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1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

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	=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===		=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
	<blockquote><nowiki>*</nowiki> Abissinia, more commonly called the Empire of Preti Jani, the Great and Higher Aethiopia. It contains in it the Kingdoms of Goiame, Vangue, Yaire, Damut, Cafate, Begamidri, Xoa, Fatigar, Angote, Baru, Baliganse, Adea, (now Revolted) Amaza, Ambea, Vaguc, Tigremahon, Sabahim, and Burganusso. It extended anciently as far as Bugie on the Red Sea, and for a long time to Suaquem upon the same 222 Leagues, but then the Moors possessed all the Sea Coast but Ercoco or Arkiko, which is now in the hands of the Turks. This vast Empire is bounded on the North by Nubia and the Desarts of Suaquem, on the East by the Kingdom of Dangali, and Adel, on the South by the Kingdoms of Merinde, and the River Raptus, now Hawasti, and the Nile, and on the West by the River Maleg, and the Nile, and a Range of craggy Mountains, which separate it from the wandering Aethiopians. The Prince of this Vast Country, and all his Subjects, are Christians, the Country being Watered with many great Lakes, and vast Rivers, is very fruitful as to Barly, Rice, and Pulse, but it has not much Wheat, nor wants it Sugar, Honey, Cotten, Wooll, Oranges, Lemons, Cedars, &c. but they have little or no Wine, they have wild Beasts and tame in great plenty, but their Horses are small; They have Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and Copper, but they know neither how to Dig or Refine them. Hornius in the Introduction to the Ancient Geography, saith, it is certain this Nation is a Colony of the Arabians, where Ptolemy placeth the Abaseni in Arabia Foelix, from whence they crossed the Sea in very ancient times into Africa, which appears by their Language and Histories, and the time may almost be assigned. See more in Aethiopia Superior.~~</blockquote>~~		<blockquote><nowiki>*</nowiki> Abissinia, more commonly called the Empire of Preti Jani, the Great and Higher Aethiopia. It contains in it the Kingdoms of Goiame, Vangue, Yaire, Damut, Cafate, Begamidri, Xoa, Fatigar, Angote, Baru, Baliganse, Adea, (now Revolted) Amaza, Ambea, Vaguc, Tigremahon, Sabahim, and Burganusso. It extended anciently as far as Bugie on the Red Sea, and for a long time to Suaquem upon the same 222 Leagues, but then the Moors possessed all the Sea Coast but Ercoco or Arkiko, which is now in the hands of the Turks. This vast Empire is bounded on the North by Nubia and the Desarts of Suaquem, on the East by the Kingdom of Dangali, and Adel, on the South by the Kingdoms of Merinde, and the River Raptus, now Hawasti, and the Nile, and on the West by the River Maleg, and the Nile, and a Range of craggy Mountains, which separate it from the wandering Aethiopians. The Prince of this Vast Country, and all his Subjects, are Christians, the Country being Watered with many great Lakes, and vast Rivers, is very fruitful as to Barly, Rice, and Pulse, but it has not much Wheat, nor wants it Sugar, Honey, Cotten, Wooll, Oranges, Lemons, Cedars, &c. but they have little or no Wine, they have wild Beasts and tame in great plenty, but their Horses are small; They have Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and Copper, but they know neither how to Dig or Refine them. Hornius in the Introduction to the Ancient Geography, saith, it is certain this Nation is a Colony of the Arabians, where Ptolemy placeth the Abaseni in Arabia Foelix, from whence they crossed the Sea in very ancient times into Africa, which appears by their Language and Histories, and the time may almost be assigned. See more in Aethiopia Superior.


			Aethiopia is divided into Superior and Inferior, the Superior is bounded on the East with the Red Sea, &c. on the West with Nubia, &c. on the North with Egypt, and on the South with the Mountains of the Moon, which part it from the Lower Ethiopia. It's also called Regnum Abyssinum from the Abysines who inhabit there. It is reckoned 1500 miles long, and half as broad. It contains other Kingdoms besides the Abyssines; and on the West of Nile live Canibals; Trogloditae and Regio Cinnamonifera are also comprehended in it. Of the Trogloditae, Pomponius Mela says, that their Houses were Caves, their Food Serpents, and their Speech a gnashing of the Teeth. The Aethiopians were of old reckoned good Astrologers, and the best of Archers. Christianity was first brought among them by Q. Candaces, Eunuch, Baptized by Philip, An. Ch. 44. and further propagated by St. Matthew; They Circumcise and Baptize both Males and Females, give the Eucharist streight after Baptism; They own but one Nature in Christ, they allow the 3 first General Councils; make their Priests work for their Living; They Baptize themselves on Epiphany in Lakes and Ponds, supposing Christ was Baptized that day; They eat no Beast forbid by the Old Law; They observe both Saturday and Sunday, hold the Seminal propagation of the Soul, and that Infants dying unbaptized, are sanctified in the Mothers Womb by the Eucharist; They receive in both Kinds; allow their Clergy to Marry, and renounce the Church of Rome. The Country is not populous. And Pliny says the Ground is so hot that they cannot walk without Shoes, and roast their Meat in the Sun; He says also, that they have a Lake whose Waters are 6 times in 24 hours salt and unpleasant, but at other times palatable. The Country abounds with all sorts of Corn, Cattle, and Mines, their Forrests with Venison, and Rivers with Fishes; but the People are lazy and improve none of them. The Provinces of this Aethiopia are said to make up 70 Kingdoms. In Guagere, one of them, it's said, that when the Sun is in Leo and Taurus, the People cast no Shadow, and live 120 years. The Womens Teats are so big, that they throw them over their Shoulders for the Children to suckle. Here is the City of Saba, which the People say was the Residence of the Q. of Sheba which came to Solomon; it is said to be exceeding Stately. In Tigremaon are the Ruines of a City with Pillars 60 Foot high, like the Egyptian Obelisks, with illegible Inscriptions; it is thought to have been Q. Candace's Seat. In Angote the People eat but once in 24 hours, and that in the night, their Diet is raw Venison or smoak'd Beef, and their Money Salt, Pepper, and Iron. In Amara is a Mountain of that name, in a large Plain, 90 miles round at bottom, a days Journy in height, the Rock as smooth as a polish'd Wall, and growing lesser and lesser toward the top. The Way up is cut within the Rock, with holes for light; The Ascent is impregnably fortified, but so easie that one may ride up on Horseback. In the middle is a spacious Hall to rest in. On the top is a large Plain 20 Leagues round, compassed with a high Wall; on the South is a rising Hill with a sweet Spring, which waters the Gardens and Palaces, and forms a Lake for Cattle. The Plain abounds in Corn and Fruits of all sorts, hath 2 Monasteries with 1500 Knights of St. Anthony in each, and 34 Palaces, where the Emperor's youngest Sons are inclosed to avoid sedition, and there they have Royal Education, and failing Succession, the hopefullest is made Emperor. In one of the Palaces is said to be a famous Library, with many Books totally lost elsewhere, as the Oracles of Enoch, the Mysteries which escaped the Flood Engraven by him on Pillars; and also Livie's Whole Works. In Damut the Oxen are as great as Elephants, and their Horns so large as to make Tankards or Barrels. Here are also said to be Unicorns; and a Mountain of great height and difficult access, whence the Nobles condemned by the Emperor are thrown headlong. In Goiamy is store of Gold, and many Rivers, which falling from the Hills equals the noise of Thunder. Here the Abassins say are the Fountains of Nilus, and Lakes with Tritons and Mermaids; and adjoining to the same a Province of Amazons instituted by the Q. of Sheba, their Q. being always a Virgin. Here they pretend also to have the Phaenix, Griffons, and Fowls which make a Shadow like a Cloud. In Bagamedrum are Mines of pure Silver, which is extracted by Fire like long Rods. In Barnagasso is a Mountain of Pyramidical form, of very difficult ascent, and near the summet they must be drawn up by Cords and Baskets, it's a League in circuit at top, and abounds with Provisions for 500 Men, which makes it impregnable. It hath also a Royal Palace. In this Country is Bisam a Monastery on the top of a Rock having 3000 Monks in it. In Dobas they suffer no Man to Marry till he kill 12 Christians. In Adel are Sheep whose Tails weigh 25 pounds, and Cows with Horns like a Stag, and some of them but one Horn, which is in the Forehead, of about a foot and half long bending backwards. This Country hath freed it self from under the Emperor of the Abyssines of late. In Adea the People are only cloathed from the Girdle downward, and fight with poisoned Arrows. In Fatigar is a Mountain 12 miles round, with a Lake on the top stored with Fish. The Emperor of this Aethiopia is commonly called Prester John or Presbyter John, from one who they say was both Priest and King, but it's rather thought that it should be Praestigian or Prestegan, which is as much as to say Apostolical: He looks upon himself to be descended from Solomon by the Q. of Sheba, who came to Jerusalem, A. M. 2954. and assumes the following Titles, viz. N. N. Supream of his Kingdoms, and the Beloved of God, the Pillar of Faith, sprung from the Stock of Judah, the Son of David, the Son of Solomon, the Son of the Column of Sion, the Son of the Seed of Jacob, the Son of the Hand of Mary, the Son of Nahu after the Flesh, the Son of Peter and Paul after the Spirit, Emperor of the Higher and Lesser Aethiopia, and of the most mighty Kingdoms, Dominions, and Countries of Xoa, Goa, &c. and Goyami, where are the Fountains of the Nile, Sabarim the Birth-place of the Q. of Sheba, and the Lord of all the Regions unto the Confines of Egypt. His Subjects are part Christians, part Mahumetans, his Dominions are much lessened; and his Chief Stay is St. Anthony's Order of Knighthood, to which every Gentleman must destinate a Son, if he have above two, and out of these they cull 12000 Horse for the Emperor's Guard. The Abbots of this Order, which is partly Religious partly Military, live in Amara abovementioned, where these Knights are Educated when young, and maintained when old. This Empire hath declin'd much since the last Age, both by Foreign and Intestine Wars; They had once recourse to the Portuguese for help, and thereupon offered subjection to the See of Rome, in the year 1440 sent Ambassadors thither, and admitted their way of Worship, but the Son of Basilides abolish'd it in 1632, and submitted to the Patriarch of Alexandria again. The Emperors here have been so powerful as to assist the Egyptian Christians with 100000 Negro Horsemen at a time. The Heathens alledge this Country to have been the first Peopled, because nearest the productive heat of the Sun, which they supposed to have formed Man as it does Monsters out of the Slime of the Nile. But Christians think them to be descended from Cush the Son of Cham: Some are of opinion that they were originally black, but others, as Vossius, that they made themselves so at first by Art, and afterwards it became Natural, as it was with the Macrocephali in relation to their long Heads. And some write that their Emperor is always white, has no fixt Palace, but places his Tabernacle where he pleases: He is so much reverenced, that at his bare Name the People bow their Bodies, touch the Ground with one of their Fingers, and reverence his Pavilion tho' he be not in it, and he never appears to them but with a Crown on his Head, and a Silver Crucifix in his Hand, and his Face covered with Taffata, which he lifteth up and putteth down according as he is minded to grace those he speaks with. Heylin, Hoffman, and Nubiensis.

