Cottons. Dark blue, called Turkedi, striped blue and white, red and blue, and in fact of many patterns; amongst others, chequered like the sailors’ shirts. All these cloths are woven in webs about three or four inches in breadth; they are sewed very neatly together, and are excessively strong.
Tobe, or large shirts, much varied in colours and prices; the best are called Samia, of blue cotton and white silk woven in stripes. A female slave is considered a fair exchange for one of these shirts; others are at seven or eight dollars each. White ones are also made, but not considered equal to the blue. The names of those most commonly brought are, Massaquari, Sharia, Shāta, Shinni, Freezy, and Abiad, or white.
Aba. Of cotton: it is a large shawl or wrapper, used and worn nearly as the barracans or abas of the Arabs and Moors. These wrappers are always striped, and generally very handsome: they are called Melhaffi Zaberma.
Gold. In dust, and small bars or rings. This precious metal is not brought openly, owing to the avarice of the Sultan; and the amount is very small in comparison with the commerce in the time of the last Sultan. It is valued at about one dollar and a half the Mitgal, or about the seventh part of an ounce.
Leather. Hides of sheep and goats, dyed and prepared extremely well, of yellow, red, or black; they are even glazed in the same way as morocco leather. The skins of bullocks prepared with grease (of which water buckets and sandals are generally made), and quite pliable. Many ornamental articles in leather are also brought; amongst others the Mokhadda, or pillows, which are beautifully made. They are mostly of red or yellow, with figures and ornaments dyed in black or blue, and tassels hanging at the ends.
Medaas. Ornamental sandals of exquisite workmanship, for men and women.
Kelābo. These are the ox hides just mentioned, and are sold in Fezzan for five or six dollars each.
Gerbas. Or water skins, made of goats’ hides; they are considered the best in Africa, are very large and tight, and are worth three dollars each.
El Khaaf. The blue wrappers which form part of the head-dress of the Tuarick.
Ostrich skins with the feathers on.