A Report of the Kingdom of Congo: And of the Surrounding Countries ; Drawn ...

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(A

^

730-1

A REPORT

OF THE

KINGDOM OF CONGO.

LONDON :
GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,
ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.

A REPORT

OF THE

KINGDOM OF CONGO.

AND OF THE

durroutttftttij Countries;

Drawn out of the Writings and Difcourjes of the Portugue/e^

DUARTE LOPEZ,

By FILIPPO PIGAFETTA, in Rome, 1591.

Newly Translated from the Italian^ and Edited^ with Explanatory Notes^

BY

MARGARITE HUTCHINSON.

VHitf) dTaci^imtlei^ of tfie (Sristnal jHapie;, anH a ^refare b^
SIR THOMAS FOWELL BUXTON, Bart., F.R.G.S.,

ETC., ETC.

,. JUN!f81

•* There lies the Congo Kingdom, great and ftrong, \

Already led by us to Chriftian ways 5 ^^Qn r tvN^

Where flows Zaire, the river clear and long, \,.,yi:;XAj^^

A ftream unfeen by men of olden days.**

TkeLusiads, v. 13.

LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET,

1881.

r>.

CONTENTS.

BOOK THE FIRST.

CHAPTER L
Voyage from Lifbon to the Kingdom of Congo .... 5

CHAPTER II.

Of the climate of the Kingdom of CongOy and of the colour of its
inhaMtants — Of the winds ^ rain, and fnow ofthofe countries —
Of the ftature and appearance of the men of thai country . .12

CHAPTER III.

Concerning the colour of the children of Portuguefe whofe mothers are
natives of Congo 16

CHAPTER IV.

Of the circumference of the Kingdom of Congo, its divifions, and
boundaries 17

CHAPTER V.
Of the northern fide of the Kingdom of Congo and its boundaries . 24

CHAPTER VI
Of the eaf tern boundaries of the Kingdom of Congo . . . • 29

CHAPTER VII

Of the boundaries of the Kingdom of Congo towards thefouth and
weft 31

CHAPTER VIII

Of the extent of the Kingdom of Congo in poffeffion of the king

at this day, according to the above four diviftons . . .42

Provinces of the Kingdom of Congo 43

Animals of the Kingdom of Pamba 45

vi Contents.

CHAPTER IX,

Of the Province of SongOy in which country are the River Zaire^
and Loango 56

CHAPTER X.
Of the third region^ called Sundi 58

CHAPTER XI.
Of the fourth province^ called Pango 59

CHAPTER XIL
Of the fifth region^ called Batta 60

CHAPTER XIIL
Of the fixth and laft country^ called Pemba 62

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHAPTER L
Ofthefite of the royal city of the Kingdom of Congo • ^5

CHAPTER IL

Of the origin of Chriftianity in Congo ; and in what manner the

Portugueje acquired the trade of that country , . - 70

CHAPTER III.

Death of King DomJoSto^firft Chriftian king — Succejfion ofhisfon^
Dom AlfonfOy and of the wars againft his brother — Of the
miracles which happened^ and the converfion of this people , 79

CHAPTER IV.

Death of King Dom Alfonfo, and fucceffion of Dom Pedro — Firft
colonization of the If land of St. Thomas — Of the Bijhop fent
there, and of other great events relating to religion — Of the death
of two kings through conf piracies of Portuguefe^ and of Congo
nobles — How the royal line became extinct — Expulfion of the
Portuguefe 89

Contents. vii

CHAPTER V. PAG.

Incurfions of people called Jagas into the Kingdom of Congo — Their

cuftoms and weapons — The feizure of the royal city . . .96

CHAPTER VL

The King of Portugal fends aid and an ambaffador to the King of
Congo — The latter refufes knowledge of the mines to the King
of Portugal^ but at the fame time fends ambaffadors to Spain to
carry fpecimens of metals from the minesy and to afkfor priefts
— The events which befell them — The vow of Duarte Lopez . 98

CHAPTER VIL

Of the court of the King of Congo — Of the drefs of the people of
Congo before^ and after they became Chriftians — Of the royal
table and the manners of the court 108

CHAPTER Vni.

Of the countries beyond the Kingdom of Congo towards the Cape of
Good Hope^ and of the River Nile 113

CHAPTER IX.
Of the Kingdom of Sofala 116

CHAPTER X,

Of the reft of the fea-coaft as far as the Red Sea— Of the Kingdom
of Prefter John^ and its boundaries — Of the famous River Nile^
anditsfource 126

NOTES 134

Dedication of Original Maps.
Description of Map of Lopez,
Cartography of Africa,
Bibliographical Note.
General Notes.

PREFACE.

Thb laft twenty-five years have feen the veil drawn back
from a great part of the continent of Africa. The labours of
many travellers following in the fteps of Livingftone have
combined to throw a light on the Dark Continent, of which
we knew as little as the inhabitants knew of us. We have
learnt much of the phyfical features of the country, and of
the character of the tribes with whom explorers have made
acquaintance, but we have alfo learnt that much that has
appeared to us fo new was, in fact, only redifcovered.

The maps of the 1 6th century fairly illuftrate the know-
ledge of that time. If we compare them with the maps of
the beginning of the 19th century, we cannot fail to obferve
how much of that knowledge was loft, although more recent
explorations ftiowed how much of truth was contained in
them.

The tranflation that is now offered to the public will have
its ufe in fhowing the kind of information that was to be had
in Europe in the i6th century, and the character of the men
who obtained it.

It may do more. It may ftimulate refearch into this long-
neglected portion of hiftory ; and poflibly the inveftigation of
libraries in Portugal and Spain may yet throw more light on
the condition of Central Africa at that time, and on the
nature of the Portuguefe Government over it ; and, perhaps,
give us fome anfwer to the queftions how that government
was formed, and how it came to be loft. Such queftions

a

X Preface.

could not fail to be of intereft to any nation that poflefles or
has poflefled authority in Africa. It would be information
full of intereft to us if it enabled us to know by what fteps
the authority was gained — whether in confequence of the
deliberate intention of the Government at Lifbon, or by the
efforts of Portuguefe fettled in the interior. Again, it was
loft — utterly forgotten — leaving no traces behind it, unlefs the
Indian corn and the tobacco plants are such. We should
gladly welcome any information that ftiowed whether the
reins of government were drawn too tight, till they broke, or
whether they fell from the hands of rulers who ruled without
diligence.

The accounts of the travels of Pigafetta, as narrated by
Duarte Lopez, give a valuable infight into the knowledge
then exifting in Europe. They alfo fupply a further illuftra-
tion of the activity then difplayed by the Courts at Rome
and Lift>on in fending out miflionary expeditions to Africa ;
but they tell us nothing to explain how it is that the interior
of the country to this day ftiows no figns of the refults of
thofe efforts.

The tranflation, and the notes that accompany it, make it
unnecefTary for me to allude to the laborious refearch and
prolonged ftudy which they have required. That labour
has been willingly given, and will meet its reward if it
contributes something to the materials for the Hiftory of
Africa which has yet to be written.

THOS. POWELL BUXTON.

WarluSy

Wnltham Abbey.

INTRODUCTION.

It was in the {ummer of 1878 that my attention was firft
directed to the work of Filippo Pigafetta. I was affifting
my hufband in the preparation of a fhort work on Africa,
which he has termed " The Loft Continent and its Re-
difcovery," and it became neceflary to examine, as far as
poflible, into the records of the dealings with Africa of
European nations. Mr. Major's work, " Prince Henry the
Navigator ;" Captain Burton's " Lands of Cazembe " and
tranflation of " Dr. Lacerda ;" and Captain Elton's tranflation
of the " Chronicles of the Mozambique," have (hown us the
important part Portugal had played in tropical Africa. But
our author, Pigafetta, we had not yet come in contact with.

Every ftudent of African bibliography is, of courfe,
acquainted with the work by name, but not many in thefe
days have had the opportunity of ftudying the work for
themfelves. As may be feen, by reference to the Biblio-
graphical Note, the work was, very foon after its publication^
tranflated into Englilh by Abraham Hartwell, Rector of
Toddington, Beds, and dedicated to Archbifhop Whitgift.
This quaint dedication I have placed at page xxiii.
Hartwell's tranflation forms the bafis of fbme portion
of " Purchas, His Pilgrims,'' and " John Ogilvy's
Account of Africa.'* A ftiU more interefting ufe was
made of it by Daniel De Foe. A writer in Macmillan's
Magazine, in the year 1878, gives an account of
the remarkable " Travels of Captain Singleton," and

a 2

xii Introduction.

exprefles his furprife that the difcoveries of Stanley and
others feem to have been anticipated fo far back as 1791.
Apparently, unaware of the exiftence of our author's work,
he fuppofes that Daniel De Foe had come in contact,
perfonally, with Portuguefe travellers. To any one who has
read both works it is manifieft that De Foe carries his hero.
Captain Singleton, through the fcenes, and furrounds him
with the events which Lopez defcribes in the pages of
Pigafetta. The laft edition of the Encyc. Brit, ftates that,
in a paper read before the Bombay Branch of the Afiatic
Society, in 1863, Dr. Bird wood commented on the surprifing
anticipation of recent difcoveries in Africa contained in the
narrative of Captain Singleton. However, it is but fair to
admit that the work of Pigafetta in the original Italian, and
in the tranflation by Hartwell, is extremely fcarce ; and we
were indebted to the kindnefs of the Council of the Royal Geo-
graphical Society for permiffion to make free ufe of the Italian
copy belonging to them. So much of intereft was revealed
as the tranflation proceeded that, at Sir T. Fowell Buxton's
requeft, it was refolved to tranflate the whole for private
circulation. It was, however, thought that the book, with a
certain amount of explanation and notes, would be interefting
to a larger circle, and it is, therefore, given in its prefent
form. Its preparation has involved an unexpected amount of
labour in confulting and verifying authorities, and the
tranflator aflcs the kind forbearance of the reader, for flie
feels that to do juftice to her taflc, required a fltilled and
practifed hand. It was manifefl;, on perufal of the work and
ftudy of the large map prepared by Lopez, that fome con-
fiderable portion of information had been obtained from other
fources, which our knowledge of Portuguefe records was not
fufficient to enable us to trace. Fortunately, however, at the
very time that we were confidering this queftion, the

Introduction. xiii

materials needed were being prepared by a moft competent
authority, and the following extracts from M. Luciano
Cordeiro's " L'Hydrographie Africaine " ihow who the
authors were whom Lopez muft have ftudied.

The Lyons Geographical Society had written for informa-
tion to the Geographical Society of Lilbon. M, Cordeiro's
reply takes the form of an eflay ; he fays : —

" Lisbon.
" Sir,

"The Geographical Society of Lifbon has been

agreeably furprifed in hearing that the Geographical Society

of Lyons is occupied in the ftudy of a globe which, for

many years, has remained forgotten in the principal library

of your city.

" This globe, according to your courteous letter of the 23rd
of February, 1878, and to which our Society directs me to
reply, places the African Equatorial Lakes in an approximate
pofition to that made known by the lateft modern difcoveries.

''Being aware that the Portuguefe, Duarte Lopez, had
greatly contributed, by his voyages in Central Africa, towards
furnifhing the Dominicans, who made the Lyons globe
(to which you give the date 1701), with the information
which enabled them to conftruct it, you wifh to have fent
you the works of Duarte Lopez, or, better ftill, complete
accounts of the Portuguefe voyages, which, at the end of the
17th century, determined up to a certain point the theory
which is in full vigour to-day, regarding the hydrographical
fyftem of Africa and of the fources of the Nile, a theory
formerly forcibly combated on this laft point by the French
and other academies.

" Our Society will endeavour, with much pleafure, to aid
you in your interefting refearch, as well as to furnifh you
with all the information, hiftorical and geographical, which

xiv Introduction.

can be procured regarding the points to which you refer.
Neverthelefs, I regret being unable to fend you the works,
or, rather, the work of Duarte Lopez, or, more correctly,
of Philip Pigafetta, in confequence of its being fo fcarce,
that I hardly know of two copies in Portugal, and thofe
incompletely printed, and belonging to the Government. . . .

" The full information you require, refpecting Portuguefe
travels in Africa before the 1 8th century, would neceflarily
involve too much labour. In order to fatiffy your immediate
wants on the fubject, I fhall confine myfelf, therefore, to
giving you haftily gathered details on the point occupying
your attention at this moment . . ..

" Certainly, I can only attribute to entire ignorance of our
language, and of our African geographical literature, the
unjuft aflertion of the eminent geographer, Monfieur Peter-
mann, which fays, ' that the work of the Portuguefe in the
exploration of Africa is almoft nil, and their information
incomplete and inaccurate.' . . . You doubtlefs know, fir,
that it was in Portugal, in the 14th century, the long and
arduous campaign commenced for opening up Africa to
fcience, civilization, and commerce, and that with an ardour
which has, perhaps, never been furpafled. If the Infante
Dom Henrique inaugurated the difcoverics. King Dom
Joao II. (148 1 — 1495) was the real initiator of geographical
exploration in the interior of Africa. It was, indeed, one of
his chief defigns to make known the interior of the dark
continent, to open a paflage acrofs Africa as far as the
Indian Ocean, and to find, in fact, in thofe vaft regions what
was then called the Empire of Prefter John. To this end,
numerous expeditions were fent out, fo that ths Portuguefe
might difcover new parts of the coaft, and eftablifh them-
felves there ; and truftworthy men were to remain, by order
of this illuftrious prince, amongft the natives, to cultivate

Introduction. xv

friendly relations with them, and to pufh on into the interior
under their guidance, fo as to collect information of the
people and country of thofe parts. With this defign, the
king put in action the unceafing defire and zeal he had for
the propagation of the Chriftian religion, and gave preference
to thofe miffionaries who had mathematical knowledge.
But before that, our nation had already fumifhed modern
African hiftory with the firft European explorer — Joao
Fernandes (1445). Amongft other expeditions, I will
fpecially refer in paffing to thofe of Pero d'Evora and of
Gongallo Eannes to Tucoral and TumbuctoOy of Mem Rodrigues
and Pero d'AJiuniga to Timbuctoo and to Temala, King of
the FouUahs ; of Rodrigo Rebello^ Pero Reinely Joao Collaco
firft, and afterwards, in 1 534, by command of the hiftorian,
BarroSi of Pero Fernandes^ to the interior of Senegambia,
where the country is called Mani-Manja — the Mani-Mana
which Lopez places on the Upper Niger ; of Rodrigo Reinely
Diogo BorgeSy and Gongalo d'Antas to Huadem^ in Adrar ; of
LucaSy an Abyflinian, on the eaft coaft, in the country of
Mofes, which was fuppofed to be the frontier of Abyffinia,
or Nubia ; of Joao LourengOy Vicente AnneSy and Joao Bifpo^
and of others to SongOy and to various parts of the interior of
the country of the Mandingas and Foullahs. And at this
point I may add, we poflefs very old and moft interefting
works relating to expeditions acrofs Senegambia and in the
interior of Africa. One of thefe, written by the clever
explorer. Captain Andre Alvares d*Almaday dates from the
fecond half of the 1 6th century, . , .

" If to fome extent the ferious events of the reign of Joao II.,
and, later, the difcovery of India, fomewhat weakened intereft
in African difcoveries, on the other hand, the growing
fettlement of the Portuguefe on that continent gave rife,
under commercial and religious influence, to wonderful ex-

xvi Introduction.

plorations, which have continued, almoft without interruption,
to our own day. I may fpecially refer to that of Pere
Gongalo da Siheira to the interior of Monomotapa, in 1560;
of Francifco Barreto and Vqfco Fernandes to Chicova and
Manica (1570 — 1573) ;♦ of Lopez to the interior of Congo ;
and of Rebello de Aragao to the Kingdom of Angola, of
which he was one of the firft conquerors. In the i6th
and 17 th centuries, another important fource of information
on the interior of Africa is to be found in our extenfive
navigation of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and from the
large number of fhipwrecks which occurred on the African
coafts. Frequently the fhipwrecked {ailors remained for
years amongft the natives, accompanying them in their far-ofF
expeditions. We find the King of Portugal already, in
1 521, fending an explorer — Gregorio de ^adra — to Congo,
to go to Abyffinia acrofs the continent; and in 1526, a
Portuguefe, Balthafar de Caftro^ who had lived for fome time
in Angola, fending news to the King of Portugal from
Congo, of an expedition being formed for the difcovery of
the principal fource of that river, and begging to be entrufted
with the conduct of it. In 1537, another Portuguefe,
Manuel PachecOy who evidently knew the country of Congo
well, wrote on an identical project. . . . Two things fhould be
noticed — one is, that from 1516, the King of Congo became
fubject to Portugal; the other, that at the time of the
Portuguefe fettlement at Congo and Angola, the former
kingdom extended much farther fouth and eaft than the
actual territory bearing that name.

" Let us return to our fubject, and fee how Portuguefe
geography of the i6th century underftood and taught the
chief elements of the hydrography of Africa, or what were
the views on this fubject which it enunciated.

*^ On a map, ' L'Infularium illuftratum Henriei Martelli

In troduction . xvi i

Germani/ which fhows the Portuguefe difcoveries on the
weftem coaft of Africa up to 1489, the hydrography of the
Nile retains the pofition Ptolemy gave it, but the Rio
Podero/Oy which falls into the Atlantic with a large mouth,
near the p6ta de padron^ recedes from, and approaches one
of the central lakes of the Nile. Thefe lakes are fed by
ftreams of water from the Mountjuns of the Moon, fituated
in the middle of the continent.

*^ In the celebrated portulan of Juan de la Cofa ( 1 500) we
fee a great lake, ibuth of the equator, giving rife to the Nile,
which flows direct north, having no communication with two
lefltr lakes to the E. and N.E. of the other. Duarie
Pacheco Pereirdy wKo is fuppofed to have written in 1505,
and who went to India, in 1 503, with Affonfo de Alhuqucrquey
fays, in an interefting nautical treatife, that the Zaire has its
fource in fome mountains 50 leagues from the coafl;, but that
it becomes very large from other rivers flowing into it. He
fays that the Nile rifes to the fouth of the equator, that it
forms two lakes near its fource, and divides into two branches,
which join again, forming the Ifland of Meroe. He fays,
alfo, of the Niger, that its courfe is long and its fource un-
known, but that it was believed to rife from a lake of the
Nile, near Tombouctoo.

" In the middle of the 1 6th century, when the colonization
of Africa by the Portuguefe had greatly extended, the map
of 'Diogo Homem (1558) has on it the Nile flowing by three
principal branches from three lakes, two of which are in the
middle of Ethiopia, between the Tropic of Capricorn and the
equator, and almoft in the fame parallel of latitude ; the
third is under the equator to the N.E. of the others, and
near the coaft of Melinde, and on the frontier of the empire
of Prefter John. . . .

" On one of the maps of the interefting atlas arranged in

b

xviii Introduction.

1563 by the Portuguefe, Lazaro LuiSy one fees a large lake
as high up as the Kingdom of Quiloa, from which the
Cuama, or Zambefi, flows towards the S.E. by two arms ;
towards the S.E., the River Manhife ; and towards the S.,
another river, without name, falls into Falfe Bay. . . .

*'On the beautiful map of the world of FemSo Vaz Dourado,
made at Goa in 1571, the fame features are reprefented to a
certain extent, with fome modern modifications."

The next map to which M. Cordeiro draws attention is that
of Duarte Lopez^ which is defcribed in the " Note." He
pafles now to the text of the geographers.

" One of the oldeft and moft interefting fourccs of informa-
tion we pofTefs relating to the Eaft of Africa is, doubtlefs,
that given by Francifco Alvares^ chaplain to the King of
Portugal, and a native of Coimbra, who went to AbyflSinia, in
1 520, with the tmh3,ffy of Dom Rodrigo Je Lima. . . . Already,
before this, Pero da Covilhan had penetrated farther, and,
according to Alvares, he had even been to the fources of the
Nile in the Kingdom of Goyame. Some who accompanied
Alvarez — Jorge d^Abren^ Diogo FernandeSy Affonfo MendeSy
and Alvarenga — followed Prefter John in an expedition to
the Kingdom ofAdeay and almoft got as far as Mogadoxo. . . ,

"When, in 1552, Barros publifhed his AJiay our empire
already extended along all the African coaft, from Guinea to
the entrance of the Red Sea, and the centres of Portuguefe
colonization and exploration on the Ethiopian continent
were already numerous and in a great ftate of activity.
Intercourfe with the interior was alfo carried on from
the coaft far inland, and the information thus directly, or
indirectly gained, neceflarily conftituted an important bafis.
In whatever elfe they might differ, thefe accounts feemed to
agree perfiftently on one point, and that was, the exiftence of
a great inland lake, or, rather, of a chain of great lakes.

Introduction. xix

giving origin it might be to the Nile, or to the Zaire, or to
the Zambefi. . . .

" On the fouth-eaft fide, the idea of a great inland lake,
with feveral rivers flowing out of it, and falling into the fea
on that coaft, dates from the firfl: relations of the Portuguefe
with the natives of the Bay, which, after its exploration by
Lourenpo Marques, received the name of that navigator,
inftead of Bay of Lagoa, which the Englifli have preferved
under the odd name of Alagoa Bay. . . . We find ftated
in a work of the 1 6th century, the relation of the courfe of
the Upper Nile to that of the Blue Nile, and, alfo, the
origin of this laft (Lake Tfana). This is the fhort
hiftory of Miguel de Caftanhofo^ who was with the famous
expedition of 'Dom Chriftovao da Gama in Abyflinia. A
contemporary of Caftanhofo, 'Dom Jodo BermudeSy and
who was in thofe regions at the fame period (1565), fays,
* The Moorifh king (of Zeilah) lives in a kingdom called
Dembiay which the Nile crofl!es, and where it forms a lake
30 leagues long, and 5^ leagues broad. In this lake are
feveral iflands.* This is the Lake Tfana. Bermudes fays
of it, ' And this lake is not the one from which the Nile
ifliies, as that river comes from much farther oflf^; even more
than 200 leagues above Damute.' It ihould be remarked that
Bermudes lived in Damute, in his calling as a mifl[ionary. . , .
In 1578, a Portuguefe went to Africa, who, by his culti-
vated intellect, his boldnefs in refuting the geographical
prejudices of his day, and the zeal he carried into his ftudy
of the interior of the great continent, was not fo much an
adventurer as a real explorer, animated with a defire to
know and to unveil the myflerious heart of Africa. That
Portuguefe was Duarte Lopez.

"His revelations naturally caufed lefs aftonifhment in
Portugal than in the reft of Europe, Only a (hort time

b 2

XX Introduction.

before the publication of " Pigafetta," Joao dos Santos^ for
example, had travelled over Eaftem Africa, and actually
corrected fome of the matters contained therein. Yet the
fact remains, that the obfervant talent of Lopez has given us
one of the moft remarkable maps of Africa. To all who
have feen that map, the actual contour of African carto-
graphy, having regard to its central hydrography, is
admirably laid down in its general features. . . .

" From what has been faid above, it would feem that the
fe veral notions of Portuguefe geography in the 1 6th century
might be fummed up as follows : —

" I. The lacuftrian and general origin of the great African
rivers — the Zaire, the Zambefi, and the Nile; identity of
origin by the fimple fiippofition of the connexion of thefe
rivers, or the lakes from which they flow, by a central ftream
flowing in the direction N.S., like the Lualaba in modem maps.

" 2. Correction of Ptolomean geography ; aflertion of two
great central lakes in a relative pofition N.S., befides other
lakes on N.E., near or under the equator ; fources of chief
branches of the Nile, and others also on the N.S. and W.,
which explain the formation of the Niger, and of the Kaflai,
or Quango.

" 3. Lengthened courfe of Zaire towards equator and fouth-
wards, its firft fource in a fouthern lake, or its identity with
the central river S.N. (Lualaba).

" 4. Approximate pofition of Nile bafin, extinction of the
Nile of the Blacks, or of its connexion with Egyptian Nile.
In looking at Lopez's map, one is inclined to fay, 'This
northern lake, under lat. 1 2° S., is the Bembe (Bangeweolo) ;
this farther N. Tanganyika ; Colve is the Ukerewe ; Abiami
the Abiad, or White Nile — as Barcena is Bahr Tfana ; and
Abagni, the Abavi, or Blue Nile; Tacuy, or the Nile,
which flows from one to the other of the central lakes, is the

Introduction. xxi

Luapala, or Lualaba, which Livingftone alfo thought was
the principal courfe of the great Egyptian river ; the lake
Chinonda, near Linzama, is the Tchad, &c/ Can all this
deftroy, in any degree, the glory of the great explorers ?
Not in the leaft degree. ..."

We believe that Mr. Major, one of the Hon. Secretaries
of the Royal Geographical Society, was the firft who drew
attention to the work of Pigafetta, in a paper read by him,
in June, 1867.

The above lift of authorities, quoted by M, Cordeiro,
is fufficient to fhow that Portuguefe travellers have pene-
trated the continent in almoft every direction.

The map of Lopez fhows, as a refult of their obfervations,
thofe general features with which we have become familiar,
as the refult of modern travel.

The imperfect fcientific knowledge of thefe earlier tra-
vellers, however, prevented their determining with accuracy
the pofition of their various difcoveries, and led them into
errors with regard to the hydrography of the continent,
which are apparent on their maps, and have led many to
fuppofe that the information profefled to be given was
largely drawn from their own imagination.

A general review of the travels and obfervations of the
Portuguefe in Africa, fupports thofe who confider that the
work of modern travellers may be correctly termed the
*^ Re-difcovery of a Loft Continent.'*

M. H.

ERRATA.

Page 15, line 10, read ** south "/v ** south-west."

Page 20, line 15, read "shells "for " pigs."

Page 28, line 20, omit "even."

Page 29, line I, omit "except."

Page 29, line 10, for "like the Africans " read " according to African custom."

Page 32, read **Joao" for "Joan."

Page 33, read " Dom JoSo "for " Don Juan."

Page 33, line 16, read " de Novaes"y&r " di Novais."

Page 33, line 18, read " Dom" /or ** Don."

Page 41, line 23, insert "it" ie/ore "in."

Page 44, line 19, omil "they buy from."

Page 44, line 20, insert "buy" after "year."

Page 89, line 17, read "banishment oV* for "dissensions among."

Page 98, line 14, read '^Gowea" for " Gova."

Page 114, line 24, read ** horns" for "a horn."

Page 115, line 10, read " is "for " was."

Page 120, line 15, read "from India to Europe "_/2^r "to Europe from India."

To the most Gracious and Revermde Father in God, John by the pro-
vidence of God, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and
Metropolitaine of all Englande, and one of the Lordes of her Majesties
most honorable Privie Councdl,

Most Reverend Father, my singular good and gracious Lorde : In all
humble dutie I do offer to your grace this poor and slender present, in
auspicium nascentis armi, which I doe most hartely pray, may be as
happie and prosperous both for your health and quiet govemement as
{thanks be to God) your latter yeares have beene. It is a description of a
certain Region or Kingdome in Africa, called Congo, whose name is as yet
scarce knowen to our quarters of Europe, neyther is there any great or
solemne mention of it in any bookes that have beene published of that Third
parte of the old ^ox\^ And because this treatise doeth comprehend not
onely the nature and disposition of the Moci-Conghi, which are the
naturall inhabitantes and people of Congo, together with all the com-
modities and trafficke of that countrey, very fitte and pleasaunt to be reade,
but also the religion which they professed, and by what meanes it pleased God
to draw them from Paganisme to Christianity, / thought good thus to
make it knowen to my countreymen of England, to the end it might be a
president for such valiant English, as do earnestly thirst and desire to
atchieve the conquest of rude and barbarous nations, that they doo not
attempt those actions for commodity of Gold and Silver, and for other
transitorie or worldly respectes, but that they woulde first seeke the King'
dome of God, and the salvation of many thousand soules, which the
common enemie of mankinde still detayneth in ignorance : and then all
other thinges shall be put in their mouthes aboundantly, as may bee seene
by the Portingalles in this narration. Written it was by one Philippo
Pigafetta, an Italian, and a very good Mathematician, from the mouth
of one Lopez a Portingal, together with two maps, the one particular of
Congo, the other generall of all Africa, and especially of the Westerne
Coast, from 34 degrees beyond the ^Equinoctial northwardes, downe along
to the Cape of Good Hope in the South, and so upwardes againe on the
Easteme Coast by the great Island of Madagascar, otherwise called the
Isle of S. Laurence, til you come to the Tsle of Socotora, and then to the
Redde Sea, and from -^gypt into the inland Southwards to the Empire
i^/" Presbiter-John. I beseech your grace to accept of this my poore travell,
and I will not cease to pray to Almightie God, according to my dutie, that
hee will multiply many good years upon you, under the happy government
of our most gracious and Soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth : whereunto
the Church of Englande is bound to say. Amen, From your Graces house
in Lambehith, the first of Januarie 1597.

Your Graces most humble Servant at commaundement,

ABRAHAM HARTWELL,

TO THE

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST REVEREND
MONSIGNOR ANTONIO MIGLIORE,

Bishop of St. Mark, and Commander of the Order of

THE Holy Ghost.

In the great day of punifhments and rewards, our Saviour,
of all the works which man in this world is expected to
do, will not demand an account of any in comparifon
with thofe which relate to mercy, and the pious care
and protection of the needy. And truly it feems innate
in the human heart, and common even to uncivilized
nations to have compaflion on the afflicted and infirm,
and to act towards them as benefactors. Moreover,
the poor being found everywhere, fo alfo hofpitals and
public refuges are raifed for their benefit. Surpaffing
all others, however, in works of this kind is the City of
Rome, where without doubt a greater number of charitable
inftitutions and refuges for the deftitute have been raifed
than not only in any other city but in any other part of the
world. Pre-eminent amongft hofpitals is that called the
Hofpital of the Holy Ghoft, and of which Your Moft
Reverend Lordfhip was made Commander by the Holy
Father Pope Sixtus V of happy memory, after your recall
from the City of St. Mark, to which Bifhopric he had
previoufly promoted you. That moft wife prince faw fuch
an inftitution needed the fupervifion of one who, in addition
to high birth, was diftinguiftied for his prudence, moderation,

B

and knowledge of the world; and who would alfo, in a fpirit
of ftrict integrity, undertake to fee finiflied and reftored all
thofe Houfes of Charity which from previous neglect had
fallen into a ftate of difrepair, and place them thenceforth
under rule and difcipline. This work Your Moft Reverend
Lordfhip has excellently carried into effect. And truly it
was providential that His Holinefs did impofe on you this
charge, not only on account of the above-mentioned matters,
but alfo as for fome years paft, and particularly in the prefent
one, the feafons having been fo bad, famine has prevailed to
fuch an extent that men fell by the wayfide, weak from lack
of food. In fuch overwhelming numbers have they crowded
into this hofpital, coming there from all parts, that never fince
its foundation, nor even during the time of peftilence, was it
remembered to be neceflary before to clofe the porches
leading from the ftreets, in order to make place for the beds
of the fick, which were not lefs than eight hundred in
number. The number of infants increafed in an incredible
manner, so that even thofe born in wedlock, in order that
they ftiould not die of hunger, were by their own mothers,
who were unable from weaknefs to give them natural
nourifliment, left secretly at the houfe of mercy. Some
of thefe afterwards, when the ears of corn were ripe, and the
time of the abundant harveft had come, aiked for them back
again. During which arduous ftraits, when many died of con-
tagious difeafes, none the lefs did you perfonally vifit that great
multitude of fick and fufFering people, taking care that each
day they fliould be tended both in body and foul ; being
greatly upheld in this dangerous work by the praife beftowed
on your labours. Your forethought provided for the
fuftenance at that time not only of the ordinary population,
who, in confcquence of banditti infefting the neighbourhood,
lacked food, but alfo for the moft miferable and wretched in

that crowd of fuppliants. It was an act of charity alfo when,
fhortly before the above events happened, your Moft
Reverend Lordfhip prefented the Portuguefe Hermit, who
had returned from Congo, to his HoUnefs Pope Sixtus V
of holy memory, commanding myfelf at the fame time to
arrange under certain heads the Hiftory of the Kingdom
of Congo, and of thofe remote regions, where he had lived
for twelve years, in order that they might be printed for public
ufe. But for this gracious act we fhould have been deprived
of a very curious hiftory, and one but little known to us.
The Portuguefe related everything in his own tongue, from
vfhichy viva voce, it was tranflated by myfelf into Italian;
fo that it is not matter of furprife if now and then the fenfe
of the words is altered from that ufed by authors in our
language. His idiom not being well known, and his narra-
tive much interrupted during its delivery, no doubt feveral
words are ufed which do not belong to the court language.
In fhort, the account of fubjects mentioned in thefe Books
is Angular, and fuch as will prove ufeful to ftatefmen, learned
profeflbrs, philofophers, and geographers. The hermit pro-
mifed fuller information on his return, to thofe who might
defire it ; and in the meantime we muft be fatisfied with this
defcriptive record, which I dedicate to your Reverence, who
has fpared neither fatigue nor afliduity in thus gracioufly
procuring it for us. From Rome the yth of August, 1591.
Your Moft Reverend Lordftiip's Servant,

FiLIPPO PiGAFETTA.

B 2

BOOK THE FIRST.

CHAPTER I.

VOYAGE FROM LISBON TO THE KINGDOM OF CONGO.

In the year 1578, when Don Sebaftian, King of Portugal,
fet fail for the conqueft of the Kingdom of Morocco,
Duarte Lopez, a native of Benevento, which is twenty-four
miles diftant from Lifbon, near the fouth bank of the Tagus,
alfo failed in the month of April for the Port of Loanda,
in the Kingdom of Congo, going in a fliip called S.
Antonio, belonging to an uncle of his, which was laden with
various merchandife for that kingdom. It was accompanied
by a patacchio (which is a fmall veflel), to which he gave
continual help, guiding it at night with lights, in order
to prevent its miffing the way his fliip took. He arrived
at the Ifland of Madeira, belonging to the King of Portugal,
which is about 600 miles from Lifbon, and there remained
15 days in order to furniih himfelf with provifions and
wine and alfo with various fweetmeats, which are made there
in great quantities and of excellent quality. There is an
abundant fupply of wine in this ifland, being perhaps the
beft in the world, which is fliipped to various countries,
but particularly to England. Leaving Madeira and paffing
by the Canaries, all belonging to Caftile, he went into
harbour in one of the Cape Vei de Iflands, called S. Antonio,
which was not feen till they came upon it. From thence he
failed to another, called S. Giacopo (St. lago), which bears rule

6 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

over the reft, and is governed by the Biftiop and Governor,
who refide there; and here he took in provifions. It is
not our intention in this hiftory to relate the number of
the Canary Iflands, which are many, nor to {peak of the
Cape Verde Iflands, nor to give their pofition, efpecially
as there is no lack of records affording a full account
of thofe regions. We afpire to reach the Kingdom
of Congo, and this fliip was only here for a time on its
paflage. I fliall merely add that thefe Cape Verde Iflands
were fliown by Ptolemy to be the principal ones weftward
in the maps of his geography, together with the Cape called
by him the Hefperium Cornu, and thofe Macarie, or
Blefled Iflands, which we call the Fortunate Iflands. The
Portuguefe traded here with various merchandife, fuch as
coloured glafs balls, and other little things much fancied by
the people of thofe parts, besides Holland cloths, caps, and
knives, and in exchange, took back with them flaves, wax,
honey, and various products, as well as linen cloths of many
colours. Beyond thefe places, and right oppofite them, on
the mainland, are the countries and rivers of Guinea, and
Cape Verde, alfo Sierra Leone, or Lion Mountain, fo famous
for its great fize.

From the above-mentioned Ifland of St. lago, they
directed the ship's course towards Brazil fo as to catch the
wind, at the fame time taking note of the weather prevailing
in thofe feafons in order to accomplifti the voyage. There
are two routes from the Ifland of St. lago to Loanda, the
port of the Kingdom of Congo ; one being by the coaft of
Africa, the other by the high fea. Sailing with the
Tramontana wind, which blows in thofe months, generally
called North wind by the Portuguefe, Spaniards, French,
and all the people of the North Sea, and directing the
fliip*s courfe fouth and fouth-weft, leaving behind the

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 7

Kingdom of Angola, to return there later, we attain the
27 th or 2 9th degree beyond the equinoctial line in a
direction oppofite to that of our Pole, which in this hiftory
is ftyled Antarctic, that is to fay in oppofition to the
Arctic, which is our north, the Antarctic on the contrary
being towards the fouth. In this latitude of the oppofite
pole, navigators meet with winds known as Generali, or
prevailing winds. Thefe, blowing during nearly the whole
of our fummer, and called by them North-eafters, are with
us in Italy between North-eaft and Eaft in the fpring.
They were known to the Venetians as Eafters, and to the
Greeks and Latins as Etefii, or blowing at ftated feafons.

Sailing to within 29 degrees of the Antarctic, with the
north wind, great advantage is gained ; for, immediately the
winds prevailing in those parts are felt, they turn the fails,
and fteer the fhip in a ftraight courfe for Angola. Frequently,
however, they lofe the track, having failed to catch thefe
winds. It is beft to go fome time before and wait for this
ftrong wind, turning back afterwards, for in this way the
longed-for haven will be gained. It is a remarkable fact
that thefe winds blow fteadily from the north to 29 degrees
below the equinoctial line, and here ftill more furious winds
may drive one back, this occurring for fix months of the year.

Now, on the above voyage, the fhip St. Antonio,
meeting thefe prevailing winds, fleered north and north-
weft towards the Kingdom of Congo, and hauling the wind
arrived after 12 days and nights at the Ifland of S. Elena
(St. Helena), not looking for or even thinking of it. This
ifland is fo called from having been firft difcovered by the
Portuguefe on the 3rd of May, the Feaft of St. Helena. It
is fituated 16 degrees towards the Antarctic, is nine miles
in circumference, being as fmall as it is Angular, and far from
the mainland. From the fea its mountains may be defcried

8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

at thirty miles diftance, and it is truly a miracle of nature,
rifing out of that vaft and tempeftuous ocean, fmall and
alone, and affording fafe anchorage to fhips when they arrive
difabled and fhort of water from India. It abounds alfb in
provifions.

The woods are thick with ebony-trees, which are ufed by
the failors who come to the ifland. They alfo leave their
names cut in the bark, the letters becoming larger with
the growth of the trees. Very fine fruits grow without
any cultivation, but the Portuguefe brought the vine there.
Particularly in the vicinity of the little church, and of the
failors' inns, there are groves of wild oranges, citrons, lemons,
and large figs, and alfo of a peculiar kind of apple, which all
the year round bears ripe and unripe fruit, like the orange-
tree. It refembles the pomegranate, with its large red feed
and juicy pulp. This gift of being ripe all the year round
Homer fays is fhared by divers fruits in the Ifland of Corfu.
Wild goats, kids, and wild boars abound in the ifland, befides
other four-footed animals. There are alfo partridges, wild
fowl, doves, and many kinds of large and fmall birds. Both
animals and birds are fo tame as to have no fear of man.
Thus they are conftantly caught and killed, being afterwards
falted with the fait formed by the waves of the fea in natural
caves in various parts of the ifland. In this way they are
preferved as food for the failors who land there.