			Aethiopia Inferior has the Red Sea on the East, the Aethiopick Ocean on the West, Aethiopia Superior on the North, and the Main Ocean on the South. The People are distinguished by their Diet in Anthropophagi and Ichthyophagi. The Country is Mountainous in the West, sandy in the midst, and Desart in the East. The great Snow which falls from the Mountains of the Moon occasions the Fens of Nilus, and here are Rhinocerots, white Elephants, and Tygers. The Lake of Zembre 50 miles round, is in this Country, and famous for giving Birth to the greatest Rivers in the World; 1. The Nile, which runs through this and the other Aethiopia, and Egypt, and ends his long Course in the Mediterranean; 2. Zaire, the greatest of Africk, which disgorgeth himself in the Western Ocean by a mouth 28 miles wide; 3. Cuama, which is Navigable 700 miles, and falls into the Indian Sea; 4. The River of the Holy Ghost which ends in the South. This Country is divided into 4 parts. In Zanguebac one of them, the People are much given to Divination and Witchcraft, Naked above the Wast, and underneath covered with Boarskins, or strip'd colour'd Suff. Such as live on the Sea have Boats sowed together with Leathern Thongs, and Caulked with Gum, using Palm-tree Leavs for Sails. In Quilea, a Province of Zanguebar, their Women are comely, and almost white; they are said to sow up the Privities of their Female Children, except so much as to void Urine, and keep them carefully at home till Married; when if the Husband find not this sign of Virginity, he turns her off with shame, and her Parents receive her with disgrace. In Mosambique, another Province, are Hens of Black Feathers, Flesh and Bones, making Broth black as Ink, but very pleasant to the taste. The people were so ignorant, that for a Shirt, a Razor and little Bell, they sold 15 Kine to the Portuguese, and then fell out about the Bell. The chief City is called also Mosambique, possessed by the Portuguese, having a good Haven and strong Castle, and is a place of such Trade, that the Governor of the Castle, who is changed every three years, lays up 300000 Ducats; for which he is to serve other three years at his own Charge in some other place in the Indies. In Sofala, a Province subject to the Portuguese, are plenty of Goldmines: As there are also in Monoemug, which the People barter for Silks and Stuffs from the Portuguese; but use Red Counters, much resembling Glass, for Money. In this Province are Canibals, who make themselves of an horrible aspect, by drawing Lines upon their Cheeks, and turning their Eye-lids backward. In Monomotapa the 2d Division, they are said to kill 5000 Elephants yearly to sell their Teeth; and have 3000 Gold Mines, which are discovered there by the barrenness of the ground. The Men are little, but Couragious; and outrun Horses. Their Women so much respected, that the Emperor will give way to any of them. They solemnize the first Flux of the Menses with a liberal Feast; because after that they may Marry. The Men may have as many Wives as they will. In Torra are Goldmines, with an impregnable fortress of hewen Stone, and prodigious bigness, without Cement, and the Walls 25 Spans thick. The Inhabitants ascribe the work to the Devil, and others to Solomon, who, as they say (but falsly) had the Gold of Ophir hence. Inhaban is Governed by a King of its own, who is subject to the Emperor of Monomotapa. The King and Queen of this place were Baptized by a Spanish Jesuite Anno 1568. but we hear nothing of the further Progress of Christianity there. This King exacts no Tribute of his Subjects, but only some days Services: He keepeth the Heirs of his Tributary Kings as Hostages of their Fathers Loyalty. He is said to have a Battalion of Amazons about the Lake Zambre. His Guards are Bands of Mercenaries, and 200 Mastives. His Subjects serve him upon the Knee, and when he Coughs or Drinks, shout so as the Town rings again. To sit in his Presence is a sign of Reverence; and to stand is the mark of greatest Honour. He kill'd the Jesuit who Baptized him; and defeated the Portuguese who would have revenged it. Caffraria, another of the Divisions, is a large Country, pleasant and fruitful, but inhabited by the rudest of People, who have no Houses, nor Cloaths, but Skins of Beasts as torn from their Carcases; their Complexion is Black, their Lips thick, Noses flat, Heads long, and Ears Monstrous, hanging beneath their Shoulders, by reason of ponderous things which they hang in them, as Glass, Bullets, Bells, &c. They reckon that slashes beautify them, and therefore cut their very Bellies. Their Voice is scarcely Articulate: Their food is raw flesh, and their greatest Ornaments the Guts of Beasts, which they hang about their Necks with the filth in them. The Imbians a People of this Country, not far from the Cape of Good Hope, are strong and addicted to War; feed on the Bodies of their dead Friends and Conquered Enemies, and drink in their Skulls: Their Weapons are Poysoned Arrows, and Poles burnt at the end. In their Wars they carry Fire before them, threatning to Boil and Roast all whom they overcome. They reckon their King Lord of the Earth, and the Portugu•se of the Sea; and this Monster is so Arrogant as to shoot his Poysoned Arrows against Heaven it self, when offended by Heat or Rain. In 1589. this People invaded Zanzibar with 80000 Men, took the City of Mombara, and eat up the Inhabitants. The Bay of Soldania in this Country, 16 Leagues N. W. of Cape Good Hope, is very large, the Country about pleasant and fruitful, abounding with Medicinal, especially Anti-scorbutick Herbs: The English, in their way to the Indies, take in fresh Water and Provisions here; and some of them having brought two of the Barbarous Inhabitants for England, that they might learn our Language, and inform us of the state of the Country; one of them died, and the other, thô treated with all Civility, could never be contented, but continually bemoaning himself, was at last sent back, and re-assuming his Ancient Barbarous Apparel, would always come gladly to any English Ships in that Bay, with Guts of Beasts hanging about his Neck, and would do them all the good Offices he could; however he informed his Countrymen what small Value we put upon Brass, Iron and Beeds, which made them enhance the value of their Gold, which formerly they would have exchanged for those things, giving a much greater weight for a lesser. The Spanish Ships having often suffered loss about the Cape of Good Hope, occasioned the expostulation of a Spanish Captain with God, why he suffered his good Catholicks to endure such torment, and the English Hereticks and Blasphemers to pass so easily. This Country is not subjected to any one Prince: And Capt. Fitzherbert is said to have first discovered it in King James's time. In Manicongo, the 4th Division, the Air in Winter is as temperate as the Autumn in Rome; so that the people neither change Garments, nor make more Fire than at another time. Their Nights and Days are near of an equal length, being situated under the Aequator; the Soil is exceeding fruitful, and they have Elephants whose Teeth are of 200 l. weight; and Serpents so big as to devour a whole Dear at once. They are for most part Heathens; and sell annually 28000 Slaves to the Portugals, who imploy them in Mines. Their King and Queen were Baptized by a Portuguese Jesuit, An. 1490. and the People received their first Bishop with extraordinary Honour, covering his way for 150 Miles with Mats, and offering him rich presents; but they soon after returned to Heathenism. Zaire, the greatest River of this Country, hath Cataracts more turbulent and terrible than those of Nile, and falls into the Sea with such violence, that the Waters retain their sweetness for 15 Miles together: Here there are Mountains abounding with Crystal, Salt, Nitre, and Silver Mines. In Angola, a Province in this Division, they have many Copper and Silver Mines; their chief Diet is Dogs which they Fat for the Shambles, and would give 20 Slaves to the Portuguese for a large Dog: They are skilful in Sorcery and Medicine, and are familiar with the Devil: They dig not their Mines for fear of War; but use Glass Beads for Money and Ornament. The Portuguese, with a handful of Men, defeated a vast Body of this People, An. 1582. and built a Fort at Angola which commanded the Country; but were outed by the Hollanders, Anno. 1640. In Bamba are Beasts called Zebra, shap'd like a Mule; but from the ridge of the Back to the Belly, streaked with Lines of White, Black, and Yellow, proportionably and pleasantly, and are extraordinary swift. The Men are so strong, that they will cut off the Head of an Ox, or a Slave in two at one blow; or carry in their Arms a Vessel of Wine of 325 l. weight, and hold it till drawn out. In Pemba they are Papists, and so well skilled in Physick, that every one is his own Doctor; they anciently wore Mats trimmed with Feathers; but now imitate the Portuguese. They have a Grain like Mustard, called Luco; which being ground with a Hand-mill makes very good Bread. In Batta the People are Warlike, and can raise 70000 Men well Armed, being obliged thereunto by a Neighbouring People called Jagges, and are Man-eaters, and strangle their own Children as soon as born, that they may not hinder their wandrings, and steal others of both Sexes from their Neighbours; but none under 20 years of Age to be a Seminary. In Sund are abundance of Martrons, Sables and Furrs, and rich Mines; but the Inhabitants preferr Iron to all the rest. In Anzichana are cruel Canibals, who not only devour their Enemies but their Kindred; and have Shambles of Mans Flesh: They are such expert Bowmen, that they can discharge 28 Arrows ere the first fall to the Ground; and are exceeding faithful to their Masters. In Loango, the Inhabitants Cloath themselves with Palmtree Leavs, from which the Inhabitants of Congo draw a Thread whereof they make Velvets, Damasks, Sattans, Taffaties, Sarcenets, &c. In Loanda, where the Portuguese have a Castle and Haven, there are no Rivers, but every where good Water to be found on half a yard digging, which is brackish at the Ebbing of the Sea, and fresh when it flows. The Cockleshells gathered here being of divers Colours, are the currant Money of the Kingdom of Congo. There are Islands in the River Zaire in which Trees grow called Licendo, some of them so big, that of their Trunks are made Boats capable of holding 200 Men: And Anchoves abound here so much, that in the Winter they leap ashoar. The K. of Congo or Pemba turn'd Christian 1486. Alphonso the 2d Christian King Warring against his younger Brother, a Pagan, whom he defeated, thô very much stronger, apprehending, that after the invoking the Name of Christ, he saw five shining Swords with their points towards the Enemy, hath since had five Swords for his Coat of Arms.

