Travels in the interior districts of Africa: performed under the direction and patronage of the African Association, in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797

by Mungo Park

Remarks on the Positions of the Salt Mines in the Great Desert.

Edrisi understood that all the salt consumed in the kingdoms of Nigritia (particularly along the course of the Niger), was brought from Ulil, situated at 16 journies to the westward of Sala, and erroneously supposed by him to be an island, situated in the ocean, near the mouth of the Niger.[129] But by the situation, one would suppose that the salt mines of Aroan, 10 journies to the NNW of Tombuctoo, and in the road to Morocco, were meant; and from whence Tombuctoo is at present supplied. It is not easy to guess how an inland salt mine should have been mistaken for an island, in the ocean: but it is certain that both Edrisi and Abulfeda, supposed the Niger to discharge itself into the sea, near the meridian of Tombuctoo. Ibn Al Wardi[130] speaks of Oulili, as the principal city of Soudan (or Nigritia), situated on the sea coast, and having extensive salt works, from which salt was carried to the other states of Nigritia.

Mr. Park mentions the city of Walet, capital of Beeroo, which may perhaps be the Oulili intended by Ibn Al Wardi;[131] but it has no salt pits; for the inhabitants fetch salt from Shingarin, six journies to the northward of it:[132] and Walet is more than 24 journies from Sala, instead of 16, as stated by Edrisi.

Cadamosta and Leo, in the third and fourth centuries after Edrisi,[133] say, that the people of Tombuctoo had their salt from Tegazza, 40 journies to the westward of that city; and that the salt was carried so far to the east as Melli, which is opposite to Kassina. By Tegazza, Tisheet,[134] the salt mine of Jarra seems to have been meant; but is far short of 40 journies from Tombuctoo. Now, if in the 12th century, salt was procurable so near to Tombuctoo as Aroan, or Shingarin (the salt pits of Walet), why should they have fetched it from a place 30 or 40 days distant, in the 15th and 16th? This requires explanation: for Edrisi states very particularly that salt was carried from Ulil in boats along the Niger, and distributed amongst the nations on its banks, from Sala to Kauga![135]

Mr. Beaufoy, quoted as above, says,[136] that there is a salt lake, or lakes, in Bornou; from whence Agadez, Kassina, and certain states on the south of the Niger, are supplied. This at least implies that there are no salt mines in the Desert, in the quarter east of Tombuctoo.

[91]

Table of the principal latitudes and longitudes in the Map.

		In the map.						By M. Fleurieu.		Con. deTemps.		Bruce.
		Latitude.			Longitude.			Longitude.
*	Cadiz	36°	21′	N	6°	19′	W	6°	19′
	C. Spartel	35	48		5	57		6	2	5	54
	C. Cantin	32	33		9	15		9	11
	C. de Geer	30	28		9	54		10	31	9	53
	C. Bajador	26	20		14	17		14	49	14	28
*	I. Ferro	27	51		17	37		17	37
	C. Blanco	20	47		16	58		16	58
*	C. Verd	14	48		17	34		17	35
†	C. Palmas	4	30		7	41
†	I. St. Thomas	0	18	N	6	37	E
	Tunis	36	44		10	20
	Tripoly	32	54		13	15				13	20
	Mourzouk	27	48		15	3
*	Suez	30	2		32	28
	Cairo	30	3		31	20				31	29
	Koseir	26	8		34	8						*31 4
	Sennar	13	35		33	30	30″
	Source of the Nile inAbyssinia	10	59		36	55						*36 55
†	C. Guardafui	11	43		51	12
	Syene	24	—		33	30						*33 30

* The longitudes thus marked, are from celestial observation, either at the place, or in the vicinage.

† From timekeepers: the two first by Capt. Price, the latter by Capt. Richardson.