we buried the rest. This battle took place about two miles from Kadawee.”
The manuscript ends thus:
“Ended, by the grace and assistance of God, the writing of this extract, by the hand of its writer, on Wednesday about noon, the 29th of Rajab, 1239 of Hejra, for Rayes Abdallah, the English Christian, in the city of Sackatoo, of the country of Houssa, residence of the prince of the believers, Mohammed Bello; whom may God cause to be ever victorious! Amen.”
The Song of Mohammed-Alameen ben Mohammed El-Kanemy, Sheikh of the Koran, Lawgiver to Bornou, and Governor of Kanem, on his return from the Begharmi Country in 1821. Translated by Major Denham.
“I return to my people, the people of my heart, and the children of my solicitude! At break of day, fasting, coming towards Kouka, with my morning prayer on my lips, in sight of the gate, the gate that saw me depart! The morning wind blew fresh and cool, yet mild as the evening breeze. The battle of spears had been long doubtful; but had ended in glory! had covered my people with honour and victory, God Almighty assisting us! These were our deeds; they lived in the memory of all. Oh! glorious expedition! But the greatest joy must be told; the joy, oh, how exquisite! the recovery of my lost love! a part of myself. Her high and noble forehead, like the new moon, and nose like the rainbow! Her arched eyebrows reaching to her temples, overhanging eyes than which the moon is less bright, as it shines through darkness! large piercing eyes, whose looks never could be mistaken! A single glance at these her all-conquering beauties instantly called her to my mind with all the graces of her disposition; lips sweeter than honey, and colder than the purest water! Oh! dearest of my wives! Heaven’s own gift! what were my sensations when I removed the veil from thy face! Thou knewest me not in thy alarm; animation had left thee! Thou knewest not what was to follow; and thy large eyes had closed in despair! It seemed that lightning had struck me with its fire! As the light of morning dispels the blackness of night, so did she, reviving, impart to me a gladness overpowering as the blood-red sun, when it breaks forth in its splendour, warming the sons of earth with its re-animating fires. I thought of the day when she was blooming in my presence, when the news of her loss came to me like a blast from the desert. My head was laid low with sorrow! The Spring returned with its freshness; but its showers could not revive my drooping head! Who shall now tell of my joy? From her shoulders to her waist, how fair is her proportion! When she moves, she is like branches waved by a gentle breeze! Silks from India are less soft than her skin; and her form, though noble, is timid as the fawn! Let this my joy be proclaimed to all my people! Let them take my blessing, and give me congratulation! Their chief is alive, returns, and is victorious! All my people, even little children, shall sing these our deeds; all must share in the joy of their chief, as well those whose age prevents their sharing my glories, as those who have yet to learn the path of heroes! God has made us to overcome those who stood against us! They are fallen, and their towns are in ruins! In the open day, by the light of the sun, the children of the prophet trod them under foot! and now we approach our homes! Towards the rising sun, we followed them; they fled! They were destroyed! they bled! and they were bound! On the fifth day of the week, blessed be the day! the standards of the prophet floated in the wind! The lightnings of my spears played around them! The neighings of my horses seemed like thunder to the unbelievers! They fell! The earth claimed them once more, and drank their blood! From the morning until black night we pursued them; and their blood was as food and refreshment to my strong-armed chiefs! Their women, their cattle, and their horses, were amongst our spoils; and he, who was, at the rising of the sun, surrounded by thousands of glittering spears, he, the king, was, on the going down thereof, deprived of all! He was left alone and deserted! David, my captain, my chosen captain, was covered with the blood of his enemies! His garments were of blood colour! He set his foot on the necks of the Kaffirs, as he drew out his never-failing spear, deep as it was in their gory forms! while with his sword he still satisfied his unappeased wrath. Forests of spears pierced our enemies! Cowards on that day were brave! The hitherto boasting but inactive soldier this day proved himself a hero! Who shall sing the deeds of my brave people, and do them justice? With death before their eyes, they embraced danger as a maiden whom they wished to enjoy, smiling, and proud of their strength; for glory to them was sweeter than new honey or virgin lips. The battle of spears was like a wedding feast, so joyous were my people! Surely their rage is like that of a furious lion in his wrath! which who shall restrain? They are a destroying fire in the eye of their enemies! Stronger than rocks are my followers! Spear them! spear them! till the sun sees their bones; and let their bodies be food for the birds and hyænas, while they resist the sword of the prophet! But oh! my people, spare the fallen! and those who implore mercy in the name of the One and Omnipotent! These were my words. Wading through blood, we arrived at the palace of the sultan. What were all my defeats, when compared to this victory!
