Zahara
Sources from old books
1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome
ZAHARA, That is, DESART.
IN our Africa or Libya Interior, we have placed ZAHARA, the Country of the NEGROES and GƲINY. Zahara is an Arab name, and signifies Desart; and this name is taken from the quality of the Country: so the Arabs divide the Land into three sorts, Cehel, Zahara, and Azgar. Cehel hath only Sand, very small, without any Green. Zahara hath Gravel and little Stones, and but little Green. Azgar hath some Marshes, some Grass and little Shrubs. The Country is generally hot and dry; it hath almost no Water, except some few Wells, and those Salt: if there fall great Rains the Land is much better. But besides the leanness of the Soil there is sometimes such vast quantities of Grasshoppers, that they eat and ruin all that the Earth produceth. Through this Country the Caravans pass, which adds no small advantage unto it. It is so barren and ill inhabited, that a Man may travel above a week together without seeing a Tree, or scarce any Grass; as also without finding any Water, and that Water they have is drawn out of Pits, which oft-times is covered with Sand, and tastes very brackish, so that many times Men die for want of it; which knowing the defect, those Merchants which travel in this Country, carry their Water, as well as other Provisions, on their Camels backs.
The People are Bereberes and Africans, likewise Abexes and Arabs; of which the first are seated in the most moist places, the others wander after their Flocks: Some have their Cheques or Lords, almost all follow Mahometism. Though the Air be very hot, yet it is so healthful, that from Barbary, the Country of the Negroes, and other places, Sick people come as to their last remedy.
This great Desart is divided into seven principal Parts, of which the three Western are, Zanhaga, Zuenziga, and Targa or Hair: The four towards the East are, Lempta, Berdoa, Gaoga, and Borno. Almost every part reaches the full breadth, and all together make but the length of this Desart.
ZANHAGA is most Westward, and touches the Ocean; with this Desart are comprehended those of Azaoad and Tegazza. This last yields Salt like Marble, which is taken from a Rock, and carried 2, 3, 4 or 500 Leagues into the Land of the Negroes, and serves in some places for Money, and for this they buy their Victuals. These People use it every moment, letting it melt in their Mouths, to hinder their Gums from corrupting; which often happens, either because of the heat, which continually reigns; or because their food corrupts in less than nothing. In the Desart of Azaoad, and in the way from Dara to Tombut, are to be seen two Tombs, the one of a rich Merchant, and the other of a Carrier: The Merchants Water being all gone, and ready to die for want, buys of the Carrier (who had not overmuch) one Glass full, for which he gave him 10000 Ducats; a poor little for so great a Sum: but what would not a man do in necessity? yet at the end the Carrier repented his bargain, for both the one and the other died for want of Water before they could get out of the Desart. Those near the Sea have some Trade with the Portugals; with whom they change their Gold of Tibar for divers Wares.
The Country or Desert of ZƲENZIGA, under the name of which passes that of Cogdenu, and is more troublesom and dangerous than that of Zanbaga, as also more destitute of Water; and yet it hath many People, among others certain Arabs, feared by all their Neighbours, and particularly by the Negroes, whom those Arabs take and sell for Slaves in the Kingdom of Fez: But in revenge, when they fall into the hands of the Negroes they are cut into so many pieces, that the biggest that remains are their two Ears. Its chief places are Zuenziga and Ghir.
The Desart of TARGA or HAIR (some esteem this last the name of the Principal Place, and the other of the People) is not so dry nor troublesom as the two others. There are found many Herbs for Pastures, the Soil indifferent fruitful, and of a temperate Air. They have some Wells, whose Water is good. In the Morning there falls store of Manna, which they find fresh and healthful, of which they transport quantity to Agades, and other places. Its chief places are Targa and Hair.
LEMPTA is likewise esteemed the name of a People,* 1.7 and its principal place also Digir. This Desart is dry, and more troublesom than that of Targa; and its People haughty, brutish, and dangerous to them that cross it, going from Constantina, Tunis, and Tripoli, to the Negroes.
BERDOA is no less Desart than that of Lempta;* 1.8 but it hath Dates about those places, which are inhabited, and which are well furnished with Water. They count three little walled Cities and some Towns, the chief bearing the name of the part.