			Moreri says, that the true Prester John is a Prince of the Tartars in Tenduc in Asia; and that the Title of the Emperor of the Abyssines, is Beyve-Jan, or Belulgian, which is to say, John the Highly esteemed, or Enconne, which is Precious and Great. He adds, that within this 160 years, the Turks, and principally the Galans, have despoiled him of some of his principal Kingdoms; and that at present they have never a Sea-port. They have Vines, and good Wine in some places; but their ordinary Drink is Cider and Mead. In some Countries they have three Harvests, and Sow just when they have done Reaping; and abound so much with Gold, Silver and Copper Mines, besides others, that it's believed the Emperor of Abyssinia has Treasure enough to purchase several Worlds; but knows not how to make use of them. The People, he says, are Dextrous, Vigorous, and Witty; but Lazy; thô of late they are grown more Active and Warlike by their Trade with the Portuguese, and War with the Turks and Galans. The Portuguese first taught them the use of Fire-Arms. They are good-natur'd, great admirers of their Prince and Clergy; and very Religious. They have a peculiar Language, which is easily pronounc'd and Learn'd; but their Worship is perform'd in Chaldaick which is their Learned Tongue. They alledge that Solomon accompanied their Queen with 12000 Men to her Frontiers; and when she brought forth her Son to him whom they call Menilehec, or the Son of the Wiseman, she sent him to be educated in the Jewish Religion; and Solomon returned him when of Age, enriched with Presents, and attended by Zadock and many Rabbies; and of this Line are the Princes and Nobility of Aethiopia, but these things are esteemed Fabulous; Whilst they were Heathens they Worshipped the Rising, and Cursed the Setting Sun; and their Priests could at any time perswade them (their Kings not excepted) to kill themselves, by telling them that Jupiter would not have them to live any longer.

			Ludolphus in his History of Aethiopia says, That the Inhabitants call themselves Hjopiawjan, and the particular Country Ag-azian, or the Land of Freemen. He adds, That their Thunders and Lightnings are dreadful; and their Rain falls down in such Torrents, that it carries away Stones and Trees before it: That their Spring begins on the 25th of September, their Summer on the 25th of December; and their Winter on the 25th of June: That their Days and Nights are almost equal in length; and that they have no twilight. That the Country is generally full of Mountains, much higher than the Alps or Pyrenées, but level, spacious, well inhabited, and fruitful on the top; yet of such difficult ascent, that they use Cranes and Ladders to get up to them. Their Cattel are very large; their Horses and Camels Couragious and Stout. The People are generally proper, comely, and well-shaped, thô Black or Swarthy; their Cavalry is good; they sight with Swords, Darts or Javelins, and use Targets. They have few Books but the Scriptures, a Chronicle and Treaty of Philosophy. Neither have they any good Artificers. To pass by their Ancient Kings, of whom there's very little recorded. Zara Jacob who sent Ambassadors to the Council of Florence, was one of the most remarkable, being in Battel against the Galans, and perceiving his Troops ready to fly, he lighted from his Horse, and called out aloud, Here will I die, and you may fly if you please, to avoid the fury of the Gallans; but can never fly the ignominy of deserting your Prince: Which inspired them with fresh Courage, so that they obtain'd a Signal Victory. Their Kings sit at Table alone; their Messes not being very neat nor costly, are serv'd in black Clay Dishes, covered with Straw Caps finely woven. They use neither Knives, Forks, Spoons, nor Napkins; and thinking it below them to feed themselves, have Youths on purpose to put the Meat into their Mouths. They have no Towns, but live in Tents, which are always so numerous and orderly where the King is, that they resemble a great City; And they have also their Officers to prevent Disorders; and all things are so well managed, that they can remove speedily on all occasions without Confusion.

			The Emperor of Aethiopia sending two Ambassadors to Aureng Zeeb, the great Mogul, one of them was a Mahometan Merchant, the other an Armenian, he gave them 32 Slaves of both Sexes to be sold at Moka, to bear the Charge of the Ambassy; and 25 Choice Slaves for a present to the Mogul, 10 of which were young and sit to make Eunuchs of. A Slave is usually sold for 30 Crowns, to which he added 12 Horses, which are esteemed as much as those of Arabia.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

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1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

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	IV. His Revenues are not in Ready Mony, but consist of the natural Products of his Country, by an even way of Tribute: some pay Gold; others Horses, Cows, Oxen, Sheep, Bread, Corn, Ox-hides, and Garments, &c.</blockquote>		IV. His Revenues are not in Ready Mony, but consist of the natural Products of his Country, by an even way of Tribute: some pay Gold; others Horses, Cows, Oxen, Sheep, Bread, Corn, Ox-hides, and Garments, &c.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
			<blockquote><nowiki>*</nowiki> Abissinia, more commonly called the Empire of Preti Jani, the Great and Higher Aethiopia. It contains in it the Kingdoms of Goiame, Vangue, Yaire, Damut, Cafate, Begamidri, Xoa, Fatigar, Angote, Baru, Baliganse, Adea, (now Revolted) Amaza, Ambea, Vaguc, Tigremahon, Sabahim, and Burganusso. It extended anciently as far as Bugie on the Red Sea, and for a long time to Suaquem upon the same 222 Leagues, but then the Moors possessed all the Sea Coast but Ercoco or Arkiko, which is now in the hands of the Turks. This vast Empire is bounded on the North by Nubia and the Desarts of Suaquem, on the East by the Kingdom of Dangali, and Adel, on the South by the Kingdoms of Merinde, and the River Raptus, now Hawasti, and the Nile, and on the West by the River Maleg, and the Nile, and a Range of craggy Mountains, which separate it from the wandering Aethiopians. The Prince of this Vast Country, and all his Subjects, are Christians, the Country being Watered with many great Lakes, and vast Rivers, is very fruitful as to Barly, Rice, and Pulse, but it has not much Wheat, nor wants it Sugar, Honey, Cotten, Wooll, Oranges, Lemons, Cedars, &c. but they have little or no Wine, they have wild Beasts and tame in great plenty, but their Horses are small; They have Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and Copper, but they know neither how to Dig or Refine them. Hornius in the Introduction to the Ancient Geography, saith, it is certain this Nation is a Colony of the Arabians, where Ptolemy placeth the Abaseni in Arabia Foelix, from whence they crossed the Sea in very ancient times into Africa, which appears by their Language and Histories, and the time may almost be assigned. See more in Aethiopia Superior.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

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1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

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	Twenty four small Kingdoms have been commonly accounted in Abissinia; that of Amara, has a Fortress upon a Mountain, called Amba Guexem, where formerly were kept the Princes of the Royal Blood. Goyama, is almost environed with the Nile: Which has given some occasion to say, that it is the Island Meroe. There is in that of Tigermahon, the City of Caxumo, or Aceum, which is said to have been the Residence of the Queen of Sheba; several of the Abissin Kings, have held their Coronation in that Town. Dambea has the famous Lake, Bar-Dambea, and's not very far off the City of Gorgora, one of the last Residences of the Kings. The Coast of Abex upon the Red Sea, is full of Woods. The tongue of the ancient Troglodites, who inhabited it, had this peculiarity, that it resembled whistling. Some have endeavoured to persuade the World, that the King of the Abissins might very much incommode the Grand Seignior, if he diverted the Waters of the Nile into the Red Sea, and so render Aegypt dry: This proposition has rendred them ridiculous, because there are Mountains, that must of necessity be cut through, for the bringing this about, and that these Mountains, which have the Sources of several great Rivers, make Aethiopia one of the highest Countreys of all Africa. Albuquerque Vice-Roy of the East-Indies, for the King of Portugal, seems to have had the same design, but he did not pursue the putting it into execution. He it was, who would have caused the Body of Mahomet to be stollen away, and have pillaged Mocha with three hundred Horse, which he had sent from Ormus, upon Ships made on purpose for this Design.</blockquote>		Twenty four small Kingdoms have been commonly accounted in Abissinia; that of Amara, has a Fortress upon a Mountain, called Amba Guexem, where formerly were kept the Princes of the Royal Blood. Goyama, is almost environed with the Nile: Which has given some occasion to say, that it is the Island Meroe. There is in that of Tigermahon, the City of Caxumo, or Aceum, which is said to have been the Residence of the Queen of Sheba; several of the Abissin Kings, have held their Coronation in that Town. Dambea has the famous Lake, Bar-Dambea, and's not very far off the City of Gorgora, one of the last Residences of the Kings. The Coast of Abex upon the Red Sea, is full of Woods. The tongue of the ancient Troglodites, who inhabited it, had this peculiarity, that it resembled whistling. Some have endeavoured to persuade the World, that the King of the Abissins might very much incommode the Grand Seignior, if he diverted the Waters of the Nile into the Red Sea, and so render Aegypt dry: This proposition has rendred them ridiculous, because there are Mountains, that must of necessity be cut through, for the bringing this about, and that these Mountains, which have the Sources of several great Rivers, make Aethiopia one of the highest Countreys of all Africa. Albuquerque Vice-Roy of the East-Indies, for the King of Portugal, seems to have had the same design, but he did not pursue the putting it into execution. He it was, who would have caused the Body of Mahomet to be stollen away, and have pillaged Mocha with three hundred Horse, which he had sent from Ormus, upon Ships made on purpose for this Design.</blockquote>

			=== 1694. The present state of the universe by John Beaumont. ===
			<blockquote>HABESSINIA. (Book Abyssinia)

			I. THE Emperors of the Habissins, and Kings of Upper Aethiopia, pretend to be descended from Solomon and Magueda, (or Nizaule, as Josephus names her) the Queen of the South, or of Sheba. The name of the present Emperor is Malec Saghedus. The genuine style of an E∣pistle written by him to the Pope, was thus, Libellus Epistolae à Malec Saghedo, Rege Regum Aethiopiae, perveniat ad Sanctum Pa∣triarcham Romanum.

			II. The Arms of this King are usually said to be the same with those of the Tribe of Judah, viz. a Lion Rampant, in a Field Or, with this Motto, Vicit Leo de Tribu Judah▪ But others say his Arms to be, Luna, a cross Portate Mars, charged with a Cruci∣fix, Sol, betwixt two Scourges of the Second. He professes the Christian Religion, but is a Schismatick, and owns the Patriarch of Alexandria. He uses the Aethiopick Language, which is a Dia∣lect of the Hebrew, but the Dialect there used by the Persons of Quality, and the Learned, is the Amarick.

