Angola

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Angola, a Kingdom in Africa, to the South of Congo; This Kingdom is reckon'd to comprehend eight Principal Provinces, every one of which is divided into small Seigniories. The Provinces are Lovanda, Sinso, Ilamba, Icollo, Onsaca, Massingan, Cambamba and Embacca: The Country is become very fruitful by good Manuring; and the Lands of Lovanda, which were barren, are made fertile by the Industry of the Portugueses, who make no Spare of the pains of the Natives: They have also peopled the Banks of the River, and Planted 'em with Oranges, Citrons, Pomegranates, and Vines, and have made another New-Spain of the Province of Ilamba. There is a certain Creature bred in this Island, by the Negroes call'd Quojas Morrou; by the Portugues•s, Salvage, which may be esteem'd a kind of Satyr; It has a large Head, and a Face something resembling that of a Man; but the Nose is flat, and turns up towards the Eyes: The rest of the body is very like to that of a Man; Their foreparts are bare, but their Backs hairy and black: This Creature is very strong, vigorous and active; stands upright, and often walks on his two hind Leggs. The Female has a Breast, Nipples, and Belly, like to that of a Woman. About 40 years since, one of the Females was brought into Holland, and presented to Prince Frederic Henry; it was about the bigness of a Child of three years old, and somewhat fat; yet nimble and vigorous: It eat and drank very cleanlily, and lay in Bed as if it had been a humane Creature. The Negroes say, That the Males resist Armed Men, are very strong; and many times Ravish Women. There is another sort of Water-Monster, which the Natives call Ambissiangulo, and Pesiengoni; the Portugals Pezze-Mouller, and the Seamen Sirene. It is about eight Foot long, and four in breadth, with an oval Head and Eyes, a high Forehead, flat Nose, wide Mouth; but without either Chin or Ears: These Creatures the Portugueses take in Ginns, and when they are fast in the snare kill 'em with Darts; during which time they cry out like Men: Their flesh hath both the smell and savour of Pork. The greatest Trade which the Portugueses drive in Angola consists in Slaves, which they buy and send into America, 15000 in a year, to work at their Sugar-Mills, and in their Mines. The principal Commodities which they import are Woollen Stuffs, Silks, Linnen, Gold and Silver Laces, Wine, Brandy, Oyl and Spice. The Inhabitants use Bows and Arrows, with a kind of long Pike, and have of late learn'd to handle a Battel-Axe and Scimeter, but do not yet know the use of Fire Arms: Their King can raise an Army of 200000 Foot, but they prove sorry Soldiers, as well as the Congois; for 200 Portugueses, with some Negro's, have often worsted their numerous Armies. The Kingdom of Angola was formerly divided into several large Seigniories, and each Sova or Lord was Soveraign within his own Territories; yet all acknowledged the K. of Congo, and pay'd him homage as their Protector. The K. of Angola keeps his Court in a Village built upon a very high Rock call'd Mapongo, inaccessible of all but one side, though above two Leagues in Circuit. This Prince breeds a great number of Peacocks, and forbids his Subjects, upon pain of death, either to keep any, or do his the least damage. Most of the Inhabitants of Angola are still Idolaters, and adore Moquisies, or false Deities of Wood, to which they build Temples. The Ganga's or Priests are held in great veneration, because they pretend that by vertue of these Moquisies they can even open the Heavens, and make Rain fall at pleasure, discover the greatest secrets, and foretell things to come; but if they ever perform any extraordinary matter, it's by some secret in Physick, or by certain Charms, for they are all Magicians. The Jesuits in 1584 Baptiz'd a great number of the Natives; so that in 1590 there were above 20000 Christian Angolais. The Bishop of Angola resides at Louando san Paulo. Dapper description de l' Afrique.