The foil of this ifland is crumbled like red afties, but
it is rich and fertile, and as foft under the feet as
fand, the trees fliaking with the fl:rength of a man.
But little labour is carried on, as after rain the fruits
fpring up from former feed. Radifties grow wild, and as
large as a man's leg, being ufed as food. Cauliflowers,
parfley, lettuce, pumpkins, peas, beans, and various kinds
of pulfe abound in this fruitful fpot, multiplying of them-

History of the Kingdom of Congo. g

felves, and needing no cultivation. Every fhip brings fruits
and herbs to the ifland, which, taking root, benignant nature
gives the reward with ufury, preferving them for the ufe
of the failors. There are fmall rivers of good water in this
ifland, as well as fafe anchorage for fliips. Near the
principal port ftands a fmall church, where the ornaments
of the altar are taken care of; alfo the veftments of the
priefts, and other things pertaining to the fervice of Mafs.
When fhips pafs that way the priefts go down to celebrate
divine fervice.

Here is alfo a retreat, where certain Portuguefe almoft
always live, two or three, or even one only remaining
there; either on account of illnefs or mifdeeds. Some
even voluntarily lead the life of a hermit in this folitary
place, as penance for their fins.

Excellent fifti is found in abundance, the fea feeming
crowded with them, fo that as foon as hooks are thrown
into the water, great loads are brought out continuoufly.

Aiking why the Portuguefe had not taken care to fortify
the ifland, it being fo well placed for failors, and as if by the
Providence of God planted there for the benefit of the
Portuguefe navigators, which is fully told by Granata in the
Symbol of Faith, written by him in Spanifti and tranflated
by myfelf into Italian, I was told that it would ferve no
purpofe to do fo becaufe this ifland lies out of the way in
going to India and is very difficult of accefs, but in returning
it lies in the way and is eafily feen ; fo that it was not worth
while to fpend time and money and keep foldiers there to
no profit, none but Portuguefe fliips trading with it. To my
reply, that the Englifli for two centuries have, neverthelefs,
penetrated into thefe feas, one expedition being led by Drake,
and the other during this year, 1588, by another pirate,
alfo Englifli, even more courageous than he, and named

c

lO History of the Kingdom of Congo.

Cavendifh, who returned laden with riches ; they faid that
fuch an undertaking could not be carried into effect in fuch
far-oJfF feas, as everything of building material muft be
brought from Europe.

In fine, befides all the above-mentioned advantages, the
climate of this ifland is temperate, and the air pure and
healthy ; the winds are foft, and when men reach it ill and
half-dead from the toils of the fea, they fpeedily recover and
regain their former ftrength.

From the Ifland of St. Helena they fet fail with the fame
weather, and arrived at the Port of Loanda, in the Province
of Congo, in feventeen days, the wind having moderated a
little. I'his port is a fafe and very large one, being formed
by an ifland of the fame name, of which we fliall fpeak
fliortly. We have faid there are two paflages from Cape
Verde to Loanda. One has been now defcribed, which,
though not ufed afterwards, was for the firft time navigated
by that fame fliip which conveyed Duarte Lopez, and guided
by Francefco Martinez, the king's pilot, who knew thefe feas
well and was the firfl: to go by this way. The other is by
the coaft of the mainland. Sailing from the Ifland of St. lago,
and onwards to Cape delle Palme (C. Palmas), they reach the
Ifland of St. Thomas, fo called becaufe it was difcovered on the
feaft of that apoflle. It lies under the equinoctial line, and
is 1 80 miles from the mainland, right oppofite the River
Gaban or Cloak (R. Gaboon), which has that fliape, and whofe
port is foreclofed by an ifland lying at the mouth of the river.
The Portuguefe come to this river in fmall boats from the
Ifland of St. Thomas, bringing fuch commodities as they carry
to the coafl: of Guinea, and taking in exchange ivory,
wax, honey, palm oil, and negro flaves. Near the Ifland
of St. Thomas, towards the north, lies another, called
II Prencipe (Prince's Ifland), 105 miles diftant from the main-

History of the Kingdom of Congo.

II

land, having the fame products and trade as that of St.
Thomas, but lefs in fize. The Ifland of St. Thomas is fome-
what round in form, being fixty miles broad, and i8o in
circumference. It is very rich, carries on a large trade,
and was taken pofleffion of by the Portuguefe when they
commenced the conqueft of the Indies. It has many
ports, but the principal one and where moft fliips enter is
clofe by the city.

The ifland produces a vaft amount of fugar and nearly
every kind of food. In the city are feveral churches, and
a bifliop refides here, with numerous priefts and a chaplain.
A caftle with a garrifon and artillery is near the port, to
which it forms a battery, and this harbour can accommodate
numerous fliips. It feems ftrange that when the Portuguefe
firft arrived here they found no fugar planted, yet they
brought it from other parts, together with ginger, which
alfo took root and flouriflied abundantly. The foil is moift
and fuitable to the growth of fugar-cane, which flouriflies and
ripens with no other watering than the dew which falls in the
morning like rain, and moiftens the earth. There are in the
ifland more than feventy buildings, or rather prefl!es, for
preparing fugar; and every building has feveral houfes round
it, fo forming a village, with nearly 300 perfons given to this
work. About forty large vefl!els are laden with fugar every
year. It is true that fince that time the worm like fome
plague — has deftroyed the roots of the fugar-cane, fo that now
from forty, five or fix vefl^els only are laden with fugar, and
thus it comes to pafs that it is fo dear in thofe countries.

The Ifland of St. Thomas trades with the people of the
mainland, who frequent the mouths of the rivers. The
firft of thefe rivers is that called after Fernando di Poo, who
firft difcovered it, and lies 5 degrees towards our pole. Over
againft its mouth rifes an ifland of the fame name, 36

c 2

12 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

tmemp

miles ofF. The fecond river is Bora, or Dregs, the next,
del Campo, the fourth, S, Benedetto, the fifth, the River
Angra, at the mouth of which is an ifland called Corifco,
that is to fay, thunder; and all thefe traffic in the fame
kind of merchandize as thofe already mentioned.

But to return to the voyage from St. Thomas. Sailing fouth
from thence we find Cape lupo Gonzale (Cape Lopez), which
is I degree beyond the equinoctial line, towards the Antarctic
Pole, and 105 miles from the above-mentioned ifland. From
thence ftiips fail with winds oflF land, and conflantly hugging
the coaft, and cafling anchor every day in a flieltered
place, or behind fome point, or in fome port, they at laft
reach the mouths of the greateft river in Congo, called
Zaire in that tongue, but which fignifies I know, that is
Sapio in Latin. From this point to the Port of Loanda is a
diftance of 1 80 miles. Thefe are the two paflages by fea from
the Ifland of St. lago (which is one of thofe Cape Verde
Iflands already mentioned), the firft having but a little while
ago begun to be frequented.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO, AND ITS INHABITANTS.

It is now time to fpeak of the Kingdom pf Congo, and of
all that relates to it. The centre of the Kingdom of Congo
is fituated 7 degrees and two-thirds from the equinoctial
line, towards the Antarctic pole, at the point where .the City
of Congo lies ; fo that it is in the region confidered unin-
habitable by the ancients, and known as the Torrid Zone ;
that is, the girdle of the earth, burnt by the heat of the fun.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 1 3

This, however, is a miftake, for the fituation is good, the
climate temperate beyond belief, and the winter much like
the autumn feafon in Rome. The inhabitants do not wear
furs, nor change their apparel, neither have they fires, nor
is it colder on the mountains than in the plains* The
winter is generally warmer than fummer, on account of
continual rainfall ; and efpecially about two hours before and
after midday the heat is almoft infupportable*

The men and women are black, fome approaching olive
colour, with black curly hair, and others with red. The
men are of middle height, and, excepting the black fkin,
are like the Portuguefe. The pupils of the eyes are of
various fhades, fome black, others of the colour of the
fea. Their lips are not large like the negroes, and their
countenances vary, like thofe of people in our countries, for
fome are ftout, others thin, and they are quite unlike the
negroes of Nubia and Guinea, who are hideous. The days
and nights there are nearly equal, only varying a quarter of
an hour all the year round. The winter in that country,
fpeaking generally, commences at the fame time as our fpring,
that is to fay, when the fun enters the northern figns, in
the month of March ; and when our winter commences, and
the fun enters the fouthern figns in the month of September,
then their fummer begins. During their winter the rain falls
for five months almoft continually, that is in April, May,
June, July, and Auguft, with few days of intermiflion from
tremendous fhowers, for even the drops are fo large as to be
extraordinary ; and by this means the earth is refreihed after
the dry feafon, when no rain falls for fix months. And
when the earth is foaked with moifture, then the rivers
become filled again beyond all belief, and their ftreams run
through all the land.

The winds which blow in thofe regions during the above-

1 4 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

named months are the fame which Caefar calls by the Greek
word Etefil, that is, occurring annually. Thefe winds are
marked in the compafs as blowing from north to weft and alfo
fouth-weft. They drive the clouds to the tops of the high
mountains, where, being hurled together with great force,
they naturally are refolved again into water, from which it is
feen that clouds fettle on the loftieft heights at the time
when it ufually rains. Hence occurs the overflow of thofe
rivers which rife in Ethiopia, efpecially that of the Nile and
others, which run into the eaftern and weftern oceans. And
in the Kingdoms of Congo and Guinea, through which the
Niger flows (fo called by the ancients, but known in modern
times as the Senegal), this river overflows at the fame time
as the Nile, and pours its waters towards the weft, to the
right of the Cape Verde Iflands. The Nile flows north-
ward from the Ifland of Meroe, in Egypt, watering thofe
regions where barrennefs and folitude prevail. Now as
it only rains in Congo and Ethiopia at certain feafons of
the year, the overflow of the rivers is not extraordinary, being
no new event. But in the far oflT and dry countries, like
Egypt, where (excepting Alexandria and that region), it never
rains, it is confidered marvellous that fuch an enormous
quantity of turbid water fhould come from diftant regions, at
a fet time, and without fail ; thus refrefhing the earth, and
giving food to man and beaft. On this account the ancients
facrificed to the Nile, calling it, as is told in the 4th Book
of Ptolemy, dya^os 8ai/xdi/to9, or the good god. Even to
this day certain Chriftians confider it a miracle, fince without
thefe waters the people would perifh from hunger, as (fays
St. John Chryfoftom) their lives depend on the rifing of
the river.

So that thefe Etefian winds, known to the Portuguefe as
Generali, and which blow during our fummer and in thofe

History of the Ki?7gdom of Congo. 1 5

countries in winter, drive the clouds to thofe very high
mountains, where they are difperfed again in rain. By
reafon of thefe rains, the winter there (as has been faid) is
lefs cold, the water in thofe hot regions generating warmth.

This is, then, the caufe of the overflow of the Nile, and of
other rivers under thofe fkies, concerning which the ancients,
however, were in fo great doubt, that they invented
many fables about them. But in their fummer, which is
our winter, the winds blow diametrically oppofite to thofe
above mentioned, that is, from fouth-weft to north-eaft
according to the compafs. Without doubt, they muft be
extremely cold, coming from the oppofite Antarctic pole,
but on that very account they aflTord cooling breezes to thofe
regions, as do our own winds in fummer in our country.

And although there thefe winds temper the heat of
the atmofphere, yet to us they bring torrents of rain. All
this happens through a certain natural difpofition of the earth,
which is regulated by the fkies, and climate, under the
Providence of God, who has ordered the heavens and the
courfe of the fun and of the other planets in fuchwife,
that every country in the world participates in their
light, in equal proportion, both in cold and heat, all the
year round. It is certain, alfo, that the heat would be
infupportable in the countries of Ethiopia and Congo, and
thofe adjacent to them, if thefe winds did not fo refrefh
and cool, that at night it is necefTary to ufe two coverings.
The fame benefit is experienced from them by the people
living in the ifland of Candia, and by thofe in the Iflands
of the Archipelago, of Cyprus, of Afia Minor, of Syria,
and of Egypt, who are invigorated by thefe winds, fo that
they may well be called, as they are in Greek, ^o?j<^opt,
that is, bringers of life.

It muft alfo be remembered that in the mountains of

1 6 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

Ethiopia, of Congo, and of the furrounding regions, no
fnow ever falls, not even on the fummits, excepting
towards the Cape of Good Hope and on certain mountains
fpoken of by the Portuguefe, as Sierra Nevada, that is,
fnow mountains. Neither fnow nor ice are found in the
Kingdom of Congo, where they would be efteemed more
coftly than gold, to mix with drinks of various kinds.

So that the rivers are not fwoUen by melting fnows, but
by the clouds pouring down r^n during the five months
of April, May, June, July, and Auguft. Thefe rains
commencing fometimes fifteen days earlier, and at others
fifteen days later, is the reafon why the rifing of the Nile, fo
longed for by the people in Egypt, takes place late or early.

CHAPTER III.

CONCERNING THE COLOUR OF THE CHILDREN OF PORTU-
GUESE WHOSE MOTHERS ARE NATIVES OF CONGO.

It was thought by the ancients that the colour of the fkin
when black was caufed by the heat of the fun, as the nearer
one approached the hot countries of the fouth, mankind be-
came darker, and on the contrary towards the north they
became fairer, like the French, Germans, Englifh, and others.
Neverthelefs, it is a fact that under the equinoctial line one
finds people of light complexion as for inftance in the
kingdoms of Melinda and Mombafa, and In the ifland of
St. Thomas. The laft has the fame climate as thofe places,
and was firft peopled by the Portuguefe, being formerly
uninhabite4 ^ For more than lOO years their defcendants
have not only been fair, but have become more and more fo.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 17

So that as the children of the Portuguefe, whofe mothers
were natives of Congo, have this complexion, Duarte Lopez
gives it as his opinion that the black fkin is not a refult of
the fun's influence, but has its origin in the blood, and,
afluredly, his opinion is confirmed by Ptolemy, who, in his
map of Libia, makes the Ethiopians white, and in his
language they are called -dcvicat^coirc?, or White Ethiopians.
Elfewhere he makes mention alfo of white elephants being
found in thofe parts.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO, ITS

DIVISIONS, AND BOUNDARIES.

The Kingdom of Congo has four divifions. The weftern
bathed by the ocean, the northern, eaftern, and fouthern.
Its boundary by the fea-coaft commences at the Bay
called feno delle Vacche, 13 degrees on the antarctic fide,
and following the coaft-line towards the north fide reaches
to 4^ degrees, near the equinoctial line, a diftance of 630
miles. This Bay is a moderate-fized port, but good, and
capable of holding feveral veflels. It is fo called becaufe
all round that region herds of kine are paftured;
the land is flat and yields abundance of produce. Several
kinds of precious metals, efpecially filver, are found and
publicly fold, and the kingdom is fubject to the King of
Angola.

Farther on flows the river Bengleli, where a vaflal of the
King of Angola rules, and around the faid river extends a
region fimilar to the above-named country. A little farther

1 8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

is the River Songa, fo called by the Portuguefe, becaufe for
a diftance of 25 miles the river prefents no variety. The
River Coanza follows next, and iflues from a fmall lake,
fed by a certain river flowing from the great and firft
lake, which gives origin to the Nile, of which in another
part of this book we fhall fpeak. This river is two miles
wide at its mouth, and navigable with fmall boats againft
the current of the river for nearly 100 miles, but has no
harbour.

It is worthy of remark that all this country which ufed to
be fubject to the King of Congo, is now under the abfolute
rule of the governor of the province we have defcribed, who
profefles to be an ally and not a vaflal of the king, but to
whom he fends prefents from time to time by way of tribute.
The Port of Loanda, beyond the River Coanza, at an
altitude of 10 degrees, is faid to be made by an ifland called
Loanda, meaning, in the native tongue, flat country, and
devoid of mountains, as it hardly rifes out of the water, and
is formed from the fand and mud which are depofited by the
fea and the River Coanza, whofe ftreams meet here. It
is about 20 miles long, and at the moft a mile wide, in
fome parts the difl:ance acrofs being only a bow-fliot. A
curious thing is that when digging in the fand at the foot
of two or three palm-trees, growing on it, the fweeteft water
in the country is found. More than this, when the tide
recedes this water becomes brackifti, but on the tide flowing
again it regains its fweetnefs. The fame thing happens in
the ifland of Cadiz, in Spain, according to the tefl:imony of
Strabo.

This ifland furniflies the money ufed by the King of
Congo and the neighbouring people; for along its fliores
women dive under water, a depth of two yards and more, and,
filling their baskets with fand, they fift out certain fmall fliell*

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 19

■BBBnaaa

fifh, called Lumache, and then feparate the male from the
female, the latter being moft prized for its colour and brightnefs.
Thefe Lumache are found along all the coafts of Congo,
but thofe of Loanda are fineft, being tranfparent, and in
colour fomewhat like the chryfolite, with other kinds, not as
greatly valued. It muft be remembered that gold, filver, and
other metals are not valued, nor ufed as money in thefe
countries; and fo it happens that with gold and filver in
abundance, either in mafs or in coin, yet nothing can be
bought except with Lumache. In this ifland are feven or
eight towns, known in the language of the country as Libata.
The principal one, called il Santo Spirito, is where the
Governor refides, who is fent from Congo to adminifter
juftice, and amafles riches from thefe Lumache. Here are
alfo goats, ftieep, and wild boars, which though at firft
tame have become wild, and live in the woods. A large tree,
called Enzanda, grows here ; it is always green, and endowed
with wonderful qualities, as from its branches, which
fpread upward, defcend others, like threads, and thefe,
forcing themfelves into the earth and taking root, other
trees multiply in like manner. Infide the outermoft bark of
this tree a fubftance is found, which, when cleanfed and
prepared for ufe, makes clothes for the pooreft of the people.
In this ifland the boats are made from the trunks of palm-
trees joined together. They have prow and flern, oars and
fails, and are ufed by the natives for catching fifli, which
abound along thefe coafts ; they alfo fail in them to the main-
land. In that part of the ifland looking towards the mainland
trees grow in certain fliallows near the ftiore, which are feen
when the tide ebbs ; and oyfters cling to their roots, con-
taining very good food. They are as large as a man's hand,
and well known to the people of the country, who call them
Ambiziamatare, that is, rock-fifli.

D 2

20 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

From the fliells of the oyfters, when burnt, good lime
is made for building material ; and from the bark of the tree
called Manghi, which refembles cork, fkins of oxen are tanned
and made into foles for flioes. In fhort the ifland produces
no corn, or vines, but provifions are brought from the parts
round about and given in exchange for thefe Lumache ; for
although in other parts barter is with metals, here it is with
Lumache. So that from this one can underftand how not
only in the Kingdom of Congo, but in Ethiopia, Africa, and
China, and in fome parts of India, money is ufed of a different
kind from gold, filver, or copper, or a mixture of thefe. For
in Ethiopia pepper is the currency, in Timbuctoo, which
is near the River Niger called Senegal, they ufe cockle-
fhells, amongft the Azanaghi Porcelette are money,
and in the Kingdom of Bengal pigs and metals together
form the currency. In China, certain fliell-fifh, alfo called
Porcelette, and in other places paper ftamped with the king's
feal, and bark from the mulberry-tree take the form of
money. So that metal is not the ftandard for obtaining the
value of merchandife in every part of the world, as it is in
Europe, and in fome other parts.

This ifland, in its narroweft part, is near the mainland,
and the people fometimes fwim acrofs its channel. Several
fmall iflands iituated in this flrait are uncovered at low
water and again covered by the tide. Large trees grow in
them, and it is faid oyflers are found on their roots.

Near this ifland, and towards the coaft, numerous black
whales are feen fwimming. Thefe fight with each other, and
when dead are thrown by the waves on the beach, like a
ftranded veflel. The natives then go with their boats to
fetch and to take the oil from them, which they mix with
pitch and ufe for their veflels. On the backs of thefe creatures
grow quantities of fliell-fish, like fnails and whelks, and Don

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 2 1

Lopez affirms having feen this himfelf, adding that he does
not believe they produce amber, for along all the coaft of
Congo, where fo many of them exift, neither ambergriz nor
any other amber is found, and if furnifhed by thefe crea-
tures fome muft, of neceffity, be found on thefe fliores.

The entrance of the principal port is towards the north, being
on that fide half a mile large, and of great depth. On the main-
land, to the right, is the city of S. Paulo (St. Paul de Loanda),
entirely inhabited by Portuguefe, with their wives, whom
they brought from Spain. It has, however, no fortrefs.

All this channel is very full of fifh, efpecially of fardines
and anchovies ; and in winter the number is fb great that
they even leap on land. There are alfo foles, fturgeon,
barbel, and every kind of excellent fifh, including large
crabs in great abundance, and fo wholefbme that the greater
part of the people on thefe fhores make them their chief
food.

The River Bengo, which is large and navigable for 25
miles, runs into this channel, and, together with the River
Coanza, of which we fpoke before, forms the Ifland of
Loanda, their waters meeting and depofiting fand, and fo
this ifland is raised. Farther on flows another and larger
river, called Dande, which can float veflels of 1 00 tons ;
and beyond it the River Lemba, which has no harbour, and
into which no fhips enter. Very near to this is the River
Ozoni, which flows from the fame lake as the Nile, and has
a port. Next comes the River called Loze, without a
port ; and another great one with a harbour, called Ambriz,
flowing four leagues from the royal city of Congo. Lafl
of all is the River Lelunda, fignifying trout fifh. It bathes
the foot of the mountain on which flands the royal city of
Congo, called Oteiro by the Portuguefe. This River
Lelunda, ifTuing from the fame fmall lake as the Coanza,

2 2 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

and another river running into it, which comes from the
great lake, can be crofled on foot in the dry feafon. The
great River Zaire (R. Congo) comes next, being the largeft in
the Kingdom of Congo, It takes its rife from three lakes,
one fource coming from the large lake out of which the Nile
iflues, the fecond from the fmall lake above mentioned, and
the third from the fecond great lake formed by the Nile.
Afluredly it needs no fmaller ftreams to increafe its fize, being
at its mouth 28 miles wide. When at its full height, it fends
frefh water into the fea a diftance of 40 or 50, and at times
even 80 miles, which ferves as refreftiment to travellers,
who know the place from the turbid waters. It is navigable
for 25 miles, with large boats, till it reaches a ftrait between
rocks, where the waters pour down with fuch tremendous
noife as to be heard nearly eight miles off. This place is
called by the Portuguefe Cachivera, that is, a fall or cataract,
as it refembles that of the Nile. Between the mouth of the
river and the fall are many large iflands, covered with well-
inhabited towns, the rulers of which are fubject to the King
of Congo. Thefe lords, when at enmity with one another,
fight amongft themfelves from time to time. They ufe
their boats to fight from, which are hollowed out of the
trunk of a very large tree, called Lungo. Their largeft
vefTels are cut out of the wood of a tree called Licondo,
which . is fo enormous that fix men cannot compafs it with
their arms, being long in proportion, fo that one of them
will carry about 200 persons. They row thefe boats with
their oars, which are not tied to loops, but are held in the
hand, and with them they ftrike the water quickly. Every
one has his oar and his bow, and whilft fighting they lay
down the oar and take the bow, but have no other way of
turning and managing their boats than by ufing thefe oars.
The firft of thefe iflands, and a fmall one, is I'Isola de

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 23

Cavalli, becaufe here are found feveral of thofe animals
called by the Greeks Hippopotami, that is, river-horfes.
The Portuguefe live in a fmall town in this ifland, by way
of fecurity, and their boats pafs to the mainland, on the fouth
fide of the river, to a place called the port of Pinda, and
where all veflels coming there anchor.

In this river are various kinds of creatures, and amongft
them large crocodiles, called by the natives Caiman, also
the river-horfe above mentioned, and a fimilar one, having
as it were two hands, with a tail like a target. It is called
Ambize Angulo, that is, fifh pig, for it is fat like the pig,
and the flefli is very good, lard being made from it ; nor
does it tafte of fifh, although it is one. This pig never
leaves frefh water, but eats grafs on the banks, having a
mouth like the muzzle of an ox. Some of thefe fifh weigh
as much as 500 pounds. The fifhermen chafe them in
their boats, obferving where they feed, then flick them with
hooks and forks, and, when dead, draw them out of the
water. When cut in pieces they carry them to the king,
upon pain of life to whoever omits to do so. The fame
occurs when trout and tench are caught, and alfo another
kind of fifh, called Cagongo, which refembles falmon,
although its colour is not red. This fifh is fo fat as to put
out the fire whilfl being cooked. Other fifh found here,
and called royal fifh, is all carried to the king; any one
omitting to do fo being under penalty of very fevere punifh-
ment. To thefe fifh many more might be added which it
is not necefTary to name. Beyond the River Congo is
another, called by the Portuguefe la Baia de las Almadias,
that is, Gulf of Boats, becaufe great numbers of boats are
built there, the thick forefls furnifhing excellent timber, of
which the neighbouring people make ufe for that purpofe.
At the mouth of this bay are three iflands ; a large one in

24 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

the middle of the channel, which ferves as a port for
fmall veflels, and two lefler, none of which are inhabited.
Still farther on we find a fmall river, called de las
Boreras Roflas, as it pafTes between mountain rocks whofe
foil is vermilion colour. Here rifes a very high mountain,
which extends inland, and is called by the Portuguefe la Sierra
Complida, that is Long Mountain. Continuing onwards
we find two bays of the fea in the fiiape of a pair of fpectacles,
where is a good harbour, and this is called Baia d'Alvaro
Gonzales, that is Bay of Alvaro Gonzales. From this
point are mountains and fhores not worthy of mention,
which extend as far as the cape called Caterina by the
Portuguefe (Cape S. Catherine), which is the boundary of the
Kingdom of Congo, towards the equinoctial line, and
diftant from the latter two and a half degrees, equal to 1 50
Italian miles.

CHAPTER V.

OF THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO

AND ITS BOUNDARIES.

Now, another boundary of the Kingdom of Congo begins at
Cape Caterina on the north fide, and terminates on the eaft
at the junction of the Rivers Vumba and Zaire, a diftance of
more than 600 miles. Beyond this boundary northwards, and
under the equinoctial line, along the fea-fliore, and for about
200 miles inland, including the afore-mentioned Gulf of
Lope Gonzales, the people called Bramas inhabit a territory
now known as the Kingdom of Loango, and their king is
called Maniloango, that is. King of Loango. The country

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 2 5

abounds in elephants, and their teeth are exchanged for iron,
of which the people make arrowheads, cutlafles, and fimilar
weapons. Here alfo they weave cloth from the leaves of the
palm-tree, to which we fliall refer later in this hiftory. The
King of Loango is at amity with the King of Congo, but it is
faid was formerly his vaflal. The people ufe the rite of
circumcifion like the Hebrews, as is the cuftom of all heathen
in thofe countries. They are friendly amongft themfelves,
but fight with the neighbouring tribes at times, refembling
the people of Congo in every particular. Their weapons
are long fliields, which almoft entirely cover the body, and
are made from the tough Ikins of a certain animal called
Empachas, which is fmaller than the ox, with horns like a
goat, and is ftill found in Germany, where it is called
Dant From thefe parts and from Congo the Ikins are
taken to Portugal, and from thence to Flanders, where they
are drefled and made into jerkins, corfelets, and cuirafles,
to which they give the name of Dant. As weapons
of offence this people ufe long iron fpears, refembling a
partifan or the old Roman pilum. This fpear is of a con-
venient length for throwing, and, to fecure greater force,
a wooden knob is placed in the middle of the weapon to
liold it by. They alfo carry daggers or poniards made like
an iron dart.

Beyond the Kingdom of Loango the people called Anziques
live, of whom truly ftrange ftories are told, and well-nigh
incredible from their horrible character, for they eat human
flefh, and even their own relations if neceffity occurs.

This country is bounded on the weft coaft by the region
inhabited by the people of Ambus, on the north by the
Nubian Defer t, and certain African tribes, and on the eaft
by the fecond great lake from which the River Congo takes
its rife in the Anzicana region, and is divided by that

E

26 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

River from the Kingdom of Congo. In the River Zaire
are many iflands (as has been faid) fcattercd from the lake
downwards, fome of which are under the rule of the An-
ziquez, who trade by means of this river with the people of

Congo.

In this Kingdom of the Anziques are feveral copper-
mines, and a great quantity both of red and grey fandal- .
wood. The red is called Tavilla, and the grey, which
is moft valuable, Chicongo. A powder is made from it,
which emits a delicious perfume. Medicines alfo are pre-
pared from it, the natives mixing the powder with palm oil,
and anointing the entire body to preferve themfelves in
health. They put it on the pulfe, and ufe it as a remedy for
the French malady, called in that tongue Chitangas. The
Portuguefe, however, diflblve it in vinegar for their own ufe.
Some aflert that this grey fandal-wood is the very Lignum
Aquila, which grows in India, and Duarte Lopez affirms
that the Portuguefe proved it to be fo by putting it on
burning coals, and inhaling the fumes when fufFering pain in
the head. The virtue is only in the pith and innermoft part
of this tree, the reft being of no value.

The Anzichi make linen cloths from the palm-tree in various
forms and colours ; and alfo filk fluffs, of which we fliall fpeak
later. They are fubject to a king who has feveral princes
under him, and are a very active, warlike, and bold people
in battle, fighting on foot Their weapons difi^er from thofe
of all the furrounding people, and are ftiort wooden bows,
covered with ferpents' fkins of divers colours, being of
fuch wonderful workmanfliip as to feem made of one piece,
and this is done to ftrengthen the bow and give firmer hold.
The ftrings are made of fmall wooden twigs, like canes, but
as firm and pliable as thofe which the cavaliers of Portugal
ufe for beating their palfreys. Thefe canes, which are red.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 27

and alfo fomewhat black, grow in the country of the
Anzichi and alfo in Bengal, through which kingdom the
River Ganges flows. Their arrows are fhort and flender,
made of hard wood, and are carried in the bow hand. Thefe
people fhoot with fuch dexterity that 2 8 arrows, and more, are
difcharged before the firft falls to the ground ; and it is faid,
at times, their fkilful archers can kill a bird flying. Befides
thefe weapons they ufe alfo a fort of poleaxe of curious fhape,
the handle being half the length of the blade. At the lower
end is a knob by which to hold it fecurely in the hand, alfo
covered with the fnake-fkin above mentioned. The head
fhines brightly, being fattened with copper pins in the wood,
and at one end it has a fharp edge like a hatchet, in the form
of a half-circle, and at the other a hammer. In fighting, they
defend themfelves from their enemies' arrows with this weapon
inftead of a fhield, and turn it every way with fuch readinefs
that they ward ofF the fhafts aimed at them. They wear alfo
fliort daggers, in fcabbards covered with ferpents' fkins, and
made like knives with a haft, which they carry flung acrofs
them. Their belts are of various kinds, but warriors ufe thofe
made of elephants' hides, three fingers broad, and two thick.
They are difficult to make, having to be put through great
heat to make them round, and are fattened with buckles crofs-
ways. Thefe people are wonderfully active and nimble,
leaping up and down the mountains like goats, very liardy,
without fear of death, fimple, fincere, and loyal, and, indeed,
the Portuguefe have greater confidence in them than in any
other tribes. So that Duarte Lopez well says. If thefe
Anziquez became Chrittians (being thus faithful, truthful,
loyal, and fimple, giving themfelves even to death for the
glory of the world and their flefli to their princes for food,
if it would pleafe them), how much more from their hearts
would they fufFer martyrdom for the name of ^ur Redeemer,

E 2

28 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

Jefus Chrift, and nobly defend our faith and religion,
both by teftimony and example, in prefence of the
heathen.

Duarte Lopez alfo tells us that in confequence of this
people being fo cruel, they were not traded with, excepting
in fo far as they came to Congo, bringing flaves of their own
tribes and from Nubia, a boundary of their country, with
fuch things befides, for barter, as Tmen cloths, and elephants'
teeth. They carry back with them fait, and the Lumache,
ufed as money, alfo a larger kind of Lumache, found in
the Ifland of St. Thomas, of which they make themfelves
ornaments and charms, as well as goods brought from
Portugal, including filk, linen cloths, glafs, and fuchlike.
They ufe the rite of circumcifion, and one of their cuftoms
is, for every child, both male and female, to be marked
on the face with various devices cut with a knife, . nobles
and common people bearing the fame marks ; of which we
fliall fpeak in due order.

They have fhambles for human flefh, as we have of animals,
even eating the enemies they have killed in battle, and felling
their flaves if they can get a good price for them ; if not,
they give them to the butcher, who cuts them in pieces,
and then fells them to be roafted or boiled. It is a remark-
able fact in the hiflory of this people, that any who are tired
of life, or wifti to prove themfelves brave and courageous,
efteem it great honour to expofe themfelves to death by an
act which ftiall fliow their contempt for life. Thus they
offer themfelves for flaughter, and as the faithful vaflals of
princes, wifliing to do them fervice, not only give themfelves
to be eaten, but their flaves alfo, when fattened, are killed
and eaten. It is true many nations eat human flefli, as in
the Eafl: Indies, Brazil, and elfewhere, but to devour the
ftefli of their own enemies, friends, fubjects, and even

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 29

relations, is a thing without example, except amongft the
Anzichi tribes.

The ufual drefs of thefe people is as follows : Men of the
lower clafs are naked above the waift, wearing nothing on
the head, but their locks are long and wavy. The nobles
wear filk and other garments, and on the head fmall red,
and black caps, alfo velvet caps from Portugal, as well
as others ufed in the country, and all are envious of being
well dreffed as far as they are able. The women are entirely
covered from head to foot like the Africans, the poorer
fort having garments from the waift downwards. The noble
ladies, and thofe who are able, wear certain mantles, which
are wrapped round the head, leaving the face free. Thefe alfo
wear ftioes and walk very nimbly, and are of fine ftature,
and pleafant countenance. The poor go bare-footed. Their
language is quite different from that of Congo, and the
Anziquez always eafily learn the Congo tongue, becaufe it
is plain and clear, but the Cbngo people find it very difl[icult
to learn that of the Anziquez. Having afked what is the
religion of this people, I was told they are pagans, but could
find out nothing more about them.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE EASTERN BOUNDARIES OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO.

The eaft fide of the Kingdom of Congo begins, as has been
faid, at the junction of the Rivers Vumba and Zaire, and a
line drawn towards the fouth, equally diftant from the River
Nile, which is on its left, takes in the high and uninhabited
fummits of the mountain called Cryftal, great quantities of
cryftals of all kinds being found there. Paflfmg on ftill
farther, it includes the heights called the Sun Mountains;

30 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

for although fb high, they are never covered with fnow,
and are utterly deftitute of vegetation. On the left rife the
Saltpetre Mountains, fo called from that mineral being found
there; and after croffing the River Berbela, which iflues
out of the firft lake, there terminate the ancient limits of the
Kingdom of Congo on the eaft. Thus the eaftern boundary
of this kingdom extends from the junction of the above-named
River Vumba with the Zaire to Lake Achelunda and the
country of Malemba, a diftance of 600 miles. From this line
which is drawn along the eaftern boundary of Congo to the
River Nile, and to the two lakes, of which we ftiall make
mention prefently, a well-populated country extends for 1 50
miles, with mountains abounding in various metals, and where
different kinds of cloth are made from the palm-tree.
At this point of our hiftory it is neceflary to relate the
wonderful manner in which the people of this and the
adjacent countries make various kinds of ftuffs, fuch as
velvets with and without nap, brocades, fatins, taffetas,
damafks, and fuchlike. None are made of iilk as they have
no knowledge of the filk-worm, and when filk robes are
worn they are brought from our parts. But they weave
their cloths from the leaves of the palm-tree, keeping the
latter growing near the ground, and cutting and watering them
yearly, fo that every feafon they may become more tender.

From thefe leaves, when prepared after their own manner,
very fine threads are drawn, and delicate to a degree in
ftructure. The longeft are moft valuable, as from them are
woven the largeft pieces of cloth, on which various patterns
are worked, the material having the appearance of velvet on
both fides. Damafks alfo are made from them, worked in
various patterns, as well as brocades, which are called high
and low, and reckoned much more valuable than our
brocades. The king only, and thofe he pleafeth, are per-

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 3 1

mitted to wear this cloth. The largeft pieces are ufed for
brocades, as they are four or five fpans long and three or
four broad. They are called Incorimbas, which is the
name of the country where they grow, and lies near the
River Vumba. The velvets of the fame width and length
as the above are called Enzachas, the damafks, Infulas, the
fatins, Maricas, the tafFetas, Tangas, and others, Engombos,

The largeft pieces are made from lighter ftufFs by the
Anzichi, fome being as much as fix fpans long, and five
wide. Every one who poflfibly can drefles in thefe garments,
for they have the quality of refifting water, and are very
light. The Portuguefe alfo ufe them for tent cloths, as they
are wonderfully proof againft both rain and wind.

The above-mentioned boundary fhuts in the Kingdom of
Congo lying weft of it, from which coaft, with a line of equal
diftance farther eaft, the Nile flows for about 150 miles,
enclofing a country abounding in the afore-mentioned pro-
ducts, the territory of numerous lords, fome of whom are
fubject to Prefter John, and others to the great King
Moenemugi. Of this country we have nothing more to
relate, excepting that it is said the people on the weft of
the Nile trade with the Kingdom of Congo, and alonor its
fea coafts ; and thofe on its eaftern fide go through the
Kingdoms of Moenemugi as far as the Gulfs of Mombafa
and Mozambique.

CHAPTER VII.

OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO

TOWARDS THE SOUTH.

This eaftern coaft terminates, as has been faid, at the great
mountain, called dell' Argento, and there begins the fourth

32 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

and laft border of the Kingdom of Congo towards the fouth,
reaching from the aforefaid mountain to il Golfo delle Vacche
on the weft, a diftance of 450 miles.

This line pafles through the middle of the Kingdom
of Angola, having the Silver Mountains on its left Beyond
them, towards the fouth, is the great Kingdom of Matama,
independent and powerful, at times friendly and at other
times at enmity with Angola.

The King of Matama is a pagan, and his kingdom extends
from the above-mentioned boundaries to the River Bavagal on
the fouth, and very near the bafe of what are commonly called
the Mountains of the Moon. On the eaft it is bounded by
the weftern fide of the River Bagamidri, and crofles over
the River Coari. The country abounds in mines of cryftal
and various minerals, and in every kind of food, for the
climate is good. Notwithftanding the people traffic with
the neighbouring tribes, none the lefs do the Kings of
Matama and Angola very often go to war with each other,
as we have before mentioned.