			III. He has scarce any considerable Town, People living there most in Tents.

			IV. His Revenues are not in Ready Mony, but consist of the natural Products of his Country, by an even way of Tribute: some pay Gold; others Horses, Cows, Oxen, Sheep, Bread, Corn, Ox-hides, and Garments, &c.</blockquote>

	=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===		=== 1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child. ===

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	THE Kingdome of the Abissines is called Aethiopia, which Ptolemy placeth beneath [[Egypt\|Aegypt]]. The Moores doe call the Prince thereof Asiela Bassi, and in the Aethiopian language he is called Iohn Belul, that is, High and Precious, not Presbyter, as some are of opinion. Hee glorieth that he is descended from the stocke of David, and this is his Title. N. N. The supreme Governour of my Kingdomes, the onely beloved of God, the Pillar of Faith, descended of the stock of Judah, the Sonne of David, the Sonne of Salomon, the Sonne of the Pillar of Sion, the Sonne of the seed of Jacob, the Sonne of Mary, the Sonne of Nahu according to the flesh, the Sonne of the Saints Peter and Paul, according to Grace, the Emperour of the higher and lower Aethiopia, and of my large Kingdomes, Iurisdictions, and Territories; King of Noa, Caffares, Fatiger, Angola, Baru, Balignaca, Adea, Vangua, and Goyama, where there are the Spring-heads of Nilus, &c. Hee is without doubt one of the greatest Monarchs of the world, whose Territories doe lye betweene the two Tropickes, even from the red Sea to the Aethiopian Ocean. And that we may describe the bounds of his Empire more accurately: on the North it hath Aegypt which is subject to the Turkes: on the East the red Sea, and the Bay of Barbery: on the South it is encompassed with the Mountaines of the Moone, on the West it is bounderd with the [[Congo\|Kingdome of Congus]], the River Niger, [[Nubia\|the Kingdome of Nubia]], and the River Nilus. In which bounds are contained ancient Aethiopia, below Aegypt. Troglodite, and the Cinnamon-bearing Country, and part of the innermost Libya. The Country in general (as appeareth by those who have taken a late view of it) is most fruitfull. There is a double Summer, which almost lasteth all the yeere, so that in some Fields they are sowing, and in others they are mowing at one and the same time. And in some parts Corne, and Pulse is sowed every moneth. This Country hath but little Wheate, but plenty of Barley, Millet, Vetches, Beanes, and other Pulse. It hath abundance of Ebon wood and Indian Pepper, Cinamon, and Ginger. It hath also great store of Sugar Canes, but they know not how to boyle and refine the Sugar. Here are many Vines, but they use no Wine except it be in the Kings or the great Patriarks Court. It hath also great store of Oranges and Lemmons, and also great store of Honey. For Bees doe breed even in their houses. So that they make such store of Waxe, as serveth all the Country to make Candles, without Tallow or Suet. This Country hath also Hempe and Flaxe, but the Inhabitants have not the Art to make Linnen cloth of it, and therefore they make their cloth of Cotton wooll, of which there is great store here. They have Mettals, as Gold, Silver, and Brasse: but they have not the art to refine it. Moreover, this Country hath all kindes of Beasts and Birds, as Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Rhinocerites, Apes, and Harts, (which is against the opinion of the ancients, who deny that Affrick hath any Harts) also Oxen, Sheepe Goates, Asses, Cammels, Horses, and they are oftentimes much troubled with Locusts. This Country was heretofore governd onely by Queenes. So that wee read in the Old Testament that the Queene of Sheba of the South, came to King Salomon to heare his admirable wisedome, about the yeere of the world 2954. This Queenes name was Maqueda. The Aethiopian Kings doe beleeve that they are descended of the Stock of David, and the Family of Salomon. And therefore they are wont to stile themselves the Sonnes of David and Salomon, and of the holy Patriarcks, because they are come of their Seed. For they doe faine that the aforesaid Queene Maqueda had a Sonne by Salomon, whom they called Meilech. And afterward he was called David. He according to their fiction, when he had attained to 20. yeeres of age, was sent by his Mother to his Father Salomon, that he might instruct him in all profitable and wholesome learning and wisdome. Which as soone as Meilech or David had attained unto, he chose many Priests and Earles out of every one of the 12. Tribes, and so returning back to the Kingdome of Aethiope, he tooke upon him the government thereof. And hee brought in with him the old Law and Circumcision. These were the first beginnings of the Jewes Religion in Aethiopia, and they say that untill this day there are none admitted to any Office in Court, or Canonicall place, unlesse he be descended from the Jewes. And by them the knowledge of God was propagated in Aethiopia, and tooke roote, and so was derived and spred abroad by succeeding ages. For the Aethiopians had the Bookes of the Prophets, and went to Hierusalem to adore and worship the true God of Israel. Which may bee understood by the story of Queene Iudiths Eunuch, who is properly called Iudith. For hee 10. yeeres after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, came 240. miles journey to Ierusalem. And when he had there worshipped God, and was returning home sitting in his Chariot, he read the Prophet Esaiah. And so Philip one of Christs Disciples by Gods command was sent unto him. And when they came both to the Citty Bethzur, three Miles from Ierusalem: there the Eunuch spyed a Spring or Well at the foote of the Mountaine, with the water whereof he was baptized by Philip. But as soone as the Eunuch returned into Aethiopia, he baptized the Queene, and a great part of her houshold and people. From which time the Aethiopians began to be Christians, and alwaies afterward profest the Christian Faith. There are few Citties in all this Empire, so that they dwell in Villages. The chiefe Kingdomes belonging to the higher Aethiopia, which are for the most part subject to Prester Iohn, are these following. The Kingdome of Barnagues, which is enclosed with the River Abanthus, and the red Sea: the chiefe Citty is Beroae or Barnae, which Ptolemy calls Colone: here the Viceroy liveth, who payeth yeerely to the King of the Abissines an 150. Horses for a trib•te, with silke and other commodities, and 1000. Ounces of Gold to the Turkes Bashaw. Tigremaon which is next unto the River Marabus, and the red Sea, doth pay yeerely to the King 200. Horses, which are brought out of Arabia. Unto this Kingdome the Kingdome of Tigrai is subject, in which there is the Citty Caxumo or Cassume, which was heretofore the Seate (as appeareth by their Annalls) of the Queene of Sheba; and afterward of Queene Candaces. The Kingdome of Angote hath no money, and therefore they use in stead thereof pieces of Salt and Iron. Amara is so called from the Mountaine in which the Emperours Sonnes are kept with a strong Garrison, that after the Emperours decease the Heire may be brought out. There are two memorable Rivers in this Kingdome which doe glide thorow Aethiopia; Abanhi, which Ptolemy calls Astapus, and Tacassi which Ptolemy calls Astraboras, into which many other Rivers doe runne. The Fountaine of Abanhi is the great Lake of Barcena, lying under the Aequinoctiall, in which there are many Ilands. This Lake Ptolemy calls Coloe Palus, or the Lake Coloe. The Inhabitants doe professe the Christian Religion, and the chiefe Articles of their Faith are these. They beleeve in one God Creator of Heaven and Earth, distinguisht into three Persons. God the Sonne begotten of the Father from all Aeternity: who for our sakes tooke flesh upon him, was dead, and rose againe; and God the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne. This is the summe of their Religion. They doe joyne the Old Testament with •he New, so that they follow some Judaicall, and some Christian Rites and Ceremonies. On the eight day they circumcise all their Infants both Male and Female. But they thinke that Circumcision availeth nothing to salvation, but onely Faith in Christ Jesus. But they baptize their Male children on the 40. day, and their Females on the 80. day, unlesse the weakenesse of the childe doe require haste. They every yeere baptize them anew, both those that are come to ripenesse of yeeres, and also Infants, saying these words. Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, Filij, & Spiritus Sancti. That is, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. And they doe religiously keepe this custome from their Ancestors, not to extenuate or weaken the first baptisme, but that they may have absolution from their sinnes every yeere. They receive the Lords Supper sub utraque specie, or in both kindes, both the Lay-people and the Clergie. They doe not esteeme or use Confirmation and extreme Unction as a Sacrament. They keepe the Sabbath and the Lords day without doing any worke according to the ancient manner of the Christians. They hold that the chiefe use of the Law is to shew us our sinnes, and they beleeve that wee can bee saved by no other but Jesus Christ, who fulfilled and satisfied the Law for us. They love and reverence Saints, but make no Invocation unto them. They doe much honour Mary the Mother of Christ, but yet they doe not worship her, nor implore her helpe. The Clergie and the Priests are permitted to many as well as the Lay-people. And they punish all kinde of Lust and Fornication. They have a Patriarke who is President of all their Churches, who is a man of approoved honesty, grave, well learned, and ancient in yeeres, whose Office it is to keepe the Clergie in concord and union, to defend the Ecclesiastick Discipline, and to excommunicate rebellious persons. The Election and choosing of Bishops and other Ecclesiasticall persons belongeth onely to the King.</blockquote>		THE Kingdome of the Abissines is called Aethiopia, which Ptolemy placeth beneath [[Egypt\|Aegypt]]. The Moores doe call the Prince thereof Asiela Bassi, and in the Aethiopian language he is called Iohn Belul, that is, High and Precious, not Presbyter, as some are of opinion. Hee glorieth that he is descended from the stocke of David, and this is his Title. N. N. The supreme Governour of my Kingdomes, the onely beloved of God, the Pillar of Faith, descended of the stock of Judah, the Sonne of David, the Sonne of Salomon, the Sonne of the Pillar of Sion, the Sonne of the seed of Jacob, the Sonne of Mary, the Sonne of Nahu according to the flesh, the Sonne of the Saints Peter and Paul, according to Grace, the Emperour of the higher and lower Aethiopia, and of my large Kingdomes, Iurisdictions, and Territories; King of Noa, Caffares, Fatiger, Angola, Baru, Balignaca, Adea, Vangua, and Goyama, where there are the Spring-heads of Nilus, &c. Hee is without doubt one of the greatest Monarchs of the world, whose Territories doe lye betweene the two Tropickes, even from the red Sea to the Aethiopian Ocean. And that we may describe the bounds of his Empire more accurately: on the North it hath Aegypt which is subject to the Turkes: on the East the red Sea, and the Bay of Barbery: on the South it is encompassed with the Mountaines of the Moone, on the West it is bounderd with the [[Congo\|Kingdome of Congus]], the River Niger, [[Nubia\|the Kingdome of Nubia]], and the River Nilus. In which bounds are contained ancient Aethiopia, below Aegypt. Troglodite, and the Cinnamon-bearing Country, and part of the innermost Libya. The Country in general (as appeareth by those who have taken a late view of it) is most fruitfull. There is a double Summer, which almost lasteth all the yeere, so that in some Fields they are sowing, and in others they are mowing at one and the same time. And in some parts Corne, and Pulse is sowed every moneth. This Country hath but little Wheate, but plenty of Barley, Millet, Vetches, Beanes, and other Pulse. It hath abundance of Ebon wood and Indian Pepper, Cinamon, and Ginger. It hath also great store of Sugar Canes, but they know not how to boyle and refine the Sugar. Here are many Vines, but they use no Wine except it be in the Kings or the great Patriarks Court. It hath also great store of Oranges and Lemmons, and also great store of Honey. For Bees doe breed even in their houses. So that they make such store of Waxe, as serveth all the Country to make Candles, without Tallow or Suet. This Country hath also Hempe and Flaxe, but the Inhabitants have not the Art to make Linnen cloth of it, and therefore they make their cloth of Cotton wooll, of which there is great store here. They have Mettals, as Gold, Silver, and Brasse: but they have not the art to refine it. Moreover, this Country hath all kindes of Beasts and Birds, as Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Rhinocerites, Apes, and Harts, (which is against the opinion of the ancients, who deny that Affrick hath any Harts) also Oxen, Sheepe Goates, Asses, Cammels, Horses, and they are oftentimes much troubled with Locusts. This Country was heretofore governd onely by Queenes. So that wee read in the Old Testament that the Queene of Sheba of the South, came to King Salomon to heare his admirable wisedome, about the yeere of the world 2954. This Queenes name was Maqueda. The Aethiopian Kings doe beleeve that they are descended of the Stock of David, and the Family of Salomon. And therefore they are wont to stile themselves the Sonnes of David and Salomon, and of the holy Patriarcks, because they are come of their Seed. For they doe faine that the aforesaid Queene Maqueda had a Sonne by Salomon, whom they called Meilech. And afterward he was called David. He according to their fiction, when he had attained to 20. yeeres of age, was sent by his Mother to his Father Salomon, that he might instruct him in all profitable and wholesome learning and wisdome. Which as soone as Meilech or David had attained unto, he chose many Priests and Earles out of every one of the 12. Tribes, and so returning back to the Kingdome of Aethiope, he tooke upon him the government thereof. And hee brought in with him the old Law and Circumcision. These were the first beginnings of the Jewes Religion in Aethiopia, and they say that untill this day there are none admitted to any Office in Court, or Canonicall place, unlesse he be descended from the Jewes. And by them the knowledge of God was propagated in Aethiopia, and tooke roote, and so was derived and spred abroad by succeeding ages. For the Aethiopians had the Bookes of the Prophets, and went to Hierusalem to adore and worship the true God of Israel. Which may bee understood by the story of Queene Iudiths Eunuch, who is properly called Iudith. For hee 10. yeeres after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, came 240. miles journey to Ierusalem. And when he had there worshipped God, and was returning home sitting in his Chariot, he read the Prophet Esaiah. And so Philip one of Christs Disciples by Gods command was sent unto him. And when they came both to the Citty Bethzur, three Miles from Ierusalem: there the Eunuch spyed a Spring or Well at the foote of the Mountaine, with the water whereof he was baptized by Philip. But as soone as the Eunuch returned into Aethiopia, he baptized the Queene, and a great part of her houshold and people. From which time the Aethiopians began to be Christians, and alwaies afterward profest the Christian Faith. There are few Citties in all this Empire, so that they dwell in Villages. The chiefe Kingdomes belonging to the higher Aethiopia, which are for the most part subject to Prester Iohn, are these following. The Kingdome of Barnagues, which is enclosed with the River Abanthus, and the red Sea: the chiefe Citty is Beroae or Barnae, which Ptolemy calls Colone: here the Viceroy liveth, who payeth yeerely to the King of the Abissines an 150. Horses for a trib•te, with silke and other commodities, and 1000. Ounces of Gold to the Turkes Bashaw. Tigremaon which is next unto the River Marabus, and the red Sea, doth pay yeerely to the King 200. Horses, which are brought out of Arabia. Unto this Kingdome the Kingdome of Tigrai is subject, in which there is the Citty Caxumo or Cassume, which was heretofore the Seate (as appeareth by their Annalls) of the Queene of Sheba; and afterward of Queene Candaces. The Kingdome of Angote hath no money, and therefore they use in stead thereof pieces of Salt and Iron. Amara is so called from the Mountaine in which the Emperours Sonnes are kept with a strong Garrison, that after the Emperours decease the Heire may be brought out. There are two memorable Rivers in this Kingdome which doe glide thorow Aethiopia; Abanhi, which Ptolemy calls Astapus, and Tacassi which Ptolemy calls Astraboras, into which many other Rivers doe runne. The Fountaine of Abanhi is the great Lake of Barcena, lying under the Aequinoctiall, in which there are many Ilands. This Lake Ptolemy calls Coloe Palus, or the Lake Coloe. The Inhabitants doe professe the Christian Religion, and the chiefe Articles of their Faith are these. They beleeve in one God Creator of Heaven and Earth, distinguisht into three Persons. God the Sonne begotten of the Father from all Aeternity: who for our sakes tooke flesh upon him, was dead, and rose againe; and God the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne. This is the summe of their Religion. They doe joyne the Old Testament with •he New, so that they follow some Judaicall, and some Christian Rites and Ceremonies. On the eight day they circumcise all their Infants both Male and Female. But they thinke that Circumcision availeth nothing to salvation, but onely Faith in Christ Jesus. But they baptize their Male children on the 40. day, and their Females on the 80. day, unlesse the weakenesse of the childe doe require haste. They every yeere baptize them anew, both those that are come to ripenesse of yeeres, and also Infants, saying these words. Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, Filij, & Spiritus Sancti. That is, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. And they doe religiously keepe this custome from their Ancestors, not to extenuate or weaken the first baptisme, but that they may have absolution from their sinnes every yeere. They receive the Lords Supper sub utraque specie, or in both kindes, both the Lay-people and the Clergie. They doe not esteeme or use Confirmation and extreme Unction as a Sacrament. They keepe the Sabbath and the Lords day without doing any worke according to the ancient manner of the Christians. They hold that the chiefe use of the Law is to shew us our sinnes, and they beleeve that wee can bee saved by no other but Jesus Christ, who fulfilled and satisfied the Law for us. They love and reverence Saints, but make no Invocation unto them. They doe much honour Mary the Mother of Christ, but yet they doe not worship her, nor implore her helpe. The Clergie and the Priests are permitted to many as well as the Lay-people. And they punish all kinde of Lust and Fornication. They have a Patriarke who is President of all their Churches, who is a man of approoved honesty, grave, well learned, and ancient in yeeres, whose Office it is to keepe the Clergie in concord and union, to defend the Ecclesiastick Discipline, and to excommunicate rebellious persons. The Election and choosing of Bishops and other Ecclesiasticall persons belongeth onely to the King.</blockquote>

