Billedulgerid

Sources from old books

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

BILLEDULGERID, with its several Kingdoms, Parts, or Provinces, which may be considered as they lie

• Southwards of MOROCCO, as
  • The Kingdom of SUS, or TESSET, with its Quarters and Cities of
    • Ydausquerit,
    • Extues,
    • Nun,
    • Tesset,
    • Guadenum,
    • Istena,
    • Archa,
    • Ydausquerit,
    • Simotamat,
    • Ydiausan.
    • Ydunadaf.
    • Mereit,
    • Deudyzdud,
    • Yduquinsus.
    • Arabala,
    • Aragati,
    • Ynduzel,
    • Denseniz,
    • Tizitit,
    • Aytiacoli,
    • Buleza,
    • Tesset,
    • Suana,
    • Ydaubagul,
    • Deursumugt,
    • Monasterium,
    • Ausulima,
    • Buaadora,
    • Nun,
    • Albene,
    • Utemila,
    • Intrena Castra.

BILLEDƲLGERID is very improperly called Numidia by the Modern Authors: Numidia having been upon the Mediterranean Sea, which Billedulgerid touches not at all. Its confines are on the North of Barbary, from whence it is separated by Mount Atlas, on the South Zaara, on the West the great Ocean Sea, and on the East Egypt. Its principal Parts, Kingdoms or Provinces, are, Sus or Tesset, Darha, Segelomesse, Tegorarin, Zeb, Billedulgerid, and the Desart of Barca, which stretch themselves from the Ocean unto Egypt. And this length is of 1000 or 1200 Leagues, its breadth being for the most part not above 100, or little more, from which they have what is needful for them. The Air is healthful, they live long, are deformed, are held base People, ignorant of all things, are addicted to Theft, murther, are very deceitful, they feed grosly, and are great Hunters. They acknowledge Mahomet for their Prophet, whose Principles of Religion they observe, though they differ in many Ceremonies; their Garments are but mean, and so short, that not above half their body is covered with them; the better sort are distinguished by a Jacket of blew Cotton, which is made with wide Sleeves. They make use of Camels, as we do of Horses. Among them are many Arabs, which live by Advares, that is, Communalties, each of 100, 150, or 200 Tents, which they transport whither they please, that is, where they find best feeding for their Cattle; and when they stop, they dispose their Tents in a circle, making therein divers Streets and common places; and leaving some inlets and outlets, which are shut up and guarded like a City. These Arabs esteem themselves the most noble of all, calling those which till the Earth and prune Vineyards, Servants; and those which abide in Cities, Courtiers, and Effeminate: And these Arabs are esteemed more civil and ingenious than the Numidians are.

SƲS, which Sanutus passes under the name of TESSET, and which is called the farthest Sus, to distinguish it from that of the Kingdom of Morocco, is the most Western part of Billedulgerid: It may be divided into seven Quarters, of which Ydausquerit, Extuca, and Nun, are on the Sea; Tesset, Guadenum, Ifrena or Ʋfaran, and Archa within the Land. Each of these parts have many Cities,* 1.4 Castles, and Villages; and the most part of its People are Bereberes, Africans, or Arabs. 1. Ydausquerit is the best Quarter, and the most fruitful, yields Fruits sweet and sowr, as Oranges, Citrons, &c. Also Wheat, Barley, &c. Feeds much Cattle, among others multitudes of Horses; can raise 5000 Horse, and 30000 Foot: They are held the best Souldiers in all Billedulgerid, and almost of all Africa. 2. Extuca is proper only for Pastures, abounds in Goats. 3. Nun hath but little Barley, and few Dates. 4. Tesset is a Town of about 400 Houses, hath some trade with the Negroes. The Inhabitants of Guadenum live of Goats Milk, by Hunting, and of Dates; and the Country hath Ostriches. Those of Ifrena trade with the Portugals at Guarguessen, and those of Archa hath only Dates. And in these seven Quarters there are several other Towns and Cities, as Buzedora, Ʋtemila, Albene, Ausulima, Buleza, and Suana, all Maritim places, opposite, and not far from the Canary Isles.