This River Bagamidri divides the Kingdom of Matapa from
that of Monomata, which lies towards the eaft, and of which
Joan de Barros has fully written in the firft chapter of his
tenth book.

Towards the fea-coaft are many lords who, although of
inferior rank, ufurp the title of king. Not many harbours
of importance are found along thefe fhores. As we have
frequently fpoken of the Kingdom of Angola, it is now time
to treat of it more fully, for, as has been faid, though formerly
ruled by a governor under the King of Congo, this governor
has, fince the king became a Chriftian, made himfelf abfolute
ruler. Having ufurped all thofe countries over which he bare
rule, and in procefs of time conquered fome of the furrounding
provinces, he is now a great and rich prince, and hardly lefs

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 3 3

powerful than the King of Congo, to whom he pays tribute
or not, according as he choofes.

It came to pafs that after Don Juan II., of Portugal, planted
the faith of Chrift in the Kingdom of Congo, and the king
became a Chriftian, the Lord of Angola was ialways friendly
towards him, being to fome extent a vaflal, and their people
trading together. He fent tribute every year to the King
of Congo, and trade was carried on at the Port of Loanda
between the Portuguefe and the people of Angola by
permiffion of the King of Congo. Slaves were bought and
exchanged for other merchandife, all being fent to the Ifland
of St. Thomas, the trade here being united with that of St.
Thomas, fhips firft calling at that ifland, and then going on to
Loanda. Trade becoming fucceflTul, they began to fend veflels
themfelves from Lifbon to Angola, and alfo a governor,
Paulo Diaz di Novais by name, to whom belonged this
privilege on account of his anceftors having firft difcovered this
trade. To this Paulo Diaz, Don Sebastian, King of Portugal,
conceded the power of conquering j^'^ leagues of country,
beginning at the River Coanza, and gomg fouthward inland,
where he was to take all he could gain for himfelf and his
heirs. Many other ftiips went with him, thus opening a
great trade with Angola, which, however, was always directed
to the Port of Loanda, where the above-mentioned veflels
unloaded. By degrees he penetrated to the mainland, forming
a ftation at a village called Anzelle, a mile from the
River Coanza, fo as to be more convenient and near to the
Angola trafllic. The trade having increafed fo far, and the
Portuguefe and Congo people freely bringing their goods
to fell and barter at Cabazo, a place where the Lord of
Angola lived, and about 1 50 miles from the fea, the faid lord
ordered that all the merchants fliould be killed, and their goods
forfeited, afiirming that they had come there as fpies, and to

34 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

feize on the place. It was thought, however, he did it to gain
pofleffion of their goods, for thefe people were not drefled as
warriors but as merchants. And this happened in the fame year
that King Don Sebaftian was defeated in Barbary. On account
of this Paulo Diaz took up arms againft the King of Angola,
and, with the people he could aflemble from amongft the
Portuguefe whom he found in thofe parts, and two galleys,
and other fliips which he had in the River Coanza, he went
ftill farther on both fides of the river, conquering and
fubjugating numerous lords by force of arms, making them
friendly and fubfervient. But the King of Angola feeing
his vaflals fubmitting themfelves to Paulo Diaz, and the
latter gaining territory, he gathered a great army to deftroy
him. Therefore Paulo Diaz appealed to the King of Congo
for help, which he gave, by fending him an army of 60,000
men, commanded by his coufin, Don Sebaftian Manibamba,
and alfo a captain, with 1 20 Portuguele foldiers, who were
in the country, and whom he paid for this enterprife.
This army arranged to join that of Paulo Diaz, in order
that they might together encounter the King of Angola,
but arriving at the fhore where they were to crofs the River
Bengo, 1 2 miles from Loanda, and where they expected to
find boats to carry the foldiers over, they found thefe boats
were delayed, and as much time would have been loft in
conveying fo many people acrofs, the army took the road on
the oppofite fide of the river, where fome diftance in front
they met the Angola people, pofted there to prevent their
entrance into the country. The order of battle of the
Mociconghi (for fo the natives of Congo are called, as
thofe of Spain are called Spaniards) and of the Angola
people is almoft the fame; for they both fight on foot,
dividing their army into feveral companies, accommodating
themfelves to the battle-field, wherever it may be, and

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 3 5

carrying their banners and colours in the way we have already
ipoken of.

The movement of their troops in battle is regulated by
various founds and rattling of arms, directed by the
captain-general, and which, when heard in the midft of the
battle, fignify if the troops are to attack, or to retire, to move
forward, or wheel to left or right, or any other military
movement. By thefe founds the orders of the general are
diftinctly underftood, in the fame manner as the drum imd
trumpet are with us. They ufe three principal founds in
war. One proceeds from large kettle-drums, whofe cafes
are made from a fingle piece of wood, and covered with
leather, which they ftrike with fmall clubs of ivory. Another
found is made by an inflxument in the fliape of a pyramid,
but turned upfide down, as they are pointed at the bottom
and wide at the top. This inftrument has thin plates of
iron, hollow infide, and is like a bell turned . upfide down.
They are ftruck with rods of wood, this being done in-
ceflantly to produce as hoarfe and warlike a noife as poflible ;
even, at times, cracking them, to increase the horrible founds.
The third inftrument is made from elephants' tufks, both
large and fmall ones, which being hollow they blow through
a hole at the fide like a flute, and not from the top, and
they are arranged fo as to found like a cornet, producing
military and agreeable mufic, and fuch as infpires the foldiers
with courage. Thefe three warlike inftruments are large and
fmall, the large ones being carried with the captain-general,
fo that he may give the fignal to the whole camp, the
difl^erent corps and each captain of a troop having fmaller
ones, and founding the drums with their hands. So that on
hearing the kettle-drums, or the cornet, or the third inftru-
ment, every part of the army refponds with its own inftruments,
to fhow the figns were underftood, the under officers

F 2

3 6 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

doing the fame* And not only were thefe founds ufed as a
general thing, but alfo in the act of fighting ; for, during the
Ikirmifhes, brave men went with theie inftruments in front of
the foldiers, dancing and beating the drums to encourage
them, at the fame time giving warning of any danger which
threatened by the various founds.

The military drefs of the Mociconghi lords is as follows :
On the head a cap ornamented with cock*s, oftrich's, peacock's,
and other feathers is worn, which makes the men feem
taller and very formidable. Above the waift they are
entirely naked, and hanging from both fides of the neck are
chains of iron with rings the fize of a man's little finger,
which they wear as if for military pomp. Below the waift
they wear breeches of cloth, or thin ftufl^, and over that a robe
down to the it,^ty with the folds turned back, and tucked
under the belt. This belt, as we have faid, is of exquifite work-
manftiip, with bells attached to it, fimilar to the inftruments
mentioned above, and fo arranged that when fighting with
their enemies the founds give them courage. Their
bufkins are the fame as thofe worn by the Portuguefe.
We have already fpoken of their weapons, which confift of
bows, arrows, fwords, daggers, and targets; thefo are
diftributed in fuch manner that he who has a bow carries
alfo a dagger, but not a target, thefe two laft not being
fuitable to carry together, but only the fword and fliield.
The common foldiers wear nothing above the waift, and for
the reft have bows, arrows, and daggers. Thefe firft begin
the fkirmifh attack, advancing in fcattered groups, and
provoke the enemy to fight, leaping quickly round from
one fide to another to avoid the enemies' blows. Young
men alfo as has been faid, run fwiftly in front, beating the
drums, as if to encourage their comrades ; and when it feems
to the captain-general thefe are already weary, he recalls them

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 37

by founding one of the inftruments. When thus withdrawn
from the combat they wheel round, and are fucceeded by
others in the fight, fo that the army in this manner brings all
the forces to bear in fighting the battle out.

In this battle various aflaults were made by the contending
armies, and in the firft encounters the Congo people were
victorious ; but afterwards, both fides having fuflfered great
lofs, and as from lack of fupplies the men were ill and dying,
the camp of the King of Congo was broken up, and all
returned home. Paulo Diaz being thus unable to join his
allies, went forward, and crofling the river entrenched himfelf
in Luiola, a ftrong natural pofition, where he could refift the
King of Angola. Luiola is thus ftrong becaufe the Rivers
Coanza and Luiola joining 105 miles from the coaft, and
approaching each other again within a bow-fliot a little above
their confluence, make a fort of ifland between them. In
this ifland, at the meeting of the two rivers, a hill rifes,
which was taken by Paulo Diaz, and, to make it more
fecure, fortified. Formerly it was not inhabited, but has
now become a fmall country, peopled by the Portuguefe.
From Luiola the river is navigated as far as the fea in
fmall boats ; and one can go, without rifle, for 105 miles
by land. Near it are the Cabambe Mountains, producing
much filver, which "the faid Diaz was always trying to
fecure for himfelf. And it was on account of thefe mountains
that the quarrel between himfelf and the people of Angola
took place, for the latter, knowing the Portuguefe fet great
value on the mountains, becaufe of their filver mines, did all
they could to prevent them coming there. They fought
againft each other, alfo, in other parts, for as the Portuguefe
navigated the River Coanza they were continually making
inroads into the countries fubject to the King of Angola.
The weapons ufed by this people are bows^ fix fjpans long.

3 8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

with firings made of the bark of trees, and arrows of light
wood, lefs than a man's little finger, alfo fix {pans in length,
with iron heads made like a hook, and feathers of birds on
the top. Of thefe they carry fix or feven in the fame hand
with the bow, and without any quiver. The handle of their
daggers refembles that of a knife ; and thefe they carry in
the left fide of the belt, and ufe with the hand uppermoft.
In military movements they ufe the ftratagems of war and its
various manoeuvres, for when fighting againft the Portuguefe it
was feen they knew their advantage over the enemy, attacking
them at night, or during rainy weather, when the guns and
bombs would not take fire, and dividing their forces into
feveral troops. The king does not go to war in perfon,but fends
his captains. Thefe people flee directly they fee their captain
flain, and no argument can ftop them, from giving up the
advantage. They are all infantry foldiers, and have no
cavalry. The captains, when not wifhing to walk, are
carried by flaves in one of three manners, of which we fhall
fpeak hereafter. Thefe people go to battle in great numbers,
and in great diforder, no one remaining behind who is at all
fit for action. They make no fuch provifion as is neceflary
for a camp, and thofe who do take any victuals have them
carried on the flioulders of their flaves. Neverthelefs, there
are many animals which they could domefticate and adapt
for drawing and carrying, and about which we fliall fpeak
in another part of this hiftory. Thus it comes to pafs that
arriving at a certain place, with the whole army, their
provifions confumed, and nothing left for food, and jufl:
when the need of the expedition is at its height, they are
obliged to return to their own country, being overcome with
famine.

Thefe people are very fuperftitious, and if a bird chance
to fly on their left hand, or cries in a certain manner, which

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 39

they profefs to underftand predicts danger or ill-luck, or
that they are to proceed no farther, they turn back at
once, a cuftom alfo obferved by the Romans in early
times, and by other heathen nations at this day. And if
it appears ftrange that the few Portuguefe foldiers who
followed Paulo Diaz, with others of the fame nation who
traded in that kingdom, and gave him aid to the number
of 300 at the moft, and who, together with their (laves, and
the malcontents and fugitives who fled from Angola to join
him, and at no time exceeding the number of 1 5 thousand
men, could polTibly make fuch gallant refiftance to thefe
innumerable hofts of negroes, amounting, it is faid, to a million
of fouls, and fubjects of the King of Angola, I reply, that
might eafily happen, feeing that the negroes wore no clothing,
neither had they any defenfive weapons, and their ofl^enfive
ones, confifting only of bows and daggers, as has been faid ;
whereas our fmall numbers were well covered with quilted
jerkins, lined with cotton, double -fewn, which protected them
from the arms down to the knees, their heads being covered
with caps of this fame material, which was proof againft arrows
and daggers. Befides this, they ufed long fwords, fome of
their cavalry carrying fpears. One cavalry foldier is equal to
a hundred negroes, who are greatly afraid of horfemen, and,
above all, of thofe who fire the guns and pieces of artillery,
which caufe them extreme terror. So that the few, if
well-armed and fkilfully difpofed, eafily conquer the larger
hofts.

This Kingdom of Angola is populated to an incredible
extent, the men taking as many wives as they wifli, and the
people multiplying without end, which is not the cafe in
Congo, for there they live as Chriftians. So that as Duarte
Ijopez faid, and believed, the Kingdom of Angola has
nearly ^ million fighting-men, for every man having many

4© History of the Kingdom of Congo.

wives, fo alfo many fons are born to them, and all go
willingly to battle in the fervice of their prince.

The country is peculiarly rich in mines of filver and copper,
and there is a greater abundance of various metals than in
any other country in the world. It alfo abounds in all
manner of produce, has various animals, and, particularly,
herds of cows. It is a fact that thefe people prefer dog's
flefli to any other food, and the animals are fattened on that
account, and cut in pieces and fold in the public fliambles.
It is aflerted that a very large dog, refembling a bull, is fold in
exchange for 22 flaves, which at 10 ducats a head, would
coft 220 ducats; fo greatly are thefe animals prized. The
money ufed in Angola differs from the Lumache of Congo,
for it confifts of glafs beads, the size of a nut, and fmaller, of
various forms and colours, which are made in Venice.
Thefe are ufed not only as money, but for ornaments,
both by men and women, who wear them on the neck and
arms, and are called in their tongue, Anzolos, but when
threaded in the form of a rofary, Mizanga.

The King of Angola is a pagan, worfhipping idols, like
all his people. It is true he wifhed to become a Chriftian,
after the example of the King of Congo, but as up to this
time it has been found impoffible to fend priefts to iuftruct
him, he has remained in darknefs. The above-named Duarte
Lopez records, that in his time this king fent ambafladors
to the King of Congo, afking for priefts to inftruct him in
the Chriftian faith, but, there being none with him, he was
unable to do fo. Thefe two kings have now made a treaty
of peace, the Angola ruler being forgiven the attack and
carnage committed by him on the people of Congo, and
on the Portuguefe, at Cabazo.

The language of Angola is the fame as that of Congo, for,
as we have faid, it is all one kingdom, the only difference

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 41

being fuch as is frequently feen between neighbouring
countries. For between Portuguefe and Caftilians, or between
Venetians and Calabrians, the dialects are fo various, and the
words twifted into fuch different forms (although all have
the fame idiom), that it is with difficulty they underftand
one another.

We have faid that il Seno delle Vacche divides the Kingdom
of Angola in the middle,* one half of which only has been
referred to. Now we fhall defcribe the fecond half, which
extends from il Seno delle Vacche to the fouth. From il Seno
delle Vacche to the cape called Black Cape (Cape Negro),
by way of the coaft, extends 200 miles of country fimilar to
that defcribed aboye, and is the territory of lords fubject to
the King of Angola, A line drawn towards the eaft from
Black Cape cuts through the mountains called Monti Freddi,
which in certain parts, higher up towards the equinoctial line,
are known as Monti Nevofi, to the Portuguefe, and this line
ends at the bafe of other mountains, called del Criftallo.
From thefe Monti Nevofi come the waters of Lake Dumbea
Zocche. The above line extends from Montagna del
Criftallo northward, through the Monte del" Argento, as
far as Malomba, where, as we have faid, the Kingdom of
Congo is divided, the River Coari parting in the middle.
Such is the kingdom ruled over by the King of Angola, of
which we have nothing more to fay, nor anything relating
to the king himfelf or his Court.

42 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

CHAPTER Vlll.

OF THE EXTENT OF THE KINGDOM OF CONGO IN POSSESSION
OF THE REIGNING KING^ ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE
FOUR DIVISIONS.

Starting from the Coanza River, and traverfing a diftance
of 375 miles tov;rards the equinoctial line, we find the river
called las Bareras vermeglias, for the ruins of certain rocks
v;rorn by the fea falling into it give it that colour. From
thence, in a direct line, the king has 450 miles of territory,
and this line, going onwards towards the (buth, pafles the
Mountains del Criftallo (which are not thofe of Angola, already
referred to, but others), and the Mountains del Salnitro, and,
crofling the River Verbela, at the foot of the Mountains del
Argento, terminates, at a diftance of 500 miles, in the Lake of
Achelunda. The fourth line takes the courfe of the River
Coanza, which flows from the faid lake, a diftance of
360 miles, fo that the entire extent of the kingdom at
prefent ruled over by King Don Alvarez of Congo meafures
1685 miles. But the way for crofling over this country
commences at the mouth of the River Zaire, at the point
known to the Portuguefe as Padraon, and cutting right
through the Kingdom of Congo, and crofling the Sun and
Cryftal Mountains, ends at a diftance of 6cx) miles, and 1 50
miles from the Nile. It is true that formerly the anceftors
of this prince ruled over many neighbouring countries, which,
in procefs of time they loft, though they ftill retain the titles
of all thofe regions now governed by others, as, for example,
Don Alvarez, King of Congo, and of Abundos, and of
Matama, and of Quizama, and of Angola, and of Angoi,
and of Cacongo, and of the kytn Kingdoms, of Congere

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 43

Amolaza, and of the Pangelungos, and Lord of the River
Zaire, and of the Anziquos, and of Anziquana, and of
Loanga, &c.

Provinces of the Kingdom of Congo.
This kingdom is divided into fix provinces, called Bamba,
Sogno, Sundi, Pango, Batta, and Pemba. That of Bamba,
which is the largeft and richeft, is governed by Don Sebaftian
Manibamba, cousin of King Don Alvarez, lately deceafed, and
is fituated by the fea-coaft, reaching from the River Ambize
to that of Coanza on the fouth. This prince has many lords
under him, the names of the principal being Don Antonio
Mani Bamba, who is lieutenant and brother of Don Sebaftian,
and another, Mani Lemba, and Mani Dandi, Mani Bengo,
and Mani Loanda, Governor of the Ifland of Loanda ; and
Mani Coriniba, Mani Coanza, and Mani Cazzanzi. All thefe
govern the fea coaft line ; but in the interior, where the land
belongs to Angola, the Ambundos are made rulers, who,
living on the borders of Angola, are alfo fubject to the
fame Manibamba, and are the Angazi, Chinchengo, MotoUo,
Chabonda, and many others of lower rank. Note that this
word Mani means Lord, the fecond half referring to the
country and government unden his rule ; as for example,
Mani Bantba means lord of the country of Bamba, and
Mani Corimba, which is part of Bamba, lord of Corimba,
and fo with the reft. This Province of Bamba is bounded
by Angola on the fouth, and on the eaft, towards the
Lake Achelunda, lies Chezzama, a country which is under
a republic, and divided into many lordfliips, the people
not being in fubjection to the King of Congo, nor,
indeed, to the King of Angola. Ultimately, after having
greatly refifted Paulo Diaz, thefe Chizzama lords became
fubject to him, in order to efcape the yoke of the King of
Angola ; and Diaz made ufe of them himfclf againft the faid

G 2

44 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

king. Now, this country of Bamba, as has been faid, is the
principal one in the Kingdom of Congo; its key, buckler,
fword, and defence, and the barrier againft its enemies. So
that it is able to refift every rebellion in thofe parts, having
brave people always ready for war, refifting its Angola
enemies, and helping the king in quelling difturbances caufed
by other countries. When neceflary, they can bring into
the field four hundred thoufand armed men, although that
is only the fixth part of the kingdom, but the beft and largeft.
The principal city of this province lies in the plain between
the Rivers Loze and Ambrize, and is called Panza, a
name common to every territory. The governor lives here,
and it is a hundred miles from the fea. In this province,
the mountains, ftretching out to the Angola Kingdom,
firft begin to appear, where filver mines, and thofe of all
other metals are found. It is very rich, for along its fea-
fhores are found the Lumache which ferve as money in the
Congo kingdom. Here alfo is the largeft traffic in flaves,
who are brought from Angola, for they buy from the
Portuguefe every year more than five thoufand negroes, and
then take them to various parts for fale. The people of
this province are the braveft in the whole kingdom, and are
armed with long and large fwords, like thofe of the Sla-
vonians, which are brought them from Portugal. Mighty
men alfo are amongft them, who at one blow cut a flave
through the middle, and take oflf the head of a bull with
the ftroke of one of thefe fwords, and more than this (a
thing which feems incredible), one of thefe valiant men can
hold on his arm a veflel containing the fourth part of a butt
of wine until the veflel has emptied itfelf. They ufe bows
and arrows with great fkill and dexterity; and befides thefe
weapons they have long fhields, made of Dant's fkin, of
which we have already fpoken, as ufed by the Anzichi,

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 45

Animals found in the Province of Pamba.

The animals found in this region are, firft, elephants, which
abound in all the Congo kingdom, but chiefly in Pamba,
on account of forefts, paftures, and water being more abun-
dant there than in any other part of that country, fo many
rivers flowing through it, and thus furnifhing food for thefe
enormous creatures. Lopez faid he had often meafured the
fize of an elephant's foot in the duft of four fpans in width,
from which one can (by making a circle) guefs the fize of
the whole body of this beaft. The foot is called malo
manzao, that is, foot of an elephant. When in our time, in
Portugal, Italy, or Germany, thefe animals are found much
fmaller in fize than thofe we have referred to, it is becaufe
they are young ones, and were taken to thofe countries at
an early age, in order to domefticate them. They are
reckoned in thefe regions to live 1 50 years, and only ceafe
growing at middle age. In fupport of this ftatement Ijopez
added that he had feen teeth, not of horn, as fome think,
which weighed 200 pounds 12 ounces. In the Congo
tongue they are called Mene Manzao, or tooth of the
elephant. The young elephant is known as Moana Manzao,
or fon of the elephant. Their ears are bigger than the
largeft Turkifh fhields, being fix fpans long, and egg-fhaped,
and narrower and more pointed towards the fhoulders ; and
with them they chafe away flies, as well as with their trunk
and tail. It is faid, that when they cannot reach the oflFenders
with thefe they curl up their flcin, and fo kill them.

In their tails are long filken hairs, fprinkled with black
and fhining ones, thofe in the older animals being ftrongeft
and fineft, and mofl highly prized by thefe people, both noble
men and women in Angola, and in the adjoining country of
Ambundo, ufing them as ornaments for the neck, and efteeming

46 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

them not only for their beauty, but as the produce of thefe
large animals. They are very thick, like a rope, and cannot
be pulled apart with all the ftrength ppflible, the hands being
injured even in the attempt. To procure them many lie in
wait for the elephants as they afcend narrow and fteep paths,
going behind them, and with fharp knives cutting off their
tails. One fuch tail is equal in value to two or three flaves.
The beafts cannot turn to revenge themfelves in thefe
narrow defiles, nor can they reach their enemies with their
trunks. Some, who are agile and brave, attack the elephants
by ftealth from behind, whilft they are feeding, and try,
with one blow, to cut off the tail, faving themfelves by
running round and round, for, notwithftanding the fize of
thefe creatures, they run very fwiftly in a ftraight line, and
take long fteps, though flow ones. In an open plain they
are fwifter than the fleeteft horfe, but when turning they
lofe time, and fo the hunter efcapes. Many, however, are
caught and killed by the elephants when purfued by them
on a ftraight road.

The ancients, who were ill-informed on the fubject, aflert
that elephants could not lie down, but leant upon trees,
which, when fawn down by hunters, the elephants fell with
them, and being thus rendered helplefs were caught as they
lay on the ground. But Duarte Lopez fays that they not
only lie down, but alfo kneel, end leap with their forefeet on
trees to feed on leaves, and ftoop to drink water, which is
often found in their caves. Their joints refemble thofe of
other animals, although differing in fome refpects, for from
the fore feet to the fhoulders they have only two jointsj.
Whilft feeding they root up large trees with their flioulders
and back, but take fmaller trees between their teeth, twifting
and dragging them, in order to feed on the leaves. Some-
times it happens that one of their teeth is broken, and thus

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 47

many are found fcattered over the open plains who have
loft their teeth. They eat with ftiort teeth, which are not
feen as the two long tufks are, and take their food into the
mouth with their trunk, as if it were a hand and arm, the
end of which is formed like a finger ; with this they can
take up the fmalleft things, fuch as nuts, ftraw, and wheat,
and put them into the mouth, as I, Filippo, have feen myfelf
at Lifbon.

As the young elephant cannot be reared quickly, being
flow of growth, the milk is kept from it, and it foon learns
to feed itfelf. Mother nature has fo provided that only
once in feven years thefe animals bring forth their young.
Their flcin is hard beyond belief, being four fingers thick,
and impoflible to pierce, even with a gun. Ijopez records
that with a fmall gun, called a Petreraa, he hit one without
wounding it, but it was badly bruised, and went three days'
journey in a dying condition, when meeting fome flaves by
the way, in its maddened ftate, it threw them down and
killed them. The natives do not know how to tame thefe
animals, of whom fo much ufe might be made in tranfporting
merchandize, and in many other ways. They are captured
by drawing them into deep trenches in parts where they are
accuftomed to feed. Thefe trenches are narrow at the
bottom, and larger above, fo that the animals cannot help
themfelves, and when leaping forward, fall down again.
Earth, grafs, and leaves are covered over thefe trenches,
which act as a blind, and the animals palTing over them fall
into the trap. Lopez faid he had, with his own eyes, feen
a very wonderful thing in Coanza, for a young elephant,
following its mother, having fallen into a pit, from which flie
failed to draw it out, though ufing all the ftrength poflible
for its refcue ; whereupon ftie buried it therein, and covered
it with grafs, branches, and young ftioots of trees, filling up

48 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

the hole, fo that the hunters fhould not have the fatiffaction
of Its capture, preferring rather to kill it than allow it to fall
into their hands. This tender mother, not fearing the
crowd who flood around with various weapons, and angry
founds directed againft her, confident in her own ftrong
nature was unwearying from morning till night in trying to
drive them back, and failing to do fo acted as we have
related. The elephant is a gentle beaft, and, trufting in its
great ftrength, has no fear, doing injury to none when un-
molefted, and approaching dwellings without any fign of
ill-will. They do not attack, unlefs interfered with, only
fometimes they will gently hoift with their trunk into the air
any one they may meet by the way. They delight in water,
and may beft be feen by the rivers and lakes, where it is
their habit at noontide to go and drink and refrefh them-
felves, bathing and (landing up to their middle in water, and
throwing over the reft of the body great quantities of
water by means of their trunk. On account of the large
paftures and number of fords in the Kingdom of Congo
great numbers of thefe creatures are found there. Duarte
Lopez fays he has feen them pafs from Cazanze to Loanda
through a fmall grafly valley to the number of 100 (going
in companies, like cows, camels, and fuchlike animals, and
not alone, like lions, and other wild beafts), large and fmall,
the latter following the mothers, and being the firft young
ones he had feen. Abundance of ivory being found here,
muft be the produce of the great number of elephants ; and
befides, ivory was not accounted valuable till after the
Portuguefe begun to trade in thefe regions. As it muft
have accumulated to a great extent for centuries, it is, even to
this day, to be had for a fmall price.

It is not known if there are any other animals as large as
the elephant in thefe countries, nor if the rhinoceros, fimilar

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 49

wtmm

to it, and called Bada in India, exifts here. But it is well
known that the horns which grow on the nofe of that
beaft are brought to the country of the Anzichi, and greatly
prized there, being ufed for divers maladies, fo that it is
poffible fome may be found in thefe parts. The lions in the
Anzichi country are fimilar to thofe found in different parts
of the world, but they are not feen in Bamba, where, how-
ever, tigers of the very fame form as thofe feen by Duarte
Lopez at Florence are found in great numbers, who teftified
to their being really tigers. He told alfo of a curious habit
amongft theifi, which is, that they do not moleft white men,
but only black ones, and even kill and eat black men
whilft afleep, fparing white ones. If unable to fatiffy their
hunger in the open country, they fearleffly drag from the
very courts of the houfes any animals they find there,
fparing none. In the Congo tongue they are called Engoi.
Thefe beafts are as fierce as lions, roaring in the fame
manner, and refembling them in all refpects, except the
flcin, that of the tiger being fpotted, whereas the lion is all of
one colour. Tigers are caught and killed in various ways,
poifon being fometimes mixed with their food. Snares alfo
are laid, in which a kid is placed, and when the hungry
beaft feeks for prey he is fuddenly caught in one of thefe
fnares, and, trying to releafe himfelf, becomes more and
more entangled, and fo is fecured. Another mode of capture
is to attack him with arrows, fpears, and fire-arms. The
tiger is an enemy to the negro, to fheep-folds, and even to
cattle. Notwithftanding, Duarte Lopez tells of one reared
by himfelf from 1 5 days old, and fed on goat's milk. When
full-grown it followed him like a dog, being quite tame,
but allowed no one to touch it but its mafter. Never-
thelefs, this creature roared, and its eyes glared fearfully. In
procefs of time it killed a favourite dog, and alfo a pet

H

50 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

Zebra belonging to its mafter, who, feeing the tiger was a
dangerous animal, fhot him. He adds that in this region
the whifkers of the tiger are confidered deadly poifon, and
when given in food caufe death, as if from madnefs. There-
fore, whoever brings a fkin of this animal without the
whifkers, the king caufes to be punifhed.

In this country another animal is found, called the Zebra.
It is common alfo to fome parts of Barbary and Africa, and,
though in all refpects like a mule, ftill is not one, as it
produces male progeny. It has a very peculiar fkin, and
different from all other creatures, inafmuch as from the back
bone round towards the body it is flreaked with three colours,
black, white, and dark brown. Thefe large flripes are three
fingers* length from each other, and meet in a circle, every
row with its own colour. The neck and head are marked
in the fame manner, as well as the ears and legs ; fo that a
flreak beginning with white is invariably followed by black,
and then by dark brown, always maintaining the fame
regularity of colour. The mane is not long. The tail, like
that of the mule, is very glofTy, and of good colour. The
feet and hoofs are alfo like thofe of the mule. This animal
refembles the horfe in its fleetnefs, for fo rapid is its motion
that, in Portugal and Caflile, they flill fay, as fwift as a
zebra, to denote extreme fpeed. Thefe animals bring forth
their young every year, and are found in large numbers
quite wild. When tamed, they are ufed for riding, for
tranfport fervice, and alfo as good war-horfes, as well as
in many other ways. From all this we fee that mother
nature has provided in every country for the convenience
and necefTities of man a variety of animals, of food, and of
climate, fo that nothing is lacking for his comfort. Not
having, however, horfes in any part of the Kingdom of
Congo, nor knowing how to train oxen to the yoke or the

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 51

pack faddle, for drawing or carrying, neither how to tame
zebras with bridle and faddle, or, indeed, in any way to
transport their merchandise from place to place by means of
thefe animals, they are of neceflity obliged to employ men
inftead of beafts of burden. And fo, lying down in a fort of
litter, or feated in them, and protected from the fun with
umbrellas, the people are carried by their flaves, or elfe by
men who are ftationed at various pofts for hire. Who-
ever wifhes to travel quickly muft take many flaves with
him, and when the firft carriers are tired a fecond fet take up
the load, fo changing continually, in the fame way as the
Tartars and the Perfians do with their horfes. Thefe men
travel very rapidly, being accuftomed to their burdens, and,
by conftant changing rival a poftillion's gallop. Of the
manner in which thefe people are carried, whilft travelling,
we have furniflied pictures, and alfo of the zebra, of the
drefs of men and women, of foldiers, of military inftruments,
and of the palm-tree.

Other animals are found in thefe regions ftanding about
four feet lefs than oxen, with red-coloured flcins, and horns
like a goat, black, fmooth, and gliftening, of which they make
pretty ornaments, fuch as are made alfo from buffalo horns.
Their heads and hair refemble thofe of the ox, and their
fkins are much prized, being taken to Portugal, and from
thence to Germany to be dreffed, and are called Dants.
The King of Congo was defirous of having workmen flcilled
in the art of drelTing and cleanfing thefe flcins, fo as to
make them into weapons of defence. Neverthelefs, thefe
people ufe them as fliields and targets againft the blows
of diflferent weapons, and efpecially againft arrows. Thefe
animals are killed both with guns and arrows, but if they
efpy the hunter they attack him, and, being fierce and
courageous, will injure him with their feet and muzzle,

H 2

52 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

lEKSBsasmemmmmamamm

not being able to do fo with their horns, and leave him
almoft, or indeed altogether dead. Innumerable herds of
wild buffaloes, wander about the deferts of the Anzicana
Kingdom, as well as numbers of wild afles, which the
Greeks call Onagri. Befides thefe, one finds alfo other
beafts called Empalanga, which refemblc the ox in bignefs
and form, except that they hold the head and neck aloft.
Their horns are broad and crooked, three fpans long,
and divided into knots, but fliarp at the points; and
from thefe fine founding horns are made. Although thefe
creatures live in the forefts they are quite harmlefs.
The (kins of their necks are ufed for fhoe foles, and their
flefh for food. They might be taught to draw the plough,
and alfo ferve in various ways for hufbandry. Large herds
of kine and tame oxen feed here. There are alfo pigs,
wild boars, and flocks of flieep and goats. Thefe fheep and
goats, Don Lopez fays, bring forth two, three, or four
lambs, or kids, at a time, but never only one. On account
of the paftures being fo rich thefe animals are all brought
up by their own dams, and Lopez proved this to be the cafe,
as he had feveral head of them in his own dwellings.

Wolves, too, live in thefe regions, who are beyond
meafure fond of palm oil, and fcent it afar off, as they pofTefs
the fame fenfe of fmell which Virgil attributes to dogs, odora
canum vis. The oil, as has been faid, is made from the
palm-tree, and is thick and hard like butter; and it is
wonderful how thefe wolves can take a gourd full of it
between their teeth and carry it away on their fhoulders, in
the fame way as wolves carry off fheep with us. Foxes
abound here, which alfo, like thofe in our own parts, fleal
poultry. In this Province of Pamba there are innumerable
animals for the chafe, such as flags, fallow deer, roebuck,
and gazelles, of which lafl Lopez faid he had feen great

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 5 3

herds, and alfo numbers of rabbits and hares, there being no
hunters to kill them.

In this fame province are many wild civet cats, called by
the Portuguefe Algazia, and fome had been tamed by the
people of the country for the fake of their perfume, in which
they greatly delight. This was before the Portuguefe
traded in thofe parts. In Manibatta a great number of
fables are caught, which have exceedingly fine grey hairs.
They are called Incire, and no one is allowed to ufe the fkins
of thefe creatures except by permiffion of the prince of the
province, their value being fuch that one fkin is equal to the
price of a flave. Towards the Anzicana region martens alfo
are caught, and their fkins made into garments, to which we
fhall refer in due time.

Apes, monkeys, and fimilar animals of every defcription,
both large and fmall, are found in the country of Songo,
which lies by the River Zaire. Some of thefe creatures are
very amufing, and are kept by the Lords in thofe parts for
paftime, but efpecially for fport; and although without
reafoning powers, yet they imitate to a great extent the actions
and manners of mankind. In all the above-named regions
thefe different animals are found in greater or lefTer numbers.

The fnakes and ferpents here are of an entirely different
fpecies from thofe of our own countries, being enormous and
frightful in form, and fome meafuring 25 fpans long, and
5 broad. The flomach and mouth of thefe creatures are fo
large that they can fwallow a flag, or any other animal of
equal fize. They are called ******** *j that is, a
large waterfnake, which comes on land to feed, and then
returns to the river, living in both elements alike. They
cling to the branches of trees, and lying in wait for animals
who come to feed near, when they are fufficiently clofe that
they can drop on to them they wriggle down, and catching

54 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

the animal by the tail, crufh and ftrangle it to death, after
which they drag it to fome folitary wood, or other fpot,
where they flowly devour it, even to the fkin, the horns,
and the claws. Now, when thus gorged they remain in a
ftate of torpor, and might be killed by a child, being fatif-
fied with this food for five or fix days, and then again feek
for prey. They change their fkins at certain feafons, and
even fomctimes after having eaten largely, which fkins are
found afterwards and collected as fpecimens of the fize of
thefe creatures. This fnake is much prized as food by the
heathen natives, even more fo than fowls and like delicate
flesh, and they eat it roafted, finding great numbers of them
lying burnt on the ground, when they fet fire to their thick
woods.

Befides thefe there are vipers, well known to be fo poifonous
that any one bitten by them dies in 24 hours, yet the
negroes know of a certain herb which heals their wounds.
There are certain other creatures about the fize of a ram,
which have wings and tails like dragons, and a long fnout, with
divers rows of teeth, and which eat raw flefh. Their colour
is azure blue and green, their flcin having the appearance of
fcales, and they are two-footed creatures. The pagan natives
worfhip them as gods, and to this day fome are preferved as
wonders by thefe people. To make them ftill more valued,
the nobles have them in their own keeping, in order to
obtain from thofe who come to worfhip them gifts and
oblations. Four-footed chameleons are found here on the
rocks, about the fize of lizards and fuch-like creatures,
with pointed heads, and tails like a faw. They are moflly
of dark bluifh and greenifh colours, and even whilft looking
at them one fees their colours change rapidly. They
live chiefly on high rocks and trees, to breathe the air,
with which they are nourifhed. Other, venomous ferpents

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 55

found here carry at the end of their tails a fort of ball, like
a bell, which rings as if nature had placed it there to
warn thofe who were approaching to beware of danger.
Thefe bells and the heads of the ferpents are remedies for
fever and palpitation of the heart. Such are the kind of
creatures found in thefe regions, with others alfo common to
other countries.

It remains now to fpeak of the Birds, and firft of Oftriches,
as being larger than any other. Thefe are found in thofe
parts of Sundi and of Batta bordering on the Muzombi, the
young ones ifluing from an egg warmed by the fun. Their
feathers are ufed as ftandards and banners in battle, and are
mixed with thofe of the peacock in the form of a fun
umbrella. And as we are talking of peacocks I may fay that
in thefe parts of Angola peacocks are reared in a wood
furrounded by walls, the king not permitting any one to have
thefe birds but himfelf, on account of the royal ftandards
above mentioned. One reads in the ancient hiftories of
Alexander the Great, that this bird was as highly prized when it
was firft feen in Europe. Here alfo are the cocks called Indian
ones, and hens, geefe, and ducks of every kind, both wild and
tame, and partridges in fuch numbers that children can catch
them with a noofe. There are alfo other birds like pheafants,
called Gallignoles, doves, pigeons, and great numbers of thofe
birds called fig-peckers. Birds of prey, fuch as Royal eagles,
falcons, gdfhawks, fparrow-hawks, and others found here are
not ufed for hawking. Sea-birds, fuch as large and white
Pelicans, fo called by the Portuguefe, fwim under the water,
whofe throats are fo large that they fwallow a fifh whole,
and whofe ftomachs are fo ftrong, and fo hot by nature, that
they eafily digeft fifties entire. Their fkins are fo warm that
the people of the country ufe them as covering, and prize
them greatly. Great numbers of white herons and grey

56 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

bitterns, called royal birds, feed here in the fords. There
are certain birds alfo, rcfembling cranes with red beaks, red
legs, and as large as fwans ; their feathers arc for the moft
part red» the reft white, and fome have dark-coloured crefts.
Thefe birds, called by the people of the country Flamingoes,
which they refemble, are very beautiful ; and are alfo ufed
for food.