“Lend your ears, oh my chiefs! ye who were present; for they are your deeds I sing! and ye also who were away; for I sing of your brethren and your children. It was on the first of the month, when we once more came on those, who were enemies to us, and to our faith!
“Tirab, chief in fight, raged alike with the strength of an elephant! and also his wisdom for two days! Four kingdoms towards the declining sun had been destroyed, and one to the south, five in number! Six months I had been from home, and on the seventh I made my return, after humbling my enemies, and binding them as slaves! As food is before the hyæna, so are their enemies before my people. They are devoured! But the prophet’s children are saved by God, who watches over true believers! As a thorn pierces whatever disturbs its retirement, so do my spear-hurling hosts dash their pointed javelins into the flesh of those who break our peace and our repose! When I cheer them on, miserable are they that oppose them! But he that submits, and acknowledges the One and Omnipotent, and his Prophet, blessed be God and his angels, shall receive mercy! I govern by the will of the most High, and by God’s decree, and administer the law of God, whose servant I am; and whoever dies under such law, paradise is his.”
Translation of an extempore Arab Song.
“Oh! she was beauty’s self, and shone in matchless symmetry! When shall I hear news of her? how support her absence, and her loss? My hopes are but as the fantastic dreams of night; yet with this hopelessness my love does but increase, even as a star shines the brightest in the blackest night. O! Mabrooka! thy head sinks too with sorrow at losing him, whose thoughts are still of thee; but as the desert bird[79] drops and smooths its wing, but to display the richness of its plumage, so will thy silent grief but cause thee to appear with increased charms! Vain and cruel delusion! At the moment of the possession of earthly happiness to doom us to melancholy despair, was as if the traveller should draw water to the brink of the well, and then see the wished-for draught snatched from his thirsty lips!
“What she looks upon becomes graceful, enchanted by her loveliness! Oh! she is beauty’s self, my polar star[80] of life.”
FOOTNOTES:
[79]Ostrich.
[80]The word in the original is jiddie, which guides the kafila in traversing the deserts, their track generally lying either north or south.
Translation of the Song of the Fezzanneers, on Boo Khaloom’s Death.
“Oh! trust not to the gun and the sword! The spear of the unbeliever prevails!
“Boo Khaloom, the good and the brave, has fallen! Who shall be safe? Even as the moon amongst the little stars, so was Boo Khaloom amongst men! Where shall Fezzan now look for her protector? Men hang their heads in sorrow, while women wring their hands, rending the air with their cries! As a shepherd is to his flock, so was Boo Khaloom to Fezzan!
“Give him songs! Give him music! What words can equal his praise? His heart was as large as the desert! His coffers were like the rich overflowings from the udder of the she-camel, comforting and nourishing those around him!
“Even as the flowers without rain perish in the field, so will Fezzaneers droop; for Boo Khaloom returns no more!
“His body lies in the land of the heathen! The poisoned arrow of the unbeliever prevails!
“Oh! trust not to the gun, and the sword! the spear of the heathen conquers. Boo Khaloom, the good and the brave, has fallen! Who shall now be safe?”
