§ V.
Of the Province of Engoy [Ngoyo], and other Regions of Loango, with the Customs there observed by the King and People.
[Kabinda.]
From the Point of the Palmar [Ponta do Palmar],[131] which is the north side of the river Zaire, is the port of Cabenda [Kabinda],[132] where many ships use to water and refresh themselves; and it is five leagues northwards. This place is called, Engoy [Ngoyo], and is the first province of Longo [Loango], and is full of woods and thickets. And seven leagues northwards of that place is the river Cacongo,[133] a very pleasant place and fruitful. Here is great stock of elephants’ teeth, and a boat of ten tons may go up the river.
The Mombales[134] have great trade with them, and pass the river Zaire in the night, because then it is calm, and carry great store of elephants’ teeth to the town of Mani Sonna [Sonyo], and sell them in the port of Pinda to the Portugals, or any other stranger that first cometh.[135]
At four leagues from Cacongo is the river of Caye, or Longo Leuyes.[136] This town of Caye [Kaia] is one of the four seats or lordships of Longo. And then the Angra, or Gulf, das Almadias.[137] In this gulf, or bay, are great store of canoes or fishermen, because the sea is smoother there than upon the coast. And two leagues northward is the port of Longo [Loango]. And it is a sandy bay, and a ship may ride within a musket-shot of the shore in four or five fathoms.
[The Capital of Loango.]
The town of Mani Longo is three miles from the waterside, and standeth on a great plain. This town is full of palm and plantain-trees and very fresh, and their houses are built under the trees. The streets are wide and long, and always clean swept. The King hath his houses on the west side, and before his door he hath a plain, where he sitteth, when he has any feastings or matters of wars to treat of. From this plain there goeth a great wide street, some musket-shot from the place; and there is a great market every day, and it doth begin at twelve of the clock.
Here is great store of palm-cloths of sundry sorts, which is their merchandizes; and a great store of victuals, flesh, hens, fish, wine, oil, and corn. Here is also very fine log wood,[138] which they use to dye withall—it is the root of the log wood which is the best—and molangos[139] of copper. Here is likewise great store of elephants’ teeth, but they sell none in the market-place.