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

Sala is a place three days from Tembuctoo, on the Nil to the eastward.

The Nil, Goulbi, Joliba or Kattagum, runs from Tembuctoo, through Melli in the country of the Fellata; thence to Kebbi, which is three days north of Nooffy: past this place or country, it runs to Yaowri, which is seven days east; from thence to Fendah, a Fellāta country S.W. of Kashna, which latter kingdom it passes at thirteen days south of the capital. It again makes its appearance at Kattagum, four days W.S.W. of the capital of Bornou, where it runs into a lake, called the Tsaad. Beyond this lake, a large river runs through Baghermee, and is called the Gambarro and Kamadakoo; the word Nil being also used for the same stream.—Thus far are we able to trace the Nil, and all other accounts are merely conjectural. All agree, however, that by one route or other, these waters join the great Nile of Egypt, to the southward of Dongola.

Wangara is a place of which we cannot obtain any decided account; it is, however, generally supposed to be a low country, and sometimes inundated. One person states it to be twenty days south of Tembuctoo; another places it south of Kashna; and many even assert, that it is beyond Waday: but it is quite impossible from the varied accounts given of it, to form any idea as to its actual situation, or even existence.

Should there really be three places so called, may it not be probable that it is a general name for marshes and swamps? In the one spoken of behind Tembuctoo, the capital is said to be Battagoo, and is a large town, near which much gold is reported to be found. An invisible nation, according to our informant, inhabit near this place, and are said to trade by night. Those who come to traffic for their gold, lay their merchandise in heaps, and retire. In the morning, they find a certain quantity of gold dust placed against every heap, which, if they think sufficient, they leave the goods; if not, they let both remain until more of the precious ore is added. These traders in gold dust are by many supposed to be devils, who are very fond of red cloth, the favourite article of exchange. I cannot conceive Arabs to be the merchants, for assuredly they would, least of all people, refrain from stealing the gold thus temptingly placed in their view.

Haousa, Soudan or Afnoo, may be comprehended between Kanno, which is four days east of Kashna, and the borders of Tembuctoo. It appears, that the name only extends to the country which runs east and west, near the great river; for Aghades, which is north of Kashna, is not in Soudan: neither is Yemyem, which is south.

Soudan is an Arabic word, signifying the black country; and is also named by them Ber el Abeed بار البيد or “Land of Slaves;” but the natives all agree in calling it Haousa, which has been mistaken for a town. The language of the country, of which I shall give a specimen, is called by the people, “Haousa Tongue.”

Always	Koollum.
All	Doka.
Afterwards	Zoōashan.
Ass	Jackee.
Antelope	Baraiwa.
Arm	Dumsi.
A fly	Koodda.
Arrow	Kibbia.
Alive	Derrai.
Asleep	Bershi.
Butter	Mai Ferri.
Bad	Moogoo.
Bread	Korāsa.
Boil	Taffasa.
Bucket	Googa.
Boy	Yaroo.
Bowl	Akooshee.
Bring	Kaoo.
Bone	Kushēe.
Beads	Doosi.
Better	Yafi.
Burn	Jugrinica.
Black	Bekki.
Breast	Gubba.
Belly	Shikki.
Blood	Jinni.
Basket	Sanfoo.
Before	Dowree.
Brother	Kani.
Bull	Sania.
Bird	Soonsoo.
Book	Littafi.
Bitter	Deddāshi.
Beat	Boogga.
Buy	Saïya.
Beard	Gaymi.
Blue	Dafoa.
Brass	Jankerfi.
Blacksmith	Mekeri.
Bag	Jekka.
Box	Sandook.
Come	Yaka.
Crest of hair	Doka.
Cry	Ikooka.
Cold	Daree.
Corn	Elcamma.
Camel	Rakomie.
Cow	Sania.
Cotton	Abdiga.
Copper	Jankērfi.
Check	Komatoo.
Cat	Fatoo.
Country	Garee.
Chin	Habba.
Clean	Fittatai.
Don’t	Kaddakai.
Do this	Kai.
Drink	Isha.
Dance	Eewassa.
Drunk	Iasha Gheea.
Don’t go	Kadda Kattafi.
Don’t cry	Kaddakai Kooka.
Day	Rana.
Door	Kofa.
Dirty	Dowda.
Dates	Dibino.
Daughter	Ia.
Dog	Karre.
Die	Meteshey.
Date tree	Kershemi.
Dry	Kaikasusshi.
Deaf	Korma.
Eye	Iddo.
Ear	Koonnēh.
Eggs	Koi.
Enough	Iaisi.
Earth	Kassa.
Eunuch	Baba.
Elephant	Gheewas.
Eat	Ishee.
Fire	Oota.
Fear	Kai sooro.
Fat	Kibba.
Flesh	Nāma.
Fingers	Fershi.
Fall	Yafādi.
Forget	Namanshi.
Face	Fiska.
Friend	Abokee.
Fish	Keevi.
Fowl	Kazā.
&c.	&c.
1	Daya.
2	Bïoo.
3	Okoo.
4	Fooddoo.
5	Bïat.
6	Shidda.
7	Bokkoi.
8	Tokkos.
9	Tara.
10	Goma.
11	Goma shadaya.
	&c.
100	Daree.
1000	Doobboo.
From 20 to 100 are as in Arabic:—
Asherin, Thalateen, Erbain, &c.

Bornou is comprehended between Kanno and Baghermee. The people of Waday bring dried fish from a large river to the East of Baghermee to Wara, the capital.

I did not find any one who knew any thing of Solan, Berissa, Tirka, Gana, or Noro. People are said to go constantly from Noofy to the Great Sea, to trade with the Whites, and they even bring back crockery ware, powder, brandy, and arms. One of our informants went so far as to assert, that there were one or two people there who understood the language of the Whites. I must observe, that from Kanno to Zegzeg the road is dry even in winter; but in summer in many places the country is covered with water, which for forty days gives it the appearance of a great lake. Our present informant, an observing man, said that he saw no rivers flowing there; but the water which was “sleeping” came, as he supposed, from the Nil of Kashna. He remained trading in Zegzeg until the inundation was over, and made some great bargains. For seven yards of red cloth, resembling baize, he purchased nine females, three of whom he showed to me; they were grown up girls, and very handsome, taken from Yagooba.

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