Bornou Vocabulary.
| Good for nothing, | Fussel |
| Good, | Angala |
| Bad, | Dibbe |
| Bread, | Gorassa |
| Rice, | Fergami |
| Come here, | Arai natin |
| Go away, | Lanai daka |
| Come to-morrow, | Bali arai belte, |
| Come to-morrow night, | Bali booni arai |
| Meat, | Dha |
| Water, | Inki |
| Bring water, | Inki coutai |
| I wish to drink, | Shay aski |
| Stay in the house, | Arai fatto nemine |
| Sit down, | Nemine |
| Bed, | Boushe |
| Sheep, | Anglaro |
| Bullock, | Feea |
| Fowls, | Koukee |
| Wind, | Karouah |
| Sun, | Kangal |
| Cold, | Kakou |
| Hot to-day, | Kow zow |
| Woman, | Kano |
| Girl, | Faro[81] |
| Fine girl, | Faro angala |
| Rich girl, | Faro sukala |
| Ugly girl, | Faro dibbe |
| Father, | Aba |
| My mother, | Yany |
| Your mother, | Yaanem |
| My brother, | Crameny |
| My sister, | Yaiany |
| Wife, | Neka |
| Siriah, | Keferoua |
| Hand, | Musko |
| Leg, | Segulni |
| White teeth, | Teminy bull |
| Tongue, | Telumny |
| A slave with large eyes, and handsome, | Keir angala shem kora |
| Great, | Kora |
| Small, | Gana |
| Old man, | Keeary |
| Horse, | Fur or Pur |
| Dog, | Kree |
| Sweet milk, | Kiam klee |
| Sour milk, | Kyam |
| I wish to wash, | Musco toliske |
| I will go to your house, | Fanim laneskin |
| House, | Fatto |
| God keep you in health, | L’affia dagumba |
| How is your health? Are you well? Are you well? | Wanumba l’affia? La lay? Ba lay? |
| Breeches, | Yangay |
| A pretty young slave, | Keir gana angala |
| I give you a little physic: if that does not cure you, come to-morrow, | Kergun gana gadishe atte keteen baco, arai bali |
| I am sick, | Ou donde |
| I am a little better, | Kermunga neske gana |
| Rains coming, | Delaky goushe |
| Good day to you, | Dibdony che l’affia |
| Good night to you, | Booni che l’affia |
| Bad boy, | Tetowa dibbe |
| Good boy, | Tetowa angala |
| White man, | Bull fulk |
| One, | Telo |
| Two, | Inde |
| Three, | Yasko |
| Four, | Dago |
| Five, | Ooogoo |
| Six, | Araska |
| Seven, | Toolur |
| Eight, | Waskoo |
| Nine, | Lekar |
| Ten, | Meagoo |
| Eleven, | Meagoo lageree |
| Twelve, | Indoore |
| Thirteen, | Meagoo yaskun |
| Fourteen, | Meagoo daree |
| Fifteen, | Meagoo ouree |
| Sixteen, | Meagoo araskee |
| Seventeen, | Meagoo toluree |
| Eighteen, | Meagoo waskun |
| Nineteen, | Meagoo likareen |
| Twenty, | Finde |
| Thirty, | Fee askar |
| Forty, | Fee daga |
| Fifty, | Fee oogoo |
| Sixty, | Fee raskee |
| Seventy, | Fee tolur |
| Eighty, | Fee tuskoo |
| Ninety, | Fee lekar |
| One hundred, | Mea |
| Poor man, | Koua telleka |
| Sick man, | Koua laka |
| Gussub, | Ergum |
| Handsome woman, | Kamoo angala |
| Very hot to-day, | Kou dzow |
| Very cold, | Kako ngubboo |
| Very dirty, | Teginy kadafooa |
| Very clean, | Teginy angala |
| Dead, | Nuee |
| I, | Ooma |
| You, | Nema |
| Mine, | Kakay |
| Yours, | Kakanem |
| Sandals, | Sono |
| Cap, | Geaqua |
| You know every thing, | Summa nunumba |
| I know nothing, | Afeema noniskeni |
| I know, | Noniski |
| Bring supper, | Coutai bree |
| I wish to eat, | Maniskin buskin |
| I look for food, | Manimin boomin |
| I do not wish, | Naguski baco |