			=== 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. ===
			<blockquote>Ethiopia superior and inferiour and the Provinces therof.

			Ethiopia the superiour is knowne to us by the name of Abasine, and comprehendeth many large Provinces and Kingdomes, and containes the Springs of three famous rivers, Abas, Totiasis and Nilus arising out of the lake Zembre, being for the most part Christians, and commanded by that so much renowned Emperour Prester Iohn, affording for commodities to the neighbour regions, rice, barley, pease, sugars, minerals of all sorts, goates, sheepe, and oxen, but because these Townes of these Provinces are for the most part in land, they afford no great matter of trade, and as little knowne to our nation, I willingly omit them.

			</blockquote><blockquote>Of Ethiopia inferior, and the Provinces thereof.
			Ethiopia inferior, hath the red Sea on the East, the Ethiopian Ocean on the West, the land of Negro's on the North, and the southerne Ocean on the South, commonly divided into these parts, Aian, Zanbar, [[Monomotapa]], [[Cafreria\|Caffaria]], Monicongo.

			In Aian, are upon the Sea coasts these three Cities much frequented by Merchanrs, Arar, Zeila, Borbera, the second of which was sacked by the Portugals in Anno 1516, and is found to abound with flesh, honey, waxe, corne, gold, Ivory and cattell; especially sheepe in plenty.

			Zanibar containes 15 Townes that gives names to 15 severall Kingdomes, the chiefe for trade is Quiloa where the Portugals have Forts built and fortified Anno 1509. Mosambique also forti•… 〈◊〉 them, Soffola which for the aboundance of yvorie and gold is conceived to be the land of Ophir to which Solomon sent by his three yeares Voyage.

			Monomotapa containes also sundry Provinces invironed almost round with waters, and abounding with mines of gold, accounted to containe above 2000, the principall being three, Monica, Boro and Quitiana; which yeelds not any commoditie else save …lephants teeth, to procure which, it is supposed 5000 are yearely •…aine in these Kingdomes.

			Caffaria hath nothing famous in it, save that famous and no•…d headland Cape bona speranza, discovered by the Portugals in Anno 1497.

			Manicongo was discovered by the Portugals 1486, and by them •…hen converted to the popish Religion, which the Inhabitants soone •…orsooke, as peradventure seeing that that Religion was made the •…loake of their conquest, yeelding yearely 30000 slaves in sale to the Portugals, which they carry to Brasile to worke in their silver Mines; of the trade of the principall of these it is fit I should in this place more particularly handle.</blockquote>

	=== 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome ===		=== 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome ===

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	The Country is healthful and pleasant, seated only on the Coast, the Mono-Motapa confining it within Land: A part of its now Inhabitants are not the Natives, but descended from that Coast which belonged to the Mono-Motapa. The Natives (as I said before) are Black, and Idolaters or Cafres, the others very swarthy, and for the most part Mahometans. They have a great Trade on this Coast for their Gold, two or three Millions being yearly brought hence, and that for Toys and things of a very small value, which are carried them from divers parts of Asia and Europe, and some parts of Africa.</blockquote>		The Country is healthful and pleasant, seated only on the Coast, the Mono-Motapa confining it within Land: A part of its now Inhabitants are not the Natives, but descended from that Coast which belonged to the Mono-Motapa. The Natives (as I said before) are Black, and Idolaters or Cafres, the others very swarthy, and for the most part Mahometans. They have a great Trade on this Coast for their Gold, two or three Millions being yearly brought hence, and that for Toys and things of a very small value, which are carried them from divers parts of Asia and Europe, and some parts of Africa.</blockquote>

			=== 1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval. ===
			<blockquote>Abissinia, or, Aethiopia.