BORNO and GOAGA are scarce Desart. They have each their King. He of Borno is of the Race of Berdoa, and his People part Black, part White, are civil, and drive some Trade. But they have likewise their Wives and Children in common, and scarce any Religion, as formerly the Garamantes. The King of Goaga descended from a Black Slave, who having seized on the estate of his Master, after having bought some Horses, ran over the Neighbouring Countries, traded for some time for Slaves against Horses, whom he made mount on his, and became Master of this Estate more than 200 years ago. Part of his People are Christians, as those of Egypt; but ignorant, and almost all Shepherds. The chief places in Borno are, Amasen, Kaugha, and Borno; the two former seated in the Lake Semegda: The chief place of Goaga bears the same.
The Land of NEGROES.
THE Negroes are People about the River Niger, which hath taken its Name from these People; and these People from their Colour, and not the People from the River, as some have believed. They are divided into many Parties or Kingdoms, of which some are on this side, others beyond, and others between the Branches of the Niger. We have placed on this side the Kingdoms of Gualata, Genehoa, Tombut, Agades, Canum, Cassena, and Gangara. Beyond, those of Melly, Sousos, Mandingue, Gago, Guber, Zegzeg, and Zanfara.
Between the Branches, and about the Mouths of Niger, are a great number of People, Kingdoms, and Signiories. The principal People are the Jaloffes, between the Branches of Sanega and Gambea; the Casanguas, between St. Domingo and Rio Grande; and the Biafares beyond and along Rio Grande. The most famous Kingdoms of the Jaloffes are those of Sanega and Gambea: Among the Casanguas, those of Casamanse and Jarem; among the Biafares those of Guinala, Biguba, and Besegue. All these Kingdoms and People, and likewise the others which are about the Niger, are so little known, that some think it not worth the pains to set down their Names. We will speak only of what shall seem most remarkable.
GƲALATA is one of the least, having in it not above three Towns, of which Guadia is the chief; besides some few Villages. Fruitful in Dates: they are coal black; live in a mean condition, and without any form of Government or settled Laws. They have no Gentry among them, but to their power are civil to Strangers.
GENEHOA is rich in Grain, Cotton, Cattle, and Gold; for which they have a good trade with the Merchants of Barbary; and by reason of the overflowing of the Niger, the Soil is very fertil; yet have they not many Towns: that most known is where their King resideth, who is a Vassal to the King of Tombut, beareth the name of the Kingdom. And here it is that their Priests, Doctors, and Merchants inhabit. The Priests and Doctors wear white Apparel, and for distinction all the rest wear black or blew Cotton. Its other places are, Samba-Lamech, Ganar, and Walade.
TOMBƲT hath quantity of Gold, is well watered with the Niger, which makes it very fruitful, especially in Grains, and it hath good Pastures, which feed many Cattle. The chief place gives name to the Kingdom, scituate on a branch of the River Niger: It is the residence of their King, who hath a fair Palace, built of Lime and Stones, all the rest of the Houses (except one fair Church) is made of Mud, and Thatched. It is well filled with Merchants, who drive a good Trade betwixt this and Fez. This King, within this 100 and odd years, hath subdued and made tributary a great part of the Negroes, is magnificent in his Court, of the Mahometan Religion, keeps ordinarily 3000 Horse for his Guard, and hath marched against the Xeriffs of Morocco with 300000 Men. Its other places are Salla and Berissa, also seated on the Niger, Gugneve, Carogoli, and Cassali.
AGADES hath great quantities of Cattle, and are much given to grasing and looking to them, making it their livelyhood, using the Ancients custom of Tents, and removing up and down for the conveniency of fresh and good Pasture for their Cattle; and among their Moveable Towns their chief bears the name of the Kingdom in which the King resideth, who is Tributary to him of Tombut. Its other places are, Deghir, Mayma, and Mura, seated on a Lake of the Niger.