| Have you got a little? | Agoga nashe |
| I have nothing, | Afeema baco |
| Honey, | Kom̄agun |
| Wood, | Kuska |
| At night eat supper, | Booni bree boyee |
| Morning meal, | Cheny feleski |
| I must go home, | Oola niske fatto |
| Will you, or will you not? | Rakami, rouanimy |
| I will not, | Waniskee |
| Yes, | Geree |
| No, | Wankee |
| Breast, | Gungy |
| Quick, | Doua |
| Come, make haste, | Arai doua |
| Black, | Sellem |
| Red, | Kemmy |
| White, | Bull |
| Grass, | Kajum |
| Straw, | Soogoo |
| Mat, | Suggady |
| I have many bullocks, | Nanin fean’ gubboo |
| A great warrior, | Bendugoo gubboo |
| I must buy a shirt, | Koulko manki efeski |
| Tell me directly, | Manany doua |
| I have no money, | Nani gourse baco |
| I have no friend, | Sobany baco |
| You are my friend, | Nema sobany |
| You are not my friend, | Ne sobany gani |
| I wish to sleep, | Manki boniske |
| I do not sleep in the day, | Kou boniske baco |
| Where is good water, very good? | Indaran inki, angala lintia |
| This water is not good, | Inki ada angalăgănĭ |
| Not good, | Angalăgăny̆ |
| I will give you nothing, | Afeema giski baco |
| Call him, | Booboonimin |
| Don’t beat him, | Wata edkonimy |
| Strong, | Kibboo |
| Weak, | Kibboo gany |
| Strong slave, | Keir kibboo |
| I wish to return to my country, | Bellany laniski |
| Lion, | Kourgilly |
| Ichneumon, | Chorma |
| How many children have you? | Tetoua ndago nanimin |
| Where is your country? | Ndara bellanem |
| You are very handsome, | Angala lintia |
| Come with me, | Yeronemin langay |
| Go I cannot, | Lanem baco |
| I am tired, | M’bareski |
| Whip, | Kourfo |
| Turban, | Aliafo |
| Sword, | Kazager |
| Looking-glass, | Koutrum |
| Face, | Fiska |
| My face, | Fiskany |
| Your face, | Fiskanem |
| His face, | Fiskansa |
| Their faces, | Fiskanday |
| My foot, | Sheeny |
| Your foot, | Sheenum |
| His foot, | Sheensay |
| Their feet, | Sheenday |
| All their feet, | Sheenday andi summa |
| Beard, | N’chitty |
| Foot, | Shee |
| Feet, | Shee ndiso |
| Fingers, | Gulandoni |
| Toes, | Fergamij |
| Who is that? | N’dee aty |
| What is that? | Aty a fee |
| What is your name? | Nin dhu |
| Presently, | Wakay |
| Wait a little, | Dāgā dāgō |
| White trowsers, | Yangay bull |
| White shirt, | Kukoo bull |
| Blue shirt, | Kulgoo kagi |
| Pillow, | Beeree |
| Where are you going? | Ndara doony min |
| Where are you come from? | Ndara kadim |
| From the sheikh’s house I come, | Fatto shoukobe kadisco |
| To-day, | Kow |
| Yesterday, | Biska |
| The day before yesterday, | Biskada |
| Ass, | Koro |
| Mule, | Koro la fuddera |
| Handkerchief, | Futtha. Not used |
| Crocodile, | Timsa, karem |
| Hippopotamus, | Nghroot |
| Many mosquitoes, | Kantano n’gubboo |
| Hyena, | Dela |
| Elephant, | Kamāgun |
| Calf, | Kena gana |
| Cow, | Kena |
| Where are your shoes? | Sononem daran |
| Where is your cap? | Geaqua n’daran |
| A bad man, | Koati dibbe |
| You are bad, | Nema dibbe |
| Do you wish that woman? | Kamo ati rakami |
| Not that one? This I wish, | Ati waniski too raguski |
| Man, | Kam |
| Woman, | Kamo |
| A strong man, | Kamqua |