			THis Countrey is otherwise call'd Abech, Abassia, Abassinia; the Empire of the Negus, the Kingdom of Prester John, the Middle-Indies, the Southern-Indies, the High, or Great Aethiopia. Those of the Countrey, give their King the Name of Belulgian, by reason of the Ring, which the Queen of Sheba received from Salomon, and which, since that time, has been Hereditary in that Royal Family. Those who call him Prester-John, do it upon this foundation, that he sometimes carries a Cross in his hand. The Popish Missionaries boast that some of the late Kings have been Catholicks: But since the Jesuits, who had been powerfully establisht in that Countrey, have been Banish'd thence; the Papists complain of the Persecution, their followers have suffered in those parts. The Abissins have a great number of Churches, where Divine Service is performed much after the same manner it is here. This Land is temperate, unless in the Valleys, where it is very hot, and upon some Mountains, where it is cold. The Aethiopians, are the most ancient People in the World, and boast of having never been driven from their Countrey. They are dexterous, active, blith, and perform better than other people in great Employments: The Mahometans are used to Spirit away the Abissin Children, and go sell them to Indian Princes. They are so-so Souldiers for Africans; but they have not the Art of Building, nor of Grinding their Corn; and they often eat Cows flesh all raw, with Salt and Pepper, which they look upon as a peculiar Delicacy. They have Civet-Cats, and make use of Cloth, Stones, Salt; and little pieces of Iron, instead of money; for which purpose, they also use Gold, which they give by weight. They do not work in their Mines of Gold, and Silver of Narea, which has given occasion to say of their Prince, That he might, with his Treasures, purchase whole Worlds. The King of Abissinia, to whom is also given the title of Emperour, is Absolute in all the Territories of his Dominions; And this it is that makes his principal Revenue; He commonly keeps his Court in the open Field, sometimes in one place, sometimes an other: He has few Cities, but a great number of Villages. Several places upon the Frontier of the Galles, have been fortified, for the security of the Inhabitants, against the incursions of those people, the capital Enemies of the Abissins. The Turks hold the City of Suaquem, upon the Red Sea, whither the Vice-Roy of Barnagasse has commonly sent a Tribute of a thousand Ounces of Gold. There are several Relations of Aethiopia, and for the most part fabulous: But the Jesuits pretend, that the late ones, they have published, to be the most certain.

			According to the Account of an Abissin Ambassadour, sent to the Grand Seignior in the Year 1657, Gonthar was the abode of the Emperour. Four Kings were tributary to him: The King of Sennar, which is a hot Country, paid him his Tribute in Horses; the King of Narea, paid it him in Gold; The Kings of Bugia, and Doncala, payed it him in Linnen and Cloth. These Dominions are not of so great an extent, nor of the same scituation, they have hitherto been shown us. The Galles on one side, have subdued several great Provinces in the Southern part, and the Moores have rendred themselves Masters of several places all along upon the Red Sea, upon the Coast of Abex. According to the late Relations, the Sources of the Nile, are placed in the Province of the Agaux, at twelve Degrees of Northern Latitude, which shows in the Cart, the difference of above thirty of those Degrees. That famous River goes first of all towards the North, and then towards the East, across the Lake of Bardambea: from thence towards the South, and towards the West, so to return to take its Course pretty near its Sources towards the North, and to continue it thro' Aegypt.

			Twenty four small Kingdoms have been commonly accounted in Abissinia; that of Amara, has a Fortress upon a Mountain, called Amba Guexem, where formerly were kept the Princes of the Royal Blood. Goyama, is almost environed with the Nile: Which has given some occasion to say, that it is the Island Meroe. There is in that of Tigermahon, the City of Caxumo, or Aceum, which is said to have been the Residence of the Queen of Sheba; several of the Abissin Kings, have held their Coronation in that Town. Dambea has the famous Lake, Bar-Dambea, and's not very far off the City of Gorgora, one of the last Residences of the Kings. The Coast of Abex upon the Red Sea, is full of Woods. The tongue of the ancient Troglodites, who inhabited it, had this peculiarity, that it resembled whistling. Some have endeavoured to persuade the World, that the King of the Abissins might very much incommode the Grand Seignior, if he diverted the Waters of the Nile into the Red Sea, and so render Aegypt dry: This proposition has rendred them ridiculous, because there are Mountains, that must of necessity be cut through, for the bringing this about, and that these Mountains, which have the Sources of several great Rivers, make Aethiopia one of the highest Countreys of all Africa. Albuquerque Vice-Roy of the East-Indies, for the King of Portugal, seems to have had the same design, but he did not pursue the putting it into execution. He it was, who would have caused the Body of Mahomet to be stollen away, and have pillaged Mocha with three hundred Horse, which he had sent from Ormus, upon Ships made on purpose for this Design.</blockquote>

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THE KINGDOMES OF THE ABISSINES AND CONGƲS. (Book Abissines) THE Kingdome of the Abissines is called Aethiopia, which Ptolemy placeth beneath Aegypt. The Moores doe call the Prince thereof As..."

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Created page with " ==Etymology== ==History== ==Geography== ==Demographics== ==Economy== ==Culture== ==Government== ==Military== ==Education== ==Transportation== ==Notable People== ==Sources from old books:== === 1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator. === <blockquote>THE KINGDOMES OF THE ABISSINES AND CONGƲS. (Book Abissines) THE Kingdome of the Abissines is called Aethiopia, which Ptolemy placeth beneath Aegypt. The Moores doe call the Prince thereof As..."

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==Etymology==
==History==
==Geography==
==Demographics==
==Economy==
==Culture==
==Government==
==Military==
==Education==
==Transportation==
==Notable People==
==Sources from old books:==

=== 1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator. ===
<blockquote>THE KINGDOMES OF THE ABISSINES AND CONGƲS. (Book Abissines)

THE Kingdome of the Abissines is called Aethiopia, which Ptolemy placeth beneath Aegypt. The Moores doe call the Prince thereof Asiela Bassi,* 1.1 and in the Aethiopian language he is called Iohn Belul, that is, High and Precious, not Presbyter, as some are of opinion. Hee glorieth that he is descended from the stocke of David, and this is his Title. N. N. The supreme Governour of my Kingdomes, the onely beloved of God, the Pillar of Faith, descended of the stock of Judah, the Sonne of David, the Sonne of Salomon, the Sonne of the Pillar of Sion, the Sonne of the seed of Jacob, the Sonne of Mary, the Sonne of Nahu according to the flesh, the Sonne of the Saints Peter and Paul, according to Grace, the Emperour of the higher and lower Aethiopia, and of my large Kingdomes, Iurisdictions, and Territories; King of Noa, Caffares, Fatiger, Angola, Baru, Balignaca, Adea, Vangua, and Goyama, where there are the Spring-heads of Nilus, &c. Hee is without doubt one of the greatest Monarchs of the world, whose Territories doe lye betweene the two Tropickes, even from the red Sea to the Aethiopian Ocean. And that we may describe the bounds of his Empire more accurately: on the North it hath Aegypt which is subject to the Turkes: on the East the red Sea, and the Bay of Barbery: on the South it is encompassed with the Mountaines of the Moone, on the West it is bounderd with the Kingdome of Congus, the River Niger, the Kingdome of Nubia, and the River Nilus. In which bounds are contained ancient Aethiopia, below Aegypt. Troglodite, and the Cinnamon-bearing Country, and part of the innermost Libya. The Country in general (as appeareth by those who have taken a late view of it) is most fruitfull.* 1.2 There is a double Summer, which almost lasteth all the yeere, so that in some Fields they are sowing, and in others they are mowing at one and the same time. And in some parts Corne, and Pulse is sowed every moneth. This Country hath but little Wheate, but plenty of Barley, Millet, Vetches, Beanes, and other Pulse. It hath abundance of Ebon wood and Indian Pepper, Cinamon, and Ginger. It hath also great store of Sugar Canes, but they know not how to boyle and refine the Sugar. Here are many Vines, but they use no Wine except it be in the Kings or the great Patriarks Court. It hath also great store of Oranges and Lemmons, and also great store of Honey. For Bees doe breed even in their houses. So that they make such store of Waxe, as serveth all the Country to make Candles, without Tallow or Suet. This Country hath also Hempe and Flaxe, but the Inhabitants have not the Art to make Linnen cloth of it, and therefore they make their cloth of Cotton wooll, of which there is great store here. They have Mettals, as Gold, Silver, and Brasse: but they have not the art to refine it. Moreover, this Country hath all kindes of Beasts and Birds, as Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Rhinocerites, Apes, and Harts, (which is against the opinion of the ancients, who deny that Affrick hath any Harts) also Oxen, Sheepe Goates, Asses, Cammels, Horses, and they are oftentimes much troubled with Locusts. This Country was heretofore governd onely by Queenes. So that wee read in the Old Testament that the Queene of Sheba of the South, came to King Salomon to heare his admirable wisedome, about the yeere of the world 2954. This Queenes name was Maqueda. The Aethiopian Kings doe beleeve that they are descended of the Stock of David, and the Family of Salomon. And therefore they are wont to stile themselves the Sonnes of David and Salomon, and of the holy Patriarcks, because they are come of their Seed. For they doe faine that the aforesaid Queene Maqueda had a Sonne by Salomon, whom they called Meilech. And afterward he was called David. He according to their fiction, when he had attained to 20. yeeres of age, was sent by his Mother to his Father Salomon, that he might instruct him in all profitable and wholesome learning and wisdome. Which as soone as Meilech or David had attained unto, he chose many Priests and Earles out of every one of the 12. Tribes, and so returning back to the Kingdome of Aethiope, he tooke upon him the government thereof. And hee brought in with him the old Law and Circumcision. These were the first beginnings of the Jewes Religion in Aethiopia, and they say that untill this day there are none admitted to any Office in Court, or Canonicall place, unlesse he be descended from the Jewes. And by them the knowledge of God was propagated in Aethiopia, and tooke roote, and so was derived and spred abroad by succeeding ages. For the Aethiopians had the Bookes of the Prophets, and went to Hierusalem to adore and worship the true God of Israel. Which may bee understood by the story of Queene Iudiths Eunuch, who is properly called Iudith. For hee 10. yeeres after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, came 240. miles journey to Ierusalem. And when he had there worshipped God, and was returning home sitting in his Chariot, he read the Prophet Esaiah. And so Philip one of Christs Disciples by Gods command was sent unto him. And when they came both to the Citty Bethzur, three Miles from Ierusalem: there the Eunuch spyed a Spring or Well at the foote of the Mountaine, with the water whereof he was baptized by Philip. But as soone as the Eunuch returned into Aethiopia, he baptized the Queene, and a great part of her houshold and people. From which time the Aethiopians began to be Christians, and alwaies afterward profest the Christian Faith. There are few Citties in all this Empire, so that they dwell in Villages. The chiefe Kingdomes belonging to the higher Aethiopia, which are for the most part subject to Prester Iohn, are these following. The Kingdome of Barnagues, which is enclosed with the River Abanthus, and the red Sea: the chiefe Citty is Beroae or Barnae, which Ptolemy calls Colone: here the Viceroy liveth, who payeth yeerely to the King of the Abissines an 150. Horses for a trib•te, with silke and other commodities, and 1000. Ounces of Gold to the Turkes Bashaw. Tigremaon which is next unto the River Marabus, and the red Sea, doth pay yeerely to the King 200. Horses, which are brought out of Arabia. Unto this Kingdome the Kingdome of Tigrai is subject, in which there is the Citty Caxumo or Cassume, which was heretofore the Seate (as appeareth by their Annalls) of the Queene of Sheba; and afterward of Queene Candaces. The Kingdome of Angote hath no money, and therefore they use in stead thereof pieces of Salt and Iron. Amara is so called from the Mountaine in which the Emperours Sonnes are kept with a strong Garrison, that after the Emperours decease the Heire may be brought out. There are two memorable Rivers in this Kingdome which doe glide thorow Aethiopia; Abanhi, which Ptolemy calls Astapus, and Tacassi which Ptolemy calls Astraboras, into which many other Rivers doe runne. The Fountaine of Abanhi is the great Lake of Barcena, lying under the Aequinoctiall, in which there are many Ilands. This Lake Ptolemy calls Coloe Palus, or the Lake Coloe. The Inhabitants doe professe the Christian Religion, and the chiefe Articles of their Faith are these. They beleeve in one God Creator of Heaven and Earth, distinguisht into three Persons. God the Sonne begotten of the Father from all Aeternity: who for our sakes tooke flesh upon him, was dead, and rose againe; and God the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne. This is the summe of their Religion. They doe joyne the Old Testament with •he New, so that they follow some Judaicall, and some Christian Rites and Ceremonies. On the eight day they circumcise all their Infants both Male and Female. But they thinke that Circumcision availeth nothing to salvation, but onely Faith in Christ Jesus. But they baptize their Male children on the 40. day, and their Females on the 80. day, unlesse the weakenesse of the childe doe require haste. They every yeere baptize them anew, both those that are come to ripenesse of yeeres, and also Infants, saying these words. Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, Filij, & Spiritus Sancti. That is, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. And they doe religiously keepe this custome from their Ancestors, not to extenuate or weaken the first baptisme, but that they may have absolution from their sinnes every yeere. They receive the Lords Supper sub utraque specie, or in both kindes, both the Lay-people and the Clergie. They doe not esteeme or use Confirmation and extreme Unction as a Sacrament. They keepe the Sabbath and the Lords day without doing any worke according to the ancient manner of the Christians. They hold that the chiefe use of the Law is to shew us our sinnes, and they beleeve that wee can bee saved by no other but Jesus Christ, who fulfilled and satisfied the Law for us. They love and reverence Saints, but make no Invocation unto them. They doe much honour Mary the Mother of Christ, but yet they doe not worship her, nor implore her helpe. The Clergie and the Priests are permitted to many as well as the Lay-people. And they punish all kinde of Lust and Fornication. They have a Patriarke who is President of all their Churches, who is a man of approoved honesty, grave, well learned, and ancient in yeeres, whose Office it is to keepe the Clergie in concord and union, to defend the Ecclesiastick Discipline, and to excommunicate rebellious persons. The Election and choosing of Bishops and other Ecclesiasticall persons belongeth onely to the King.</blockquote>