Large grey parrots, which are good talkers, abound here,
as well as fmall green ones, which do not talk much. There
are certain fmall birds, too, called birds of mufic, larger than
canaries, with red feathers and beaks, others being green,
with black feet and bill. Some are all white, others grey,
or all black. Thefe laft fing more beautifully than the reft,
and feem almoft to fpeak in their fongs. There arc others
which fing in various ways, but all fo fwectly that the lords
of this country have for centuries kept fuch birds in cages,
and prized them highly for their fong.

CHAPTER IX.

OF THE PROVINCE OF SONGO, WHICH IS THE COUNTRY OF
THE RIVER ZAIRE, AND OF LOANGO.

This province is bounded feven and a half degrees north by
the River Ambrize, and, after crofling the Rivers Lelunda
and Zaire, its confines terminate at the Red Rocks, which are
on the borders of the Kingdom of Loango. In the centre
of this province is a territory of the fame name, called
Songo, where the governor of the country lives. The lords
ruling this country are called Mani Songo, or Lords of
Songo, and are ufually of the blood royal. He who now

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 57

reigns is Don Diego Mani Songo, and under him are feveral
Icfler lords and provinces, which in old time were free, like
the people of Mombalas, living nearer the City of Congo, but
who are now under this government. On the other fide of the
River Zaire, towards the north, is the Province of Palmar,
fo called from the number of palm-trees growing there.
Other lordlhips border on the territory of the King of
Loango, who formerly was fubject to the King of Congo,
but in procefs of time became independent, and now profefles
to be a friend of that king, but not a vaflal. The people
of this country were called Bramas in former days, and lived
inland eaftward, under the equinoctial line, as far as the
borders of Anzicana, all along the mountains which divide
them from the Anzichi on the north. Thefe Anzichi are
called Congreamolal by the people of Loango, becaufe they
were formerly fubject to Congo.

Many elephants are found in Loango, and alfo much
ivory. Ivory they exchange for iron, and even a nail from
a fhip is taken in exchange for a whole elephant's tooth.
This muft be either becaufe no iron is found here, or the
working of it is unknown. Thefe people ufe it as points
for arrows, and for other weapons, as we have faid before,
when fpeaking of the Bramas. They make alfo cloths from
the palm-tree, fuch as we have fpoken of above, but fmaller
and finer ones. Cows and other animals of the kind abound.

The people are pagans, and their drefs is like that ufed in
Congo. They go to war with their neighbouring enemies,
who are the natives of Anzicana ; and when fighting againft
them they afk help from Congo, thus preferving themfelves
partly independent. They worfhip what they pleafe, their
chief deity being the fun, as reprefenting the male, and the
moon as the female. For the reft each choofes his own idol,
which he worfliips according to pleafure. Thefe people

I

5 8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

would gladly embrace the Chriftian faith, as many of them
who live on the confines of Congo are already converted to
it, and the reft, only from lack of priefts and of others to
teach them the true doctrine, remain in error.

CHAPTER X.

OF THE THIRD PROVINCE, CALLED SUNDI.

This Provirxe of Sundi is the one neareft to the City of
Congo, called San Salvador, although quite beyond that
territory, and 40 miles diftant from it. It extends to the
River Zaire, and over the fame to the other fide as far as
the Caduta, or Fall, of which we have fpoken above. It
ftretches along both fides of the river, bordering on
Anzicana northwards, and towards the fouth extends along
the faid river to its junction with the River Bancare, and
along its banks as far as the foot of the Monte del Criftallo.
Its principal town is on the confines of the Province
of Pango, where the governor of the province bearing the
fame name lives, that is to fay, of Sundi ; and it lies a day's
journey to the fouth of the falls of the river. This pro-
vince is the chief one, forming almoft the patrimony of the
whole Kingdom of Congo, and therefore always governed by
the eldeft fon of the king and the princes who are firft in
fucceffion, as it came to pafl* in the time of the firft
Chriftian king, Don Juan, whofe eldeft fon, Don Alfonfo,
having previoufly been governor here, fucceeded his father.
All fucceffive kings have obferved the fame cuftom, giving
the government to the princes who were next in feniority, and
in the fame way the prefent King Don Alvarez was himfelf

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 59

formerly governor, and called Mani Sundi. It muft be
obferved here that in the Kingdom of Congo, no one having
property can leave it to his heirs. Everything belongs to
the king, and he divides the government, riches, and territory
to whomfoever he pleafes, his own fons being fubject to the
fame law. In confequence of which law, if any one omits to
pay tribute every year, the king takes away their governor-
fhip^ giving it to another, as happened to the king who now
reigns, at the time when Duarte Lopez was at this court ;
for wifhing, when governor, to be liberal, and even boundlefs
in generofity to his vaflals, who were diflatiffied with the
burdens put upon them, he was for this difobedience removed
from his governorfhip and from the king's favour, which
laft is known in the language of this people as Tambocado,
to which we fhall allude fully in other parts of this book.
A great number of Lords are under the rule of the Governor
of Sundi. The people trade with the countries adjoining,
felling and bartering fait and different kinds of cloth brought
from India and Portugal and ufing Lumache as currency.
They receive in exchange cloths made from the palm, ivory,
fables, and belts made from the leaves of the palm, beautifully
worked, and much valued in thefe parts. Great numbers of
cryftals are found, and alfo feveral metals ; but iron is moft
valued, and from it the people make knives, fire-arms
fwords, and fimilar inftruments ufeful to mankind.

CHAPTER XL

OF THE FOURTH PROVINCE, CALLED PANGO.

The country of Pango was formerly an independent
kingdom. On the north it is bounded by Sundi, on the

I 2

6o History of the Kingdom of Congo.

fouth by Batta, on the weft by Congo, and on the eaft
by the Montagne del Sole. Its chief city, which is the
refidence of the governor, has the fame name, and is
fituated on the weft bank of the River Barbela. Originally
it was called Pangelungos, which has in time been
corrupted into Pango. The River Barbela runs through
the middle of it, this river taking its rife in the great lake
from which the Nile flows, and alfo from a fmaller lake,
called Achelunda, and falling into the Zaire. Although
the fmalleft province, neverthelefs it does not yield lefs
tribute. It was conquered after that of Sundi, and became
fubject to the princes of Congo, and now all have the fame
language and drefs. The prefent governor is called Don
Francesco Manipango, and belongs to the oldeft nobility of
the chiefs of Congo. In councils of ftate he is always
prefent, being already an old man and of great prudence ;
and for fifty years he has governed this kingdom without
any outbreaks, or having once had to be recalled by the
king. The trade of this province refembles that of Sundi*

CHAPTER XII.

OF THE FIFTH PROVINCE, CALLED BATTA.

This country is bounded on the north by the Province of
Pango, on the eaft it crofles the River Barbela, to the
Monti del Sole and to the foot of the Salnitro range, and
towards the fouth of the faid mountains is bounded, by a line
pafling from the junction of the Barbela and Cacinga Rivers
to the Monte Bruciato. Within thefe limits lies Batta and
its principal city, the refidence of the governor, likewife

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 6i

called Batta. Formerly it was known as Aghirimba, after-
wards the name was changed to Batta. The kingdom
formerly was powerful and great, and voluntarily joined
itfelf to that of Congo without any war, doubtlefs to avoid
diflenfions amongft its chiefs, and has in confequence greater
advantages and freedom than any other province in the
Congo Kingdom. The government of Batta is always
therefore given to one of the blood royal of this country,
according to the king's pleafure, not having regard more to
one than another, beyond keeping to the royal line. Neither
the eldeft nor the fecond fon inherit this poft, but the
King of Congo gives it, as we have faid, according to his
pleasure, in order that there ftiall be neither ufurpation nor
rebellion. This governor ranks nearer the king than any
other in Congo, being fecond perfon in the kingdom, nor
can any one alter his decrees as they can thofe of others,
and on the failure of the royal line the fucceflion devolves
upon him, and he is ftyled Don Pedro Manibatta. Some-
times he eats at the king's table, but at a lower place, which
is a privilege not granted to any other governor in Congo,
nor even to the king's fons. His court and attendants are
little inferior to thofe of the king himfelf, for when he goes
abroad on any public occafion he is preceded by trumpets,
drums, and other martial inftruments. He is commonly called
Prince of Batta by the Portuguefe, becaufe, as has been faid,
if the kings of Congo lacked heirs this kingdom would pafs
to one of his blood. The neighbouring heathen tribes
always go with him to battle, and he can bring into the field
feventy or eighty thoufand men. As he is at continual
warfare with the neighbouring tribes, he is allowed to have
native fufiliers, the king permitting no other governor, nor
even his fons, to employ native troops, but only Portuguefe
foldiers. And Duarte Lopez having once afked the king

62 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

why he did not permit other governors to have thefe
fufiliers, he replied that if there happened to be a rebellion
amongft them, and they came againft him with one or two
thoufand armed men, he would have no power to refift them.
And as we have mentioned that the king only permits the
ufe of native troops to the Prince of Batta it is right to add
that it is neceflary for him to do this, as towards the eaft of
Batta, beyond the Mountains del Sole and Salnitro, on the
weft and eaftern fides of the Nile, and on the borders of the
Kingdom of Moenhe Muge, live a people called Jaggas in
Congo, but known in their own country by the name of
Agag. They are a very favage and warlike people, much
given to warfare and robbery, making conftant riaids into the
neighbouring countries, and fometimes into that of Batta,
fo that it is not furprifing if the people of the latter country
are conftantly on their guard, and keep armed foldiers,
wherewith to defend themfelves. The Prince of Batta has
many Lords under him, and the natives are called Monfobos,
their language being underftood in Congo. They are a'
much ruder tribe than the Mociconghi, and flaves coming
from them prove extremely obftinate. The trade is the
fame as amongft the people of whom we have fpoken, but the
revenue which the king draws from Batta amounts to double
that of the two provinces above mentioned.

CHAPTER XIII.

OF THE SIXTH AND LAST PROVINCE, CALLED PEMBA.

The Province of Pemba is fituated in the very centre of the
Kingdom of Congo, being furrounded by, and comprifed

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 63

within, the limits defcribed above. The governor is Don
Antonio Manipemba, fecond fon of the late King Alvarez,
and brother of the reigning fovereign. So much was Don
Antonio beloved by his father that he afligned this governor-
fhip to him, not knowing what better to give, unlefs it
were the royal kingdom itfelf, which he had defired to do,
for he was more after his own heart than the eldeft fon ; but
this was not according to the royal law, and could not have
been permitted. This province is the centre of the Kingdom
of Congo, and the cradle of the ancient kingdoms, and in
confequence of its being at the head of the other prince-
doms, the royal city is placed in its midft, of which we fhall
later give full particulars.

The above-named Governor of Pemba lives in a territory
of the fame name, fituated at the foot of the Monte
Bruciato, and extending along the River Coze, which
iflues from the lake and flows through the region of Bamba
into the fea. The courtiers, Lords, and vafTals of the King
of Congo have their riches and pofTeffions in this province,
in order to be near the court, and alfo as more convenient
for conveying articles of food and clothing to the court.
Some of thefe Lords, and particularly thofe in the parts
bounded by Bamba, are obliged to fight againft and defend
themfelves from their neareft neighbours, the people of
Chizzama, who, it is faid, have revolted againft the King of
Congo, and profefs to be independent.

Here we fhall conclude the Firft Book, which confifts in a
general defcription of the Kingdom of Congo and its
boundaries, and particularly of the provinces within it. It
remains for us to proceed ftill farther in the Second, when
we fhall treat of the fite of the City of Congo, and its territory;
alfo of the prince to whofe baptifm the king came, and of
his cuftoms and court, and other things pertaining to the

64 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

civil and military government of thefe people. Later, we
fliall defcribe the furrounding kingdoms and regions, reaching
as far fouth as the Cape of Good Hope, and even beyond
the rivers and countries of the Indian Ocean ; referring alfo
to the interior of the country in which are the kingdoms of
Prefter John, belides touching on the fources of the Nile
and the reafon of its wonderful overflow, which by the
ignorant is regarded as miraculous.

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE SITE OP THE ROYAL CITY OF THE KINGDOM

OF CONGO.

Although the Royal City of the Kingdom of Congo
is to a certain extent included in the region of Pemba,
neverthelefs as the government thereof, and of its furrounding
territory, which extends for about 20 miles, belongs to the
king himfelf, let us treat of it feparately.

This city is called San Salvador, and was formerly known
as Banza in the language of the country, which generally
means Court, where the king or governor refides, and is
fituated 150 miles from the fea, on a large and high mountain,
ahnoft entirely of rock, in which neverthelefs is a feam of
iron-ftone, of which large houfes are built. This mountain
has on its fummit a plain, entirely cultivated, and furnifhed
with hamlets and villages, extending for about ten miles
in circumference, where more than 100,000 perfons are
located. The land is fruitful, and the air healthy, and frefti,
and pure, and there are fprings of moderately good water,
but never mjurious. Here, alfo, are many animals of every
defcription. The fummit of the mountain is feparate, and
diftinct from all others around it ; and therefore the Portu-
guefe call it Oteiro, that is to fay, vedette, and Angular
height, whence the whole country round can be feen. 'Tis

66 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

true that only towards the eaft and the river it is precipitous,
and very craggy.

For two reafons the earlieft lords of the country placed
this territory on the faid fummit; firft, becaufe it lies in
almoft the very middle of the kingdom, whence fubfidies
could be quickly fent to every part ; and, then, becaufe the
natural elevation gives good air, a fecure polition, and one
not to be taken by force. By the north-weft afcent, which
looks towards the fea, and which, as has been faid, is 150
miles off, the fummit is reached by a five-miles' walk along
a winding, broad, and well-made path. On tfie eaft fide
a river runs along the bafe of the mountain, to which women
defcend, by a path a mile long, to wafti clothes. In fome
parts there are planted and cultivated valleys, nor is any
region left without tillage, on account of its being the
country where the Court refides. The city is placed in a
corner or angle of that fummit, towards the fouth-eaft, and
was enclofed with walls by King Dom Affonfo, the firft
Chriftian, who gave the Portuguefe their own feparate part
ftiut off with a wall, and enclofed his palace in the fame
way, as well as the other royal houfes. A large fpace was
left between thefe two enclofures, in which ftands the
principal church, with its fquare in front, the gates of the
houfes of the nobles and of the Portuguefe being built fo as
to face the faid church, and where the fquare commences
live certain great nobles of the Court. Behind the church,
the fquare ends in a narrow ftreet, which has its own gate,
outfide which are feveral houfes facing eaft. Beyond thefe
walls, in which the royal refidences and the city of the
Portuguefe are enclofed, there are feveral buildings belonging
to nobles, every one taking the fite moft agreeable to him
near the court. So that it is impoflible to determine the
fize of this City, the whoje country beyond the two boundaries

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 6 7

of the walls being covered with houfes and palaces, each
noble having his houfes and lands enclofed like a town.
The Portuguefe occupy a circuit of nearly a mile, and other
buildings, fuch ^ the royal houfes, about the fame extent.
The walls are of great thicknefs ; the gates are not fhut at
night, nor even are fentinels pofted. There is no lack of
water-fprings on this high plain, but the Court and the
Portuguefe drink from a continually-flowing fountain, on
the north fide, to which they defcend the diftance of a
gunftiot down hill, and carry the water into the city in
vefl*els of wood and terra cotta, and alfo in gourds on
the flioulders of flaves. The whole plain is . fruitful and
cultivated, having verdant meadows and large trees, and
produces grain of various kinds. The beft grain is called
Luco, which is like muftard feed, but larger. This is
ground in a handmill, and from the white flour excellent
bread is made, and fuch as is not even inferior to corn,
although only the latter is ufed in the celebration of mafs.

Thefe different kinds of grain have been plentiful through-
out the Kingdom of Congo for a little while paft, the feed
being brought from that part of the River Nile where it
falls into the fecond lake. Here is alfo the beft white grain,
called mazza di Congo, that is, grain of Congo, and maize,
which is of fo little value that they give it to pigs, rice
being likewife little thought of. Maize is known as mazzk
Manputo, that is, Portugal grain.

The variety of trees is fo great as to produce sufficient
fruit to fupply nearly the whole population with food.
Amongft them are citrons, lemons, and, above all, lufcious
orange-trees, whofe fruit is neither fweet nor acid, but is eaten
without ha^m. The aforefaid Duarte Lopez relates (to fhow
the fertility of the country), that he had feen a kernel of the
citron left in the rind of that fruit, from which in four

K 2

68 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

days a fmall ftem was fpringing. There are other fruits
called Bananas, which are fuppofed to be the Mufes of
Egypt and Syria, but in thofe countries they grow as large as
trees, and are cut every year to increafe their fruitfulnefs.
They are delightfully fragrant, and very nutritious. Various
fpecies of palms grow likewife in thefe plains, one being the
date palm, and another, the Indian nut, called Coccos, as within
the latter is a head refembling an ape; and they have
a cuftom in Spain, when wifhing to frighten children, to
mention the word Coccola. Another palm fimilar to the
above grows here, from which oil, wine, vinegar, fruits, and
bread are all extracted. Oil is made from the pulp of the
fruit, which is of the colour and fubftance of butter, but of a
greenifh hue; and this oil the people burn. It alfo ferves
as butter, and to anoint the body. They prefs the oil from
thefe fruits in the fame way as it is got from the olive, and
then preferve it by boiling. Bread is made from the kernel
of the faid fruit, which is like an almond, but harder, and
within it is the marrow, good for food, wholefome and
nutritious. This fruit, together with the pulp, is entirely
green, and is eaten either in that ftate or cooked. Wine is
found in a hollow at the top of the tree, where it forms a
fort of trough, and from it is diftilled a liquor refembling
milk, which for a few days is fweet, then becomes acid, and
in procefs of time bitter, and is ufed with falad. When
drunk frefh it acts medicinally, and, in confequence, the people
of thofe countries do not fuiFer from gravel or ftone. It
caufes intoxication to any who drink too freely of it, but
otherwife is very nutritious. Other trees here produce a fruit
called Cola, about the fize of a pineapple, within which are
other fruits, like cheftnuts, containing four feparate pulps of
red and carnation colour. Thefe are held in the mouth, and
by maftication and eating afluage thirft, and tafte like water.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 6g

They preferve and ftrengthen the ftomach, and, above all,
are valued in liver difeafe. It is faid that if the liver
of a fowl or any fimilar bird is fprinkled with the juice of this
fruit, it becomes quite frefli again even after decompofition.
This fruit is in common ufe, and being fo abundant is very
cheap. Other wild palms, alfo producing fruits for food,
are here, whofe leaves are woven into mats, and made
into coverings for houfes, and alfo into bafkets, and fimilar
articles of everyday ufe. Trees called Ogheghe produce
a pale yellow plum, of good flavour, and very fweet
perfume. From thcfe trees they cut off the branches, and
plant them in fuch manner that they take root, and grow
up very large, making ornamental paliflades round the
houfes. On them they place woven mats, which, forming an
enclofed court-yard, ferve as a ftiade from the heat of the
fun. In the midft of thefe enclofures are wooden houfes
covered wnth thatch, not having ftories, but a ground floor,
which is divided into convenient rooms, lined with mats
of delicate make, and ornamented in various manners.
And, here it mufl: be remarked, that thefe people do not
buUd their houfes in this paftoral manner from lack of
materials, for the mountains of Congo furnifli quarries of
various valuable fliones, from which might be cut columns,
architraves, bafes, and other large blocks, for building any-
thing that was required. Indeed, it is faid fome mafl*es are of
fuch enormous fize, that a whole church might be cut out of
a fingle piece of the fl:one like that which forms the obeliflc,
now ftanding before la Porta del Popolo. Befides thefe,
there are the mountains producing porphyry, jafper, and white
and coloured marbles, which in Rome are known as Numidian,
African, and Ethiopian marbles, fome columns of which are
in the Gregorian Chapel. Other marbles are found here,
and amongft them very fine ones inlaid with jacinths, which

7© History of the Kingdom of Congo.

are gems, and form veins on the mother ftones, and thefe, when
feparated and arranged in fmall pieces, can be formed fo as to
look like pomegranates. Columns, obelifks, and fuch-like
works of art can be made from this marble, which fparkles
as if ftudded with beautiful jewels. Befides thefe are other
precious ftones, having an appearance of metal, of various
colours, fome green and fparkling, others copper-coloured,
and from which ftatues and other objects of great
beauty might be made. There is, therefore, no lack of
material, for the mountains abound in the above-mentioned
ftones, and with others alfo, there being more here perhaps
than in the whole world befide. Here are alfo lime,
timber, animals for drawing and carrying, and every other
requirement for building purpofes. But architects, mafons,
carpenters, and all fuch workmen are wanting, and for
the building of churches, walls, and other ftructures in
thefe countries, men are brought from Portugal. Tamarind,
caffia, and cedar-trees grow to fuch an extent on the banks of
the River Congo, that ftiips without number can be built
from them, and thefe and other large and high trees are
ufed alfo in houfe-building. The gardens produce every
kind of vegetable and fruit, fuch as melons, water-melons,
cucumbers, cauliflowers, and many others of like kind,
which will not flourifti in our European climates.

CHAPTER II,

OF THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY IN CONGO; AND IN
WHAT MANNER THE PORTUGUESE ACQUIRED THE
TRADE OF THAT COUNTRY.

King Dom Joao II., wifliing to difcover the Eaft Indies,
fent feveral ftiips along the coaft of Africa, which, having

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 7 1

^■■■■BBaBBaB9BBBHa9B9B^BBBBBBBBIiBHBBBBB99B9a!^a99aS9BBBB9BaBB9^

found the Cape Verde Iflands and the Ifland of St. Thomas,

and running all along that coaft, reached the River Zaire,

already fpoken of, where the natives proved friendly and

civil, and did good trade with them. Later, he fent other

veflels alfo to traffic with Congo, and, finding the merchandife

open and profitable and the people amicable, feveral Portu-

guefe remained there to learn the language, and to trade,

amongft whom was a prieft from Mefla. The Portu-

guefe, meeting with the Lord of Sogno, uncle of the king,

a courteous man, who at that time lived at the port of Praza,

which is the mouth of the Zaire, were looked upon and

reverenced by h'mi almoft like gods come down to live on

the earth. But the Portuguefe told him they were men like

himfelf, and Chriftians, and feeing themfelves fo much

efteemed by the people, the prieft and the reft began to

reafon with the Prince about the Chriftian faith, and to ftiow

the errors of paganifm, and by little and little to teach him

our religion, fo that the prince, being much pleafed with

what the Portuguefe told him, became a convert. In this

fpirit of truft and devotion, the Prince of Sogno went to

Court to tell the king of the doctrines of the Chriftian

Portuguefe, and to encourage him to receive the Chriftian

faith. Then the king fent for the prieft to Court, that he

might hear from himfelf what the prince had told him, and

he, alfo, when he had heard, exprefled his wifti to become a

Chriftian. At this time thofe veflels returned to Portugal,

by which the King of Congo fent petitions to KingDom

Joao IL, of Portugal, begging for priefts to be fent him to

propagate Chriftianity, and the prieft wrote at length alfo, by

requeft of the king, giving full information of all that had

occurred. So the king fent him priefts, ornaments for the

churches, crofles, images, and everything elfe neceflary for

fuch fervice. Meantime the Prince of Sogno ceafed not day

72 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

^K

and night to difcourfe with the Portuguefe prieft, having him
in his houfe and at his table, to teach himfelf, and alfo the
people, the Chriftian religion, favouring Chriftianity in every
way in his power, fo that it might grow and take root in
that country; the people and the king perfevering in the
defire to be purged of all their abominable fuperftitions,
and awaiting the Portuguefe veffels, with provifions for
baptifm, and other neceflaries for this object. At laft, the
fhips arrived with the expected means, which was in the
year 1491 of our era, and anchored at the mouth of the
Zaire. The Prince of Sogno, with demonftrations of great
joy, met them with all his followers, and faluted and took
them to his own houfe. The next day that prince, by
advice of the prieft who had remained there, began to
build a church of trunks and boughs of trees, which he, in
perfon, with his fervants went to the wood to cut down,
and covered with them a fite for a church, in which
were reared three altars, in honour of the Moft Holy Trinity,
and where he was baptized, with his infant fon, calling
himfelf Enmianuel, the name of our Saviour, and his fon
Antonio, after the patron faint of Lifbon.

Now, if any one afks by what names the people of thefe
countries called themfelves before becoming Chriftians, it will
certainly feem incredible to be told that neither men or women
had proper names, fuch as are ufed by rational beings, but
adopted thofe belonging to plants, ftones, birds, and beafts.
The lords took the names of the feveral provinces over which
they ruled. As for example, the above-named lord, and firft
convert to Chriftianity in Congo, was called Mani Sogno, that
is Lord of Sogno, although known by the name of Emmanuel
after his baptifm ; but now nearly all bear Chriftian names
learnt from the Portuguefe.

After the Celebration of High Mafs, one of the priefts who

History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo. 73

had come from Portugal afcended a pulpit, and gave a fliort
fermon in Portuguefe on the chief points of the new religion
and faith which they were receiving, which fermon the prieft,
who had remained there and learnt their language, interpreted
more fully to the nobles aflembled in the church. The
people, owing to their prince's converfion, were gathered
together in fuch numbers, that, not being able to get into
the church, the prince went outfide to them, and repeated
what had been faid, befeeching them with much emotion
to embrace with him the Chriftian faith.

After this all the Portuguefe went to the Court to baptize
the King, who exprefled a fervent defire for that rite, and
the Prince of Sogno ordered many of his own nobles to
attend them with trumpets, and finging, and other honours ;
he alfo commanded the people to provide victuals along the
roads for their ufe. So great was the multitude who fan to fee
the Portuguefe Chriftians, that it feemed as if the whole country
were covered with people, who loaded them with kindnefles,
finging and making founds with cymbals and trumpets, and
other inftruments of the country. And it is pleafant to
add that for 150 miles between the fea-coaft and San Sal-
vador the roads were all clean and fwept, and abundantly
furnifhed with food and other provifions for the Portuguefe.
It was the cuftom in thofe countries, when the King and
his Nobles went out, to clean and prepare the roads, but
on this occafion it was fpecially done, the Portuguefe
being honoured as heroes for bringing the King the gift of
faith, for the welfare of his foul, and to every one alike
the light of God and eternal falvation. After being
three days on the road they met the king's efcort, who
prefented them with all manner of refreshments, and paid
them great honour, as did other nobles fent by the king
to meet the Chriftians, the bearers of fo much bleffing.

74 History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo.

Within three miles of the city, all the Court came to meet
the Portuguefe with great pomp, and with mufic and finging,
fuch as is ufed in thofe countries at folemn feftivals ; and fo
great was the crowd that not a tree or a raifed place but was
covered with people running together to fee thefe ftrangers
who had brought this new and life-giving religion. The king
awaited them at the gate of his palace, feated on a throne,
above a raifed platform, and received them publicly, as is the
ancient cuftom with the kings of thofe countries when ambas-
fadors arrive, or when tribute is brought, or on any other
royal occafion.

Firft, the ambaflador explained his miffion from the King
of Portugal, ufing as interpreter the prieft above-named, and
who was the chief means of the converfion of thefe people.
After this the king rofe from his feat, and fliowed by words
and countenance the great joy he felt at the arrival of the
Chriftians, and fat down again in prefence of his people.
Thefe laft, immediately after the fpeech of the king, with
fongs and mufic, and other figns of delight, alfo manifefted
their fatiffaction with the embafly, and as an act of fub-
miflion, proftrated themfelves three times on the ground, and
lifted their feet, according to the cuftom of thofe countries,
praifing and approving what their king had done, and cordially
accepting the Gofpel which had been fent to them from God,
by the hand of thefe ftrangers. Afterwards he was fhown all
the gifts fent by the King of Portugal, and the veftments of
the priefts, ornaments for the altar, crofl*es, pictures of the
faints, and banners. He liftened with great attention, as, by
his own defire, they were all defcribed one by one. Then
the king retired and gave lodging to the ambafladors in a
palace fet apart for them, and the reft were lodged in
various houfes of the nobles, with every provifion for their
comfort.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 7 5

Next day the king fent privately for all the Portuguefe,
when they devifed the manner in which the baptifm of the
king was to take place, and how to effect the converfion
of thefe people to the Chriftian faith. After much difcourfe,
it was decided firft to build a church, in which to celebrate
with great folemnity the rite of baptifm and other fervices,
and meanwhile to inftruct the king and the people of the
court in the truths of the Chriftian religion. The king fent to
make great preparations with all forts of material, in the
form of wood, ftone, lime, and bricks, which the workmen
and builders afked for, who had come from Portugal to do
the work. But the devil, who never ceafes to mar good
works, fowed difcord, and plots and hindrances arofe againft this
growth of the Chriftian faith, which threatened, by planting
the crofs and the religion of the Gofpel, to deftroy the devil's
power in this kingdom, for the Anzichi, and alfo the people
of Anzicana, living on both fides of the River Zaire, from
the falls before fpoken of, and on towards the lake belonging
to the King of Congo, began at this time to rebel. Now, this
great river, being reftrained by thefe falls, is greatly fwoUen
there, and expands into a large and deep channel, from
whofe wideft part rife large and fmall iflands, one of
which contains about 30,000 fouls. In thefe iflands, and in
the places, adjoining the river, the people rofe and turned
againft the government of the king, killing the governors
fent by him ; fo that during this rebellion, the fpread of
Chriftianity was interr>»pted. The king then fent his eldeft
fon, named Maniiundi, who was governor of that region, to
quell the rebellion, but it being necefl!ary for the king to go
in perfon, as the tumult increafed, he wiflied at once to be
baptized, and fo the work of the ftone church ceafed, and one
of wood was haftily raifed. Together with the Portuguefe,
the king in perfon ^ve orders how it was to be built, and

L 2

76 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

within it he received the rite of Holy Baptifm, taking the
name of Dom Joao, and the queen the name of Leonora,
after the King and Queen of Portugal, and that Church was
dedicated to the Saviour. This rebellion arofe amongft the
above-named people, and not with thofe who live in the
Iflands of the Great Lake, as is recorded in the firft book
of the Hiftory of India, recently written in Latin ; for that
lake is nearly 200 miles diftant from the borders of Congo,
and nothing was known of it in thofe days (and very little
at prefent) except from hearfay. Befides, in that hiftory,
from lack of records, the revolting people are called Mundi-
queti, whereas the Portuguefe rightly call them Anziqueti.

Following the example of the king, many great nobles
were baptized at the fame time as himfelf, having firft em-
braced fbme of the principles of the Chriftian faith. After
this the king went in perfon to put down the rebels, againft
whom the prince his (on, and Manibatta, were already
fighting. On arrival of the king the enemy fubmitted,
and the king returned in triumph to the City of Congo,
accompanied by his fbn, who fbon alfo became a Chriftian,
taking the name of AfFonfo, after the Prince of Portugal ;
and with him many noblemen and cavaliers, and other
fubjects of his province embraced Chriftianity. Now the
enemy of the Chriftian faith ftill purfuing his wicked
eflx)rts to impede the fpread of Chriftianity, and feeing he
had gained nothing towards it by the war, put it into the
mind of the fecond fon of the king not to agree to the new
religion which his father, mother, brother and many of the
nobles had embraced. Thus he fowed tares in his heart, and in
thofe of other nobles who favoured his views, and who were
more inclined to the vices of the flefh than to any virtue, being
oppofed to the Gofpel command, now begun to be preached,
that a man fhall have but one wife; which law to thefe

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 7 7

people, accuftomed to take as many wives as they pleafed,
was more difficult to accept than any other.

Thus the two brothers were feparated, each maintaining his
own caufe. The eldeft, Dom AfFonfo, defended the Chriftian
faith with great zeal, fweeping away all the idols from
his province ; but his brother, who was called Pango, being
governor of that province, oppofed him fo far as to enlift moft
of the nobles on his fide, amongft them being fome who
had already been baptized, and whofe wives, feeing them-
felves feparated from their lords on account of the Chriftian
laws, fpoke evil of the new religion, and fpread fnares around
Dom AfFonfo, trying to get rid of him, and fo to ftop the
Chriftian faith being fpread abroad. All thefe, together
with Pango, gave the king to underftand that AfFonfo
favoured the Chriftian religion in order to ufurp his place,
and by means of it would rebel fo far as to banifh him
from the kingdom. The king liftened to thefe ftories,
and deprived the prince of the province he governed.
But Divine providence, preferving him for a great purpofe,
upheld his caufe by means of certain people, who begged
the king not to be moved to anger till he had firft
examined the proofs of guilt againft the prince. He
was efpecially perfuaded to this by the counfels of Mani-
fogno, whom we have already faid was the firft to become
a Chriftian, and took the name of Emmanuel, and who
happened to be at court at this time. By his Ikilful
reafoning (being alfo the oldeft courtier and lord of that
time, and much beloved by the king and people), he got the
king to retract the fentence againft Dom AfFonfo. The king
having afterwards inquired into the actions of his fon, and
finding the charges againft him were falfe and malicious,
reftored him to his governorfhip, commanding him, however,
not to proceed with too much rigour againft the pagans.

7 8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

whilft exalting the Chriftian religion. But he, full of love
and of the Divine Spirit, ceafcd not to fpread the Gofpel*
faith, and to put into practice the commandments of God.

Therefore, his enemies never ceafed pouring into the ears
of the king all manner of deceit, in order to deftroy what
this good prince had built up, efpecially as Manifogno was
now away governing his own province. Thus it came to
pafs that there being no one left to defend the Chriftian laws,
the king began to doubt the faith which he had before fo
warmly embraced, and fent again to recall the prince to
court, to render account of the revenues received from the
province he governed, intending after that to depofe him
from his governorfhip. But the prince, enlightened by his
good angel, and difcovering the ambufhes of the enemies of
God, delayed his departure, and foon his father, already old
and infirm, pafled away. His mother, however, who always
remained firm in the Catholic faith, and dearly loving her
eldeft fon, kept the death of the king concealed for three
days, and, aided by her faithful friends, gave it out that the
king had ordered no one to be admitted to him. Then in
a fccret manner fhe informed her fon by runners (who,
placed at convenient diftances, like pofts, are always ready
to carry the commands of the king throughout the
kingdom) of the death of his father, and that fhe would
keep it fecret till he arrived, begging him to come without
delay, and with as great hafte as pofTible to the court.
Therefore (by means of thefc fame pofls, and being carried
by flaves, according to the cuftom of the country, day and
night), in one day and two nights, he accompli fhed with
marvellous fpeed, the journey of 200 miles, and fuddenly
appeared in the city.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 79

CHAPTER III.

DEATH OF KING DOM JOAO, FIRST CHRISTIAN KING THE

SUCCESSION OF HIS SON, DOM AFFONSO, AND THE WARS

AGAINST HIS BROTHER OF THE MIRACLES WHICH

HAPPENED, AND THE CONVERSION OF THIS PEOPLE.

Now together with the death of the king, was announced the
fucceffion to the throne of Dom Affonfo. He followed his father
to the tomb, accompanied by all the nobles of his court, and
the Portuguefe, who, with funeral pomp not before feen by
this people, performed the Chriftian offices, and offered prayers
for the dead. But thofe who had before been adverfe to the
new king, not feeling fafe at court, united themfelves to Pango,
who lived in the province of his government, and who,
whilft his father was ftill living, was at war with the
Mozombi and other rebellious tribes. Hearing of the death
of his father, and that his brother was already on the throne,
Pango conferred with the enemy. He then collected a great
force, and came armed againft his brother, bringing with
him the greater part of his fubjccts, to the number of nearly
200 thoufand men. King Dom Affonfo awaited him in the
royal city with the few who were friendly to him, fupported by
the good old man, Prince of Sogno, who was with him by
reafon of the Holy Religion of Chrift, and of the allegiance
he owed. He having made a lift of friends ready to
defend the place, found the number did not exceed 10 thoufand
men, amongft whom were about 100 Chriftians of the
country, befides a few Portuguefe who happened to be
there. Thefe people were but little prepared for fuch an
encounter, and not being refolute, proved doubtful and
timid, on account of the great army Pango brought with

8o History of the Kingdom of Congo.

him. But the king, confident and unfhaken in his faith,
and of aid from Heaven, reaflured his men, together
with the old chief, who ceafed not day and night from his
work, or from giving words of encouragement to thofe
who feared the aflaults of the enemy, afluring them that
God would be their help. Therefore, whilft thefe awaited the
approach of their adverfaries, the latter fpread themfelves
around the city to befiege it, with fo great a noife of trumpets,
and tumult, and cries, and terrific threatenings, that the
few who were infide the city, lofing heart, the Chriftians
with the reft, came to the king faying, they had no
ftrength to refift fuch a powerful army, and that it feemed
better to them to make peace, and abandon the new re-
ligion fo lately embraced, in order not to fall into the hands
of their cruel enemies. But the king, full of religious zeal,
reproved them for their perfidy, calling them cowards, and
faithlefs, but faid if they wifhed to go over to the enemy
they were to do fo ; notwithftanding he would, with the few
who followed him, truft in God's help, knowing human
aid was vain againft such an immenfe army ; and without
afking them to join hands with him, or to rifk their lives, he
only begged them to remain and fee what would happen.
Yet they, being ftill faint-hearted, determined to leave the
king, and gathering together, went forward outfide the city,
where they met the good old Prince of Sogno, who, with a
few of his men, had come out to reconnoitre the enemy's
camp, and to make neceflary provifion. To him they told
what they had already faid to the king, declaring it was
madnefs to imperil their lives with fo few men againft a great
multitude, and that, without doubt, it was better to furrender,
and fo be fafe. To which the old man replied, with Chriftian
courage, that they muft not fo fuddenly lofe hope, but do as
the king had told them and truft in Jefus Chrift, the Saviour

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 8 1

of the world, whofe faith they had but lately received with fo
much zeal, and who would infallibly fuccour them ; nor
would he have them, from fear of man, turn from the holy
doctrine which they had embraced with fo much fervour,
reminding them that they would not have to fight with
ftrangers, nor with people of remote countries, but with their
own relations and countrymen, fo that they fhould not lofe
any opportunity of reconciliation and friendfhip.