CANƲM, besides its Cattle, hath Grain, Rice, Cotton, and Fruits; hath Springs of Running-water, as also a good River, which issueth forth many little Rivulets; it is well stored with Wood, is very populous; and hath several Towns; the chief being Cano, wherein is the Palace of their King, who is also Tributary to him of Tombut. This Town is environed with a Wall of Chalk-Stone, of which most of the Houses are built, and well frequented by Merchants. Its next chief place is Germa.
CASSENA is craggy, barren, and very Woody; yet it yields some store of Barley and Millet. The People live very meanly, wanting many things that the other Kingdoms have plenty of; and their Houses and Towns are as poor, among which Cassena is the chief, next Nebrina and Tirca.
GANGARA is rich in Gold, hath not many Towns, the chief whereof bears the name of the Kingdom, in which the King resideth, being also the habitation of many Merchants; and its King is very absolute, and hath a great Revenue. His Militia is in some esteem among the Negroes, being observed to keep in continual pay 500 Horsmen, and 7000 Men which use Bows and Scimitars. The next is Semegonda, seated on a branch of the Niger.
MELLY is a spacious and fruitful Kingdom, seated all along on a branch of the River Niger, which makes it very fertil in Corn, Cattle, Dates, Fruits, Cotton, Wool, &c. And by reason of the conveniency of the said River, hath a good Trade for their Commodities with other Countries. Its chief Town takes its name from the Kingdom, containing about 6000 Houses, indifferently well built, but unwalled. It is the Seat-Royal of their King; they have likewise here a famous Colledge, and many Temples, which are well furnished with Priests and Doctors, who read the Mahometan Law, and under whom the youth of this Kingdom, as also those of Tombut, and other parts of the Negroes are educated. These People are esteemed the most ingenious, the wittiest, and most civil to Strangers of all the Negroes. Their King is also tributary to the King of Tombut.
SOƲSOS hath divers petty Kingdoms, and all subject to their Concho or Emperour; among which, that of Bena hath seven others under it. Its quarter is Mountainous, covered with Trees, and well watered with Rivers. It hath some Towns; its chief takes its name from the Kingdom, and yields Corn, Cattle, Fruits, &c.
MANDINGƲE begins at the River Gambea, and reaches near 200 Leagues up in the Land: They have quantity of Gold, good Ships of War, and Cavalry; and there are divers Kings or Lords in Guiny, which are his Tributaries.
GAGO hath store of Gold, Corn, Rice, Fruits, and Cottle, but no Salt besides what is brought from other places, and which is ordinarily as dear as Gold. The People are idle and ignorant, but bear so great a respect to their King, that how great soever they be, they speak to him on their knees; and when they are faulty, the King seises on their Goods, and sells their Wives and Children to Strangers, who remain Slaves all their lives. But besides these, there is here (as well as in other parts of the Negroes) great Traffick for Slaves, either of certain Neighbouring people, which those of the Country can take, or of the Malefactors of the Country, or of the Children whom the Fathers or Mothers sell, when they are in need, or when they please them not: And these Slaves are bought by many people of Africa; but more by the Europeans, who transport them into the Isles of St. Thomas, Cape Verd, the Canaries, Brasil; and the English, to the Barbadoes, Carolina, Jamaica, and elsewhere for Slaves. They have many Towns and Villages, among others that of Gago is the chief, and is the residence of their King; as also of many Merchants, and containing about 4 or 5000 Houses, but unwalled.
GƲBER is well fenced with Mountains, doth produce Rice and Pulse; and above all, have exceeding great flocks of Cattle, from which they get their livelyhood. This Kingdom is very populous, and well stored with Towns, its chief bearing the name of the Kingdom, which is well inhabited by Merchants, and containing about 6000 Houses; being also the residence of their King. The People are ingenious, good Artificers, and make several rich Manufactures.
ZEGZEG and ZANFARA are barren, the People idle and ignorant, have some Towns, whose chief are so called; the Land yields, Corn, Grass, &c. and feeds great quantities of Horses.
The Country of the Negroes is esteemed as fertil as those watered with the Nile. It bears twice a year, and each time sufficient to furnish them with Corn for five whole years; which makes them not sow their Lands, but when they judge they shall have need. They keep their Corn in Pits and Ditches under Ground, which they call Matamores.