=== 1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome ===
<blockquote>ABYSSIN, or the Empire of the ABYSSINS, is commonly called the Higher and Great AETHIOPIA; because it makes the greatest and better part of the one, and the other Aethiopia; and is the greatest and most considerable Estate of all Africa, under one name. It extends it self on this side, and beyond the Equinoctial Line; from the Mountains of the Moon, and the Springs of the Nile, even near unto Egypt; and from the Kingdoms, and Estates of Congo, and the Negroes, unto the Coasts of Zanguebar, Ajan and Habex. Its greatest length from South to North, is 800 Leagues. Its breadth from West to East, 4, 5 and sometimes 600, and in Circuit about 2500.

Some divide this great Estate into many Kingdoms and Provinces, as are set down in the Geopraphical Table of the Higher Aethiopia; we shall observe the most known.

BARNAGASSO signifies King of the Sea, because formerly all this Kingdom or Government held all the Coast of the Red Sea, from Egypt unto the Kingdom of Dancala; which is 250 Leagues; At present the Turks hold this Coast, where are Suaquen, Mezzua, Arquico which we will describe with Zanguebar, under the name of the Coast of Habex. Barva or Daburova is esteemed the chief of Barnagasso; after which some put Canfila, Daffila, and Emacen: others esteem Canfila and Daffila Provinces or Governments, and Emacen a City of the Government of Daffila, 20 Leagues from Barva; 50 from Suaquen. Chaxumo is the chief of Tigre; a fair City, and according to the common opinion, the Ordinary Residence of the Queen of Sheba or Saba, that came to see Solomon. Both the City and Quarter of Sabain, not far from Chaxumo, seem to retain the name. There are every where, here abouts, found a great many fair Churches: Angotine is a City in the Kingdom of Angota, and here they use Salt, or little pieces of Iron instead of Money.

The Kingdom of AMARA is farnous, by reason of its Mountain, where the Children, and nearest of Kinred to the Grand Negus are guarded: This Mountain is very high, of a great circuit, and whose approaches are very difficult, being craggy on all sides, and easie to defend; which made this use be made of it, to keep those which may cause any commotion in the Estate. The top of the Mountain is formed into a great Plain, where there are fair Buildings, many Cisterns, a rich Monastery, &c. Some speak wonders of this Mountain, and that the Grand Negus being deceased, they take thence him who is the trueinterior, if he be capable to govern the Estate, if not the second or third, &c. in order. Others say that there are no such things as they put here, neither Monastery, Library, Gold, Precious Stones, &c.

BAGAMEDRI is subdivided into Provinces, like to Tigre; hath a greater extent, and should be better, lying along the Nile. The Prince resides often at Dambea, which is beyond the Nile, as well as Damout. Some place the Springs of the Nile in Goyame, others in Cafates. The one and the other Kingdom being about the Lake of Zaire. Goyame where this Lake reduces it self into a River, which is the Nile: Cafates on one of the principal Rivers of those that fall into the Lake; which apparently should be called the Nile. Narea is between the Lake of Zaire and Zafflan; which are two Lakes, from whence descend the principal Rivers which make the Nile.

The Air of Abissin is very temperate considering its situation: Tigrema•on particularly is esteemed so, by reason of the Northerst Winds which re••esh it. All the Country is in Plains, except some Mountains, which are espe••ally towards its bounds. The Soyl is generally good, fruitful in Grains and Pulse, of which, it hath excellent, not known to us; they have few Vines, as also few Herbs, the Grasshoppers much annoying them. The Land feeds many tame and wild Beasts; and much Fowl, among others an infinite number of Turtles. Their Rivers have Cro•odiles and River-Ho•ses, which they call Gomaras; it is a hardy Fish, and will assault men in the Water. It hath much Metals, as Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin; and the Mountains so full of Sulphur, that they may afford wherewith to make Salt-peter more then any Country in the World, Tigremahon hath Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, Lead, Copper and Sulphur: Damout hath more Gold, then all the rest: Bagamedri and Goyame hath likewise Gold.

The Inhabitants are generally black; some more, some less; they are (for the most part) of a good stature, flat nosed, woolly haired, of a nimble spirit, and very jovial: They have scarce any thing of Literature, neither do they much desire to attain to any. They Coyn neither Gold nor Silver, but receive it by weight. Some Authors make this Prince so rich, that there is scarce any in the World hath so much present Gold in his Coffers. Sanutus saith, that he once offered to the Kings of Portugal a Million of Drams of Gold, and as many men to exterminate the Infidels.* 1.7 And Queen Helena writing to Emanuel of Portugal, and speaking for her Grand-child David, saith, that if the King of Portugal would furnish them with 1000 Vessels of War and People fit for the Sea, that she would on her part,* 1.8 furnish them with all things necessary for the War, and give them 200 Millions of Gold; and that she had Men, Gold and Provisions, in suchgreat number and plenty, as there were Sands in the Sea, or Stars in the Firmament.

Zaara, King of Aethiopia, led against Asa, King of Judah, 90000 Foot, and 10000 Horse; which are 100000 Men. Pliny esteems the Isle of Meroes alone have 250000 Men fit to bear Arms; and 400000 Artisans. At present, the Grand Negus is held able to raise a Million of Men; and Barnagas alone to furnish 200000 Foot, and 20000 Horse. The Prince is always in the Field, and 5 or 6000 Tents attending on him, where are are Churches, Hospitals, Shops, Taverns, &c. which furnished with all things necessary for himself, and his Train.

There are scarce any Fortresses in the Countrey, except where Mountains of themselves make them. The Neighbors to this Estate, are the Turks, who hold all the Coast of Haber on the Red Sea, the King of Adel, and some others, on the Coasts of Ajan and Zanguebar; the Monomotapa, or the Monoemugi, towards the Mountains of the Moon; the Congo, or some Estates neighboring on Congo, and the Negroes towards the West; some Kings of Nubia, towards the North. Except the Turks, the Abissins having no Civil War, can easily reduce the greatest part of them to reason, or at least, hinder them from molesting him.

ZANGƲEBAR.

UNder the name of ZANGƲEBAR, I comprehend all the Coasts of the Higher Aethiopia: And these Coasts are on the Aethiopian Ocean, and the Red Sea or Gulph of Arabia. I subdivide them into three parts, the Coast of Zanguebar, the Coast of Ajan, and the Coast of Abex. The Coast of Zanguebar extends it self from the Cafres to under the Equator, for the space of 5 or 600 Leagues: That of Ajan is between the Equator and the Streight of Bab-el-Mandel, likewise 600 Leagues: The Coast of Abex advances from that Streight to Egypt, and hath not above 4000 Leagues. The first part was called by the Ancients Barbaria Regio, the second Azania Regio, and the last Trogloditica Regio.

The particular Coast of Zanguebar towards the East regards some Isles, among which that of Zanguebar, which hath communicated its name to the Coast, and then those of Penda and Monfia are the best known. Maffy makes mention here of the Isle and City of Querimba, and Texera of Anisa; the one and the other possibly, answer to some of those which Sanutas calls St. Rocq and Monfia, which (he saith) are four Islands, two great and two small.

Penda and Zanguebar are the greatest,and according to the form Sanutus gives them, are each of 100 Leagues circuit, Monfia 50, and the others much less. All, and particularly Zanguebar, produceth quantity of Grains, as Rice, Millet, &c. quantity of Fruits, as Citrons, Oranges, &c. and many Sugar Canes, which they know not how to resine; nor want they Fountains of fresh Water. Aniza and Querimba hath Manna, but not so much esteemed as that of other places.