DARHA is on the East of Tesset and Morocco: It is divided commonly into three parts, of which the chief retains the name of Dara; the other are, Taffilet and Ytata, which pass likewise under the name of Taffilet. All these parts have been divers times under the Dominion of the Xeriffs of Fez and Morocco. Darha is about a River of the same name; and where the River doth overflow it, it is indifferent fruitful. Among its chief Cities are, 1. Bemsabih. 2. Quitera, Tagumadert, from whence came the Xeriffs of Fez and Morocco. 3. Taragalel, of 4000 Houses, and a Jewry of 400. 4. Tinzulin, the most spacious of all. 5. Timesguit, of 2000 Families: And, 6. Tesuf, once the Royal City of all these Quarters, now in Ruins.

TAFFILET hath born the Title of a Kingdom, as well as Dara; and its chief City of the same name hath more than 2000 Families of Bereberes. To this place (as Heylin observeth) did Mahomet the Second, Son of Mahomet Ben Amet, and second King of Morocco, of this Family, confine his eldest Brother Amet, having took him Prisoner in Anno Dom. 1544. Ytata is for the most part esteemed under Taffilet, though near upon as great. The Land belonging to the one and the other, are harsh and Mountainous, and scituated between Dara and Segelomessa: Taffilet toward Morocco, from whence it is separated from Mount Atlas: Ytata towards the Saara or Desart, where is that of Zuenziga.

SEGELOMESSA is one of the greatest and best Provinces or Kingdoms of all Billedulgerid. Its chief City bears the same name, is made famous by the Arab of Nubia: It hath been ruined and rebuilded within 100 and odd years; it is seated in a Plain, and on the River Ziz: Where, and on those of Ghir, Tagda, and Farcala, are likewise some other Cities; more than 300 walled Boroughs, and a great number of Villages. The Rivers overflow, and make fertil the Country, as doth the Nile in Egypt. The Inhabitants may raise about 120000 Men to bear Arms: they have sometimes been subject to their Lords, sometimes to the Kings of Fez and Morocco; now are partly divided into Lines and Communalties, and partly subject to the Arabs.

Under the name of Segelomessa we will pass with Sanutus 12 or 15 little Estates, which have but few Cities or walled Towns, and some Villages; Poor, and almost all subject to the Arabs. QƲENEG hath 3 Cities, of which Zebbellinum the chief, is on a very high Rock, and holds the passage of Segelomessa to Fez by Mount Atlas. Gastrirum, another City, is on the side of a Mountain. Tamaracostum is on a Plain. Besides these Cities there are about 12 Towns, and twice as many Villages. They have sometimes aided the Xeriffs of Fez and Morocco with 8000 Men. Helel is the principal of its quarter, and the residence of the Lord of Malgara. Manunna the chief of Rheteb, is peopled with Moors and Jews, all Merchants and Artizans. These places are on the Ziz, descending from the Atlas towards Segelomessa. Suhail, Humeledegi, and Ʋmmelhefen make each their Estate apart. The last is on the way from Segelomessa to Dara. The Land is quite Desart, covered with Sand and black Stones. TEBELBETTA hath 3 Cities, 12 Villages: FARCALA, 3 Cities, 5 Villages: TEZERIN, 5 Cities, 15 Villages: BENIGOMIA, 8 Cities, 15 Villages; the Cities Mazalig, Abuhinanum, and Chasaira, make each their Estate: BENIBESSERI, GƲACHDA, and FEGHIGA have each 3 Cities, and some Villages. Those of Feghiga addict themselves to Traffick and Letters; gather quantity of Dates, as doth likewise Guachda: An excellent Mine of Iron employs those of BENIBESSERI, in carrying it to Segelomessa: A rich Mine of Lead, and another of Antimony, yields profit to those of Chasair, who carry them to Fez: the others bear only Dates, and their Inhabitants are oppressed by the Arabs, who rule over them. Togda, besides its Labourers of the Land, hath some Tanners of Leather, and the Soil yields Grains and Fuits.

I have made Tegorarin and Zeb the 4th and 5th Parts of Billedulgerid, taken in general. Under the name of Tegorarin I shall comprehend Tesebit and Benigorait; under that of Zeb I comprehend Mezzab, Techort or Techortina, and Guergela.