He alfo faid to them. Behold, my age is now one hundred
years, and yet I take arms, being zealous for the religion
which I have adopted, and for the homage and honour I
owe to my king, and do you, who are in the flower
of your age, fhow timidity and fo little fealty to your
lawful fovereign ? At leaft, if you will not fight yourfelves,
animate your vaflals, and do not difcourage them, but let us
await the firft encounter of the enemy, and we ftiall have
time after that in which to make plans for our fafety.
With thefe comforting words he re-aflured the fallen fpirits
of thefe men, and they turned back with him to feek the
king, who was in the church praying, and afking help from
God. They waited until he came out, and then fell on their
knees before him, entreating pardon for their weaknefs and
cowardice in having wifhed to abandon their prince in this
hour of extreme peril, faying, alfo, that they refolved
conftantly to defend him and the laws which they had
received, and that they would fight for him even unto death.
But the king, who faw that this aid came ftraight from God,
gave thanks filently in his heart, at the fame time vowing to
facrifice himfelf to maintain his faith. Then, with a fmiling
countenance, he turned and faid, I believe, O Lord, that Thy
greatnefs is infinite, and that Thou canft do all things*
making much from little and little from much, when it
pleafeth Thee, and I doubt not that Thou canft bring to aid

M

82 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

BOB

my weaknefs Thine own invincible ftrength, fo that by Thy
favour, even with thefe few weak ones, I may become con-
queror, not only of this army, but alfo of far greater ones if need
be. And I promife (O my God), in addition to what I have
faid, to exalt Thy true faith, Thy holy name, and the doctrine
of Thy falvation all the days of my life. In witnefs of which
confeffion he at once caufed a crofs to be placed in the
middle of the fquare oppofite the church. It was conftructed
by the prieft, and meafured eighty hands high, with a crofs-
beam of proportionate width. Now the Eternal God,
recognizing the faith which had prompted this vow of the
good king, was pleafed to comfort him with a heavenly
vifion, in the form of a bright and beautiful light, at fight of
which he fell on his knees in tears, lifting his eyes and hands
to heaven, not being able to fpeak for weeping, but fhowing
by figns that his fpirit was in a ftate of rapture from what
he faw. All prefent did the fame, and loft their eyefight
for the fpace of nearly an hour by reafon of the brightnefs
of the light ; then, by degrees, lifting their eyes to heaven,
they faw five flaming fwords engraven thereon, which for the
fpace of about an hour, remained fixed in a circle, but
could never be underftood or defcribed by thofe who faw
them. Which fwords the king took for arms, as is feen on
the royal feal, ufed from that day to this, and even by the
king who now lives and reigns. The crofs itfelf, placed
there on account of a vow, and of the miracle which happened,
may be feen ftill on the fame fite in front of the church,
which derives its name from it, of Holy Crofs.

This crofs (the old one being much worn by time, and
fallen down) the late king, Dom Alvares, father of the
prefent one, reftored to its former condition, in memory of
that miracle. The vifion greatly confirmed the minds of the
citizens, who were before wavering, whilft it ftruck terror into

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 83

thofe of the oppofing party, when they heard of it. Notwith-
{landing, Pango fent to tell the king, and all who were with
him, that if they did not immediately furrender, give up the
city, and make him king by oath, and alfo abandon the new
religion, they muft all be flain, but if they complied with his
demands they would be pardoned. To which the lords who
were with the king fent anfwer that they were ready to die in
defence of their prince, and for the Chriftian religion. The
king efpecially fent word that he was not afraid of his
threatenings, at the fame time that it grieved him to the
heart, as his brother, to fee him walking in darknefs, and far
from the way of light ; adding that the kingdom belonged
to him of right, not having ufurped it, and the law which he
had received came of a certainty from God, who would
defend and fuccour him. He befought him to put away
his falfe faith taught by the devil, and to be baptized fo as
to become a fon of God, and merit eternal falvation. Then
the king fent for jewels, and rich robes from his houfe, and
in order to encourage thofe lords who took part with him,
gracioufly diftributed them amongft them all, thereby giving
fo much fatiffaction that they refolved to follow the king's
inftructions with renewed courage. The fame night almoft
half the bafer people bearing arms rebelled, and fled to the
camp of Pango, giving him to underfland that the king and
all who were with him had lofl: heart, and already thought of
faving themfelves, but that they could only do fo by taking
the road to the river, which, as we have faid, was a mile in
defcent from the city.

At the end of that road, between the river and the moun-
tain, was a fmall marfh on the right, two feet deep ; and on
the left were the mountains, and the garrifon of Pango, who
befieged the aforefaid mountain fo as to leave no other
means of exit but by pafTing over this marfti, which was

M 2

84 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

the length of a gunfhot, and led directly to the river.
Pango, believing what he had been told, fent at once to
ftop up that paflage with (harp ftakes driven firmly into the
marfh, covering them with water, fo that when the enemy
fled in the darknefs of night, they might fuddenly be enfnared
thereby and undone. The fame night Pango and his army
waited eagerly for the dawn, in order to aflault the city, pon-
dering how beft to do fo. But Dom AflTonfo, confefling
himfelf and communicating, together with his faithful allies,
awaited the foe, who, fecure of victory, had alreacjy made
over to the chief men of his army the poflefTions of thofe
left in the city, and the various governments of the kingdom.
In the early morning Pango led the aflault with furious
impetus on the fide of the city that faces to the north,
where the great plain, finking through a narrow gorge,
becomes a bafin, almoft circular, and furrounded by hills,
with an exit difl:ant a gunftiot from the fite of the city, which
is a level space two miles in circumference, on which lies, as
we have before faid, the city, the church, the refidences of
the nobles, and the court of the king. Here Dom AflTonfo,
and his handful of men, were ranged againfl: the pagans
and his brother ; but before the latter had come face to
face with the king, he was fuddenly and entirely routed,
and put to flight. Seeing himfelf conquered, Pango
was greatly amazed, not underftanding the caufe of his
defeat. Notwithflianding, he returned next day to the
aflault in the fame place, and again was difcomfited in like
manner, but took refuge in flight, clearly recognizing that
his defeat was not from the valour of his enemies, but the
refult of a miracle. Therefore, the people in the city
mocked at the pagans, and taking heart from fuch a victory,
no longer feared, but became eager to attack their adverfaries,
who told them that they had not won the day themfelves, but

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 85

owed their victory to the prefence of a lady in white, whofe
dazzling fplendour blinded the enemy, whilft a knight riding on
a white palfrey, and carrying a red crofs on his breaft, fought
againft and put them to flight. On hearing this, the king
fent to tell his brother that thefe were the Virgin Mary, the
mother of God, whofe faith he had received, and St. James,
who were fent from God to his aid, and if he would become
a Chriftian he would have the like favour. Not in any way
confertting to this, Pango fpent the night in arranging for
the conqueft of the city from two pofitions, one being by
the narrow pafs we have already fpoken of, with part of his
army ; the other by way of the river where no guards were,
and which he attempted to pafs with another divifion of
his men, led by himfelf. The latter made the firft onflaught
and were routed, and Pango, hoping to pufh on to the other
fide whilft his enemies were defending the pafs, fell into a
trap, for thofe who were in the city, hearing that Pango
was coming by that way, haftened thither to repulfe him and
his forces. They fought with fuch fury againft^ him, that
being overcome by fright, he rufhed headlong into the
ambufh covered with ftakes, which he had himfelf prepared
for the Chriftians, and there, almoft maddened with pain,
the points of the ftakes being covered with poifon, and
penetrating his flefti, he ended his life.

With this victory, and the death of his brother, the king
was freed from farther oppofition, and knowing that his
followers were wandering about, and afraid of appearing
before him on account of their mifdeeds, he fent, like
a good prince, to announce to them that he pardoned
their former ill-conduct, and would receive them with favour.
They all fubmitted, except the captain-genera], named
Manibunda, who, fearing to come before the king on account
of his treachery, at length obtained pardon, and did

86 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

deeds of penance by helping in the work of building the
church. He afterwards became fo devoted and humble a
Chriftian, that the king wiihed to leflen his punifhment, but
Manibunda refolved to continue his labours until the edifice
was finiihed. Peace being eftablifhed in the kingdom, the king
commanded the principal church, called Holy Crofs, to be
finifhed, which was fo called as a remembrance of the crofs
planted there, and becaufe the foundation ftone was laid on
the feaft of Holy Crofs. He ordered, befides, that the men
ihould carry the ftones, and the women the fand, which they
fetched from the river. The firft to carry ftones on his
fhoulders and throw them into the foundation was the
king, the queen doing the fame with the fand, as an example
to the lords and ladies of the court, and to encourage the
people in the holy work. Thus the building, being helped
forward by all manner of workpeople, was quickly raifed, and
maffes and divine fervice celebrated with much folemnity.
Many became Chriftians, and fo great a number of nobles and
others aflced for baptifm that there were not found priefts
fufficient to perform the fervice. After thefe events the
king fent the ambaflador of the King of Portugal, who
had been detained till now at the court by thefe difturbances,
and with him another ambaflador of his, named Dom Rodrigo,
and alfo fome of his own and this ambafl"ador's relations
to Portugal, that they might learn the Chriftian doctrine and
alfo the language, and give an account to the king of the paft
events. Befides this, he afl^mbled the governors from the dif-
ferent provinces at a place arranged for them to meet in, and
told them publicly, that whoever pofl"efl"ed idols or anything
elfe contrary to the Chriftian religion, muft give them up to
the deputies appointed to receive them, and that all who
kept them back would be burnt, and receive no pardon.
This threat being at once put into execution, in lefs than a

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 87

an

month were brought to the court all the idols, forcery books,
and magic writings, which had been worfhipped as gods.
And truly great numbers of thefe things were collected, for
each perfon worfhipped what moft fuited his tafte, apart from
any fenfe of rule or reafon, fo that there were numerous
demons of ftrange and frightful forms. Many held in great
reverence winged dragons, which they nouriftied in their
private houfes, giving them the moft coftly viands to eat ;
others ferpents of horrible fhape, large goats, tigers, and
various monftrous animals ; and the more they were ugly and
deformed the more they held them in honour, regarding as
facred, unclean birds, fuch as bats, fcreech-owls, and the like.
In fine, they chofe for gods, ferpents, beafts, birds, plants,
trees, various kinds of wood and ftone, carving alfo on wood
and ftone, reprefentations of the above to form pictures.
And not only did they worfhip living animals, but alfo thofe
ftufFed with ftraw.

The act of adoration was performed in various ways, but
always in the direction of humility, fometimes throwing
themfelves on their knees and taking up mouthfuls of earth,
covering the face with duft, and making prayer to the idols
both in words and geftures, and offering facrifices of the
beft things they pofTefTed. They had alfo their forcerers,
who told thefe fimple people that the idols fpoke to them,
and deceiving them fo far that if any fick prefented them-
felves and were healed, the forcerers afcribed the cure to the
idols, but if they were not healed they faid the idols were
angry. This was the fort of religion practifed amongft the
people of Congo before they received baptifm and the
knowledge of the living God. Now the king having collected
together from the different houfes in the city all thefe falfe
gods, commanded, that in the fame place where, a fhort time
before, he had fought and conquered his brother's people, every

88 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

one fhould bring a piece of wood, till a great pile was
raifed, and there caft in the idols and all other things which
they had treated before as facred, fo that all might be burnt.
Then he aflembled all thefe people together, and in place of
their idols gave them crofles and images of the faints, which
he had received from the Portuguefe, and commanded each
of his lords to build a church, and erect crofles in the city of
the province where they ruled, as he had given them example.
After this he announced to them and to the people, thaf he had
fent ambafladors to Portugal, to bring back priefls who would
teach them religion and adminifter the holy facraments, and
fhow the way of falvation ; alfo to bring images of God, of
the Virgin Mary, and of the faints, to diftribute amongft
them, and that they muft meanwhile remain fteadfaft in the
faith. This was, however, fo rooted in their hearts already that
they no longer thought of the idols and falfe gods which they
had given up. He ordered them alfo to build three churches,
one of which was dedicated to the Saviour, in gratitude for the
victory given, and in which the kings of Congo are buried ;
and from it the royal city takes the name, as has been
faid, of San Salvador. The fecond church, dedicated to the
Virgin Mary, was called Our Lady of Help, in remembrance
of the fuccour given againft their enemies. The third was
dedicated to St James, in honour and memory of the miracle
eflTected by that faint, who fought on the fide of the Chriftians,
appearing amongft them on horfeback.

Meanwhile the Portuguefe fhips arrived, bringing nu-
merous teachers of the Holy Scriptures, with friars and priefls
of the Orders of St. Francis, St. Dominic, and St. Auguftine.
Thefe all, with much charity and zeal, difleminated the
catholic faith, which was received alike by every one in the
kingdom. The priefts themfelves were treated with as great
reverence as if they were faints, being worfhipped by the

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 89

people on their knees, who kifled their hands and aflced for
benediction every time they met them.

Thefe priefts on arriving in the provinces inftructed the
people in the Chriftian faith, and taking back with them fome
of the natives, taught them the heavenly doctrine, fo that they
might tell it to the people of their own tribes in their own
tongue. In this manner, in procefs of time, the Catholic
faith took root in thofe regions, and continues even till now,
although it has fufFered not a little damage, to which we
fhall allude later.

CHAPTER IV.

DEATH OF KINO DOM AFFONSO, AND SUCCESSION OF DOM

PEDRO FIRST COLONIZATION OF THE ISLAND OF ST.

THOMAS OF THE BISHOP SENT THERE OF THE DEATH

OF TWO PRINCES THROUGH CONSPIRACIES OF PORTU-
GUESE, AND OF CONGO NOBLES HOW THE ROYAL LINE

BECAME EXTINCT DISSENSIONS AMONG THE PORTU-
GUESE AND VARIOUS GREAT EVENTS RELATING TO

RELIGION.

•

Whilst thefe matters were progreffing for the fervice
of God, and Chriftianity alfo was fpreading with rapid
growth, it pleafed God to call to Himfelf King Dom AfFonfo,
who, at his death, gave tokens of the fincerity of his paft life,
for he died in great faith, declaring his hour was come, and
fpeaking of the Chriftian religion with fo much love and
truft, as left no doubt that the crofs and true faith of
our Saviour Jefus Chrift were imprinted in his heart.
Above all, he commended to Dom Pedro, his fon and
fucceffor, the Chriftian doctrine, which he, following the

N

90 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

example of his father, took care to defend and maintain.
In this king's time a greater number of veflels began to
arrive in thofe parts, and the Ifland of St. Thomas was occupied
by the Portuguefe, by command of the King of Portugal, for
before thofe days it was all -barren inland, and its fhores only
inhabited by a few failors, who came from the neighbouring
countries. This ifland being in procefs of time well popu-
lated by the Portuguefe and other people, who went there
by permiflTion of the king, and having a large trade, for the
land, as has been faid, was well cultivated, the king fent
a bifliop, to rule over the Chriftians living in the ifland,
'and alfo over thofe in Congo. Now, on his arrival in the
Kingdom of Congo, it was wonderful to fee the joy with
which he was received by its king and people, as, all
the way from the fea to the city, a diftance of 1 50 miles,
the roads were prepared and fwept, and covered everywhere
with mats. The people were particularly ordered, at certain
fpaces feverally appointed to them, to prepare the roads
in fuch mariner that the bifliop fliould not fet his foot
upon any undecorated ground. But the moft curious
fight was the immenfe multitude of people, men and
women even climbing trees and other high places where they
might fee the bifliop, whom they looked upon as a holy man
fent from God. Some oflfered him flieep and goats, others
fowls, game, fifli, and various kinds of food in fuch quantities
that the greater part had to be left behind. In this man-
ner, thefe newly-made Chrifliians fliowed their zeal and
obedience.

Above all, one muft remark that as the bifliop pafled
along, numbers of men, women, and children of all ages, as
well as old men of eighty years and upwards, prefl^d forward
with every fign of real faith, to aflc for the water of holy
baptifm. Nor would they allow the bifliop to pafs until he

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 9 1

had given what they required; fo that in order to fatifFy
them he was greatly ftayed on his way, and obliged to carry
water with him in certain veflels, as well as fait, and other
provifion neceflary for the rite. Not to mention all the
welcomes given to the biihop wherever he went, or the lively
joy univerfally, as well as peculiarly fliown on his arrival at
each place, we fhall only fay that the bifhop arrived at laft
at the City of San Salvador, having been met by the priefts,
the king, and the whole court, with whom he went in
proceffion to the church, and after giving thanks to God, was
conducted to the houfe affigned him by the king. He com-
menced at once to fet in order and reform the church itfelf, and
to give good rules to the priefts and friars who lived there. He
alfo conftituted the faid church to be the Cathedral Church
of Holy Crofs, which had at that time attached to it about
twenty-eight canons, various chaplains, a chapel matter, and
chorifters, befides being provided with an organ, bells,
and everything elfe neceflary for Divine fervice. But
this biftiop labouring in the Vineyard of the Lord, now
in Congo, and now in the Ifland of St. Thomas, going
and coming by fhip between the two in twenty days, and
always leaving vicars in his abfence, at laft died, and was
buried in the Ifland of St. Thomas.

To him fucceeded a negro bifliop in Congo, a defcendant
of the royal houfe, who had been fent by King Dom AfFonfo
firft to Portugal, and afterwards to Rome, where he learned
Latin and the doctrines of Chriftianity ; and, having returned
to Congo, after difembarking, he fet out for his bifliopric
of San Salvador, but died on the way. Now many years
having pafl^ed fince a bifliop was appointed to this
kingdom, and the above-named king being dead and
leaving no fon, he was fucceeded by his brother, Dom
Francifco, who alfo only lived a fliort time. The fifth

N 2

9 2 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

in fucceffion, and alfo neareft the royal line, was King
Dom Diego, a man of noble mind, witty, intelligent,
prudent in counfel, and, above all, an upholder of the
Chriftian faith. He was alfo a great warrior, fo that in a
few years he conquered many of the neighbouring countries.
This king was greatly attached to the Portuguefe, adopting
their drefs, and giving up his native attire. He was magnificent
both in his own clothing and the arrangements of his palace ;
he was alfo liberal and courteous, giving freely, both to his
own people and the Portuguefe. He paid large fums for
anything that pleafed him, aflerting however that coftly
things ihould only be worn by kings, and after wearing
a drefs two or three times he gave it to his followers.
Whereupon, the Portuguefe, feeing this king valued cloths
of gold, tapeftries, and fuchlike rich fluffs, they brought him
them from Portugal ; and from that time the people of this
kingdom began to fet great value on tapeftries, cloths of gold
and filk, and all fuchlike lordly furniture.

In the reign of this king there was a third Bishop of
St. Thomas and of Congo, a Portuguefe by birth, who was
received with all the ufual ceremonies on the way, and at the
Court of San Salvador. Now the enemy of the Chriftian
faith being greatly troubled at the happy progrefs of the
Catholic religion, began to fow diffenfion amongft the
friars and priefts, and their biftiop, which arofe from the
long liberty they had enjoyed without the fupervifion of a
paftor, for each one confidered himfelf not only as good as
the biftiop, but even a better man than he was, and
would yield no obedience to their prelate, thus caufing
grievous fcandal and wicked example amongft them. But
the king, like a true Catholic, always took part with the
biftiop, and to make an end of thefe difturbances fent fome
of the priefts prifoners to Portugal and others to the Ifland of

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 93

St. Thomas. Some alfo went away of their own accord, taking
their pofleffions with them. So that inftead of the Chriftian
doctrine growing, it rather diminifhed, and this from the
fault of thofe who taught it. Nor did the adverfary
flop here, for he alfo fpread difcord amongft the fubjects
and their rulers, three princes ftarting up, after the
death of this king, to claim the fucceflion at the fame
time. The firft was the king's own fon, who was not
favoured by many of the people, as they wifhed for another ;
therefore he was killed at once. There remained two others
of royal blood, one of whom was made king by his followers,
with the confent of the greater part of the people, and
againft the will of the Portuguefe and certain lords, who
aimed at placing the other on the throne. Whereupon, the
above-mentioned lords, together with the Portuguefe, went
to the church to kill the newly-elected king, thinking that
if they did fo the other muft of neceffity reign. At the fame
time the oppofite party killed the king chofen by the
Portuguefe, perfuading themfelves that he alfo being dead
there would be no difficulty in obtaining the kingdom for
their king, becaufe there was none other left to whom the
royal fceptre belonged by law. So that, at the very
fame hour, but in different places, both thefe kings were
murdered. In the midft of thefe confpiracies and flaughters,
the people, feeing that there were no longer any legitimate
fucceflbrs to the royal crown, and blaming the Portuguefe for
all the evils which had happened, turned againft and slew as
many as they found there, not however touching the priefts,
either in that or in any other places where they lived.

There being therefore no one of royal blood upon whom
to beftow the government, a brother of the late King Dom
Diego, Dom Henrique by name, was chofen. He, going to
a certain war againft the Anzichi, left as Governor, with

94 History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo.

the title of King Dom Alvares, a young man twenty-
five years old, who was the fon of his wife by a former
hufbanA This fame Dom Henrique died fhortly after the
war was ended, and the above-named Dom Alvares was by
common confent chofen King of Congo, to whom all paid
allegiance. With the death of Dom Henrique the royal line
of the ancient kings of Congo became extinct.

But Dom Alvares being a juft and wife and mild ruler, it
was not long before the tumults of the kingdom were at
an end. He gathered together all the Portuguefe who
had been fcattered throughout the neighbouring provinces
during the paft rebellions, as well the priefts as the laity,
and by this means did much to eftablifti the Catholic faith,
for he vindicated them, and clearly ftiowed to all that the
Portuguefe had not brought about the paft troubles.
Having alfo determined to write a full account of all that
had happened to the King of Portugal, and alfo to the
Biftiop of St Thomas, he defpatched cert^n people with
thefe letters. The Bifhop, who had been afraid to go to the
Kingdom of Congo during the height of the late rebellion,
on receiving thefe tidings fet out at once for that country,
where he ufed his authority in appeafing diflenfions, giving
inftructions at the fame time for Divine fervice, and the
ofEce of the priefts. Soon after this he returned to his
Bifhopric of St. Thomas, and there being attacked with
illnefs died, and thus for a third time thefe parts were left
without a bifhop.

It came to pafs in confequence of there being no bifhop,
that the king, his nobles, and people began to grow fome-
what cold in the Chriftian faith, and to indulge greatly in the
fins of the flefh. The king efpecially was led to do this
by fome young men of his own age, with whom he was
intimately afTociated, and particularly by one of the nobles.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 95

who was a relation of his own, called Dom Francifco
BuUamatare, that is to fay, catch ftone. This man, taking
great liberties on account of being a great noble, and
having for fome time kept aloof from Chriftian inftruction,
gave out in public that it was a foolifh thing for men to
have but one wife, and that it was better to return to their
former cuftoms in this matter ; and fo the devil by means of
this man opened the door for the deftruction of the temple of
Chriftianity in that kingdom, which till then had been efta-
blifhed at the coft of fo much labour. All thefe young men
went fo far from the way of truth, that, going on from fin to
fin, they almofl entirely gave up the true faith.

Meanwhile, the above named Dom Francifco died, and,
being a great noble, was buried in the Church of Holy Crofs,
although he had clearly not forfaken his falfe religion.
But it came to pafs (marvellous to fay, and as a fign
to confirm the righteous in their holy faith, but to terrify
the wicked) that at night evil fpirits took oflF part of the
roof from the Church of Holy Crofs, where this man was
buried, and with horrible founds, heard throughout the
whole city, dragged his body from the grave, and carried it
away. In the morning the gates of the church were found
fliut, but the roof was broken open, and the tomb of that man
empty.

By this fign the king was firft warned of the grave error
he had committed, as well as his aflbciates. Neverthelefs,
there being no bifliop in that kingdom, and although the
king remained firm in the Chriftian faith, yet being ftill
young, and unmarried, he continued to indulge in the fins
of the flefti, until puniftied by God with other feverc
difcipline.

96 History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo.

CHAPTER V.

INCURSIONS OF PEOPLE CALLED JAGGAS INTO THE KINGDOM

OF CONGO THEIR CUSTOMS AND WEAPONS THE

SEIZURE OF THE ROYAL CITY.

For there came unexpectedly to devaftate the Kingdom of
Congo certain people living like Arabs, and ancient Nomads,
who are called Jaggas, and have their dwellings near the
firft lake of the River Nile, in a province of the Empire of
Monemugi, They are a cruel and murderous race, of great
ftature and horrible countenance, and eat human flefh, but
are very courageous and valiant in battle. Their weapons
are pavices, darts, and daggers. In their cuftoms and
everyday life they are very favage and wild, and go
entirely naked. Thefe people have no king, and live
in huts in the foreft, after the manner of fhepherds.
They went wandering up and down, putting to fire and
fword, and fpoiling and robbing every part of the country
through which they pafled, till they reached Congo,
which they entered through the province of Batta.
Overthrowing thofe who were firft to refift them, they then
went on to the City of Congo, where the king was, and who
had loft heart from the victory gained by his enemies in
Batta. Neverthelefs, he went out with fuch foldiers as he had
againft thefe adverfaries, and in the very fame plain where
Pango in former years fought with King Dom AfFonfo, this
king joined battle with his foes. In this encounter, the
king being partly difcomfited, retired into the city, where
not feeling fafe, but forfaken of God on account of his fins,
for he lacked the fame truft in Him which King Dom
AfFonfo had, he refolved to leave the city a prey to his

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 97

enemies. He then fled to a certain ifland on the River
Zaire, called Horfe Ifland, accompanied by the Portuguefe
priefts and the principal nobles of the kingdom. The Jaggas
being thus left in poflefllon of the royal city, and indeed of
the whole kingdom, the inhabitants fled for fafety to the
mountains and defert places, whilfl: the enemy fet fire to
the city and the church, deftroying all before them, and
flaying without mercy all who came in their way; fo that
after dividing themfelves into feveral armies, they got the
maftery, now in this province and now in that, all over the
country.

In this perfecution every one in the kingdom fuflfered, the
king, the people, the Portuguefe, and their priefts, each
according to his degree ; fo that the poor people wandering
about the country died from lack of food and all other
neceflaries. The king alfo and his followers who had taken
refuge in the above-named ifland, it being a fmall one, and
the people many, all fuflfered fo terribly from lack of pro-
vifions, that the greater part died of famine and peftilence.
The price of a fmall quantity of food rofe to that paid for
a flave, who was fold for at leaft ten crowns.

Thus, forced by necefllty, the father fold his fon, and the
brother his brother, every one reforting to the moft horrible
crimes in order to obtain food.

Thofe who were fold to fatiffy the hunger of others were
bought by Portuguefe merchants, who came from the Ifland
of St. Thomas with provifions, the fellers faying that they
were flaves, and in order to efcape farther mifery, thefe laft
confirmed the ftory. In this manner great numbers of flaves,
natives of Congo, are found in the Ifland of St. Thomas, and
in Portugal, who were fold during that time of diftrefs, and
amongft them fome of royal blood, and others chief nobles.
Therefore the king clearly knew that it was on account

o

98 History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo.

of his mifdeeds fo much mifery had come upon them, and
although as king he had not to fufFer hunger, yet he did
not efcape the terrible malady of dropfy, his legs fwelling
enormously, and this difeafe was caufed by the bad air and
food, and dampnefs of the ifland, which infirmity remained
with him till his death. Grieved to the heart by thefe
calamities, the king was converted to God, afking pardon
for his offences, and doing penance for his fins. He fent
ambaffadors, by advice of the Portuguefe, to afk for help
from the King of Portugal, to whom they were to relate all
thefe recent miffortunes. This happened in the beginning
of the reign of King Dom Sebaftian, who with much kind-
nefs immediately fent fuccour by a captain, called Francifco
de Gova, who had fought in divers wars in India and Africa.
He took with him 600 foldiers, and befides them a great
number of gentlemen adventurers who joined the expedition.

CHAPTER VI.

THE KING OF PORTUGAL SENDS HELP AND AN AMBASSADOR

TO THE KING OF CONGO THE LATTER REFUSES TO

ALLOW THE MINES OF CONGO TO BE DISCOVERED BY

THE KING OF PORTUGAL THE KING OF CONGO SENDS

AMBASSADORS TO SPAIN TO ASK FOR PRIESTS, AND
TO CARRY SPECIMENS OF METALS FROM THE MINES

THE EVENTS WHICH BEFELL THEM THE VOW OF

DUARTE LOPEZ.

The captain bore commands from the king, that the Ifland
of St. Thomas fliould provide him with fliips, victuals, and
all things necelTary for this enterprife. On arriving with
thefe provisions at Horfe Ifland, where the king ftill was,
the Portuguefe took him away with them, and gathering

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 99

■B

together all the armed people in the country, they marched
againft the enemy as quickly as poffible, and after fighting
with them from time to time in the field, at the end of a
year and a half the king was reftored to his throne; yet
they conquered by the noife and power of the guns, rather
than by numbers, the Jaggas being greatly terrified by thofe
fire-arms.

Thus, in spite of their refiftance thefe foes were driven out
of the Kingdom of Congo, and but few returned to their homes.
The Portuguefe captain, after remaining a quarter of a year
to fee the king reftored to his pofleffions, returned to
Portugal, bearing letters from the King of Congo, to afk for
priefts in order to eftablifh the Chriftian religion, but feveral
Portuguefe who had accompanied the captain to thefe parts
remained behind, where they are to this day, having gained
great wealth and pofleffions. Being again at the head of his
kingdom, and peace reftored, the king became a good
Chriftian and married Donna Caterina, who ftill lives ; and by
her had four daughters, and by one of his own flaves two
fons and a daughter. Females not succeeding to the throne
in thofe countries, the eldeft fon inherited it, alfo called Dom
Alvares, who reigns to this day. Whilft the aforefaid
captain was in Congo, King Dom Sebaftian hearing that
there were mines of gold, filver, and other metals in that
country, fent two {killed workmen, who had been employed
by the Caftilians for the fame purpofe in the Weft, to fearch
for thefe mines, and make fome profit out of them.

But a Portuguefe, called Francifco Barbuto,.the intimate
friend and confeflbr of the King of Congo, perfuaded him not
to allow thefe mines to be difcovered, aflliring him that if this
happened, by degrees he would lofe his independence in the
kingdom. For this reafon the king directed the artificers
to be led by ways where he knew they would find no mines.

o 2

I oo History of the Kingdom of Congo.

And as the king forbade the working of metals in the
Kingdom of Congo, and fuch things were greatly prized in
Europe, any farther large trade ceafed to be carried on with
thofe countries, the Portuguefe merchants not caring to
venture there, and confequently but few priefts either. For
thefe reafons, and others of which we have already fpoken,
the Chriftian religion became very lukewarm in Congo, till
at laft it almoft died out. But King Dom Alvares, as has
been faid, after fo many troubles fent him by God in
punifhment for his mifdeeds regarding religion, faw his error,
and became a good Chriftian. He was alfo very friendly
to the Portuguefe, calling them his fons, and doing what-
foever they wifhed. Above all, he never relaxed his en-
deavours to fecure priefts and others learned in the Scriptures,
fending ambafladors again to Portugal, to afk for fuch aid
as would fecure the maintenance of the Catholic faith, which
from lack of priefts to teach the people and to adminifter
the facraments, was almoft forgotten in the kingdom. And
this, moreover, not from any fault on the part of the people,
they being marvelloufly well inclined towards the holy faith.

The above-named captain having arrived in Portugal, and
prefented thefe requefts to his king, had no other anfwer
than words, the king, who was ftill a young man, promising
to do what he afked, but taking no farther trouble to fend
priefts or teachers to Congo.

Therefore the king of Congo fent another ambaflador, a
relation of his own, Dom Sebaftian Alvares by name, together
with a Portuguefe, to afk for priefts, and alfo to gather together
the natives of Congo, who we have faid had been fold as flaves
from fheer neceffity, and taken to the Ifland of St. Thomas,
and to Portugal. Some of thefe remained, however, of their
own free will in flavery, but a great number were ranfomed
and brought home to their own country, by whofe means.

History of the Kingdom of Congo, i a i

and efpecially by the help of many lords and nobles found
amongft them, the king was enabled to re-eftablifh the
Chriftian religion, which had fuffered great lofs, and alfo
to employ them as valuable counfellors and minifters of ftate
in his kingdom, their long captivity having given them much
experience of the world. The King of Portugal gracioufly
promifed the above-named ambaflador that priefts ftiould be
fent to Congo, yet he alfo returned there without any.
Three years after this King Dom Sebaftian fent a bifhop,
called Dom Antonio de Gilova, chiefly for the Ifland of St.
Thomas, but alfo gave him a commiflion to vifit the King-
dom of Congo. On his arrival at St. Thomas's Ifland he
found the governor oppofed to him, and fo failed to Congo.
Here alfo he was perfecuted by the faid governor and his
friends in Congo, who gave the king to underftand that the
bifliop was a man of ambitious and haughty fpirit, and very
obfliinate, and therefore ill-afl^ected towards himfelf and his
Court. The king at firfl: was induced by thefe accufations
to forbid the bifliop entering his kingdom; neverthelefs,
afterwards he received him with great honour, fending one of
his fons to meet and accompany him to the city. There he
remained nearly eight months, and then went away, leaving
two friars and four priefts behind him ; and this was before
the King of Portugal went to Africa. This king having
been overthrown in Africa, and the bifliop gone, the King of
Congo wrote to Dom Henrique, the Cardinal, now raifed to
the throne of Portugal, to beg that priefts might at once be
fent him, but he obtained nothing at his hands, as the
Cardinal only lived a fliort time.

To Dom Henrique fucceeded Don Felipe, King of Caftile,
who fent to announce his accefllon to the throne, to the
Governor of St Thomas's Ifland, giving him letters alfo for
the King of Congo to the fame purpofe. Thereupon the

102 History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo.

governor defpatched Sebaftian de Cofta, with tide of
ambaflador, to convey the royal letters to the King of Congo.
Having delivered the letters, and concluded all neceflary
affairs of ftate, the King of Congo fent him to the Court
of King Don Felipe, with a reply to his letters, at the fame
time offering to fhow him the mines of metal, to which the
Portuguefe kings, his anceftors, had been denied accefs, and
alfo fent various fpecimens of thofe metals. He particularly
added a requeft, that the king would at once fend him a
fufficient number of priqfts, and gave a full account of the
miferable condition to which his people were reduced as
regarded the Chriftian religion, by reafon of the paft dis-
turbances in the country. This Ambaffador, Cofta, died
on the way, his vcffel being wrecked on the coaft of Portugal,
which fad news was learnt (all the men being drowned)
from letters found in a cheft, caft on the Ihore by the waves,
and which alfo contained the particulars of his embaffage
to the king.

Having heard what befell Cofta, the King of Congo, never
relaxing in his pious endeavours to preferve the Chriftian
religion in his kingdom, determined to fend another
ambaffador to Spain; and after various obftacles, feveral
lords of his court competing for the honour, the king at laft,
in order not to give offence to any of them, chofe Duarte
Lopez, a Portuguefe, from whofe lips Pigafetta took this
prefent hiftory, and put it in writing.

This Lopez having lived for fome time in thofe parts,
was well experienced in the ways of the people, and happen-
ing to be at court juft then, was employed at once by good
favour of the king, who gave him full inftructions in writing,
with regard to his miffion to his Catholic Majefty in Spain,
and to His Holinefs the Pope, at Rome. He alfo furniftied
him with letters of credit and authority to both, and paflports.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 103

and all things eflential to his pofition, efpecially recommend-
ing him to all other Chriftian princes, and begging them to
beftow on him the confideration befitting an ambaflador.

The fum of his embaflage was, that he ihould convey
letters to King Don Felipe, and relate to him fully the
condition to which the Kingdom of Congo had been reduced
in confequence of the late wars, and from lack of priefts, and
that he fliould afk his Majefty to fend a fufficient number
of confeflbrs and friars to eftablifh the Gofpel in thofe remote
regions, where the people had fo lately been converted to
Chriftianity. Befides this, he was to prefent him with various
fpecimens of metals, and other things, and proffer to him
in the name of the King of Congo a free traffic in the
fame, although this right had been denied to his anceftors.

Duarte was alfo, on behalf of the King of Congo, to kifs
the Pope*s feet, and deliver his credentials. At the fame
time he was to recount the great mifery and lofs his people
had gone through for the fake of the Chriflian religion, and
to commend thefe fouls to His Holinefs, praying him, as
Supreme Head of all Chriftians, to have compaffion on fo
many of the faithful, who, from lack of priefls to teach the
Chriftian faith, and adminifter the BlelTed Sacraments of the
Church, were gradually going to perdition.

Having received his defpatches, Duarte quitted the court,
and fpent nearly eight months in tranfacting various matters
for the king in thofe parts; but at laft, in January, being
then fummer in Congo, he embarked in a certain velTel of
100 tons burden, which was bound with its cargo for Lifbon,
Now failing along, he reached the ocean where the Cape Verde
Iflands lie, and there the velTel, which was an old one, fprang
a leak in the prow. Therefore, as a ftrong wind was
blowing in front, and they were unable to reach the above-
named iflands, or the mainland of Africa, much lefs to continue

1 04 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

their voy^e, failing with the fhip clofe to the wind, and
ftraining a veflel which already leaked fo much, the pilot
thought it better to turn his courfe, and taking the wind
in the poop, run for fhelter to the Iflands of New Spain.
In fine, after terrible difafters, and great danger of being
loft, or perilhing for lack of provifions, with much toil
they reached the Ifland of Cubagoa, which lies over
againft the Ifland of St. Margherita, where they fifti for
pearls. From thence, after haftily repairing the fliip, and
taking in provifions, they failed by a fliort route to the
mainland, going into harbour at Cumano, or as it is called,
the New Kingdom of Granada in the Weft Indies. This
battered veflel having reached a place of fafety, funk
at once to the bottom, the paflfengers however being
faved, though fcarcely alive after the hardftiips they had
endured from hunger and thirft, and above all, from the
horrible ftorms of that tempeftuous ocean.

Whilft the aforefaid ambaflador was trying to regain his
health, the fleet of fliips failed, which went every year from
thofe fliores to Caftile, fo that he was obliged to wait for the
next fleet, and fpend a year there, befides having nothing to
do. In the meantime the King of Congo, having received no
tidings of his Duarte, nor heard of his being driven by ftrefs
of weather into the Weft Indies, but regarding him as dead,
was ftill fteadfaft in his purpofe to reftore Chriftianity in his
kingdom. Therefore he fent another ambaflador, called Dom
Pedro Antonio, who was fecond perfon in the realm, with the
fame demands. He was accompanied by Gafparo Diaz, the
chief Portuguefe, and richeft and oldeft inhabitant in the
kingdom ; fo that no means were left untried whereby the
King of Spain might be induced to grant thefe requefts. The
ambafladors had fpecial commands if they found Duarte
Lopez, to confer with him in their negotiations.

History of the Kingdom 0/ Congo. 105

■■■

But this expedition had a fad end, for their fhip was
captured by Englifhmen, whilft being towed towards the
Englifh coaft, arid afterwards wrecked. Dom Pedro Antonio
and his fon were drowned, but a few were faved, and amongft
them Gafparo Diaz, who arrived in Spain when Lopez had
already entered on his embafly at court. Now this
Gafparo wrote to tell Duarte he wifhed to return to
Congo without going to court, whether on account of the
death of the cardinal king, or for fome other reafon, one
cannot fay, but fo he did.