| Two men, | Kuandee |
| Two women, | Kamundee |
| Camel, | Kelgimmo |
| Camel’s saddle, | Kantergue |
| Riding camel or maherhy, | Kelgimmo serdebee |
| Wear your cap; the sun is strong, | Geaqua coutai kou n’gubboo |
| My house, | Fany |
| The house of me, | Fatto kakai |
| I will come at night, | Ou boone leniske |
| It is now night, | Kerama boone |
| Why did you not come yesterday? | Afero biska issamy bah |
| I could not come, | Issiskany |
| I am come to-day, | Kou issisky |
| I am angry, | Ou gergan iskana |
| Always, | Zaar |
| I go on horseback, | Kela furby linisky |
| Horse, | Fur, or Pur |
| I go on foot, | Sheenin linisky |
| Your house, | Fanem |
| His house, | Fansa |
| All their houses are one, | Andi summa fanday telo |
| Give me this, | Ougoaty orashe |
| A little, not much, | Gana |
| Take care, | Zebba |
| Now give me, | Kormashee |
| Shut the door, | Suganay tapah |
| Not now, | Kormakany |
| By and by, | Oo kanowaā |
| I will give you a handsome shirt, | Koulko angala noroweskin |
| I will dress you prettily, | Kasamow angala noroweskin |
| Hear me, I say, | Fanimy |
| God bless you, | Allah kabunsho |
| May you live for ever, | Engoubourou dagah |
| God send you a happy old age, literally gray hairs, | Allah kiaro |
| Bring water to wash my hands, | Inki coutai muskowy toliske |
| To wash your hands, | Muskonem tolei |
| Like a Bornowy, | Kanourin kalcal |
| Near, | Karengha |
| A long way off, | Kiento rinta |
| Why are you afraid? | Afero ranimin |
| You come directly? | Kurma ma duaree |
| The day after to-morrow, | Wagoro |
| Eat you, | Nema booy |
| I can read, | Rageski karaengen |
| Can you read? | Ne karanemin bah |
| I cannot, | Karaniskin baco |
| I know, | Ooma nongana |
| You know, | Nema nonema |
| He knows, | Shema nosena |
| We know, | Amgaso nony-enna |
| Ye know, | Ande amgaso |
| They know, | Nony-enna |
| Every body knows, | Amsemma nozana |
| Nobody knows, | Ondooma nozana baco |
| Gazelle, | Engry |
| Ducks, | Enguddoo |
| Vulture, | Quogoo |
| Monkey, | Daggel |
| Buffalo, | Zamouse |
| I will not go, | Laniski baco |
| I will come, | Lazusko |
| Is it necessary for you? | Ragumba |
| It is necessary, | Ragiski |
| Now, | Kurma |
| Not now, but in a little, | Kurmagany, laga toosiny |
| Why is your cap off? | Afero geaquanem gogo |
| It fell off, | Oogony konusko |
| My horse, | Furny |
| Your horse, | Furnem |
| His horse, | Furnsa |
| My hut, | Engiminy |
| Your hut, | Engiminem |
| His hut, | Engiminsa |
| Onions, | L’bussel |
| Wheat, | Gomah |
| Gussub, | Arkum |
| Fan of ostrich feathers, | Kergeaga |
| Ostrich, | Nham |
| Feathers, | Riesh |
| I wish a man who knows the road to Waday, | Ooroo kam angala sidi Waday nosena |
| Do you know all the road? | Sidi Waday nony mabah |
| All I know, | Angaso nony ski |
| In the road, river great is there? | Waday den komadagoo kora beetche |
| There is, but not a great one, | Beetche, gana laga |
| And a great deal of water, there is not, | N’gobboo gany inki enga |
| Gussub is there plenty? | Argum beetche engubbooba |
| Rain little, and gussub not much, | Inki gana argum engubboo, gany |