TEGORARIN hath more than 50 Cities or walled Towns, and 100 or 150 Villages; the chief of which are, Tegorarin, Tuat, and Tegdeat. The Country is abundant in Dates, yields Corn when watered; feeds no Cattle, except it be a few Goats for their Milk. Its People addict themselves to Trade, fetch Gold from the Negroes, which they carry into Barbary, and bring from thence several Commodities to carry to the Negroes: Receiving Strangers with delight, and letting nothing be lost that they can leave with them to enrich their Country. Tesebit or Tesevin hath 4 Cities, 28 Villages; the most part of the Men are black, the Women only brown and comly. All poor, as likewise in the Desart of Benigorait.

The Province of ZEB is more to the East than Tegorarin, it touches the Kingdom and Province of Algier and Bugia, near Mesila, on the North, is divided from the Regions of Mezzab, Techort, and Guergela, towards the South, by divers Mountains. Its principal Cities are five, Pescara, Borgium, Dusena, Nesta, Teolacha, and Macaxa. One part of these Cities were ruined when the Arabs entred into Africa, a part by Barbarossa; the most part afterwards resloted. At present the Turks, the Kings of Couco and Labes, and the Arabs, receive some Tribute from them. The Inhabitants of Pescara live in the Fields in the Summer, being constrained to abandon the City by reason of the multitude of Scorpions, whose biting is mortal; as is that of the Black Scorpions, which are towards Calaa in the Kingdom of Labes: yet here the Inhabitants taking but two drams of a little Plant, it cures them though bitten, and preserves them a whole year (saith the Arab of Nubia) from biting. Borghia is well peopled, hath many Artizans and Labourers. The Water which passes at Deusen is hot, as likewise that which passes at Nefta. The Inhabitants of Teolacha are proud and haughty.

The Quarter of MEZZAB is to the South of that of Zeb, and is a great passage from divers parts of Barbary to go towards the Land of the Negroes; which makes those of the Country trade on the one, and the other side. They have six walled Towns, and a great number of Villages; are Tributary to some Arabs.

The Estates of Techort and Guerguela have each their Prince or King; they have sometimes been free, sometime Subjects or Tributaries to Morocco, Telensin, Tunis, and in fine to the Kings of Algier, to whom they give a certain number of Negroes in form of Tribute. Each Estate takes its name from its chief City; besides which they have each of them many walled Towns, and about 100 or 150 Villages, and about 150000 Duckats of Revenue: They can raise 40 or 50000 Men, but they are but bad Souldiers. Techort, though on the top of a Mountain, and having 2500 Houses, was yet taken by the Turks of Algier with a very few people and 3 Pieces of Cannon. They have abundance of Dates, from whence flows their Riches; they want Corn and Fish, they treat Christians favourably, and are more civil than their Neighbours.

BILLEDƲLGERID, or BELED-ELGERED, that is, the Country of Dates, is a particular Province of Billedulgerid taken in general. This Province is above the Coast of Tripoli, and we add the Quarters of Teorregu, Jasliten, Gademez, and Fezzen. The particular Billedulgerid is so rich in Dates, that it takes thence its name, and hath communicated it to the neighbouring Countries, and to all that part which is above Barbary. Its principal Cities are Tensar, Caphsa, and Nefsaoa, and a great number of Villages, Teorregu hath 3 walled Towns and 26 Villages, of which the chief bears the name of Teorregu. Jasliten 3 or 4 Towns, and 30 Villages, and the chief so called. Gademez hath 16 walled Towns, and about 60 Villages, the chief of which are Gademes and Statio. Fezzen more than 50 Cities or walled Towns, and above 100 Villages. The two last Estates are free, the other subject to the Turks, or to the Kings of Tunis and Tripoli. Caphsa, of old, Capha, which is believed to be built by the Libyan Hercules, is put by some among the Governments of Tunis.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Biledulgerid, and Zaara.

