ADVERTISEMENT.
Among the geographical problems which, during the last half century, have occupied the attention of the scientific world and awakened a spirit of adventure in enterprizing individuals, has been the existence of a large and populous city in the heart of Central Africa. The solution of this problem appeared to be a subject worthy of the solicitude even of Societies and Governments; and various expeditions have been dispatched at their expense to explore the unknown interior of that continent, with a particular view to the settlement of this long agitated question. In vain, however, have Houghton, Browne, Hornemann, and Park—in vain have their successors, our countrymen, Tuckey, Peddie, Campbell, Gray, Ritchie, Bowdich, Oudney, Clapperton, Denham and Laing—in vain have other European travellers, Burckhardt, Beaufort, Mollien, Belzoni, started from different points of the coast of Africa, animated with the hope of removing the veil which enveloped the mysterious city:—all have either perished or been baffled in the attempt. Of this number Major Laing alone reached the desired goal; but the results of his perseverance and his observations were lost to his country and to the world through the barbarous murder of that officer, and the consequent dispersion of his papers and effects.
Our neighbours, the French, have therefore just ground for exultation in the fact, that what British enterprize, seconded by the liberality of the British government, failed to accomplish, has been achieved by a very humble individual of their nation, and by means of his own slender unassisted resources; and they have certainly a right to boast that M. Caillié, the author of the work here presented to the public, is the first European who has succeeded in the attempt to penetrate to Timbuctoo, and returned, in spite of the perils interposed by the climate and by the still more destructive passions of men, to communicate all the information that circumstances enabled him to collect.
Of the importance of this information the adjudication of a premium of 10,000 francs (upwards of £400 sterling) by the Geographical Society of Paris to the traveller, affords presumptive evidence. When it is considered that, pursuing his course eastward from the French colony on the Senegal, he advanced by way of Kakondy, Kankan, and Timbo, to the distance of two hundred miles beyond Soulimana; that he then proceeded northward through more than one hundred villages to Jenné; that, there embarking on the great river Dhioliba (the Joliba of Mungo Park) he enjoyed the best opportunities for observing its course, its islands, and the extensive lake of Debo, which has afforded matter for so much discussion, during a voyage of nearly a month to Timbuctoo; that he has furnished positive information of high political and commercial interest respecting that city; and that he has proved the practicability of reaching it from the coast of the Mediterranean by traversing the great Desert which girdles Africa, and through which he returned to the territories of Morocco:—when all this is considered, it must be admitted that his merits have not by any means been overrated.
In this country also, which has long taken the lead in the encouragement of geographical discovery, it is fair to presume that the work in which M. Caillié has recorded, in language of unaffected simplicity, the observations made in a journey of 4500 miles, (of which 3000 were through regions either absolutely, or nearly unknown), cannot but possess powerful attractions for every class of readers, whether pursuing the career of trade, of science, or of politics, whether in quest of individual advantage or personal information.
CONTENTS
OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Page | |
| Pedestrian journey from St. Louis toNeyreh. — Passage to N’ghiez. — Manners of the inhabitants. —Miraculous stone. — Departure. — Robbers. — Mode of fishing withnets. — The steam-vessel. — The author’s arrival among the Braknas.— Conversation with Mohammed Sidy Moctar, chief Marabout to theking. — Reception by the king. | 21 |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| The author is forced to turn physician. —Distrust of the Moors. — Description of the camp of King Lam Khaté.— Schools. — Amusement of the women. | 49 |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Method of cultivating and using millet. —Character of the Hassanes or warriors. — The Balanites Ægyptiaca,its fruit, method of extracting oil from it. — Quarrel excited by awoman. — Manner of protecting oneself from cold in the tents. —Method of collecting gum. — Marriages of the Marabouts, and of theHassanes. — Inheritance of property. — Method of tanning leather. —Dress of the Moors. | 79 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Difficulty in going to market. — Oxenstolen by a neighbouring tribe. — The Ramadan. — Circumcision. —The feast of Tabasky. — Gum trade with the Europeans. — Author’sreturn to St. Louis. | 111 |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Disappointments experienced at St. Louis.