During the time our Duarte was in the Weft Indies, where
the climate is in all refpects the fame as that of Congo, he
noticed the people of thofe parts differed in the colour of
their fkin from thofe in Congo. For in Congo the people are
ufually black, but in the Weft Indies almoft white, that is to fay,
between white and black, and are called Mulattos by the
Spaniards. This clearly ftiows the colour of the fkin is not
owing to the heat of the fun, but to fome natural caufe, which
to this day has never, either by ancient or modern writers,
been fully underftood.

His health being reftored, Duarte failed to the port of the
City of San Domenico, in the Ifland of Hifpaniola, that he
might take paffage by the firft fhip to Caftile. He happened
to find a Portuguefe vefTel amongft thofe ready to join the
fleet going to Caftile, as in that way it went in greater
fafety.

The wind being favourable, all thefe fhips arrived in
company at Terceira, one of the iflands called Azores, which
means Sparrow Hawks, and from thence failed to San Lucar
de Barrameda, the harbour at the entrance of the River Guadal-
quiver, and fo on to Seville. Duarte Lopez then fet out
for Portugal to fee his own family, and to provide himfelf
with all things necefTary, finally arriving at Madrid, where

io6 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

the court at that time happened to be* Here he was cpur-
teoufly received by his Catholic Majefty, to whom he declared
the object of his embafly. But now many difficulties arofe,
and various accidents crofled and hindered the courfe of
affairs which he had to accomplifh in the name of the King
of Congo. For foon after his arrival the fad news reached
him of the death of the King of Congo, by whom he was
fent, and added to that, King Dom Felipe was occupied in
the conqueft of England, fo that his negotiations were not
forwarded, but only delayed from jtime to time, nor did he
fee any means of defpatching them ; and, indeed, he was given
to underftand that at that time he would gain no attention.

Now this fame Duarte, overcome by fo much adverfity,
and calling to mind his paft perils and grievous fufFerings,
endured during a long and terrible voyage, and feeing that
at one time he was making progrefs, but at another going
back in his negotiations, felt alfo that in this world there is
no comfort except in God Almighty. He was continually
oppreffed with grief at the thought of being unable to relieve
the people of Congo in their prefent extremity, knowing
affuredly in what danger they were of going to eternal
perdition, and the heavy burden of daily expenfes incurred by
himfelf and his family at court was another fource of diftrefs.
In fine, he had no hope of ever bringing to efFect the matters
which had been entrufted to him by the King of Congo, and
fo made choice of another courfe, which was as profitable in
itfelf as it was healthful to his foul. For the Good Angel
having touched his heart, with manly courage, he abandoned
the fword, and took up the crofs, renouncing the world and
its deceitful pomps. Habited in a grey coarfe drefs, he left
Madrid, and went to Rome, in order to lay before Pope
Sixtus V. the matters of his embafTage, for he would not
neglect the wifhes of that king who had fent him, although he

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 107

mmm

had afcended to a better life. He was gracioufly received
by His Holinefs, to whom he related the miferable condition
of the people of Congo, touching the worfhip and fervice
of God, from lack of priefts to teach them the Chriftian
doctrine, and to adminifter the facraments of the Church;
for an innumerable multitude of people prefented them-
felves every day for baptifm, inftruction, confeffion, and
communicating. Moreover, Lopez, in addition to the vow
he had made, determined to ufe the wealth with which
God had blefled him in Congo (and that was by no
means fmall) for building a houfe, wherein for the fervice of
God certain learned men, and fundry priefts fhould refide, to
inftruct the youth of thofe countries in different languages, in
liberal arts, in the doctrine of the Gofpel, and the myfteries
of our falvation. From which houfe, as it were, out of a
holy fchool, there might come forth learned men from time
to time, well inftructed in the divine laws, who ihould be able
in their own tongue to aroufe anew, and fpread abroad the
Chriftian faith, now almoft afleep and dried up in thofe
regions, thereby proving fruits of blefling, and fouls vigilant
for the Chriftian faith. Hereto he meant to add a hofpital,
which fliould be a ftielter for God's poor, who, arriving from
foreign countries, would be received into that hofpice to be
healed of their infirmities.

With this purpofe, therefore, he went to Rome, and to
obtain licenfe from His Holinefs to build this feminary and
hofpital, at the fame time befeeching him to grant jubilees,
indulgences, and other difpenfations requifite for fuch good
and Chriftian works, in thofe countries fo far remote from
Chriftendom.

Having prefented himfelf to the Pope, and delivered his
letters of credit, he then fully recounted the tenor of his
miflion, and had a gracious hearing. But the Pope gave

p 2

io8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

him to underftand that the Kingdom of Congo belonging to
the King of Spain, he would refer the matter to him.

CHAPTER VII.

OF THE COURT OF THE KING OF CONGO OF THE DRESS

OF THE PEOPLE OF CONGO BEFORE, AND AFTER THEY

BECAME CHRISTIANS OF THE ROYAL TABLE AND THE

MANNERS OF THE COURT.

Hitherto we have clearly feen how the Chriftian religion
took rife in Congo, and the fucceffive ftrange difaftcrs which
befell it. Now it is time to defcribe alfo the manners and
cuftoms of the court of this kingdom. In ancient times the
king and his courtiers, as we faid before, wore garments
made from the palm-tree, which hung from the girdle down-
wards, and were fattened with belts of the fame material,
of beautiful workmanfliip. In front alfo, they wore as an
ornament, and made like an apron, delicate fkins of civet cats,
martens, and fables, and alfo by way of difplay, a cape on the
flioulders. Next the bare fkin was a circular garment,
fomewhat like a rochet, reaching to the knees, and
made like a net, from the threads of fine palm-tree
cloths, taflels hanging from the meflies. Thefe rochets
which were called Incutto, they threw back on the right
flioulder, fo as to leave the hand free, and on the fame
flioulder carried a zebra's tail, fattened to a handle,
according to an ancient cuttom in thofe parts. They wore
very fmall yellow and red caps, fquare at the top, which
fcarcely covered the head, and were ufed more for ftiow
than as a protection from the fun or atmofphere. For the

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 109

BBI

moft part the people went barefoot, but the king and fome
of his nobles wore fandals, after the antique, like thofe feen
in Roman ftatues, and thefe were alfo made from the palm-
tree. The poorer fort and common people wore the fame
kind of garments, from the middle downwards, but of a
coarfer cloth, the reft of the body being naked. The women
wear three kinds of aprons; one long, reaching from the
waift to the feet, the fecond fhorter, and a third ftiorter ftill,
each apron* having a fringe round it. Another garment is like
a doublet, and reaches to the waift. They have alfo capes for
the ftioulders, all thefe coverings being made of cloth from
the palm-tree. The women leave the face uncovered when
out of doors, and wear the fame kind of caps as the men.
The common people drefs in like faftiion, but in much coarfer
materials. Slaves, and the loweft of the people only wear
garments from the waift downwards, the reft of the body
being entirely naked.

But fince this kingdom received the Chriftian faith, the
nobles of the court have begun to drefs according to the
Portuguefe faftiion, wearing cloaks, capes, fcarlet tabards, and
filk robes, every one according to his means. They alfo
wear hoods and capes, velvet and leather flippers, buflcins, and
rapiers at their fides. Thofe not rich enough to imitate the
Portuguefe, retain their former drefs.

The women alfo have adopted the Portuguefe faftiions,
wearing veils over the head, and above them black velvet
caps, ornamented with jewels, and chains of gold round
their necks ; but this only refers to the ladies of the court,
as the poorer women keep their former drefs. After the
king's converfion to Chriftianity, his court was to fome
extent regulated like that of the King of Portugal, and
fpecially fo for his fervice at table. When the king eats in
public, a throne with three fteps is fet up, covered with Indian

no History of the Kingdom of Congo.

carpets, and thereon are placed a table and chair of crimfon
velvet, the latter being ftudded with bofles of gold. He
always eats alone, no one ever fitting at table with him, and
the princes ftand around with heads covered. His veffels of
fervice are gold and filver, both for eating and drinking.

He maintains a guard of the Anzichi and other tribes,
who ftand around his palace, armed with the weapons already
mentioned ; and, when he goes abroad, the drums are beat,
which can be heard five or fix miles oflF, fo making it known
the king has left his palace. All his lords accompany him,
and alfo the Portuguefe, in whom he puts great truft, but
he feldom quits his palace. Only twice a week he gives
audience in public, and then he fpeaks to none but the great
men. No one pofl*efl3ng efl:ates or lands, but all belonging
to the Crown, they have no dilputes, beyond a few
words, nor have they any writing in the Congo tongue.
Criminal cafes are treated lightly, being very feldom puniftied
with death, and the crimes committed by the Mociconghi
(for fo the people of Congo are called in their own tongue)
againft the Portuguefe, are judged by Portuguefe law. When
any great wrong happens between them, the king baniflies
the oflFender to fome defert ifland, efteeming it a greater
puniftiment to exile a man from his fellows to the end he
may do penance for his fins, than to execute him at once.
And if it happens that any thus banifhed live for ten or
twelve years, the king ufually pardons them if they are
worthy of it, and even employs them in the fervice of the
ftate as men who have been well schooled and humbled by
fufFering. In civil difagreements it is arranged that if a
Portuguefe has any difpute with a Mocicongo it muft be
referred to a Congo judge, but if a Mocicongo fues a Portu-
guefe, the matter is brought before the Portuguefe conful
and judge, for the king has granted this poft to one of their

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 1 1 1

own nation in that country. No writing is ufed in trans-
actions, either between thefe people themfelves, or with the
Portuguefe, nor have they any legal inftruments, but all
matters are tranfacted by word and witnefs. They preferve
no hiftory of their ancient kings, nor any memorial of paft
ages, not knowing how to write. They ufually meafure the
feafons by the moons, being ignorant of the hours of day
and night, and are accuftomed to fay, in the time of fuch an
one, fuch a thing happened. They do not reckon diftances
by miles or fuchlike meafurements, but by the number of
days men travel, laden or unladen, from one place to another.
Touching their marriage or other feafts, they celebrate them
by finging love ballads, and playing on lutes of curious
fafhion. Thefe lutes in the hollow and upper part refemble
thofe ufed by ourfelves, but the flat fide, which we
make of wood, they cover with ikin, as thin as a
bladder. The firings are made of very flrong and bright
hairs, drawn from the elephant's tail, and alfo from palm-
tree threads, which go from the bottom to the top of the
handle, each being tied to a feparate peg, either fhorter or
longer, and fixed along the neck of the inflrument. From
thefe pegs hang very thin iron and filver plates, fitted to fuit
the fize of the inflrument, which make various founds, accord-
ing as the firings are flruck, and are capable of very loud
tones. The players touch the firings of the lute in good
time, and very cleverly with the fingers, having no key like
the harp, but I do not know if I fhould call the founds they
call forth a melody, but merely fuch as pleafes their fenfes.
More than this (and very wonderful), by means of this
inflrument they indicate all that other people would exprefs
by words of what is paffing in their minds, and by merely
touching the firings fignify their thoughts. They alfo dance
and clap their hands together in time with the mufrc. Pipes

112 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

and flutes are alfo played with great fkill at the king's court,
whilft the people dance fomewhat in Moorifh falhion, with
gravity and dignity. The common people ufe little rattles and
pipes, and fimilar inftruments, which are har flier and ruder in
found than thofe ufed by the nobles.

In this kingdom Ample medicines are made from herbs,
trees, oils, waters, and ftones, which Mother Nature has
fliown the people how to ufe. Fever is the mofl; common
malady, and prevails more in winter than fummer, the rains
bringing both heat and moifture. Befides, there is alfo what
we call the French difeafe, known in the Congo tongue
as Chitangas, but this is not fo dangerous or difficult to cure
in thofe regions as with us. Fever they cure with a powder
of red and grey fandal-wood, which is the lignum Aquila.
This powder is mixed with palm oil, and after anointing the
fick perfon two or three times with it, from head to foot,
he recovers. For head maladies they apply certain small
horns to the temples, firft piercing the flcin a little, and then
fucking the blood into the horn till it is full, ufing the
fame means for drawing blood from any other part of the
body, when in pain, as a cure. This manner of blood-
letting was practifed alfo in Egypt.

The difeafe mentioned above as Chitangas, they cure with
the fame fandal-wood ointment, the red being called Tavilla,
and the grey Chicongo. The grey is moft valuable, even a
flave being given for a fmall quantity of it. Purgatives they
make from bark of trees, ground to powder, and taken in
fome kind of potion. Wounds are cured with the juice of
herbs, and by applying the herbs themfelves, and Lopez relates
having feen a flave who was pierced with feven mortal wounds
from arrows, entirely reftored by the juice of certain well-
known herbs in that country.

So that thefe people are not encumbered with many

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 113

phyficians for furgery, drugs, fyrups, electuaries, plaifters,
and fuchlike medicines, but fimply heal and cure themfdves
with fuch natural plants as grow in their own country. Nor
even of thefe have they great need, for, living as they do,
under a temperate climate, and not gorging themfelves with
a variety of food to pleafe their appetites, nor taking much
wine, they do not fufFer from difeafes which are commonly
the refult of indigeftion from over eating and drinking.

CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE COUNTRIES BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF CONGO
TOWARDS THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, AND OF THE

RIVER NILE.

Having defcribedthe Kingdom of Congo, the features of its
fituation, the people who inhabit it, and the neighbouring
tribes, it remains for us to fpeak briefly of the remaining
portion of the coaft-line of Africa, towards the Cape of Good
Hope, which is the route to India as far as the Red Sea.
Afterwards, when defcribing the interior of the country, we
fhall refer to the River Nile, and to Prefter John and his
kingdoms, in order, as far as poflible, to give fome knowledge
of regions hitherto but little known. Beyond the Kingdom of
Congo we may remember, is the country of the King of
Angola, and farther towards the Cape of Good Hope that
of King Matama, and the provinces ruled over by him, called
Climbebe. This kingdom, as we have faid, extends from
the firft lake and the confines of Angola to the River
Bravaghul, which rifes in the Mountains of the Moon, and
unites with the River Magnice, which alfo fprings from the
firft lake. The above-named mountains are divided from
the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Antarctic pole, and

114 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

beyond this Tropic lie the country and boundaries of the
Cape of Good Hope, which are not governed by a fingle
king, but by feveral princes. In the interior, between this
Cape and the Tropic, are the Mountains of the Moon, fo
greatly celebrated by the ancients, who believed the fources of
the Nile were to be found in them, which, however, is an
error, as the pofition of the land indicates, and of which
we have already fpoken. This country has feveral high,
rugged, and uninhabitable mountains, where the people are
few, living like Arabs, in the open country, in fmall huts, and
clad in the fkins of animals, being a wild and rude people,
with but little honefty, and permitting no ftrangers near them.
They ufe bows and arrows, and their food is fruits of the
earth and flefli of their cattle. Among thefe Mountains of
the Moon lies a lake called Gale, whofe weftern fide is fmall,
and from it flows the River CamifTa, called by the Portuguefe
Sweet River, which falls into the fea at the Cape of
Good Hope, near the point called Falfe Cape. Inafmuch as
veflels coming from India firft fight a large cape called
Agulhas, and afterwards a fmaller one, the latter is called
Falfe Cape, it being hidden from view by the real and great
one. Between thefe two promontories the diftance is i oo miles,
showing the fize of this famous cape, which, divided into two
points like a horn, forms a gulf, and here Portuguefe failors
frequently take in water from the river they named Sweet.
The people on the coafl; living between thefe two points are
black, although the Antarctic pole here reaches 35 degrees,
and the people living high up in the coldeft of the Mountains
of the Moon are alfo black, a curious fact, and one for the
information of thofe who invefl:igate the effects of nature, and
for philofophers who fpeculate whether the black colour is
produced by the fun, or by fome other hidden caufe, which
I now leave undetermined. As this Cape is the largeft.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 115

and extends farther into the fea than any other in the world,
and is difficult of paflage, (as are all promontories) the
ocean here alfo being fearfully tempeftuous by reafon of
winds which blow off fhore, caufing many Portuguefe fliips
of extraordinary fize to founder ; moreover, not being known
even by report to ancient Hiftorlographers, and fome time
having elapfed fince its difcovery by the fleets of the King of
Portugal, this feems a fuitable place in which to give its
dimenfions, and alfo fuch information as may ferve to fhow how
great was the paflage between Portugal and India; the
coaft-line round the Cape of Good Hope alone extending
nearly 6000 miles, of which we fliall treat prefently.

Seeing that from the river of Fernando Poo, whence
the above-mentioned cape begins to ftretch into the fea as
far as the point called Cape Agulhas, it has a coaft-line of
more than 2 200 miles from north to fouth, and from the other
fide of the fame point, as far as Cape Guardafuy, oppofite
the Ifland of Socotra, it reaches for more than 3300 miles
from fouth to north, the diftance from Lift)on, along the
coafts of Africa and the Cape of Good Hope, as far as the
Kingdom of Goa, is more than 15 thoufand miles. From
thence to Malacca and China, and even farther, a long pafl*age
remains, fo that at no time was greater or more perilous
navigation undertaken, both with large and fmall veflels,
than by the Portuguefe.

The Cape of Good Hope is fo called, becaufe all who
make its pafl!age, both going and returning, chiefly confider
how they ftiall round it ; and that being accompliftied, the
danger is confidered paft, and on account of this longing it is
called the Cape of Good Hope.

Now to return to our fubject, and to fpeak of the Coaft of
Africa. Beyond Cape Agulhas there are alfo many fafe ports
and harbours, chief of which is the Bay of Formofo. Next

0^2

1 1 6 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

it is the Bay of the Lake, where the fea forms a gulf, in which
are iflands and harbours. Beyond this the River St Chriftopher
flows into the fea, and at its mouth rife three fmall iflands.
From thence the coaft-line flcirts along a country called by
the Portuguefe the Land of the Nativity, becaufe on that
feftival the land was firft difcovered, as far as Cape Pefchiera.
Between this cape and the River Magnice lies the Kingdom
of Buttua, which extends from the bafe of the Mountains of
the Moon northvvards to the River Magnice, and the country
of Monomotopa ; towards the wefl; from the River Bavagul,
and towards the fea along the banks of the River Magnice.
In this kingdom are feveral gold-mines, and the people
refemble thofe of Monomotapa, as we fliall hereafter fliow.
And fo paflSng along the fea-coafl: we find the River
Magnice, on the frontier of the Kingdom of Sofala and of
the Empire of Monomotapa.

CHAPTER IX.

OF THE KINGDOM OF SOFALA.

The entrance to this kingdom is at the River Magnice, which
flows from the firft lake, out of which alfo the Nile rifes,
and falls into the. fea between Cape Pefchiera and that
called Cape Corrientes, fituated 23 degrees and a half fouth,
under the Tropic of Capricorn. Three celebrated rivers run
into it near the fea, and the principal one, St. Chriftopher, was
fo called by the Portuguefe, from having been difcovered on
that faint's day, although known to the natives as Nagoa.
The fecond took the name of Lourenzo Marques, who firft
difcovered it. Thefe two rivers rife in the Mountains of
the Moon, which were held in great repute by the ancients,
and called by the people of the country Toroa. In thefe

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 117

■■

mountains the fources of the famous River Nile were fup-
pofed to be, but it was an error, inafmuch as^the firft lake
is not formed by waters from thefe mountains, being indeed
very far off, and a low plain lying between it and them.
The waters ifluing from them, flow towards the eaft,
and increafe the fize of other large rivers, fo making it
impofTible for thefe waters to be diftributed either as far as
the lake fpoken of above, or to the Nile. Above all,
the Magnice, ifTuing from the firft lake, takes a different
courfe from that of the Nile, as it goes towards the eaft, and
unites with the two above-mentioned rivers. The third
river, Atroe, takes its rife on that fide of the mountains, in
which are the gold-mines of Monomotapa, and in fome parts
of this river gold-duft is found in the fand. Thefe three rivers
enter the great Magnice near the fea, and all four together
unite in one ftream, which flows into the fea, forming a
very wide eftuary. From the mouths of this river, the
Kingdom of Sofala extends along the fea-coaft, as far as the
River Cuama, which takes its name from a caftle and fortrefs
fo called, belonging to Mohammedans, and heathen. This
river is known to the Portuguefe as the mouths of the
Cuama, for at the fea it divides itfelf into feven mouths,
out of which rife five iflands. Many others lie higher up
the river, and are all well populated by heathen. This
river flows from the fame lake and fources as the Nile.
Thus the Kingdom of Sofala lies between the two rivers,
Magnice and Cuama, on the fea-coaft. It is fmall in fize, and
has but few villages and towns, the chief place being an
Ifland, lying in the river, alfo called Sofala, and which gives its
name to all that country. It is peopled by Mohammedans,
and the king himfelf belongs to the fame feet. He pays
allegiance to the crown of Portugal, in order not to be fubject
to the government of Monomotapa. On this account the

1 1 8 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

Portuguefe have a fortrefs at the mouth of the River Cuama,

trading with thofe countries in gold, amber, and ivory, all

found on that coaft, as well as in flaves, and giving in

exchange filk ftufFs and taffetas, which they bring from

Cambaia, where they are worn. The Mohammedans now

living in thofe regions are not natives of the country, but

before the Portuguefe came into thofe parts carried on traffic

there, going in fmall veffels from the coaft of Arabia Felix.

When the Portuguefe became rulers of the country, the

Mohammedans whom they found there remained, and at this

day are neither heathen nor of the feet of Mohammed. From

the ftiores lying between thefe two rivers, Magnice and Cuama,

ftretches out inland the Kingdom of Monomotapa, which

abounds in gold-mines, the metal being carried into all the ^

neighbouring provinces, to Sofala, and to other parts of Africa.

It is faid, that from thefe regions the gold was brought by fea

which ferved for Solomon's Temple at Jerufalem, a fact by no

means improbable, for in thefe countries of Monomotapa are

found feveral ancient buildings of ftone, brick, and wood,

and of fuch wonderful workmanfhip, and architecture, as is

nowhere feen in the furrounding provinces.

The Kingdom of Monomotapa is extenfive, and has a
large population of Pagan heathens, who are black, of
middle ftature, fwift of foot, and in battle fight with great
bravery, their weapons being bows and arrows, and light
darts. There are numerous kings tributary to Monomotapa,
who conftantly rebel and wage war againft it. The Emperor
maintains large armies, which in the provinces are divided
Into legions, after the manner of the Romans, for, being a
great ruler, he muft be at conftant warfare in order to
maintain his dominion. Amongft his warriors, thofe moft
renowned for bravery, are the female legions, greatly
valued by the Emperor, being the finews of his military

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 119

ftrength. Thefe female warriors, whofe weapons are bows
and arrows, burn the left breaft with fire, in order to prevent
it being a hindrance in fliooting, as was the cuftom of
thofe Amazons of olden time, fo greatly lauded by the
writers of early profane hiftory. They are extremely agile
and rapid in their movements, and above all fliow great
daring and courage whilft fighting. In battle they refort to
very warlike manoeuvres, retiring at times as if put to rout, and
taking flight, yet turning round to afTail their adverfaries with
arrows ; and, on feeing the enemy, elated with victory, already
beginning to difperfe, they fuddenly turn and repulfe them
with great flaughter. So that on account of their wiles and
cunning, as well as rapidity of action in battle, they are held
.in great dread in thofe regions. The king grants them
certain lands, where they live alone, but at various periods
they mix with men chofen by themfelves; and any male
children born amongft them are fent to thefe men's houfes,
but the females are kept apart by themfelves, and brought
up in. the arts of war.

This Kingdom of Monomotapa lies as it were on an ifland
formed by the fea-coaft, by the River Magnice, by a portion
of the lake from which the latter flows, and by the River
Cuama. Towards the fouth it borders on the territory
of the Rulers of the Cape of Good Hope, before mentioned,
and on the north is bounded by the Kingdom of Mone-
mugi, as we fliall fhow prefently.

Now returning, to our fubject, which is a furvey of the
fea-coafl:, we find, after crofling the River Cuama, the fmall
kingdom of Angoche, on the fea, fo called from fome iflands
of that name, fituated right oppofite to it, and inhabited by
the fame people, both Mohammedans and heathen, as are in
Sofala ; merchants who traffic in fmall boats along this coaft
with the fame kind of goods as do thofe of Sofala.

I20 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

A little beyond we come fuddenly upon the Kingdom of
Mozambique, fituated 14 degrees and a half fouth, which takes
its name from three iflands lying at the mouth of the River
Meginchate, where is a fafe and large port, capable of
accommodating fhips of every fize. The kingdom is fmall,
but abounds in every kind of food, and is touched at by all
the veflels coming from Portugal and India to that country.
In one of thefe iflands, called Mozambique, which is the
principal, and gives name to all the reft, as alfo to the whole
kingdom, and to the above-mentioned port, ftands a fortrefe
garrifoned by the Portuguefe, from which are provifioned,
and on which depend all the other fortrefTes on the coaft.
The fleets which fail from Portugal to India if delayed in
their paflage, winter at Mozambique ; and thofe which come
to Europe, from India, neceflurily touch at Mozambique for
provifions. This ifland, when the Portuguefe difcovered
India, was the firft from which they drew any knowledge of
the Indian language ; and where they found the pilots, who
directed their courfe. The people of this kingdom are
heathen, black, naked, and very rough, but excel in
archery, and are excellent fifliermen. Following the coaft-
line, we come upon another Ifland called Quiloa, not of great
fize, but Angularly excellent in pofition, for the climate is
temperate ; it has trees always green, and produces every kind
pf food. It lies at the mouth of the River Coavo, which,
ifliiing from the fame lake as the Nile, flows for feventy
miles towards the fea, where it becomes a wide ftream, and
at its mouth forms a large ifland, peopled by Mohammedans
and heathen. Weftwards, towards the coaft, lies the faid
Ifland of Quiloa. The latter is peopled by Mohammedans,
who are almoft white, and well clad in filk and cotton
garments. Their women wear ornaments of gold and
jewels on the arms and neck, and have large quantities of

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 121

filver veflels; they are lefs dark than the men, and their
forms finely proportioned. The houfes are well built of
ftone, lime, and woodwork, and the architecture alfo is good.
The gardens and orchards produce various herbs and fruits.
From this Ifland the kingdom takes its name, which extends
along the coaft from Cape Delgado, fituated nine degrees
fouth, and as far as the above-named River Coavo.

In former times the Kingdom of Quiloa was chief of all
the furrounding provinces, as well as of thofe near the fea ;
and, when the Portuguefe arrived in the country, the King
was not only confident of being able to defend himfelf
againft them, but alfo of driving them from the places which
they had already taken. Yet, the contrary happened, for
on giving battle, the king was completely routed and put
to flight, by the Portuguefe, who took pofTeflSon of the ifland,
and obtained thereby great fpoils and wealth. They built
there a fortrefs, which, however, was afterwards deftroyed by
command of the King of Portugal, who confidered it
unnecefl!ary, there being others already along the coafl:.

But we muft not leave unnoticed the Ifland of S. Lorenzo,
fo called from having been difcovered by the Portuguefe on
the feaft of that martyr. It is nearly icoo miles long, and lies
right oppofite the coafl: of which we have written, commencing
on the right of the mouths of the Magnice, 26 degrees
fouth, and extending north till it terminates at the mouths of
the River Coava, in the Kingdom of Quiloa. This ifland
forms a channel between itfelf and the mainland, which at
its entrance on the wefl; is 340 miles wide, becoming narrower
in the middle towards the Ifland of Mozambique, where the
width is 170 miles, and the remaining part expands to a con-
fiderable extent towards India, feveral iflands rifing out of it.

Ships going between Spain and India almoft always, when
not prevented by ftrefs of weather, pafs through this

122 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

channel Truly this Ifland is worthy of a better population,
for it has many good and fafe harbours, and is watered by
numerous rivers, fo that the land produces every fort of food.
Rice, and other grain ; vegetables, oranges, lemons, and
various fruits, every kind of flefh and fowl, wild boar,
ftags, and fimilar animals, are all found here, fo great
is the fertility of the ifland. The fifli alfo is excellent.
The inhabitants are heathens, with a few Mohammedans,
of olive-coloured complexion, that is, between brown and
white. • They are much given to war, their weapons being
bows and arrows, and darts of light wood, tipped with
iron, in the form of hooks. These lafl: they throw with
great dexterity. They ufe fwords alfo, and have leather
cuirafl*es, made from flcins of animals, which protect
them from the blows of the enemy. This Ifland is
divided into various chiefdoms, enemies to one another,
and all at perpetual warfare. Mines of gold, filver,
copper, iron, and other metals are found here; but
thefe barbarous people do not go beyond the Ifland, only
coafting along its ftiores in canoes, made from the trunk of
a Angle tree, and, for the mofl; part, permit no ftranger to
come near to trade, or to have any dealings with them.
Notwithfl:anding, the Portuguefe trade at fome of their
ports without difembarking, taking back Amber, wax, filver,
copper, rice, and other things. In this channel lie feveral
large and fmall Iflands, peopled by Mohammedans. The
principal one is the Ifland of St. Chriftopher, then that of
San Spirito, and another, called Magliaglie ; the refl: are thofe
of Comoro, Anzoame, Maiotto, and fome others. But, again
returning to the fea-coaft, and pafling along from Quiloa, of
which we have fpoken, we find the Kingdom of Mombaza,
iituated 3 degrees and a half fouth, which takes its name
from an ifland peopled by Mohammedans, and alfo called

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 123

Mombaza, where a fine City ftands, whofe houfes for the
moft part are high, and furnifhed with fculptures and
pictures. The King, who is a Mohammedan, having refilled
the Portuguefe, it happened to him as to the King of Quiloa,
for this City alfo fell a prey to them, and they found in it
gold, filver, and pearls in abundance, besides cotton cloths,
gold and filver ftuflfs, and other valuables.

This kingdom, which lies between the confines of Quiloa
and Melinda, is inhabited by Heathen and Mohammedans,
and is fubject to the government of Monemugi. Still
farther it ftretches into the Kingdom of Melinde, which,
equally fmall, extends along the fea-coaft to the River
Chimanchi, in latitude two degrees and a half; and on the
other fide of that river reaches 100 miles into the interior
as far as Lake Calice. Near the fea, and along the banks
of this river, is an extenfive country, peopled by heathen
and light-coloured Mohammedans, whofe houfes are built after
our own fafliion. The flieep are peculiarly large, being
double the fize of thofe in our country, therefore they divide
them into five quarters, counting the tail as one, which
weighs 25 or 30 pounds.

The women are fair, and adorn themfelves in Moorish
fafliion, with great difplay, wearing filk robes, and on their
neck, arms, and feet, chains of gold and filver. Out
of doors they are covered with a thin filk veil, so that unlefs
they wifli it, they are not recognized. In this territory
fliips find good harbours and anchorage. As a rule,
the people are friendly, truthful, and familiar with fl:rangers,
and have at all times received and made much of the
Portuguefe, confiding in them, and never doing them harm
in any way. Near thefe two capes of Mombaza and Melinde,
three Iflands rife out of the fea, one called Monfia, another
Zanzibar, and the third Pemba, all peopled only by white-

R 2

124 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

complexioned Mohammedans. Thefe iflands are very fruitful,
like thofe of which we have already fpoken, the people being
little given to warfare, and more ready to cultivate the land,
efpecially as fugar is grown here, which they take for fale in
fmall veflels to the mainland, together with other products
of that country.

Beyond the three above-mentioned Kingdoms of Quiloa,
Melinda, and Mombaza, and inland weftwards lies the large
Kingdom of Monemugi, which is bounded on the fouth by
Mozambique and the Kingdom of Monomotapa, as far as the
River Coavo, on the weft by the River Nile, between the
two lakes, and on the north by the Kingdom of Prefter
John. Near the fea-coaft this Emperor is friendly with
the kings of Quiloa, Melinde, and Mombaza, by reafon
of the trade carried on, and to infure traffic with the coaft,
from whence great quantities of cotton cloth, filks, and
other merchandife, arriving from various parts, are conveyed
into thefe countries, being greatly valued there. Thefe people
particularly prize the fmall red glafs beads, made in the
Kingdom of Cambay, which they hang round their necks in
ftrings like necklaces, and ufe alfo as money, gold not
being valued. Silk robes, which they wear below the waift,
they alfo greatly prize ; gold, filver, copper, and ivory being
given in exchange for all thefe things.

But, on the other fide, towards Monomotapa, fuch
fanguinary wars are waged continually, that it is difficult
to know who has the victory ; for within this boundary are
two rival powers, the greateft and moft warlike in all thefe
regions. Thofe going out to battle on the part of Mono-
motapa are the Amazons of whom we have fpoken, and
on that of Monemugi, the Jagas, fo called by the Moci-
conghi, although known in their own tongue as Agagi, and
who we have faid ip former times greatly harafled the

\

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 125

Kingdom of Congo, being not lefs courageous and warlike
than the Amazons. They are black, and of formidable
appearance, and mark the upper part of the lip and
cheeks with lines burnt in with hot iron. They alfo have a
cuftom of turning their eyelids infide out, the fkin of which,
being black, the whites of the eyes give a terrifying and
diabolical expreflion to the countenance. They are large in
ftature, but ill-proportioned, and live like wild beafts, and
feed on human flefh. When fighting they fhow great
courage, and ufe frightful noifes to terrify their enemies.
Their weapons are darts, and they defend themfelves with
leather fhields, which cover the entire perfon. Sometimes
they encamp behind thefe fhields, when ftuck into the ground,
to form a palifade; and, on advancing to fight, take
refuge under them, whilft harafling the foe by throwing darts.
Thus by warlike ftratagems they torment the enemy, inducing
him to bring out his arrows to no purpofe againft their
targets, and, when they fee them all fpent, the Agagi renew
the fight with redoubled vigour, putting to flight and killing
their adverfaries. And thefe are the artifices they ufe towards
their enemies and towards the Amazons.

But thefe laft, as we have faid, are well difciplined in
military ftratagems, and overcome by their fwiftnefs and
flcill in battle, being well afTured if taken by their foes, they
would be devoured. Therefore they fight with redoubled
vigour fo as to conquer, and by all means efcape from fuch a
favage and cruel multitude ; neverthelefs, the warfare caufes
great flaughter on both fides. Thefe Agagi live at the fource
of the River Nile, where it flows northwards from the
lake, and are found alfo within certain limits along both
fides of the river, as well as on the weftern banks of the
Nile as far as the fecond lake, and the boundaries of the
Kingdom of Prefter John. Touching thefe Agagi, it was

126 History of the Kingdom of Conga.

confidered convenient to add in this part of the hiftory what
before was omitted. Between the confines of the Monemugi
and of Prefter John dwell many inferior rulers, and light-
coloured people, who are fubject fometimes to one, and
fometimes to the other of thefe two princedoms, and are
people of far greater ftature than the reft of the inhabitants
of thofe countries.

CHAPTER X.

OF THE REST OF THE SEA-COAST AS FAR AS THE RED SEA

OF THE KINGDOM OF PRESTER JOHN, AND ITS

BOUNDARIES OF THE FAMOUS RIVER NILE, AND ITS

SOURCE.

Now refuming our defcription of the coaft, next to the
Kingdom of Melinde, and towards Cape Guarda Fuy there
are feveral places with good harbours along the fhores,
inhabited by Mohammedans of white complexion, and where
fhips from various countries trade in the above-mentioned
merchandife* The firft of thefe places is called Patee ; the
fecond, Brava ; the third, Magadoxo ; and the fourth, Aflion.
Still farther is the famous promontory of Guarda Fuy,
which, on account of its fize and jutting out fo far into the
fea, is well known to failors coming from India, Ormuz,
and Arabia Felix, It is the place where the Portuguefe
ufually wait and watch every year with their fleet for the
Mohammedan vefTels, which fail laden with valuable
merchandife in thofe parts without licence, the Portuguefe
themfelves being matters of the trade and wares, both in
fpices and every other merchandife they bring from India;

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 127

fo that every year the Portuguefe fleet makes great fpoils of
thefe merchant veflels, in the fame way as do the Englifli
and French at Cape St. Vincent.

Now on rounding the faid Cape of Guarda Fuy, there are
many other territories and ports of the Mohammedans, in
the direction of the Red Sea, the firft of which is called
Meth, and the next, Barbora, where the white {kin is no
longer feen, but the people are all black. Then follow
Ceila, Dalaca, Malaca, and Carachin.

This coaft, in the language of the country, called
Baragiam, is inhabited by a black race, who are valiant
in arms, and wear cotton cloths from the waift down-
wards. The better fort wear over their fhoulders a cloak
with a hood, called Bernuflb, which is indeed the Roman
Sagum. This region abounds in gold, ivory, metals, and
every kind of food. Next follow the two mouths or
entrances to what is well-known as the Red Gulf, or Sea,
and which are formed by an ifland called Babelmandel
That towards the weft is fifteen miles wide, and of fufficient
depth for all large veflels to anchor in. The other is
fmall, being only five miles wide, and full of fliallows and
fand-banks, fo that the entire entrance extends a diftance of
thirty miles. The cape on the African fide of the gulf is called
Rofl^el, and the other, towards Arabia Felix, Ara. From
thence the weftern coaft of faid gulf extends as far as Suez,
which is its fartheft point northward, and 1 200 miles from the
entrance. All this gulf, on both fides, near the banks, is thickly
ftudded with fmall iflands, and has very little depth of
water, fo that only in the middle of it navigation is fafe,
for the current fetting in from the ocean with great fwiftnefs,
keeps the middle of the channel clear and deep, throwing the
fand back on the fliores.

As we muft now fpeak of the Empire of Prefter John,

128 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

who is the greateft and richeft prince in all Africa, we fhall
briefly fay that his territory at this time extends from the
mouths of the Red Sea to the Ifland of Syene, which is
under the Tropic of Cancer, excepting the fhores of the faid
fea, which, through fupinenefs, he has loft for fifty years
paft, the Turk having defpoiled him of them. So that the
boundary of his dominion towards the north-eaft and eaft is
the greater part of the Red Sea ; on the north, Egypt and
the deferts of Nubia; and on the fouth, the country of
Moenemugi. In round numbers the empire of this
Chriftian king has a circumference of about 4000 miles.
The principal City, and where he chiefly refides and holds
his Court, is called Belmalechi, and forms the feat of empire
of many provinces, which are themfelves ruled by kings.
The territory is rich, and abounds in gold, filver, precious
ftones, and every kind of metal. The people vary in
complexion, being white, black, and tawny, and are of good
height and pleafant countenance. The courtiers and nobles
are fplendidly attired in filk robes, gold, and jewels ; and
there is a law for drefs, according to the different degrees of
rank, fome being allowed to wear nothing but drefled flcins.
Thefe people are to fome extent Chriftians, inafmuch as they
obferve certain ceremonies of the Hebrew law. On the feaft
of Our Lady, in Auguft, all the Kings and principal nobles
afTemble in the above city to celebrate it, every one
bringing the tribute he owes to the Emperor. The people
alfo come on pilgrimage from all parts to join in this
celebration.