On the Coast are the Estates or Kingdoms of Mongale, on one of the branches of Cuama, Angos or Angouche, on another Branch, or on another River of the same name, Mozambique Isle and City on the Coast, as likewise Quiloa and Mombaze. Melinda is no Isle, but on the Coast: so are Lamon, Pate, &c. Mongalo and Angos are little considerable; their Inhabitants black, Mahometans and Pagans; they traffick in Gold, Ivory, Calicoes, and Silk. The Isle and City of Mozambique is on that Coast of Africa which regards the Isle of Madagascar towards the East, and just between the Capes of Good Hope and Guardafuy, near 1000 Leagues from the one and the other, some account is made of this City and its Fort, for the goodness and depth of its Port, though small; but of a very important retreat for the Vessels of Portugal, after they have passed the Cape of Good Hope, where oft-times the Heat, or the working or motion of the Ship distempers many Men, who refresh themselves here, there being a very good Hospital, and a Magazin always furnished with what ever is needful, to finish their Voyage to the East Indies; this Port serving them going to the Indies, as the Isle o• Sancta Helena doth in their return. The whole Isle is not above a League and half in circuit. Its City is not so beautiful as many have believed it, but of a good Trade, wealthy and well frequented by the Portugals. Its Castle is good, since it hath sustained divers Assaults of the Hollanders. The Soil is dry, hath none, or very little Fresh-water; but the great number of Fruits, as Cocos, Oranges, Citrons, as others common to the Indies; and the quantity of Cattle, as Oxen, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, &c. which are found here, recompence these Inconveniences. Their Figs are long and large, being excellent and h•althful. The Tree sprouts, and dies every year; it shoots forth but one Branch, where many Figs ripen one after another, so that they are found to continue almost all the year: the Leaves are so great, that two will cover a person of a moderate Stature: dying, it leaves a Root, which shoots forth another Fig-Tree the year after Their Swines-flesh is so healthful, that Physicians order it for Sick people. Their Pullain are good and delicate, though their Feathers, Flesh, Blood, and Bones, are very black, and if boiled in Water as black as Ink. Here they are said to have Sheep, whose Tails weigh about 25 pound weight.

QƲILOA is 150 Leagues, or little more from Mozambique, in a strait line: and near 250 by Sea: It hath two Cites, the Old and the new; the Old on the main Land, the New in an Island, divided from it by a small Channel: This last is much the fairest; its Houses high, magnificent, and well furnished; accompunied with Gardens, where they gather excellent Fruits throughout the whole year. The Kings of Quiloa once commanded all the Coast into Mozambique and Sofala; but this Estate hath received a great change since the coming of the Portugals into these quarters.* 1.14 Its Inhabitants are yet rich, and have a great traffick for Gold, which they bring from the Main Land, where there is near as much as on the Coast of Sofala; as also Silver, Ambergreece, Pearls and Musk: They are part black, part white; these coming from Arabia, and are Mahometans; the others of the Natives are partly Idolaters both the one and the other go clad after the Arab or Turkish manner; the richest wearing Cloaths of Gold and Silver, Silks, fine Calico•s, and Scarlet, inriching the Guards of their Swords and Daggers with fair Pearls and Precious Stones, as the Women do their Ear-Pendants and Bracelets. They are very comly, of a civil behaviour, neat in their Houses, and love to go in rich Apparel. Here the People are observed to use a strange custom to those of the Female Sex, which is not used by any other Nation or People, save themselves; which is that they sow up the Privy-parts of the Female Children, only leaving a small vent for the issuing forth of their Urine. And thus sowed, they keep them carefully at home until they be married; and those that are by their Husbands found not to have this sign of their perpetual Virginity, are sent to their Parents with all kind of ignominy, and by their Parents are as disgracefully received. The Country, though unhealthful to the Europeans, ought to be esteemed good, since the Inhabitants are rich, the Soil fruitful in Grains and Fruits, feeding many Beasts and Fowl. Its Forests full of Game, and its Neighbouring Sea full of excellent Fish.

MOMZAMBE is 150 Leagues from Quiloa, seated on a little Hill, and an in Island, at the bottom of a Gulph, where great Ships may ride safe at Anchor. This City was formerly great, being about a League in circuit, encompassed with a strong Wall, and fortifled with a good Castle; well Peopled, of a good Trade; its Streets in good order, and its Houses high, and well built with Stone and Chalk, appearing almost all towards the Sea. It was found out when Vasco de Gama was in the Indies, and afterwards taken and retaken divers times by the Portugals, who keep a Fort by reason of the goodness of the Haven, and to maintain their trade. The Isle of Mombaze is but small.

MELINDA is another Kingdom, but of a small extent; yet made considerable by the good intelligence it hath always preserved with the Portugals. Since Vasco de Gama passed there the first time in 1489, until this present, which hath stood it in good stead; the Neighbouring States having been taken, pillaged, and burned divers times. This kept entire, maintaiming its Trade with the Portugals, and with the East: Its chief City bears the name of the Kingdom, seated in a fruitful and delightful Soil, yielding great plenty of Rice, Millet, Flesh; good store of Fruits, as Lemmons, Citrons, Oranges, &c. But not well furnished with Corn, the greatest part whereof is broughtout of Cambaya, a Province in India. This City is fair, well Walled, and the Houses built after the Moorish manner, with many Windows and Terrasses. The Inhabitants on the Sea Coasts are of the Arabian breed, and of the same Religion. Those of the Inlands, which are the Original Natives, are for the most part Heathens, and of an Olive colour, but inclining to white; and their Women of a very white Complexion, as in other places. They are said to be more civil in their Habit, Course of life, and entertainment in their Houses, than the rest of this Country; and great Friends to the Portugals, who return the like kind usage to them. This Kingdom of Melinda is not distant from Mombaza above 30 Leagues by Land, and 60 by Sea; whose People are of the same nature and disposition with those of Melinda.

The Estates of LAMON, PATE, and CHELICIA, and likewise some others, are under the Government of Melinda. Panebaxira, King of Lamon, and Brother to the King of Chelicia, surprized in 1589, Rock Brito, Governour of Melinda, and some other Portugals, whom they sold to the Turks. The Admiral Thomas Sousa Cotinho assaulted them, took, and cut off the Head of the King of Lamon, quartered the others, and hung them up in divers places to serve for example. These Kings are almost all Mahometans; yet here are found some few Christians which inhabit among them.

We have observed on the Coast of Zanguebar but five or six different Estates or Kingdoms; there are some others, but of lesser note, and all Tributary, or in good Intelligence, and trading with the Portugals.

Thee Coast of AJAN contains the Republick of BRAVA, which Sanutus calls Barraboa; then the Kingdoms of MAGADOXA, ADEA, and ADELL: some of their People on the Coast are White. BRAVA is well built, an indifferent Mart; rich, and pays Tribute to the Portugals. It is the only Republick at present in Africa, being governed by 12 Councellors or Statesmen. MAGADOXA is its chief City, and hath sometimes been so powerful, that it ruled over all this Coast; it is scituate in a delightful and fruitful Soil, and neighboured by a safe and large Haven, which is much frequented by the Portugals, and is very rich, affording Gold, Hony, Wax, and above all Abyssin Slaves, which by the Portugals are held in great value; for which they bring them in exchange the Silks, Spices, Drugs, &c. of India.

ADEA extends it self but little towards the Sea: The Country is fertil in Grains, as Wheat, Barley, Rice, &c. It is well shaded with Woods and large Forrests, which are plentifully furnished both with Fruits and Cattle, besides a greatincrease of Horses. The Inhabitants are of the Mahometan Religion,* 1.20 and follow the Arabians in many of their Customs, from whom they were descended, keeping much of their Language, and in their Habit naked, save only from the middle downwards. Of Complexion, for the most part of an Olive colour, and well proportioned; not very expert in Arms, except in poysoned Arrows. Its other chief places are Barraboa and Quilmanca, seated on the Sea, which is called the Coast of Ajan, as is Magadoxa.

ADELL within these few years is become the most powerful of all these Kingdoms: Its Estates extending both on the Arabian Gulph or Red Sea; and on the Great Ocean, stretching 200 Leagues on each side; Cape Guardafuy ending both the one and the other towards the East, regards in the Sea the Isle of Zocotora, famous for the quantity and goodness of the Aloes here gathered, which they call Zocotorin; about which are several other Isles, but not so considerable, being small, and many not inhabited. The Arab of Nubia would make us believe, that Alexander the Great was in this Island, drove thence the Inhabitants, and planted Greeks the better to manage the Aloes, which Aristotle had so much prized to him. Its chief City takes its name from the Kingdom; its others places of most note are, 1. Zeila, of old, Avalis, and its Gulph Avalatis Sinus, is one of the best places of the Kingdom of Adell, though about the City there wants Water; yet the Country farther off furnishes Wheat, Barley, Millet, Oil of Sesamum, Honey, Wax, Fruits, Gold, Ivory, and Incense. They fell to the Turks and Arabs abundance of Abyssin Slaves, which they take in War; and in exchange receive Arms, Horses, &c. This Zeila is a noted Port Town, well frequented with Merchants, by reason of the variety of good Commodities that it yields. Once of great beauty and esteem, till in the year 1516 it was sacked and burned by the Portugals; before which it was esteemed the most remarkable Empire of all AEthiopia for the Indian Trade. 2. Barbora, and 3. Meta, are two of the most noted Sea-Port Towns in all Adell, both under the Turks Jurisdiction. The first is seated on the same Sea Coast, as Zeila is, well frequented by Merchants, nigh to a lofty Promontory, which they call Mount Fellez: And the last is seated near the Cape of Guardafuy. The People inhabiting on the Sea Coasts are descended from the Arabs, and of the Mahometan Religion; but those towards the Inland Countries, of the old Aethiopick Race, and wholly Gentiles.

The Coast of ABEX hath for its principal places, Aquico, of old Magnum Littus, Maczuma Isle, Macaria Insula, and Suaquem Ptolomais Ferarum. The Turk hath a Bassa at Suaquem, and some say another at Maczuma or Aquico. Suaquem is in the midst of the Coast of Africa, which lies on the Red Sea or Arabian Gulph, distant from Sues in Egypt, which ends this Gulph, 250 and odd Leagues; and from Babel-Mandel, which begins it, 260, or little more: So the Authority of this Bassa exten•• almost quite over this Sea. The Isle of Maczuma hath good Pastures, feeds much Cattle: Aquico is almost opposite to Maczuma, and both have commodious Havens. Its other chief places are, Canfila, Daffila, Emacen, Barba, Zama, Corberia, and Carna. About this Coast of Abex are several other Isles, as Bahia de Cabras, Suaquem, Mire, Meger, Ballaccia, Maczua, St. Peitre, with several others not worth the naming.

All this Coast of Abex hath been under the Government of Bernagasso in Abyssin, and belonged not to the Turk till within this hundred years. A Country dry, untilled, but of some Trade: the People fierce, retaining much of their ancient Barbarism. They Fish Coral near the Isle of Suaquem and Aquico; they frequently pass from Suaquem to Ziden, in Arabia, which serves for a Port to Mecca, and is about 100 Leagues over. This is the Traject which the Arab of Nubia describes between Adhab and Giodda, which answer to Suaqnem and Ziden.</blockquote>