| Last year rain plenty, more than at this time, | Mindy inki engubboo kerma koge |
| This year, | Kimmindy |
| Last year, | Mindy |
| Fish, | Boony |
| Standard carried before the Sultan of Bornou, | Yerma |
| Fire bring, quick, quick, | Kano coutai doua, doua |
| Fire bring, get supper, | Kano coutai bree deniskin |
| Mount, we will go, | Neebamin baa lanyée |
| Now I will come, | Kurma mai issisky |
| I do not wish, | Wanisky, wangy |
| Wait a little, now he will come, | Garany gana kurma machin |
| Bring water, I will drink, | Inki coutai yaskin |
| I will not come, | Isiskin baco |
| Give grass to the horse to eat, | Fena kajem furby zebbo |
| Nose bag, | Engerky |
| The nose bag for the horse bring, | Engerky furby coutai |
| Fill it with gussub, | Fegana argum |
| Give it him to feed, | Yeshery zebbo |
| Does he feed? | Zebbe ra-watche |
| He feeds, | A zebbena |
| Feed he will not, | Zebbin baco watche |
| Take off the nose bag, if he will not, | Zenney engerky watchea |
| Take him to drink, | Yeati inkero |
| Give him well to drink, | Y’eshero angeloro tsaa |
| Bucket none, yesterday broke, | Kirfy baco biska creety |
| Go a bucket good buy, | Lanee kerfy angala belinefay |
| Take care thieves don’t take it, | Wata kaleny burbo gotzenu |
| I wish it, | Oura kusku |
| Something I wish, | Aqualaka oura kusku |
| What do you wish? | Afferacum |
| Where are we going? | Ainfera lanen |
| Near now we go? | Karinga ateman lascia |
| Sunset before? Shall we stop? | Magrubo setteny? Zubtsayu bah |
| We shall stop, | Zubtsayu |
| At sunset we shall not stop, we shall go until Ashea; then we shall stop, | Mugrubbo kelten zubtsay inde leesharo letzaya doo go zubtneia |
| Sunset before we shall return, | Mugrubbo setteny doo goo lanem |
| To-day go, to-morrow come, | Kou lanemya bali arai |
| You are very handsome, | Neety angala engubboo |
| You than others I like best, | Neety kamo gediro rakuskin ago angalko |
| Speak true speeches, | Mana gereby manany |
| It is necessary, I see the well, | Kouroo garoubi ruguski, |
| This is my town now, | Ate bellany kurma |
| I wish to see, | Raguski rusky |
| Will you buy anything? | Neema eefamy bah |
| I wish to buy, | Raguski effuskin |
| I do not wish to buy, | Wankee effeesky baco |
| I will not sell, | Wankee ladisky baco |
| I wish to sell, | Ragusky ladisky |
| Will you sell? | Ladamin bah |
| My feet ache, | Sheeny zow |
| Do your feet ache? | Eenim zow bah |
| My legs, | Shegul ny |
| My knees, | Engurum grum kakai |
| My thighs, | Dunomy |
| My loins, | Duefurgy-ny |
| My belly, | Suero-ny |
| My breast, | Ingun geny |
| My neck, | Dubboony |
| Woman’s breast, | Tekkum |
| My mouth, | Cheny |
| My nose, | Kinoa-ny |
| My tongue, | Telam-ny |
| My teeth, | Teneeny |
| My cheeks, | Gegaty |
| The eyes, | Shem |
| The forehead, | Engum |
| Eyebrows, | Engum eshem |
| Ears, | Summo |
| Head, | Kla |
| This woman, her face is handsome, | Kamo atteta feskansa angala |
| Long gourd with a hole at each end, used by Tibboo and Bornou as a musical instrument, | Zantoo |
| Wrapper or petticoat, | Zeneh |
| Eggs, | Gubbel |