A folemn proceilion is formed, and from the church
whence it ifTues is carried a life-fize image of the Virgin
Mary, made entirely of gold; the eyes of the faid image
being formed of two large and magnificent rubies, and
the whole of the reft of the figure adorned and covered with

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 129

jewels and various ornaments. This image is carried on a
ftage of gold, of wonderful workmanfhip.

In this proceflion Prefter John, fimilarly adorned with
jewels, and like precious and rare things, and drefled in cloth
of gold, appears in public either in a golden chariot or on an
elephant. So great is the multitude who run to fee this
Image, that many die of fufFocation in the crowd. This
king is called by a corrupted word Prefter John, for the
complete name is Bel Gian. Bel fignifies fupreme, perfect,
and moft excellent; and Gian means Prince, or Lord, and
appertains to any one having territory or jurifdiction. Bel Gian
therefore fignifies Chief Prince, and thus conjoined pertains
only to the King, who alfo bears the cognomen of David,
in the fame manner as the Emperors took that of Casfar.

It remains for us now to fpeak of the Nile, which docs
not rife in the country of Bel Gian, nor in the Mountains of
the Moon, nor, as Ptolemy writes, from two lakes lying eaft
and weft of each other, with about 450 miles between them.
For in the fame latitude in which the above author places
thefe two lakes, lie alfo the Kingdoms of Congo and of
Angola, on the weft ; and the Empire of Monomotapa, and
the Kingdom of Sofala, on the eaft, the diftance from fea to
fea being 1200 miles. Now in this region Lopez afl^erted
there is but one lake, which lies on the borders of Angola
and Monomotapa, and is 195 miles in diameter. Of this lake
the people of Angola give information rcfpecting its weftern
fide, and thofe of Sofala and Monomotapa of its eaftern. So
that whilft we have a full account of this one, and they make
no mention of any other lakes, we may conclude there are
no others in that latitude.

It is true that there are two lakes, but fituated in quite
a contrary direction to that of which Ptolemy writes ; for he,
as has been faid, places his evidently from weft to eaft, and

s

130 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

thofe we now fee lie almoft In a direct line north and fouth,
and nearly 400 miles apart. Some in thofe countries think
that the Nile ifluing from the firft lake flows underground
and then reappears. Others deny this, but Lopez aflerts
as a reliable fact that the Nile does not flow underground,
but running through defert and lonely valleys without
inhabitants, and having no fettled channel, is therefore faid
to flow underground.

The Nile certainly flows from the firft lake, which lies
in latitude 1 2 degrees fouth, and is like a fhell, and furrounded
by very lofty mountains, the largeft of which, called
Cafates, are on the eaft, and on both (ides are mountains
producing faltpetre and filver. The Nile flows thence 400
miles due north, and enters another very large lake, which
the natives call a fea. It is larger than the firft, for it is
220 miles acrofs, and lies under the equinoctial line.
Regarding this fecond lake very certain information is given
by the Anzichi, near Congo, who trade in thofe parts, and
fay there are people who fail on the lake in large fliips, and
who write, and ufe weights and meafures, fuch as they have
not in Congo, and that their houfes were built of ftone and
lime, and their cuftoms refembled thofe of the Portuguefe.
Hence it might be fuppofed the Empire of Prefter John was
not far off. From this fecond lake the Nile flows to the
Ifland of Meroe a diftance of 700 miles, other rivers running
into it, the principal of which is the River Colves, fo called
becaufe it iflfues from a lake of that name on the borders of
Melinde. When the Nile reaches Meroe it divides into two
branches, and cncompaflcs a high land, called Meroe, to the
right of which on the eaft, is a river named Abagni, which
rifes in the Lake Bracina, and traverfes the Empire of Prefter
John, till it reaches the aforefaid ifland. On the weftern fide
flow other rivers, one of which is the Saraboe.

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 131

The Nile, therefore, having received thefe rivers, and
encircled that ifland, becomes again a ftill larger ftream,
running through Ethiopia, (already fpoken of as Egypt) as
far as the falls, which are formed by a very high valley,
that contracts here, and fhuts the river into a narrow
channel, from which the water pours down with terrific
noife near the Ifland of Syene. From thence the Nile,
after watering Egypt, difcharges its waters into the Medi-
terranean directly over againft the Ifland of Cyprus, by
two principal branches, that on the eaft at this prefent time
being called Damiata, and that on the weft Rofletto. And,
fince we have come to the end of this hiftory, with the
Nile for our fubject, it is a fuitable place in which to fum up
the caufe of its overflow. As we have narrated above, the
chief caufe of the rife of the Nile is the great quantity of
water poured down from the flcies at the feafon when winter
commences in thofe countries, and fpring in our own parts,
which, generally fpeaking, is at the beginning of April. The
rain does not fall there as it does in Europe, but copioufly,
and as it were by bucketfful inftead of fmall drops. Falling
thus in torrents, the earth cannot drink it in, for, being
fteep and rocky, the water nifties with great force into the
rivers, caufing them to rife, and fwell, and overflow beyond all
conception, particxilarly as the rains continue during the five
months, of April, May, June, July, and Auguft. The
greateft fall of rain, however, is in May, June, and July.
Thus it happens, that the country having lofty mountains,
and confequently abounding in torrents, rivers, and lakes,
thefe waters all meeting in the beds of great rivers,
increafe their fize fo as to make them larger than any
others in the whole world. The Lakes alfo formed by
them, as is feen in the sketch of the Cape of Good
Hope and of Congo, and the furrounding kingdoms,

s 2

132 History of the Kingdom of Congo.

are of fuch marvellous fize as to be called feas in thofe
regions.

And thus we fee how the Nile in the above-mentioned
feafons rufhes through thofe countries northwards to water
Egypt, the Rivers Zaire and Niger doing the fame towards
weft and eaft. Southwards are other very large rivers, which
never fail to rife at certain feafons in like manner as the Nile.
Now this occurs every year, but particularly at Cairo, and
throughout Egypt, where the Nile begins to rife about the
end of June, and continues to do fo till the 20th of September,
as I myfelf have {^tn.

But the caufe of fuch overflow has up to the prefent time
remained very obfcure, and although almoft all the ancient
writers, beginning, at Homer, have left on record their belief
that the rife of the Nile was caufed by the rains, neverthelefs,
they have not fo diftinctly declared it as does now Duarte
Lopez, from having witneiTed it.

Some again aflign its overflow to rains coming from the
Mountains of the Moon, others to the melting of the fnows
on thofe mountains, although the Nile does not rife near the
Mountains of the Moon, but a long way fouth of them.
Befides, the winter feafon brings fnow itfelf, rather than
heat to melt it.

Now I, having diligently inquired of Duarte Lopez
concerning the above-mentioned matters, with certain previoufly
formed defigns, and he alfo himfelf propounding other fubjects,
like a man of high condition, which he is, and giving me
fuch anfwers as are fet down in this difcourfe, yet I feel
aflured that every one will not therewith be fully fatiffied or
contented, and efpecially the curious, the fcientific, or thofe
{killed in matters of the world. The geographer would
defire to know more, and the phyfician, and the worker
in metals, and the hiftoriographer, and the merchant, and

History of the Kingdom of Congo. 133

the mariner, and the preacher, with perhaps others differing
from thefe in refpect of their callings.
But Duarte Lopez promifed to return with as great fpeed as
poffible to Rome from Congo, whither he failed foon after
he had fumifhed this account, which was in May of
the year 1589, and to bring full information
of what is lacking here touching
the fburce of the Nile, and other
matters. In the meantime, that
which thefe leaves contain
is by no means in-
iignificant ; and if
in them any-
thing elfe
ihallbe
found that is ufeful, or ftrange, or agreeable, or that
drives away melancholy, let it be wholly afcribed
to the Moft Noble and Very Reverend
Monfignor Antonio Migliore,
Bifhop of St. Mark,
and Commander of the Order of the
Holy Ghoft, who has caufed
this work to be pub-
lifhed for the
public
good.

Finis.

134 Dedication on Map of Africa.

DEDICATION ON MAP OF AFRICA.

To the Moft Illuftrious and Moft Reverend Monfignor
Antonio Migliori, Biftiop of St. Mark, and Commander of
the Order of the Holy Ghoft.

Up to the prefent time there has been no fuch correct
reprefentation of Africa, of the Cape of Good Hope, of the
Lakes, of the Nile, and of the Mountains from whence it
flows, of the kingdoms of Prefter John, and of Congo and
the furrounding countries, as that which our Duarte Lopez
has furnifhed in his large Map, and which your Reverence
has had reduced to this lefler fize. Now I confidently aflert
that in no printed Map of the prefent day is the true pofition
of Egypt from Cairo fouthwards fo correctly fhown as in
this one, which (having twice travelled over the fame ground)
I have carefully arranged as far as the limited fpace will
allow. The places are denoted by letters on the little Chart
placed above, by means of which the names may be attached
to each.

From your Reverence's Servant,

FiLIPPO PiGAFETTA.

From Rame^ 2nd week of Aprils MDXCL

" No Rofe without a Thorn."

Dedication on Map of Congo. 135

DEDICATION ON MAP OF CONGO.

FiLippo PiGAFETTA to the Moft lUuftrious and Moft
Reverend Monfignor Antonio Migliore, Bifliop of St. Mark
and Commander of the Order of the Holy Ghoft. Thefe
defcriptions and maps being chiefly defigned to fhow the
fituation of the Kingdom of Congo, which for lack of fpace
coxild not be included in the ordinary map of Africa brought
from those countries by Duarte Lopez, we have engraved the
faid kingdom on a feparate map on an enlarged fcale, whereon
are diftinctly feen the Royal City and the other dependencies,
the rivers, mountains, lakes, coafts, harbours, and the boun-
daries of the countries of the Abyffinians. There are alfo added
the degrees of longitude according to Ptolemy, which were not
on the other map, the Portuguefe geographers having no
record of them. Neverthelefs they are an extremely ingenious
invention, for by means of them and of the degrees of latitude,
without any other meafurement, the diftances between one
place and another can be determined. We have alfo engraved
the arms and feal of the King of Congo, adopted by him
after the vifion we have recorded, it not being the cuftom of
thofe kings, or of their nobles, to ufe as in Europe devices, or
letters, or writing, or any other marks on their fwords.

From Rome, 'S9i»

Pope Sixtus v., a magnanimous Prince, and born for the
benefit of the Commonwealth, drove the thieves from the
States of the Church. He placed four of the moft perfect
and remarkable obeliflcs that were ever fet up, on pedeftals
with a crofs on the top. He confecrated the two Columns
of Trajan and Antoninus, and fet upon them the Images of
St Peter and St. Paul. He built two churches, and four

136 Dedication on Map of Congo.

Papal palaces, and the Balcony of Benedictions, and the Holy
Staircafe, and the Beggars' Hofpital, and the Vatican Library,
and the wonderful Cupola of St. Peter. He brought the
water called Aqua Felix into Rome by an aqueduct twenty
miles in length, conveying it into fundry fountains, and cifterns,
and lavatoria, in the Efquiline, Quirinale, and Capitoline
Hills. He beautified and reftored the famous ftatues made
by Praxiteles and Phidias. He appointed twelve galleys for
the fafeguard of the Roman coaft, and furnifhed the port of
Civita Vecchia with water by a canal fix miles long. He
made five ftraight ftreets that lead to the principal churches
of ancient Rome, by filling up valleys and levelling hills.
He transferred the body of Pope Pius Quintus from St.
Peter's to Santa Maria Maggiore, into a tomb he had himfelf
fet apart for it. He numbered amongft the Doctors of the
Church St. Bonaventura, and amongft the Saints Didaco, a
Spaniard, and a minor friar of the Obfervantes. He added
three Bifhoprics to the Ecclefiaftical Dominion, that of
Loretto which he fortified with bulwarks, that of Montalto
in his own country, and that of San Severino. He founded
the School of Sciences at Fermo, and two Colleges — one in
Bologna, called de Marchiani, and that of St. Bonaventura, in
Rome. He raifed the Tower of the Belvedere, and reftored
the church of St. Sabina. He built a fuUing-houfe for the
trade of wool. He collected together the treafure of the See
Apoftolic for very neceffity of famine, peftilence, and war.
Therefore, as Pope Sixtus IV. was accorded the title of
Romulus, so is it fit that Sixtus V., who in the fpace of five
years wrought fuch great matters, ftiould have that of
Auguftus, who, having found Rome made of brick, left it of
marble. His intent was to perform other works but that it
pleased the Lord God to call him to a better life; for he
was minded — ^with materials all in readinefs — to make the

Dedication on Map 0/ Congo. 137

Flaminian Way meet by a bridge over the Tiber ; and from
the information given by this report he wifhed to open the
way and traffic to the Kingdom of Congo, and to the King
of the Abyflinians, called Prefter John, and by means of him
to convert all Africa to Chriftianity ; and to put in execution
divers other matters which are not here to be made mention
of.

FiLIPPO PlGAFETTA,

Natalis Bonif actus Incidebat.

T

138 Map of Duarte Lopes.

MAP OF DUARTE LOPES.

"Map of Duarte Lopes." — "Suivant la d^dicace k Antoine
Migliori (25 avril 1591) de la carte de TAfrique qui accompagne Toeuvre
de Pigafetta, Duarte Lopes dreffa une grande carte de ' \ Africa e il
Capo de Buonna Speranza e il laghi del Nilo e il monti donde scende e il
Reami de Prete Janni e di Congo e le contrade uicine,' carte dont Pigafetta
donne une reduction faite par ordre de Migliori. Sur cette reduction
on voit au centre du continent et fous TEquateur un grand lac avec
fix iles, qui regoit au S. une grande riviere k travers les contr^es
indiqu^es fous le nomme de Ambian et CoHa (k TE.) et de Coda et
Goyame (k TO.) ; cette rivibre fort d'un autre lac de la grandeur du
premier k peu pr^s, fitu^e fous la meme longitude et fous le 1 2* parall^le
auflral, couvert ^galement d'iles et peupl^e d'hyppopotames, cavalli
marini, Dans la partie m^ridionale de ce lac fe jette, k ce qu41 parait,
un cours d'eau qui femble ^tre le premier trongon de la rivibre indiqu^e ;
qui nait fous la 22* parall^le S. entre des hautes montagnes, et qui a
une fource commune avec le fleuve Manhice, Ce fleuve fe dirige vers
Toc^an indien et regoit la rivibre Bavagul, qui vient des montagnes du
SO., terre de Butva, De ce meme lac meridional defcend le Zambeze
ou Cuatna. Avant d'arriver au lac central, cette premiere rivibre, que
par convention nous pourrions appeler le Lualaba de Lopes et qui dans
fon opinion eft le Nil m^me, d^tache un bras qui va concourir k la
formation du Rio du Congo (Zaire), lequel, par un autre bras, moins
confiddrable, fe relie k ce lac central. Le Zaire regoit du N. et du S.
diff^rents affluents, dont le plus important femble ^tre celui qui vient
d'un lac nommd Aqueluna^ fitud fous le 11* parallble auftral. Ce lac
communique avec le lac central-Sud, qui, d'un autre c6te, donne ^gale-
ment naiffance au Quanza et au Dande, et qui, enfin, revolt du S. un
autre cours d'eau, qui vient d'un petit lac du pays de Quinbebe, Cet
affluent, le plus important du Zaire, pent correfpondre au Kaflabi des
cartes modemes. En regardant cette partie de la carte, on croirait
avoir fous les yeux un deffm groiTibrement trac^, mais affez reffemblable,
du Bemba, du Lualaba de Stanley et du Tanganyika, dans leur pofition
relative et en mettant de cotd les contours actuellement connus des lacs
et les rapports aujourd'hui repouff^s par les gcfographes, du Lukuga.
Du lac Equatorial ou central f 'dance dans la direction NE. le Nil ou
mieux un bras du Nil, attendu qu'un autre cours d'eau, qui le rejoint au

Map of Duarte Lopes. 139

10* parallble N. nonwaiRio Goluis (qui a pour affluent le Tacalj), prend
fa fource tr^s k PE. sous V'equateur et dans le lac Colue ; que un fecond
cours d'eau, qui le rejoint \ la hauteur de Meroe, a ^galement fa fource k
TE. fous le 5* parallble N. au lac Barcena, qui communique avec la mer
par le Rio de Jeila^ — et que, enfin, un troifibme bras vient de TO. d*un
lac^galement fitu^ au N. du grand lac central, fous le ii' parallMe N.
Ainfi, le Nil, outre fa fource prife dans le grand lac central, poff^de trois
autres fources dans trois lacs principaux fitu^s entre TEquateur et le
II* parallble N.; de ces trois lacs le moyen eft fitud fous la ligne
^quatoriale ainfi que le Victoria Nyanfa. Le Zaire trbs rapprochd de
TEquateur, regoit fes eaux de la grande rivibre qui vient du lac le plus
meridional du centre de TAfrique, et aufli du grand lac Equatorial,
comme cela arriverait fi le Lukuga moderne dtait un veritable fleuve
(en confid^rant le lac comme correspondant au Tanganpka), et cette
rivibre dtait le Lualaba."

" Voici encore quelques indications qui oflfrent, me parait-il, un certain
int^r^t

"Prfes du confluent de la rivifere que nous nommerons le Lualaba
de Lopes avec le Zaire, sous le i* parall^le austral, on trouve le mot
Uangue ou Vangue (VANGVE) dont la prononciation portugaise ou
italienne fe rapproche finguliferement de Nyangwe, furtout fi nous le
faifons prdcEder de la particule «, ce qui n'est pas une operation trop
arbitraire.

** A TextrEmitE meridional de FAfrique, fous le 27* parallfele fe defline
un petit lac defignd fous le mot Gale et qui pourrait raifonnablement
correfpondre au Ngame ou Ngmi des cartes modemes.

" Au nord de TEquateur on trouve encore un fyft^me hydrographique
curieux. Un bras du Vieux Calabar prend fa fource dans un Lac Noire
(Lago Negro) et Ton voit dans le baflin un peu confus du Niger quatre
-autres lacs, dont Tun, fitud fous le 14* parallfele, pr^s du baflin du Nil,
dont il eft f^parE par une haute chalne de montagnes, fe nomme Lago
da Nubia^ tandis qu'un fecond, fous le 19* parallMe porte le nom de Lago
Chinonde et rappelle par fa fituation relative le Tchad.**

" L^ Zamb^ze, cela eft certain, prend fa fource dans un lac meridional
qui pourait correfpondre k notre lac encore peu connu, le Bembe
{Bangweole\ mais il regoit du Sud et du Nord de nombreux et forts
affluents, et. Fun des premiers, fapproche du fleuve qui vient du Sud
vers ce lac et par conf^quent des affluents que ce fleuve re9oit de
rOueft.

T 2

140 The Cartography of Africa.

"Or il eft n^ceflaire de remarquer que T^tude de la region du
Bangweolo, du Loanjwe, du Kafue, du Kobongo ou Cubango, &c., eft
encore en grande partie k faire, et que Ton ne peut affirmer que celle
du haut Zambfeze foit entiferement faite.

"De ce premier lac fort, vers le Nord, une autre fleuve qui, fe
rencontrant avec le Zaire et avec le Nil, conftitue certainement une
community d'origine entre ces deux fleuves et le Zambbze ; mais d'un
autre cot^ ce fleuve f identifie avec le Nil feulement parcequ'il va fe
Jeter dans le fecond lac ou lac Equatorial, d'oli le Nil fort vers le Nord.
II n'eft pas hors de propos de rappeler que Livingftoue admettait
ridentitd du Lualaba avec le Nil. Enfuite le Nil ne nalt pas feulement
dans ce lac central \ il nait aufli de trois autres nyansas (j'emploie ce
mot pour ddfigner trois lacs importants). Done cette liaifon avec le
lac central et, k caufe de cette liaifon, fon identity avec le Lualaba^ qui
vient du S., n'eft pas un facteur eflentiel dans Thydrographie du Nil de
Lopes. Et tellement que ce m^me Nil qui vient du grand lac va fe
rdunir k Tautre qui fort du lac Coliu de Lopes (il convient de diftinguer,
comme nous le verrons plus bas) fituE k PE. et Egalement fous FEqua-
teur, formant avec lui une feule des trois grandes branches originaires
du veritable Nil.

" Le Zaire, enfin, nalt dans le grand lac central de TEquateur, mais
d'un autre cotd il eft identique au Lualaba qui vient du S., ou plutdt
celui-ci coincide avec lui avant d'entrer dans ce lac, ce qui fignifie que
la liaifon du Zaire avec ce lac pouvait correfpondre au Lukuga, fuivant
Fhypoth^fe de Cameron, tout en lailTant fubfifter TidentitE du Lualaba
avec le Zaire, fuivant les informations de Stanley. Sur les cartes plus
haut indiqudes, on Tachemine Evidemment vers ce desideratum de
rhydrographie africaine de Lopes, et perfonne ne pourra nier que les
rdvdlations des explorations modernes ont avec cette hydrographie un
rapport plus logique que ne Tout certaines doctrines et hypothfefes
enregiftr^es fur des cartes de TAfrique relativement r^centes." —
L Hydrographie Africaine^ par M, Luciano CordeirOy p. 23 — 27.

THE CARTOGRAPHY OF AFRICA FROM 1492 TO i6oo,
AS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE NOMENCLATURE

OF THE CONGO.

The following is a lift of upwards of thirty maps and globes, the

The Cartography of Africa. 141

originals of which were, for the moflpart, made during the 15th century.
The initials refer to authors, the titles of whofe works are given at the
end of the Note : —

AUTHOR.

TITLB OP MAP OR GLOBE, AND
RBPERENCB.

I. Martin Behaim

3. Henrici Mar-
teUi

3. Juan de la Cosa

4. Johann Ruysch

5. Ptolemy

6. Anonymous

7. Fem.Columbus

8. Diego Ribero

9. Oronce Fiu^

xo. Gerard Mer

cator
XX. John Rotz
12. SebastianCabot
X3. Pierre Des

celiers

14. DiogoHomem

15. Ant. Florianus

x6. Ant, Sal

[amancal
X7. Paulo Forlani

x8. Giacomo Gas-
taldi

19. Niccolo Nelli

20. p. Cimerlini
2Z. J. Martines
23. Gerard Mer-

cacor

23. Abraham Or-

telius

24. Fernao Vaz

Dourado

25. Andr^ Thevet

26. Rumold Mer*

cator

27. M.Liv. Sanuto

28. Johann Duet

echum

29. FiLPigafetta

Globe. B. H.J. K. M.S.

"FormaAfince Secundum Des-
criptionem Portugalensium. "
Add MS. 15,760. S.

Mappemonde. H. J. S.

Maj) in "Ptolemaei Geo-
graphia." S.

'*Charta Marina/' and two
Charts of Africa, in Geo-
graphy. S.

Globe. J.

Carta Universal, for Emp.

Char.V. S.
Carta Universal

PLACE.

DATE.

tt

Orbis Description

Grynaeus, 1532
Globe

from

Portolano, 20 E IX. M.
Mappemonde. J.
Mappemonde (Lord Crawford's

Copy). M.
Portolano (add. MS. 54:5')*

XT C

Map of the World

Orbis Imaginem

Descrittiont dell'

(Map)
Lai^e Map of Africa

Africa.

30.

»

31. PetmsPlandus
33. A. F. a Lan

gren
33. Jodocus Hon

dius

34* f>

35. E. Wright and

Molyneux

36. J. Pory.

Map of Africa
Cosmographia Universalis
Map of Africa. S.
Lai^e Mappemonde- J.

Map of Africa in Theatrum

Portolano (lamina xo)

Africa in La Cosmographie

Universelle
Map of World in Atlas

Map of Africa, tab x. in Geo-

grafia
Tabula Aphricae

Tavola ^enerale delV Africa,
B. H. M.

Tavola del Reams de Congo,
B. H. M.

Orbis Terrarum Typus

Typus. Manicongo and An-
gola

Map of World. Drake and
Cavendish

Typus Orbis Terrarum

Hydrographical Description,
or "New Map"

Map of Alfnca in Leo Afri-
canus.

Nuremberg
Brit. Mus.

Madrid
Rome

Argentorati

Frankfort-on-

the-Main
Weimar

Weimar and

Rome
Paris

Louvain

Brit. Mus.

Paris

Made at

Arque
Brit. Mus.

Udine or

Venice
Rome

Venice

Venice

Venice
Verona
Messina
Duisbourg

Antwerp

MadeatGoa.
MS. B. Mus.
Paris

Antwerp

Venezia

Dcvcnter

Rome

Rome

Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam
London

London.

NAME OP RIVER.

1492

c. 1495

1500

1508
I5I3

X520

1527
1529

1531
1 541

»S4a
XS44
«54S

1558

c. 1560

C.X560

X562

X562

1564-5
1566

1567
1569

1570
IS73
IS7S
1587
X588
X590

1591

1591

1594
1596

1596

c. XS97
1600

x6oo

R. di Parto. Rio Pc-

doroso
Rio Poderoso. (Pota de

Padron)

Rio del Padron
Padron F.

Rio de Manicogo

Manicongo

Manicongo

R. de Manicongo

R. Manicogo

R. Manicongo

Masicongue

Monicongo

R. di Manicogue

R. de Manconguo

R. de Manicongo

R. de Manicogo

Zaire F.

Zaire F.

Zaire F.

R. Manicogo

Manicongo

Manicongo

Zaire

Comgo

Manicongue

Manicongo

Zaires Fluvius

R. Zaire, R. de Manicongo

Zaire Incolis
Rio de Congo and Zaire

Rio de Congo f Rio Zaire

Zaire

Rio de Manicongo, Zaire

Incolis
Manicongo

Zaire

R. de Manicongo

Zaire and Bancare.

142 The Cartography of Africa.

AUTHORS QUOTED IN LIST OF MAPS.

(B.) Burton, Capt. R. F. " Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo,*' 1876.

(H.) Hutchinson, Edward. "The Lost Continent," 1879.

(J. ) Jomard. '' Monuments de la Geographic."

(K.) Kiepert, H. " Beitrage zur Entdeckungs-Gesdiichte Afrika's," 1873-4.

(M ) Major, R. H. " Prince Henry the Navigator," 1868.

(S.) Santarem. ''Essai sur la Cosmographie " (Atlas), 1849.

I am indebted to Mr. C. H. Coote, of the Britifh Mufeum, for the fol-
lowing exhauflive note on this fubject : —

The earliefl document of any importance to our inquiry is, the
celebrated globe of 1492, made by Martin Behaim, of Nuremburg,
who accompanied Diego Cam in his firfl difcovery of the Congo.
The evidence afforded us by this and the three fucceeding maps
is, that the earliefl name of this river was not the Congo, as dated
by Burton, but either the " Rio de Padrao," the River of the Pillar, or
"Rio Podorofo," the Mighty River, which lafl, to fay the leafl, is
fignificant. Behaim writes them thus : "R. di Parto," and "Rio Pedorofo ;'*
thefe, it is evident, are corruptions at the mouth of a German, of the
names that are found on the contemporary map of c. 1495. ^^^ ^^^s
lad is to be feen the " Pota de Padron," the point on the fouthern (hore
of the mighty river, where Diego Cam erected the pillar in 1484, as
related by De Barros.

We obferve for the firfl time on the maps or charts of 1513, the
change of the name to "Rio de Manicongo," which held its own
without intermiffion upon fubfequent maps, as a glance at the lifl
will fhow, down to 1560. This change we believe to be due to Spanifh
influence. Thefe maps of 1513 have been regarded by fome as the
actual work of the great Columbus, but a comparifon of them with
the previous map of 1500, by Juan de la Cofa, the pilot of Columbus,
does not^ fo far as the name of our river is concerned, favour the theory
of a family refemblance with the earlier map.

It will be convenient here to draw attention to a work which we
believe has entirely efcaped the notice of modem writers upon the Congo,
Burton excepted. Not only is it the earliefl book on geography printed in
Spain, but it alfo may be regarded as the firfl book on navigation. It
affords us one of the earliefl, if not the earliefl printed account of the river
and Kingdom of Manicongo, which is as curious as it is interefling. The
book referred to is the " Suma de Geografia," by Martin Fernandez de
Encifo, publifhed at Seville in 1519, fol. The mighty river is called

The Cartography of /If r tea. 143

here the "Rio de Manicongo," and to this book we attribute the
maintenance of the name upon fubfequent maps and works on
geography f6r nearly half a century. Defcribing the ufe of money in
Manicongo, Encifo writes : " En Manicongo vfan caracolicos por
moneda : & afli copra & vede con ellos como noflros c6 la plata y el
ora"(fol. v.). — Trans, In Manicongo they ufe fhells for money, and
alfo buy and fell with them as we do with filver and gold.— For further
facts relating to the author, his book, and its contents, we refer the
reader to the valuable Bibliography of Navigation, which is appended to
the " Voyages and Works of John Davis," edited for the Hakluyt Society,
by Captain A. H. Markham, R.N., 1880, p. 345.

We now come to the name Zaire, which was firfl ufed by De Barros
in his two firfl decades, publifhed at Lifbon, in 1552. His ufe of the
name exercifed no influence over map-makers until ten years later.
In 1 56 1 thefe two decades were for the firfl time tranflated into Italian,
and publifhed at Venice in 1562. The refults of this tranflatiou are
fhown in the Map of Forlani, the famous large Map of Africa by
G. Gaflaldi, publifhed the fame year, and in all the maps fubfequently
publifhed in Venice down to the end of the century. It will be
obferved that this example was followed by the famous Abraham
Ortelius, and nearly all of the geographers of the Low Countries,
with the remarkable exceptions of the younger Mercator and Peter
Plancius. Ortelius, in his African geography, avowedly followed
De Barros and Ramufio. The name of Pigafetta has been afTociated
with the Parergon of Ortelius, but upon what ground it is not
quite clear. This much is clear, that he in no way modified the
African geography of Ortelius.

According to the evidence afforded us by our lifl, the firfl to ufe
the name Congo upon a map was not Pigafetta, as might be reafonably
fuppofed, but a fellow-countryman of Duarte Lopes, named Fernao
Vaz Dourado, bom at Goa, in the Eafl Indies. In the beautiful
Portolano made by him, we find the name Co/«go ufed as early as
1573 (if not earlier, as this is only a copy), thereby anticipating its ufe
by Pigafetta at leafl eighteen years.

In the Geografia of M. Liv. Sanuto, Venice, 1588, we obferve a
reverfion to Zaires Fluvius, due to the tranflation of Barros into Italian,
as before mentioned.

We now arrive at the period of the appearance of the work of
Pigafetta. All that is neceffary to notice is, the ufe of two names,

144 ^^ Cartography of Africa.

the Congo and the Zaire, on the map. In direct oppofition to Burton,
we find Pigafetta applying the name Congo to the mouth and lower
parts of the river, and the Zaire to the upper portion towards the
equator. It has been dated that in his geography Pigafetta found
no fucceffor ; this is hardly accurate. He found an imitator in Peter
Plancius, in 1594, who not only gives the Zaire, but alfo the two
equatorial lakes. This map is fometimes found in 17th century
editions of Linfchotens' Voyages in Dutch.

In the map of 1600 we obferve a return to the old form of R. de
Manicongo, which is due to Spanifh fources.

As we have feen, the influence of the geography of Pigafetta was
only tranfient as (hown by the folitary ejcample of Plancius. The book
itfelf, however, has not been without its influence on Englifli literature,
as witneflied in the "Voyages of Captain Singleton," written by the
prince of (lory-tellers, Daniel Defoe.

"Tales of African Travel Three Hundred Years Ago," bafed upon
an imperfect knowledge of Ortelius, and fl^ories of " Acrofs the Dark
Continent in 1 700," or " Stanley Anticipated," are, without a comparative
lludy of the old maps of the isth and i6th centuries in their proper
fequence, and fome knowledge of the text of our old friend Pigafetta,
jufl. fo much idle fpeculation and guefl'-work.

The queflion of the etymology of the name of the "Zaire," or
" Nyadi," is befl left in the hands of Burton, Stanley, and others, who
have at leaft^ fome knowledge of the languages of the countries bordering
upon the "mighty river," Congo. — C. H, Coote.

In connexion with Mr. Coote*s laft^ remark, it is worthy of notice that
Stanley, in his defcent of the River Zaire, firft, met with the name of
Congo, in lat. 1° 40' N., long. 21° 50' E. He was kindly received,
after various encounters with favages, by the chief, Rubunga ; and he
fays, " Before leaving the Chief of Rubunga's prefence, I aflced him the
name of the river, in a mongrel mixture of Ki-Swahili, Kinyamwezi,
Kijiji, Kiregga, and Ki-Kufu. He underft^ood after a while, and
replied, it was * Ibari.* But after he had quite comprehended the drift
of the queftion, he replied in a fonorous voice, * Ikatu ya Kongo.' " —
Through the Dark Continent, p. 283. — Tr.

MeroUa, who went to Congo in 1682, fays, in referring to that region,
— " Hence, in confequence of its (Zaire) waters being fomewhat yellow,
the river is known for a hundred miles as it flows into the fea, and by
means of it many large kingdoms were difcovered, hitherto unknown.

Bibli graphical Note. 145

For the King of Portugal, Don Juan II., having fent a fleet of fhips,
under Diego Cam, to this fouthern coafl of Africa, that experienced
admiral conjectured he was near land from the waters of the Zaire.
After entering it, he alked the negroes what river and country it was,
who replied, as if not underflanding him, " Zevoco," which, in the
Congoean tongue, is as much as to fay, " I don't know,'' and from
thence, through a corruption the name is called Zaire. — Viaggio ml
regno di CongOy p. 48.

Alii o mui grande reino esti de Congo,
For n6s ja convertido 4 f<^ de Christo,
For onde o Zaire passe claro e longo,
Rio pelos antiguos nunca visto.

Lusiads ofCamoenSy canto v. 13.

That lucid river, the long-winding Zaire,
Flood which the roving ancients never saw,
Through Congo runs, a realm extending far,
Where erst our nation sow'd the Christian law.

QuHlinan.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE UPON THE i6th.CENTURY

EDITIONS OF PIGAFETTA.

It has been thought that the appearance of the prefent tranflation
would be none the lefs welcome if accompanied by a Ihort notice of the
labours of others in this direction. We therefore append, for the guidance
of thofe who may be interefled in the fubject, a bibliographical note of
the firfl four 16th-century editions of Pigafetta, as Ihowing the eflimation
in which our author's narrative was held by his cotemporaries at this
mod interefling period in the hiflory of geography. This appreciation
can only be fully realized by an examination of the fumptuous 4th
edition by the brothers De Biy, of 1597, in German. The title-page,
maps, and plates are maflerpieces of the engraver's art, and ought to be
better known. They are fuperior to, and more in number than, the
originals done in Rome.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PIGAFETTA.

I. Relatione del Reame di Congo et delle circonvicine contrade tratta
dalli Scritti & ragionamente di Odoardo Lopez Portoghefe per Filippo
Pigafetta con dilTegni vari di Geografia, di piante, d' habiti, d' animali &
altro. Al molto 111"- & R"°- Mons"- Antonio Migliore Vefcouo di S.
Marco, & Commendatore di S. Spirito.

u

146 Bibliographical Note.

In Roma ApprelTo Bartolemeo Graffi (1591. 4to).

Collation. Title-page engraved, surmounted with the arms of Migliore, dedication
and tavola del capitoli, 3 leaves, text of ^83 pp.

Maps. I. "II dissegno delF Africa :" t. r., arms of, and dedication to Sixtus V.;
b. r., arms of Migliore, with dedication to same ; below, arms of Pigafetta. Size

25 in. X I7i-

2. ** Tavola del Regno di Congo : '* b. 1., arms of 1st King of Congo, Sixtus V.,
and Migliore, with dedication to latter ; below, arms of Pigafetta with his motto,
**I1 n'est rose sans espine." 17 in. X 20.

Plates.—!. Spetie di Palma. 2. Zebra. 3. Habito del Nobile. 4. Habito del
Soldato. 5. Habito dell donna. 6. Modo di far Viaggio. 7. Atro modo d' andar
attomo. 8. Atro modo d' andar in posta ; each 8 in. x 1 1 }.

Three examples in Brit. Mus., Gren. Lib. 7151. $66. e. 2a 146. b. 4; the last
imperfect, ** dissegno dell* Africa" wanting.

II. De beffchryvinghe vant groot ende vermaert Coninckrijck van
Congo, ende de aenpalende oft ommegheleghen I*anden, mit verclaringhe
van veel fonderlinghe faken ende ghefchiedeniffen van den felfden
Coninckrijcke. Ghenomen wt de fchriften ende mondelicke t' famen
fpraecken, van Edoart Lopez, Portegijs.

Befchreven door Philips Pigafetta in Italiaens, ende overghefet in
ens Nederlantfche fpraecke : Deur Martijn Everart-B.

{Description of the great and celebrated Kingdom of Congo, and of the
surrounding countries, with the explanation of many things and singular
histories touching the same kingdom. Taken from the writings and
discourses of Edward Lopez, Portuguese.

Written in Italian by Philip Pigafetta, and translated into Dutch by
Martin Everart B, (ruges)

t'Amflelredam, by Comelis Claefz. Opt Water int Schrijfboeck, by
De Oude Bruggh. M.D.XCVI. 4ta

Collation. Map of Congo, by Jodocus Hondius, on title-page ; neither dedication
or pagination. Plates reduced and inserted in text ; Zebra (2) omitted.

Note.— Curious as being the first translation of Pigafetta, but of no real value.
Everart was a well-known translator into Dutch of early Spanish works on
Navigation.

III. A Report of the Kingdom of Congo, a Region of Africa, and of
the Countries that border round about the fame, &c.

Drawn out of the writings and discourfes of Odoardo Lopez, a
Portingall, by Philippo Pigafetta. Tranflated out of Italian by Abraham
HartwelL

London : printed by John Wolfe, 1597. 4to. Title in duplicate.

Collation. Verso 0/ first title-page, arms of Johli Whitgift, Archbishop of
Canterbury. Dedication to the same, 5 pp. "Translator to the Reader," 11 pp.
text, 217 pp. ; and table, 3 pp. >^

Bibliographical Note. 147

Maps. I. Map of Africa : t. r. , arms of Sixtus V., in place of dedication, explanation
of map ; b. r., arms of Pigafetta. 2. ** A Mappe of the Kingdome of Congo," t. r.»
arms of first King of Congo; b. L, dedication to Sixtus V., translated and
transposed (cf. No. i of original).

These two rare maps were executed by "William Rogers, one of the earliest known
English engravers. The eight plates are rough reduced wood engravings from the
originals.

