A narrative of travels in northern Africa in the years 1818, 19, and 20; accompanied by geographical notices of Soudan and of the course of the Niger

by G. F. Lyon

From Kashna to Sakkatoo is nine days and a half west. This place is the residence of Bello, son of the celebrated Fellata chief Hatman Danfodio. It is a walled town of much consideration, three days east of Gooberr, which is also a Fellata town, and one day east of Kebbi (the Cabi of our maps.) The natives are now a settled people, but were once wanderers of the warlike tribe of Fellata, who, some years since, came from the west, and succeeded in overcoming the whole of Soudan, carrying their conquests as far as old Birnie, and causing the Sultan and his people to remove five days farther to the eastward. These conquests have, in the end, occasioned their ruin; for not having it in their power to continue a force in each subjugated country, they became scattered, and were easily driven back by the different tribes who had been subject to them. They now are not found (except in small parties) farther east than Kashna. Their complexion being of a much lighter hue than that of the other tribes, they call themselves white; their colour resembles that of our gipsies in England.

Many female slaves are brought to Morzouk from their nation, and are very handsome women. The men I have never seen, and I understand that in the late wars all the male prisoners were put to death. They walk very erect, and have rather a haughty expression of countenance. These people have been of late chiefly at war with the Tuarick, who are powerful enemies, and harass them continually.

Kashna is still in a great measure dependant on Bello, who appoints its Kaid or Governor. This man is named Mellona Amarroo Delagie, and assumes the title of Sultan in his master’s absence. He makes constant incursions on the countries round him, and is much dreaded; though he sometimes suffers severely from retaliations. His family consists of two hundred Negresses, and the same number of children, which they have borne him. I conceive from a vocabulary, which I subjoin, that the Fellata will be found to be the Foulah of Park: they call themselves Fellan.

From a young woman, who arrived direct from Sakkatoo, I obtained some trifling information. The account she gave of herself was, that as she was leading her cows out to feed, a party of Gooberr people (also Fellata, and subject to the same King), seized and brought her away; but meeting on their progress with some Tuarick, she was sold to them. Her complexion was fair, and she had an intelligent countenance; her legs were much swelled, and her form emaciated. She was called into her master’s presence to give me some words of her language, when I began by asking her how she named a man in her country: thinking I wished to know that of her husband, she looked up, and with tears in her eyes, answered, “Mohammed; but he is alone now;” and then added, “I had a little boy, too, called Mohammed; when I was stolen he had no teeth, and I know not who will suckle him.”

I here subjoin the words she taught me.