BIledulgerid is the Numidia of the Moderns, and more Southern than the ancient Numidia. The Name of Biledulgerid, speaks a Land fruitful in Dates; A Fruit which the Numidians gather, tho' they be short-sighted, by reason of the Sand, which the Wind brings in their Eyes. This part of Africk extends from the West to the East, almost as far as Barbary. Some Kings there are of the Mahometan Religion, whose power is but very inconsiderable. The Arabians, under their Cheiques, or Chiefs, are strong in Cavalry, and capable of great Enterprizes, if they had not War amongst themselves. They sometimes assist the Turks, and at other times the Kings of Morocco and Fez; the changes of Soveraigns, and the diversity of Tongues, have often caus'd the Names of Cities to be changed. The Arabians in these parts hunt after Ostriches, because they make great advantages of 'em: they sell their Feathers, eat their Flesh, and order their Skins for their Baggage; they make their Witchcrafts and Incantations of the Heart, their Medicaments of the Fat, and their Ear-Pendants of the Horn or Beak.

Suz, the best peopled Countrey of all Biledulgerid, has the City of Tarudante, where the greatest Traffick is of Sugar, and where began the Dominion of the Cherifs. The River of Suz renders the Land fruitful by its inundation. The Sea-Towns are Cartguessem, of the Conquests of Portugal, and Messa, with a Temple; near which the Inhabitants believe, that Jonas was cast up out of the Whales belly. They say, that all the Whales, approaching it, die immediately, and that from this Temple must come forth a great Pontif. The Cape of Guer, which is not very far distant from it, has near it the City of the Holy Cross, formerly called Agades and Darrumia. It was built by the Portugals, but the Moors have it in possession, and the Christians have nothing more remaining there, than some Magazines in its neighbourhood. Tesset is a Countrey of small product, and thinly inhabited. Daru has some fortified Places, and amongst others, that of Tigumedet, the native Countrey of the Cherifs; who having first of all obtain'd from the King of Fez, a Drum and an Ensign, under pretext of making War against the Christians, dethron'd at length the King of the Countrey: which happen'd towards the beginning of the last Age. Segelmessa abounds in hurtful Animals. Tegorarina has plenty of Dates. Zeb wants Water; and those who inhabit it, in Summer yield their abode to the Scorpions. Biledulgerid communicates its Name to all the Countrey. Fessen has a Town of the same Name. The Desart of Barca consists in Plains of Sand, where was formerly seen the Temple of Jupiter Hammon, notorious for its Oracles, for the Fountain of the Sun, for the loss of the Army of Cambyses King of Persia, and for the happy Journey of that of Alexander the Great. Bacchus, Perseus, and Hercules, are said to have been there before this Conquerour; and three High-ways are reported to have led thither, the first from Memphis, the second from Paretonium, and the third from Cyrene. Mount Atlas advances several of its Branches into Biledulgerid. The Cap of Non, upon the Ocean, was for a long while the limit of the Navigations of the Portugueses, who call'd it in that manner, for that they at that time pass'd no farther.

The Name of Zaara, signifies Desart, and that of Libya, which is also given to this Countrey, is a Greek word, which was first of all attributed to Africa. Little is to be seen in the Zaara, but Sand, Monsters, and Scorpions; for which reason the Inhabitants wear Boots, for a defence against the stings and bitings of those Creatures. The Air is healthful, and the sick of the neighbouring Countreys are brought thither for the Recovery of their health. The Arabians consider there three sorts of Countreys; the Cehel, where is small Sand, without any Verdure; the Zaara, where is Gravel, and a little Verdure; and the Asgar, where are Marshes, Herbs, and Bushes. Travellers beforehand make provision of all things necessary for the Life of Man: for the Houses and Wells are at such a distance from one another, that they go often a hundred Leagues without finding either Abode, or Water. A Merchant formerly endured there so much thirst, that he gave ten thousand Ducats for a Cup of Water; and yet he di'd, as well as the person, who receiv'd his Money for the giving him Drink. People are sometimes constrain'd to bury themselves in the Sand, to avoid meeting with Lyons, and other wild Beasts, which make a horrible noise every night. The Inhabitants are, for the most part, Shepherds, and the best Hunters in the World, but very miserable. Some amongst 'em follow the Religion of Mahomet, and the greatest number lead a libertine kind of life. Several small Sovereigns receive the Tribute of the Caravans, which pass thro' their Dominions. Their other Revenues consist in Cattel; and when mention is made of their Riches, they ask how many Camels they have?

