Bantam

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

Bantam, the Name of a Town in the Island of Java in the Indies; it is a very convenient Sea-port, scituated at the bottom of a Hill, whence it receives three Rivers, whereof one runs through it, and the other two by its Walls, and forms divers Canals. It has the most Traffick of any Town in the Indies: The French, the English, and the Hollanders have great Magazines in it. The Hollanders are Masters of a Place called Batavia, fifteen Leagues Eastwards of Bantam; they got it in 1680, by assisting the King of Bantam's Son against his Father, whom they defeated, and afterwards imprisoned. All the Gardens of the Town of Bantam are full of Coco-Trees. They have no Bells there, but they supply the want of them by beating a great Drum, as big as one of the German Hogsheads, called Voeder; this is done at Morning, Noon and Night. All the Gentry entertain a Guard at the Entry of their Houses, and keep Slaves to watch in the Night, because they are then in fear of their Lives. Strangers live out of the Town. Girls are married here at eight years of Age, and that not only because the Country is extraordinary hot, but because the King inherits the Estates of such as dye whilst their Children are under Age, which he makes Slaves, as well as the Wife and Domesticks of the Deceased. Women of the best Quality have but inconsiderable Portions, which are generally four Slaves, and a Sum of Caxas, whereof 3000 (a great Portion with them) hardly makes 25 Crowns of our Money. The Magistrates sit in the Court of Pacebam, where the Plaintiffs and Defendants appear without Solicitors or Attorneys. All Criminals have the same Punishment, which is to be bound to a Stake and run through the Heart with a Dagger. The Strangers are priviledged from Death for a Compensation, if they have not killed in cold Blood. The King's Council meet under a great Tree when the Moon is up, and keep together until it disappears. The Persons of Quality, when they walk the Street, have a Pike and a Sword covered with black Plush carry'd before them, to make them they meet to give them the Way, and sit upon their Heels until they are gone by; they have a great Number of Slaves behind, whereof one carries a Parasol; they all go bare-foot, and would be ashamed to be seen with Shooes in the Street; they have an extraordinary care of their Daggers, they wear them at their Side all the day, and put them under their Bolster at Night; they are Pagans, and every one has a Chapel in their House. Mandeslo.