— The author takes up various occupations. — He departs once more.— Particulars respecting the environs of Kakondy. — The Nalous,Landamas, or Lantimas and Bagos. | 140 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Departure of the author on his greatexpedition. — Manners and customs of his travelling companions, andaccount of the caravans in this part of Africa. — The Caura. —Mountains of Lantégué. — River of Doulinca. — Smelting of iron. —Rio-Pongo. — Mountain of Touma. — Description of Irnanké and itsinhabitants. — Telewel. — Cataract of Cocouo. — Orange trees. | 168 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Popoco. — Granite mountains. — TheAuthor’s party crosses the Bâ-fing (the principal tributary of theSenegal) near its source. — Great cataract. — Fouta-Dhialon. —Langoué. — Couroufi. — Schools. — Albinos. — Industry of theinhabitants. — The traveller obliged to turn physician. | 191 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Bridge over the Tankisso. — Departure forthe Kankan. — Description of Fouta-Dhialon. — Character, mannersand customs of the Foulahs. — Country of Kankan-Fodéa. —Butter-tree. — Course of the Dhioliba. — Countries of Couranco,Sangaran, and Kissi-kissi. — Mandingo marriages. — River ofBandiégué. — Bagaraya. — Saraya. — Bacocouda. — Warlikedances. | 218 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Description of Baléya. — Arrival on thebanks of the Dhioliba. — Courouassa. — Sambarala. — Bouré, amountainous country, rich in gold. — Crossing the Dhioliba. — Theriver Yendan. — Kankan. — Description of the town. — The market. —Gold of Bouré. — A religious festival. — Ordeal of fire. — Criticalsituation of the traveller. — Diseases of the country. | 245 |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Further account of Kankan and itsenvirons. — Council of elders. — State of trade, and civilization.— Kissi. — Bouré. — Trade between Bouré and Bamako, Yamina, Ségo,Sansanding, and Jenné. — Working of gold mines. — Establishment ofBamako. — Passage of the Milo, and several other tributary riversof the Dhioliba. | 280 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Wassoulo. — Manners and customs of theinhabitants. — Flourishing state of agricultural industry. —Hospitality. — Kankary. — Sambatikila. — Reflections on the sale ofslaves. — Scarcity. — Description of the residence of the Almamy. —Commerce. — Smith’s work. — Bambara villages. — Arrival at Timé. —Ranges of mountains. | 301 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Abode at Timé. — Weekly market. — Thetraveller falls seriously ill of the scurvy. — Is nursed by anegress. — Rainy season. — The author prevented from joining thecaravan departing for Jenné. — Fertility of the neighbourhood ofTimé. — Desperate condition of the traveller. — His recovery afterfour months’ illness. — Description of a funeral. | 321 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| Description of Timé and its environs. —Character, manners, and customs of the inhabitants. — Period ofcircumcision for males, and excision for females. — Manufactures,trade, and agriculture. — Indigenous plants. — Diseases. | 345 |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| Departure from Timé, January 9th, 1829. —The name of Kong, applied by Mungo Park to a chain of mountains, isa generic term. — Use of bells in caravans. — Loubakho. — Cacoron.— Dancing and music of the Bambaras. — Sananso. — Dhio. — The oilpalm-tree. — Talé. — Customs of the inhabitants. — Borandou. —Grotesque mask. — Tangrera. | 361 |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| Cultivation of tobacco. — Tangrera. —Fara. — Bangaro. — Itinerant musicians. — Débéna. — Tiara. — Partof the caravan proceeds to Sansanding. — Beehives. — Siracana. —The Bagoé, a navigable river. — The Lous. — Bandiarana. — Bridgeover the Koua. | 385 |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Oulasso. — Facibrisso. — Toumané. —Implements of husbandry. — Couara. — Koraba. — Douasso. — Kong. —Baunan. — Garo. — Forges. — Nibakhasso. | 408 |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Dwarf cotton. — Coloni. — The Iolas, aFoulah tribe. — Bancousso. — Carabara. — Marshes. — Ropes made ofthe hibiscus. — Brick-making. — Construction of houses. — Kerina. —Foudouca. — Medina. — Lotus bread. — Touma-dioman. — Manianan. —Arrival at Galia on the banks of the Dhioliba, opposite toJenné. | 423 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| Crossing the Dhioliba. — Abode at Jenné.— Description of the town. — Manners and customs of theinhabitants. — Trade. — English and French goods. — Buildings. —Population. — Schools. — Religion. — Food and clothing. —Geographical details. — Course of the river. — The Massina. —Residence of the sherif of Jenné. — A dinner. — Use of tea, sugarand porcelain. — Preparations for the Author’s departure forTimbuctoo. | 443 |