Five principal Desarts are reckon'd, Zanhaga, Zuenziga, where are Salt-Pits, Targa, Lempta, and Berdoa. The Ghir, which is the greatest River of it, forms some pretty considerable Lakes, and loses its self in the Sand in several places of its course, and comes out again presently after the Rio Ouro, which is empty'd into the Ocean, and was so call'd by the Portuguese, by reason of the Gold they found there, when they made their first Voyages along that Coast. This River runs under the Tropick, thro' desart Countreys, with ten or twelve fathom water towards its entrance into the Sea. The Coast, as far as Cape Boiador, has high, white, and grey Hills, or Downs, with a desart Countrey, o'rspred with Sand and wild Rushes.

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

BILEDƲLGERID, or NƲMIDIA. Biledulgeridia, or Numidia.

THis Country is called Biledulgerid in Arabick because of the great number of Dates it produceth, which the name signifies. 'Twas the ancient Numidia.

Biledulgerid, taking in the Desart of Barca, is bounded on the North with Barbary, on the West with the Ocean, on the South with Zaara, or the Desart; on the East with Aegypt. The Extent of it from South to North is about 100 leagues, more or less, taking one place with another, between the 22 and 32 D. of Northern Latitude; and from West to East about 1000 leagues, between the 5 D. 30 min. and 61 D. of Longitude.

The Air is very wholsome, altho it be very hot. The Soil is dry and sandy, and so produces but little Wheat, but Barley enough; but the dearness of Corn is recompenced with an abundance of Dates, which the people exchange for Corn. They have great plenty of Ostriches, Camels, Goats, and Horses; an infinite number of Serpents and Scorpions, which do a great deal of mischief. A most violent East-wind blows there, which covers the Travellers with dust, and spoils the sight of the Inhabitants. Men live here above 100 years.

The most remarkable Rivers, are the Darha, which rises out of Mount Atlas, upon the bord•rs of the Province of Hascora: It gives name to the Province and Desart it passes through, and at last falls into a Lake. 2. Zis springs out of a Mountain of Atlas of the same name, crosses the Country of Sagelmesse, and there runs into a Lake surrounded with Sand: 3. Ghir comes also out of Mount Atlas, runs Southward, cross the Wood-Lands of Tagorarin and Kingdom of Sagra in Zaara, where it falls also into a Lake. 4. Rio-blanco. 5. Buzeder. 6. The Dry River, Bict. 7. Himiffin, 8. Farcala. 9. Togda. 10. The Hot River. 11. Techort▪ 12. Teusart, and some other less considerable.

The Inhabitants are generally Vicious, Wicked, Brutish, Traytors, Thieves, and awkward. Their ordinary food is the flesh of Camels, or Ostriches; and their drink, Camels Milk, or Boil'd Water. The Arabians of Numidia, are lean and meagre; they have a brown complexion, and frightful look; they love to hunt Birds, and willingly pursue Ostriches: The Arabians enjoy the richest parts of it, having driven out the Bereberes, which are the true Africans, who are fled into the neighbouring Countries of the Negro's.

This Country is governed partly by some petty Kings or Lords, who pay Tribute, or joyn with the King of Fez and Morocco, or the Turks of Algiers, Tuni• and Tripolis, partly by Commonwealths. In some places the people live without Laws or Government, as the Arabians, who live in the Desarts, and which dwell in several Cities; others wander in the Fields in companies, being under no Governour or Master.

All their Princes, and the greatest part of the people, are of the Mahometan Religion, the rest are Jews. In all th••r Cities almost there are Synagogues, and the Jews have all the trade, which yet hinders not but that every Country hath its particular Customes.

Biledulgerid is divided into 14 parts, which lye beside one another from West to East. 1. The Province of Sus, and Country of Ydausquerit. 2. The Kingdom of Tesset. 3. The Kingdom or Province of Darha. 4. The Kingdom of Tafelet, and Province of Ytata. 5. The Province of Segelmesse. 6. The Province of Queney, or Quenena. 7. The Province of Matagaxa and Retel. 8. The Province of Togda. 9. The Province of Tegorarin, or Taguriri. 10. The Province of Techort or Tecurt. 11. The Province of Zeb. 12. The Desart of Guergola. 13. Biledulgerid properly so called, or the Country of Dates. 14. The Desart of Barca.