Abyssin

Sources from old books:

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

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.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome

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.