Travels of an Arab Merchant in Soudan (the Black Kingdoms of Central Africa); I--Darfur. II.--Wadai. Abridged from the French (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V Line of African Kingdoms--Takrour--Description of Dar-el-Four--Wandering Arabs--The Barajoub--The Forians--Northwestern Provinces--Dajo and Bijo--Birguids--Marrah Mountaineers--Division of the Country--Cavern Prisons--A Visit to the Marrah--Strange Inhabitants--The Sheikh of the Mountain--Genii--Gathering of Guides--An Oratory--Wild Savages--The Prisons--Women--Curious Customs--Spirits called Damzog--Stories of them--Prophetic Drum. Darfur, or, more properly, Dar-el-fur, the country of Fur, is the third kingdom of Soudan, counting from east to west. The first is Sennaar; the second Kordofal; the fourth is Wadai'; the fifth Bagirmeh; the sixth Bornou; the seventh Adagez;+ the eighth Afnou; the ninth Timbuktou; the tenth Dar-Mella, where resides the King of the Fullan, or Fellatahs. Formerly, the name of Takrour was applied only to the inhabitants of Bornou, hut it is now extended to all the people who live between the eastern limit of Wadai and the western limit of Bornou; so that it includes, besides these two countries, Bagirmeh, Katakou, and Mandarah. Some days ago I met, at Cairo, an individual whom I recognised as a Soudanee. I asked him to what country he belonged. He replied, "I am a Takrour." "But from what place?" said I. After some difficulty, he replied that he was from Bagirmeh. The Sheikh, who had already abandoned his personal narrative to relate the historical incidents that preceded or were contemporary with his residence in Darfur, now assumes a didactic tone, and gives the result of his observations, interspersing personal adventures and anecdotes. It is, perhaps, necessary to repeat that Darfur is pronounced Darfoor. f Aghadez, described in Mr. Richardson's "Mission to Central Africa." Darfur is bounded on...