Man	Efillo.
Woman	Debbo.
Boy	Pipullo.
Girl	Bitadeppo.
Small	Toccochu.
Heavy	Teddoodoo.
Light	Oodumhaïneddi.
I understand	Andal.
Hand	Jungo.
Head	Hora.
Sun	Naanga.
Moon	Laighroo.
Stars	Caudie.
Meat	Niri.
Flesh	Taïoo.
Horse	Pootchio.
Cow	Nagga.
Ass	Babba.
Camel	Gailopa.
Goat	Baïa.
Sheep	Baloo.
Dog	Kootooroo.
Walk	Jiadoo.
Sleep	Fokadaan.
Come	Warr.
Go	Beadillo.
Good	Oodonwodi.
Bad	Kalloodoo.
Large	Maoodoo.
River	Lana.
Eat	Aniami.
Drink	Ghiarki.
Sweet	Oodomwaili.
Sour	Oodomlammi.
Heaven	Samaachi.
Father	Babama.
Mother	Imāma.
Elder brother	Maoona.
Younger brother	Minia.
Sister	Bānda.
Grandfather	Mamama.
Wife	Tirajumma.
Friend	Haigomo.
Foot	Koinka.
Leg	Korla.
I do not	Mianda.
Milk	Koossum.
Mat	Dago.
Carpet	Baïtookki.
Pillow	Ting ada.
I	Mahan.
You	Maan.
He	Damaitoo.
Shirt	Toggora.
Trowsers	Serla.
Gold	Laamdi.
Iron	Yamgoo.
Corn	Elcamarani.
Maize	Baïra.
Gussub	Gaouri.
Tree	Barkihi.
Wood	Leddi.
Water	Ghium.
Fire	Eeta.
God	Allah.
House	Oora.
Town	Gerri.
Bowl	Laa.
A well	Oondoo.
Water	Ghium.
Rope	Bogool.
Bucket	Kianga.
Book	Deftera.
To-day	Ilanda nundi.
To-morrow	Tiango.
Yesterday	Fadijiango.
Not yet	Towli.
I am ill	Tyawdoo.
I am well	Hairama.
Beads	Kaadeh.
Petticoat	Oodarra.
Aba	Godori.
Thigh	Asanga.
Arm	Kiauwall ghisingo.
Belly	Kraigoo.
Back	Baoo.
Breast	Barendi.
Neck	Daandi.
Nipples	Endoo.
Fingers	Honedoo.
Cap	Hoffanaïra.
Cat	Mussouroo.
Shoes	Paddi.
Beard	Wari.
Eye	Gitta.
Nose	Hinari.
Mouth	Kondookkoo.
Forehead	Teeda.
Ear	Leppi.
Turban	Maitello.
Blood	Eia.
Bones	Kial.
Burn	Awli.
Roast	Awoodi.
Hot	Odunwooli.
Cold	Dumfai.
Hungry	Ïam.
I am full	Mihāri.
Thirsty	Nanadumka.
This	Doondo.
Give	Okon.
Take	Gabboo.
Fat	Paidoo.
Thin	Fautdo.
Dirty	Toondi.
Clean	Loomram mitell.
Tired	Ensoomi.
Language	Bolli.
Sword	Kansakali.
Stone	Booddi.
Sand	Jearidi.
Earth	Laidi.
Red	Bodaijo.
White	Daraijiu.
Black	Balaijiu.
Green	Koraijiuna.
Yellow	Jianajiu.
Get up and go	Ummadillo.
Grass	Koodoo.
Hard	Uddumyori.
Soft	Oodum haihaitirri.
How are you	Mia Loodoo.
Well	Noobāndoo.
Whence come	Kai ooaidi.
Where going	Tingailta.
Is he within	Uden wodi.
He is not	Unwalla.
Garden	Engassa.
Run	Endogga.
Quick	Ommandillo.
Enough	Doodoo.
A little	Sedda.
To weave	Sansanbi.
Flour	Kiandi.
Pepper	Syasi.
Poor	Kolakomi.
Rich	Waidande.
Honey	Jumeri.
Bird	Soodoo.
Fowl	Gertooka.
Pigeon	Umfoodi sondo.
Set down	Jiaura.
Night	Ghem.
Morning	Dun waidi.
Day	Hansi.
Lion	Jagerri.
Arrow	Lebbo.
Glass	Karroo.
Spoon	Gerbal.
Pot	Footira.
Knife	Lab.
Spear	Ghembirri.
Dagger	Labijungo.
Gun	Bendiga.
Rain	Ghium ghiwondi.
Brass	Yamgo daikoo.
Tiger	Melaho.
Antelope	Lelwa.
Happy	Well well ti.
I am sad	Berna metti.
Sing	Ghimmoo.
Dance	Fidio.
Fear	Dooba.
Teeth	Nïa.
I thank you	Allah imoghni.

Bello, son, as I have said, of the celebrated Fellata Chief, is famed for many very noble actions, and is a man generally beloved. He is a great warrior, and the people about him are very well armed and appointed. He does not, like the other chiefs, seek out the gaudy dresses and toys brought by the Kafflés, but buys up arms of all descriptions. Reverence for his religion, and for those who are eminent in it, are amongst his virtues. I was acquainted with a man who passed himself off as a Shreef, which he was not, and who had been plundered by the Tuarick. Bello actually presented to this impostor one hundred Negresses, thinking that he only offered a slight testimony of respect to the memory of the Prophet in the person of his pretended descendant.

Cowries, or shells, are the current money of Kashna, and all the towns westward: 2000 is the exchange for a dollar. By way of showing their comparative value, it may be mentioned, that a fowl costs five shells, a sheep 600, and a bullock 2500. Corn, rice, and, indeed, all the necessaries of life, are very cheap in Soudan. Rice is purchased at one dollar for 3 cwt. Bullocks are used to carry burthens, and to bring the grain home from the fields. The asses are fine animals, the camels scarce, and dear in some parts.

The people are excellent workers in wood and leather, which they prepare equally well as Europeans, dying it of very fine colours, and sometimes glazing it. Pillows, bags, sandals, jars, and even boxes of leather are brought by the Kafflés, and sold very cheap. Bowls composed of wood, or gourds, are finely carved, and much sought after by the Fezzan traders.

The women make very fine cotton cloth of gay patterns (having generally a great proportion of blue), and of firm texture; but it is remarkable that they never exceed in breadth three inches. Shirts made of these cloths are so very neatly sewed, that it is impossible at first sight to discover the seams.