IV. Regnum Congo hoc efl Warhafite und Eigentliche Befchreibung
defz Konigreichs Congo in Africa, und deren angrentzenden Lander,
darinnen der Inwohner, Glaub, Leben, Sitten vnd Kleydung wol und
aufzfuhrlich vermeldet vnd angezeigt wirdt.

ErUlich durch Eduart Lopez, welcher in diefer Navigation alles
Perfdnlich erfahren, in Portugalefifcher Spraach geflellt, Jetzo aber in
vnfer Teutfche Spraach tranfferieret vnd vberfetzt durch Auguflinum
Cafliodorum.

Auch mit fchonen und Kunllrichen Figuren gezieret und an Tag
geben durch Hans Dietherich und Hans Ifrael von Bry Gebriider und
Biirger zu Franckfurt

Getruckt zu Frankfort {sic) am Mayn durch Johan Saur. . . Im Jahr
M.D.XCVIL Fol.

{A true and correct description of the Kingdom of Congo, in Africa,
and the adjoining territories^ in which the religion, mode of life, customs
and dress of the inhabitants are fully set out. First put forth in the
Portuguese language by Edward Lopez, who learned all personally in this
navigation, but now translated and published in the German language by
Augustine Cassio.

Also adorned with beautiful and artistic figures, and set forth by John
Theodore and John Isrcul De Bry, brothers, and citizens of Frankfort,
Painted at Frankfort-on-the-Mayn by John Sauer, M, D. XC VI L Fol, )

This edition of Pigafetta forms the firll part of the famous ^* Petits
Voyages of De Bry." (M. Sobolewfki's fet of the " Grands et Petits
Voyages," of 55 vols., was fold for 19,000 fr. (;^7So).)

Collation. 73 pp. Maps, copies of originals without dedications, i. Africa : t. r.,
two cartouches blank ;'b. r., description of map beginning, **Tabulam hanc
Aegyptl" 2. "Tabula Geogra Regni Congo :"b.l., arms of ist King of Congo,
and Migliore, with address to reader, within cartouch.

Plates. The great interest attached to this edition is, that it has six more plates
than the first. Plates 4 to 10 are copied from the originals, the remainder are seven
plates, ubiquitously illustrative of various scenes in the narrative. Plate i shows the
first landing of the Portuguese at the mouth of the Congo, the building of the first
church, and the baptism of the Mani Sogno and his son. Plate 1 1 is as ludicrous as
it is beautifully executed. The engraving of the maps and plates is superior to the
original. In this edition the narrative of Pigafetta reached the zenith of its fame, in

U 2

1 48 Bibliographical Note.

the 1 6th century. It has not received the attention it deserves. Example in Brit.
Mus., Gren. Lib. ^. See also Catalogue of the Huth Library, vol. ii p. 440.

It was republished in Latin in the following year (1598). Second German Edition,
1609 ; Second Latin Edition, 1624.

The only remaining tranflations that call for notice are those of
Linfchoten (1598), and Purchas (1617-25), Part 2. The latter is a
reprint from Hartwell, with the map by Hondius inferted (cf. 2nd
edition of 1596). Thefe have been copied more or lefs correctly in
the various fubfequent " Collections of Voyages and Travels," down to
our day.

Notes. 149

NOTES.

(P. 2i) ** Amber." — ^This is evidently a confufion of names, and here
means Ambergris, or Grey Amber, which is now known to be a morbid
fecretion formed in the inteflines of the fpermaceti whale, and is found
floating upon the fea, on the fea-coafl, or in the fand near the fea-coafl.
It is met with in the Atlantic Ocean, alfo on the Coaft of Africa.
There are curious early legends in the pages of Olaus Magnus, re-
garding the Ambergris found floating on the North Sea. — TV.

(P. 23) " Ambizb Angulo." — Merolla, a Capuchin pried, who gives an
account of the Kingdom of Congo in 1682, flates that all through the
River Zaire is found the " Pefce Donna," which has a refemblance to
the human form. His defcription of its appearance and habits feems to
identify it with the " Ambize Angulo " of Pigafetta. John OgUby fays,
that by the inhabitants it is called Ambis Angalo, but by the Europeans,
Meremen, and Meremaids. This fifh is probably the creature known as
the Manatee, which is found in the rivers of the Weft African Coaft.
Its refemblance to the human form is not a Portuguefe ftory, for the
feme defcription is given of it by the natives at the prefent time. In
the account of the afcent of the River Binu^ by the " Henry Venn "
Miflion fteamer, as narrated in Petermann's Mittheilungen for May,
1880, is the following defcription of the capture of the Manatee:
" Zwei Tage vor unferer Ankunft auf der Riickreife war hier ein Ajii
(Manatus Vogellii) gefangen worden, deffen Schadel der Leiter unferer
Expedition aus dem Dunkel des Fetifchhaufes erlofte. Von diefem
Thiere geht am Niger wie am Benue die Sage, dafs es einen ganz
menfchgleichen Kopf und zwei voile runde Briifte habe. Defhalb auch
miijQTte erfterer fofort abgefchnitten und vergraben oder dem Fetifch
gewecht werden, weil niemand, der den Kopf gefehen, das Fleifch des
Thieres eflen wiirde." — Tr.

" We proceeded on our voyage up the River Coanza, which is deep
and rapid, and abounds with crocodiles, alfo the hippopotamus and
phoca— which the people call Peixe Mulher, or fifh-woman-— which
is an amphibious, cetaceous animal, very harmlefs. It grazes along the
banks of the river ^frithout leaving the water ; it is from feven to eight
Teet long, with two fmall paws or feet, between which there are two

150 Notes.

■■

large teats. There is a certain bone of this animal to which the people
afcribe great medicinal virtue; from its hide are made the whips
wherewith the flave-drivers flog the unfortunate flaves." — Six Years in
W. Africa, by F. T, Valdez, p. 131.

(P. 1 8) " Angola." — On devrait ^crire Ngola ou NGola. La cour du
roi d' Angola ^tait primitivement Loanda (plutot : Luanda, de luanda ;
partie bafle) mais k la fuite de Finvafion portugaife elle fe tranfporta k
Tendroit oh efl aujourd'hui le fort de Pongo-andongo {Pungu-^-ndongOy
de Fungu : grande idole, et ndongo : grand village) dont il efl r^fult^
que cet endroit a pris le nom de Cabanza ou NBanza-ia-caba^a, c'eft-
k-dire : seconde cour, feconde r^fidence, ou feconde NBanza {Cabaga
efl une corruption de Cabanza). L'ancienne cour de Luanda etait
appel^e: NBanza-ia-Caculu {Caculu: premier; Cabanza ou Cabala:
fecond). — Vid. Ann. do. Cons. Ultr. art Angola. Obs. de/. V. Cameiro,
1861, fee ii.

(P. 39) " Angola Negroes,"— They would laugh to fcom our military
expeditions, were it not for our field-pieces, of which they fland in
great fear. During our war with the interior, in 1787, I saw 17 men
and a field-piece put to flight the Sova of Quiaca and his 12,000
negroes, who dropped all the loot which they had jufl taken from the
Coh^Lts.— Lands of Cazembe, p. 26.

(P. 26) " Anzichi and Anzicana." — En parlant du premier ^tabliffe-
ment ddfinitif des Portugais au Congo, Barros f^tait rapport^ \ une
revoke des peuples du lac dou sort le Zaire, et avait afTur^ que quelques
Portugais accompagnferent le roi Africain dans fa marche contre ce
peuples. L'illuflre chroniqueur avait dit auparavant : " Et attendu
que prefque lors de Tarriv^e des notres parvint au roi (du Congo) la
nouvelle que les peuples Mundequetes qui habitent prbs d'un grand
lac d*ou sort le Zaire, qui parcourt toute cette contr^e, f^taient r^voltfe."
" II nous apprend ^galement, et Refende, auffi, que quelques Portugais
accompagnbrent cette expedition contre les Sufdits Mundequetes, ou
plutot contre les Anzikos. Cette campagne avait "^t^ d^jk racont^e par
Garcia de Resende qui difait fimplement que les peuples rdvolt^s
dtaient des " VafTaux du Roi du Congo qui lui ddfobdiffaient, et qui
habitaient quelques ties Situees sur le Rio do FadrdoJ^ — Lyvro das
obras de Garcia Resende, !"• Ed. 1536. II efl k remarquer d^s k
prdfent que Tobjection de Lopes me femble ^videmment n^e d'un
quiproquo^ et qu'il fe rapportait au lac le plus meridional, tandis que

Notes. 151

Barros faifait naturellement allufion au lac central, puifque Lopes
avoue que les Anztcos rdvolt^s habitaient au delTus de la cataract
les deux rives du Zaire, jufqu'au lac appartinenti al x6 di Congo, et
qu'il ajoute " Hor queflo fiume, &c." Les renfeignements rdatifs k
ces Anzikos font trfes curieux. Suivant Topinion g^n^rale ce pays des
Anzikos ou Anzicana^ Nteka ou Grande-Angeka, fuivant d'autres, efl
le pays de Mikoko ou Makdo (k la confluence du Nyali ou Mihoko Sala\
et la ville principale Mamul efl, fuivant Drapper k 300 lieues de la
cote. Stanley dit que Anzico, Monsul^ Concobdla et autres denominations
locales des cartes (anglaUes) font inconnues des indigenes qu'il a
interrog^s, mais que Monsul pent correfpondre \ Mossul (ou Little
River) ainfi nomra^ par les indigenes. Le fait n'a rien d'extraordinaire
et ne d^truit pas les renfeignements directs et pofitifs que nous poiT^dons
depuis le commencement du XVP fi^cle au fujet des Anzikos. II ne
faut pas croire cependant que Lopes foit le premier qui ait parld de ce
peuple Strange : ddjk au commencement du XVI* fifecle Duarie Pacheco
difait que au N.E. du Congo fort avant dans Tintdrieur, on connaiifait
une contr^e nomm^e Anzica habitue par des noirs conime ceux du
Congo, mais antropophages et qui fe marquaient le front de deffms
en fpirales. — MS. Esmeraldo de situ orbis (1505), k la BibL de Lisbonne.
Serait-ce une trop grande audace que de voir dans ces peuples les
anc^tres de ces fi^roces guerriers qui, \ la hauteur du I** de lat. N.
ou vient d^boucher du c6te du N. un large fleuve que Stanley croit
^tre le Welle de Schweinfurth, attaquferent la valareufe expedition
Anglo- Americaine ou, ne ferait-elle, la notre Anzica la Nganza de
Stanley? Que Ton compare ler^cit de Lopes en 1591 avec celui de
rh^roique explorateur du Zaire en 1877. — M, Luciano Cordeiro^
L' Hydrographie Africaine, pp. 12, 54, 57.

• (P. 26) ** Aquilaria Agallocha." — (Aloes-wood tree — Black Agal-
locha — Eagle-wood tree — Agila-wood tree — as English synonyms).
Defcribed by Roxburgh as an immenfe tree, a native of mountainous
tracts, E. and S.E. of Sylhet, in lat. 24* to 25' N. Supposed to be one
of the trees that furnilh the eagle- wood of commerce.— T^dJ^o' Woods of
India^ p. 35, Ed. Balfour, Madras, 1862.

(P. 49) " Bada.'*— The Abada is called by the Africans Pembdre, and
by the Portuguefe Unicom.

(P. 116) "Bay of L0UREN90 Marques."— Cette bale fut d^couverte
par nous avant 1506 ; d^jk au temps d^ Barros (1552) et de Mesquita

152 Notes.

Frestrello{i^^4) le nom de **rio da lagoa*' donnd au fleuve de TEspirito
Santo (Saint Efprit) que les Anglais nomment English River (?) depuis
1823, ^tait regard^ comme ancien, mais foit fur la carte de Ribero
(1529) foit fur celle de Diogo Homem (1558) et bien auffi fur d'autres
cartes encore, Vancien nom qui r^prefentait les premiers renfeignements
obtenus au fujet de la naiffance de ce fleuve dans un lac int^rieur : —
Alagoa Grande^ eft conferv^ \ la bale. — Z. Cordeiro, p. 46. II
faut diftinguer les deux faits de la decouverte et de P exploration pour
ne pas attribuer k Louren90 Marques la decouverte que d'autres
Portugais en firent avant luL . . . La ddcouverte en doit avoir eu lieu
entre le premier voyage de Vafco da Gama (1497) et Tannde 1506
(voyage de Barbudo et Quaresmd) Bale de Z. Marques, — Question entre
le Portugal et la Gr. Bretagne, — Premiere Memoire^ 1873.

(P. 44) " Bembe." — The mines of Bembe were given to the Portu-
guefe by the King of Congo towards the end of the i6th century. Thefe
mines remained unattended to till 1855, when the King of Portugal
eftablifhed the praefidium of Pedro V., and gave inftructions for the
working of the mines. The malachite found in them is of fuperior
quality and great beauty. — K T, Valdez, p. 81.

(P. 41) " Cabo Negro."-— Here Bartholomew Diaz placed his fecond
Padrao, or Memorial Pillar. It was in lat. S. 15° 40' 42", and long. E.
(Greenwich) ii° 53' 20", between Moflamedes or Little Filh Bay, the
Biffungo Bitlolo of the natives, to the north (S. lat. 15° 13'), and Great
Fifh Bay to the fouth (S. lat. 16^ 30' 12").

Not many years ago, there ftood, at Cape Negro, a column of jafper,
having on it the national arms of Portugal. In the year 1786, Sir
H. Popham and Captain Thomfon, being appointed to examine the
Weft Coaft of Africa, ftate that they found a marble crofs, near to
Angra Pequena, lat. 26° 37', on which were the arms of Portugal
This they rightly fuppofed to be one of the ancient Pedroes. — F, T.
ValdeZy p. 91.

(P. 18) "Cadiz." — Gadeira, or Gades. Strabo quotes Polybius, who
relates that there is a fpring within the Temple of Hercules at Gades,
having a defcent of a few fteps to frefli water, which is affected in a
manner the reverfe of the fea-tides, fubfiding at the flow of the tide, and
fpringing at the ebb. — Strabo, Bohn^s C, Library ^ page 258.

(P. 28) " Cannibals." — Cannibals all, efpecially the favage Ganguelas
(a large tribe between the Gango River, a fouthern branch of the

Notes. 153

Coanza of St. Paulo de Loanda, and the Cubango), they devour thofe
ilain in their ceafelefs, caufelefs wars ; they kill for food the old and
valuelefs captives, whilil the young are carefully preferved for fale. —
Lands of Cazembe^ P» i7*

"Congo." — Congo was difcovered by Diego Cam, probably in
1484. He erected a flone pillar at the mouth of the river, which
accordingly took the title of Rio de Padrao, and eflablished friendly
relations with the natives, who reported the country was fubject to a
great monarch, Mwani Congo, or Lord of Congo, refident at Ambaffe,
Congo. The Portuguefe were not long in making themfelves influential
in the country. Goncalo de Soufa was defpatched on a formal
embafly in 1490, and the firfl miflionaries entered the country in his
train. The religion, if fuch it can be called, of the Congoefe is a grofs
fetifhism, and almoft the only trace of their former Chriflianization
is the fuperflitious value attached to fome flray crucifix, now employed
as a charm. Circumcifion is practifed by all the tribes. Polygamy
prevails, every man having wives according to his wealth and rank.
The coflume of the men and women varies confiderably with rank and
the degree of European influence, but in general it is very flight.
The climate of Congo is, in comparifon with that of mod tropical
countries, remarkably cool and agreeable. In the hot feafon, the
thermometer is feldom more than from 80° to 86° Fahrenheit in the
fliade, and in the " Cacimbo," or cool feafon, it ufually ranges from
60° during the night, to 75° during the day. This low temperature is
principally due to the wefterly breeze, which fets in from the Atlantic
about nine or ten o'clock in the morning, and continues blowing, not
unfrequently with confiderable violence, till after funfet. — Endy, Brit,^
Ed. ix., vol. vL, p. 266.

(P. 25) "Dant." — Dant or Lant in zoology, called by the Africans
Lampt, is an animal of the figure of a fmall ox, but having (hort legs. It
has black horns, which bend round, and are fmooth. Its hair is whitifli,
and its hoofs are black and cloven. It is fo fwift that no animal except
the Barbary horfe can overtake it. Thefe dants are common in the
deferts of Numidia and Libya, and feveral northern provinces of Africa.
Buffon fuppofes that this animal is the fame with the dwarf ox or zebu.
— Ree^ Cydo. vol. ii d. Face rather narrow, forehead very flat, with
the hbms on the fide of the high occipital ridge ; withers with a fmall

X

1 54 Notes.

but diftinct hump. It is the Bos elegans et parvus Africanus of Belon ;
Juvenca Sylveftris of Alpinus ; Bos Buhacus Africanus of Brisson ; Salam
Buffalo, Dwarf Bully and Egyptian Zehu, of various writers. — Knighfs
^fig' Cyc, Nai, Hist voL L page 621. Two fkuUs from the Gambia
were prefented to the Briti(h Mufeum by the late Lord Derby, A
white male was in the Zoological Gardens, London, in 1850. Purchas
defcribes them (ii. 1002) as yellow. — TV.

(P. 33) " Diaz de Novaes, Paulo." — This man was grandfon to the
famous Bartolomeo Diaz, who difcovered the greater part of the Wefl
Coail of Africa, and the Cape of Good Hope.

(P. 9) " Drake and Cavendish." — ^With reference to the hatred
naturally enough ihown towards thefe two Englifh heroes by Spaniih and
Portuguefe, Abraham Hartwell, the firfl tranflator, in his fomewhat
pedantic addrefs to the Reader, has the following: "Among others
that made thefe motions unto me, one there was, who being a
curious and a diligent fearcher and obferver of Forreine adven-
tures and adventurers, as by his good paines appeareth, came unto
me, and prefently prefented me with this Portingale Pilgrime lately
come to him out of the Kingdom of Congo, and apparrelled in an
Italian veflure : intreating me very eameilly that I would take him with
me, and make him Englifli : for he could report many pleafant matters,
that he faw in his pilgrimage, which are indeed uncouth and almofl
incredible to this part of Europe. But within two houres conference, I
found him nibbling at two moil honourable gentlemen of England,
whom in plaine tearmes he called Pirates : so that I had much ado to
hold my hands from renting of him into many mo (fic) peeces, then his
Cofen Lopez the Doctor was quartered. Yet, my fecond wits flayed
me, and advifed me, that I fhould perufe all his Report, before I would
proceede to execution : which indeed I did. And, becaufe I faw that
in all the reft of his behaviour hee conteyned himfelfe very well and
honeftly, and that he ufed this lewd fpeech, not altogether ex aniinOy
but rather ex vitio gentis, of the now inveterate hatred, which the Span-
yard and Portingale beare againft our nation, I was fo bold as to pardon
him, and fo taught him to fpeake the Englifli toung." This " Cofen "
was no other than Dr. Roderigo Lopez, private ph3rfician to Queen
Elizabeth, who was hanged and quartered at Tyburn, in 1593. The
evidence for the relationftiip refts wholly with Hartwell, who, probably.

Notes. 155

■BBBSBBBaBBBaBHHHBBBBBBBBa

did not intend it to be taken literally. This day, June 7th, 1593,
Lopus (sic) was executed, and two Portugals more, at Tyborne. — Royal
Commission of Historical MSSy ^th Report^ Appen.^ p. 253. — Tr,

It is interefling to learn from this addrefs to the Reader that the
** diligent fearcher and obferver of Forreine adventures and adventurers"
was Hakluyt. I am informed by Mr. C. H. Coote, of the Britilh
Mufeum, that he has fucceeded in tracing the parentage of Hakluyt
He belonged to a family of Welsh extraction, not Dutch| as has been
fupposed — See Encyc, Brit page 378, stib voce, — Tr.

(P. s) " DuARTE Lopez." — In the note on Pope Sixtus V. will be
found mention of one Lopez, who, being at Rome at the very period
when Duarte Lopez arrived there, it is more than pardonable to
indulge in the thought that he may have owed, in part, his introduction
to the Pope to his namefake, if not his relative. Anyhow, the coinci-
dence of time and name is too (Iriking to pafs over in filence. — Tr.

(P. 25) " Empachas." — The fierce wild cattle which extend down the
Weil Coall of Africa, Paul du Chaillu brought home a fpecimen from
the Gaboon, where it is called the Nyare. Mr. Cooley (Inner Africa
laid Openy p. 47) tranflates it "Gnu," which is locally called
Nhumbo. — Lands of Cazembe, p. 25, n.

(P. 52) " Empalanga."— This is a great beall like an ox, having two
horns, and very favoury. They are of feveral colours, fome brown,
others red, and fome white.— ^>%« Ogilby^ Africa, page 530.

(P. 114) "Gale."— Sur la carte de Duarte Lopes I. rextr^mitd
meridional de TAfrique, sous le 2 7* parall^le se defline un petit lac
defignd fous le mot Gale et qui pourrait raifonnablement correfpondre
au Ngame ou Ngmi des cartes modemes."--J[f. Z. Cordeiro, page 25.

(P. i) "Holy Ghost, Hospital of the."— This hofpital is the oldefl
and largeft in Rome. It is fituate on the right bank of the Tiber, not
far from St Peter's, on the fite of an earlier hofpital built by Ina, King
of the Saxons in 717 ; thence its name in Saffia or Saxia. Erected by
Innocent HI. in 1207, it attained its prefent impofmg dimenfions on
both fides of the Borgo S. Spirito, through the foflering care of fuc-
ceedjng Pontiffs down to the time of Pius VIL, c 1818.

X 2

156 Notes.

a

The high altar in the chapel is by Palladio, and is the only genuine
fpecimen of his architecture to be found in Rome.

Attached to the hofpital is the famous collection of fiu'gical inflru-
ments and library bequeathed by the celebrated phyfician, J. M. Lancifi.

Since the fuppreffion of the Order of the Holy Ghofl in Rome in
1847, the feveral fections of the hofpital have been ferved by medical
fludents and iifters of mercy, under the direction of doctors and pro-
feffors attached to the Univerfity. — DanovafCs Rome, voL iii. page 839,
and Nibby's Itineraire de Rome^ 1876, page 333.

(P. i) "Holy Ghost, Order of the." — This order oi Hospitallers
mufl not be confounded with the two orders of Chivalry of the fame name.
(The firfl, founded by Louis d'Anjou in 1352, the fecond by Henry HI.
of France, in 1578. — See LaroussCy Grand Diet, vol xiv. page 65.)

The order with which we have to do, is that of the Hospitallers of the
Holy Ghofl inllituted by Innocent III. in 1207, aided by Gui or Guido,
the founder of the parent order of Montpellier in France in 1 195. Guido
was the firfl Commendatore of the Hofpital in Rome, from which place
the affairs of the order were directed. At leafl ten of thefe hofpitals
were to be found in Italy, fix in France, three in Poland ; they were
alfo to be found in Germany, Spain, and the Indies.

As was ufual with thefe and other Hofpitallers and Templars, they
followed the rule of St. Auflin, their clergy not being Monks, but
Canons Regular. At a later period the Commendatore was generally
an ecclefiaflia The office has produced one Pope, feven or eight
Cardinals, two Archbifhops, and twelve Bifhops. Antonio Migliore
was the 47th Commendatore of the order. He had previoufly held the
office of "Cappelano" to Sixtus V. — See Abb'e Migne^ Encyclopedie
Theologique^ tome xx., pages 202 — 222. The office of Commendatore of
the Holy Ghofl, as has been well faid, is now much like the Abbot of
Glaflonbury, " a remembrance," but hardly a hope, as the community
was fuppreffed by Pius IX. in 1847. — ^«

(P. 96) " Jaggas."— Nos auteurs confervent la tradition d'unegrande
invafion ou d'une fuite d'invafions, dont Tune pendant la premifere
moitid du XVI* llfecle, de peuples trfes barbares et antropophages venus
de rintdrieur de TAfrique et qui dtendirent leur domination jufqu'k
Gambia et au Congo. Ces peuples dtaient, fuivant Almada (1594) les
Mandimanqas ou plutot les Manes plus connus fous le nom de Sumbas.

Notes, 157

Dans la Relation ann, des J&uites (Guinfe) relative k 1602— 1605 (Ed
de 1605) il efl dit que ces envahiffeurs fappelaient au Congo lacds^
k Angola Gindas^ dans llnde (?) Zimbas^ dans TEthiopie du Pr^te,
Gallasj et dans la Guin^e, Cumbas " nom qui fut changd en celui de
Manes " qui parvint jufqu'k Serra Leoa (Sierra Leone.)

Almada (1594) fuppofe que le nom de Mandi vient des Man-
dingas, celui de Casa^ des Casanges^ &c. Dans une autre occafion je
rdunirai quelques donndes concernant cet important fujet. Ce qui ell
certain, c'eil qu'au temps d'Almada le Mandi-mansa dtait Tun des
plus grands, linon le plus grand potentat du continent Africain \ TO. et
au N. du Congo. Mansa en langage Mandinga ferait, parait-il, T^qui-
valent de Muene dans celui du Congo. De Ut Mandi-mansa^ maitre,
roi, empereur. Ce Mani-manfa efl, fans doute, le Musamdi de Leardus
(1448). — M. JL Cordeiro^ p. 9.

(P. 30) " Lago Achelunda." — D'oU part un affluent du Zaire qui efl
peut-^tre le Kaflabi ou le Guango des cartes modemes. — L. Cordeiro,
Note, p. 52.

(P. 44) "LiBATA.** — The Libata, or Libatta, is a fmall, the Banza a
large village ; the Cubata is a fmgle hut — Burton's Lands of Cazembe^
p. 17, n,

(P. 67) " Lugo.'* — I can only fuggefl that Luco or Mofango means
either the Pennisetum^ or the Eail Indian Nagli or Nanchni (in Portu-
guese Naxerim), the Arabic Dukhun, the Kisawahili Uwimbi {EUusine
Coaracano). Maize is locally known to the Portuguese as "Milho
Burro," — Lands of Cazembe^ p. 1 7, n.

(P. 19) "LuMAGHE." — From Limax, a fnail. The native name is
Simbo. — ^John Ogilby, Mafler of the Revels to Charles II., thus defcribes
the Simbo or Cowrie : " Simbos, or littie horn (hells, are of two kinds in
Angola, and ferve in lieu of money. Pure fimbos are found near the
Ifland of Loanda, and others, called Brazil, and brought from Rio de
Janeiro, are ufed in Congo and Pinda, and alfo among the Jagas. The
fimbos of Loanda are alfo of two forts, a finer and a coarfer, which are
feparated by fifting. The latter are called Simbos Sifados, the other
Fonda and Bomba. Both kinds are fent to Congo in facks made of
draw, each fack weighing two Arobas, that is, threefcore and four
pounds."— Burton dates that the Arabs call the Simbo, Kaure,

158 Notes.

and gives particulars of the trade in the (hell carried on between
Zanzibar, where they are of comparatively little value, and the Well
Coail, where they are ufed as currency.

(P. 117) "Magnice and Cuama Rivers." — Santos, the Portuguefe
miflionary, fa3rs, — " This River Cuama, which is fo celebrated, and alfo
boailed of for its riches, is called Zambefi by the Kaffirs. It rifes fo far
inland that its origin is unknown. The Kaffirs relate that they learn from
their anceflors that this river takes its rife in a large lake in the middle of
Ethiopia, from whence ilTue other large rivers, which flow in various
directions, each with a different name ; and that in the middle of this
lake there are a great many iflands, peopled by Kaffirs, which are
fertile, and abound in game. This river is called Zambefi, because,
on iffuing from the lake, it pafles by a large Elaffir town of the fame
name."

I had the opportunity of fliowing the Copy of Pigafetta to Dr. Holub,
whofe travels to the South of the Zambefi are well known. He
exprefled his interefl at feeing in this old map the two rivers with
which he is fo familiar — the Limpopo and the Zambefi, laid down
under the names of Magnice and Cuama. Of the tranfition from
Magnice to Limpopo we have no information. — Tr.

(P. 43) " Mani-Congo.'*— C'efl par erreur que Ton dit et que Ton dcrit
Mdni-Congo. La denomination veritable efl Mukne-Congo et par
abr^viation Ne Congo. Ces mots fignifient " principal maltre, principal
propri^taire de la terre " {Muene ixi ou Muhie xi : quelque propridtaire
de la terre). Sur prefque toutes les cartes modemes on voit encore la
ville du Congo ou de S, Salvador {Saint Sauveur) portant la ddfigna-
tion de Ambassi ou Ambassa^ comme nom indigene. C'efl une erreur
qui vient des mots M. Bazi-incanu, dans le langage du Congo et
M. Bagi-d'tnucanu dans celui d' Angola (Ngola), ou plus proprement
de M. Bazi dans le premier et M. Bagi dans le fecond, et qui fignifie
lieu ou place oh le roi du Congo donne audience et rend juflice. —
Vid, Obs, dej. V, Carndro ; Ann, do. Cons, Ultr, i86i.

(P. 71) " Messa." — ^A town on the Atlantic Coafl of Morocco, midway
between Mogadore and Cape Non.

(P. 124) " Monemugi."— Sans vouloir difcuter identification Aablie
par Burton et g^ndralement acceptde, du Momomugiy Munimugi, ou Mone*
mugij d'alors avec le Ounyamoeii ou Unyanukzi actuel, ce qui en tout
cas ne r^pr^fente pas ime identification abfolue et qui fe foit confervde

Notes. 159

■*■

fans modification par rapports aux limites, nous ferons obferver que
Lopes (comme les autres g^graphes portugais du XVI* fifecle) le place
d^jk au S. de TEquateur et de fon Colve^ entre fon Lualaba ou fon
Lualaba-Nil et la c6te de Quiloa, Melinde et MombaQa. Si Ton
admet que ce Manemugi du XVI* iibcle efl r^ellement VUnyamuezi de
notre temps, fa place fur la carte de Lopes ne contraire pas enti^re-
ment la iituation qui lui eil affignde de nos jours, et nous ne pourrons
^tablir que cette Iituation, ou plut6t la contr^e de V Unyamuezi ^zm-
jourd'hui, foit exactement le mSme qu'elle dtait au temps de Lopes, ou
qu'il le croyait : — la confrontation de fes calculs avec les r^vdations des
voyageurs modemes k ce fujet femblent f 'oppofer k cette extraordinaire
ftabilitd de limites et d'dtendue d'un dtat africain. Depuis, c'efl pr^ife-
ment au grand lac centrale de Lopes qu'on remarque, d'apr^s (a
defcription, des individus femblables aux Europ^ens, et c*efl la region de
Tanganyika que les marchands arabes out dbs longtemps exploit^e.
Quant aux richeffes mdtalluigiques. Lopes les indique partout, et les
voyageurs modemes les d^noncent ^galement du cot^ du Bemha.
Ce que je crois, d'accord avec Major (Proceed of R.G.S., June, 1867),
c'efl que le lac de Lopes, correspondant au U-Kerhii (lac Victoria)
efl fon Colv€s (Kolve)^ plac^ fur i'dquateur. Le Bradna (Barcena, de
Barros et d'autres) correfpond ^videmment au Bahr-Tsana ou Dambia.
L'autre lac au N.O. du Colve, et prfes duquel on lit le nom Abiami, pent
correfpondre au Muvatan d*oh fort le Ahiad^ et le Saraboe efl trfes
probablement le Sobat^ malgr^ une certaine confufion d'^l^ments hydro-
graphiques, comme le Tacazii de Barros efl fans doute le Tacazze ou
PAtbara des Arabes. L'hypothfefe que le lac au N.O. pourrait ^tre une
modefle indication du Muvtan (lac Albert) ferait-elle trop audacieufe ?
Ce qui me femble inconteflable c'efl que Ton ne doit point d^daigner
cette fituation des lacs, et que la carte du c^lfebre explorateur portugais
efl r^ellement fort remarquable. Et Ton remarquera I'lnfiflence de ces
informations et de ces cartes k ddfigner un grand region lacuste au
centre du grand continent, et k placer les fources du Nil dans quelques
• . . nyansas^ c'efl-k-dire, dans quelques 'Macs grands comme des
mers" {Alvares^ 1520, 1540), ou dans quelques lacs que les indigenes
nomment des mers {Barros, Lopes^ &c., 1552 — 1591). — M, Z. Cordeiro,
PP- 31, 63—65.

(P. 116) " MoNOMOTAPA."— Monomotapa and its "Emperor" are
referred to by Livingflone and Macqueen (fee i?. G, S. J. xxvii.
pages 112, 117; xxvii. pages 383, 384; and xxx. page 154). The

i6o Notes.

older Portuguefe applied the name Monomotapa to the whole extent
of country lying behind the fea-board of Mozambique. The derivation
is from Mwene, a lord, and Mutapa, the name of the chief district.
The modem name is Chedima. See Burton's Lands of Cazembe^
page 22, note; and Gamitto and Monteiro, who give an account of
Monomotapa, Davids Voyages (Hak. Soc. i88o), page 130, note.

The modern Kingdom of Umzila is alfo regarded as a portion of
the Kingdom of Monomotapa.

Fifty or fixty years ago, a Zulu chief, named 'Cnaba, croffed the
Limpopo River, conquered the natives up to the Zambefi, and eftab-
lifhed his capital in the falubrious highlands a hundred miles from the
coafl. >^ot long after, he was in turn overthrown by Manikufa, one
of the generals of " the great Napoleon of the Zulu fupremacy." The
prefent ruler, Umzila, is the fon of Manikufa, and reigns with the
defpotic fway of the Kaffir kings. In modem times, this province has
hardly been vifited by Europeans. In 187 1, Carl Mauch entered it
from the weft. The fame year, St Vincent Erikine, an envoy of the
Colonial Govemment, vifited Umzila, at his invitation, and fubfequently
made three journeys to the king, which made him better acquainted
with the country than any other European. From him we learn that
the S.W. frontier of the Zulu chief Umzila is now at the commence-
ment of Manhlin, in 22° 50' S. How numerous the Zulus proper are
in Umzila's kingdom is not known. Along the fouth bank of the
Zambefi they are not in very good odour. Umzila, however, is para-
mount mler of the region in South-Eaft Africa, which has for its
northern boundary the lower Zambefi River, and for its fouthem the
Uncomafi, or St. George's River, which empties into the Indian Ocean
at Delagoa Bay. The coaft-line exceeds 600 miles in length. — TV.

(P. 68) "Muses of Egypt." — Mufa, a genus of plants, the type
of the natural order of the Musacece, This genus is one of the'
moft important of thofe found in tropical countries, to which the
fpecies are confined in a wild ftate. The Musa Sapientum^ or Plain-
^ain, of which the Banana is a flight variety, has a fruit ufed to a
'rodigious extent by the inhabitants of the Torrid Zone. The Banana
of hot countries is called by botanifts, Musa Paradisaica^ in allufion to
an old notion that it was the Forbidden Fruit of Scripture ; it has alfo
been fuppofed to be what was intended by the grapes, one bunch of
which was borne upon a pole between two men, that the fpies of Mofes
brought out of the Promifed Land. The only argument in fupport of

Notes. 1 6 1

the latter opinion is, that there is no other fruit to which the weight of
the fruit of Scripture will apply. All the genus is Afiatic. — Knighfs
Cydo. Nat. Hist vol. iii. p. 967.

(P. Ill) Musical Instruments. The mufical inllruments now ufed
by the Congoefe are fuch as the Portuguefe have introduced, fuch as the
trumpet, cornet, French horn, and fife ; but the common people are
contented with their fifes and tabors at their weddings and other
rejoicings. They have alfo ilringed inllruments, which, by their rude
conllruction feem to be natives of the country; fuch are their
"nfambi" refembling the Spanifli guitar, and the ** marimba," con-
fiding of fifteen or fixteen fmall calabafhes of different fizes fisiflened
to a flat board by firings that pafs acrofs their mouths, and which
being touched by fmall pieces of wood, like the flicks of our dulcimers,
yield an agreeable variety of founds. Their drums are made of a
long hollow trunk of a tree, with a fmgle fkin flretched over one end
of it, the other being left open. They are beat either with the fifls,
or by flicks of heavy wood, and are ufed at their feflivals, as well as in
the army. They are called " ngambo," or " ragombo," and give but a
dull, heavy found, which is raifed by that of the fife, or the " longa,"
which confifls of two or more fmall bells. — Rees* Cydo, vol. ix. It is
interesting to notice that a fimilar name is ufed for the drum among
the Waganda people, viz., the "ngomba." — 7>.

(P. 116) "Nile System." — JoSto de Barrosy le c^febre hiflorien
portugais du XVI' fifecle ^bauchait rapidement et incidemment de
la manifere fuivante dans fon Asie^ Thydrographife africaine :

" Toute le pays que nous avons d^fignd fous le nom de royaume de
Sofala efl une grande contr^e gouvemfe par un principe idolitre appel^
Benomotapa,

Cette contr^e efl ceinte comme une tie par les deux bras d*un fleuve
qui sort du lac le plus considerable qu'il y ait dans toute TAfrique, lac
que les andens auteurs dksiraient beaucoup connaitre comme 6tant la
t^te myfl^rieufe du cHebre Nil et d*oit sort egalement le Zaire qui coule
k travers le royaume de Congo. Et parquoi nous pouvons dire que
ce grande lac eH plus voifin de notre mer occidentale que de la mer
orientale fuivant la fituation (long., etc.) de Ptolomde, car de ce m^me
royaume du Congo d^ouchent dans ce fleuve fix riviferes : Bancare,
Gamba, Luylu, Bibi, Mariamaria et Zanculo, qui font des fleuves fort
abondants en eaux, fans compter d'autres fleuves fans nom qui en

y

1 6 2 Notes.

mBammamam^Kmm

font presque une mer navigable pour de nombreufes embarcations.
Dans ce lac il y a des ties d'oli fortent des hommes en nombre de plus
de trente mille et qui viennent combattre ceux de la terre ferme.
Et de ces trois grands fleuves qui, dit-on prksentement^ proviennent de ce
lac et qui viennent ddboucher dans la mer k une fi grande diftance
les uns des autres, celui dont le cours efl le plus ^tendu est le Nil qtu
les Abyssiniens du Preste-Joam nomment Tacuij et qui re^it deux autres
fleuves remarquables appelds par Ptolom^e Astabora et Astapus et par
les naturels Tacazii et Abanhi (ce qui fuivant eux ou parmi eux veut
dire p^re des eaux, \ caufe de la grande quantity d'eaux que ce fleuve
contient). Quoique ce fleuve vienne d'un grand lac nommd Barcena^
et Coloa par Ptolom^e, et qu'il contienne des lies, il tCa rien de commun
avec notre grand lac^ car dapres les renseignements que nous avons <»/
moyen du Congo et de Sofala ce dernier a plus de cent lieues de
longueur. Le fleuve qui descend dans la direction de Sofala, apr^
^tre forti de ce lac parcourt une grande ^tendue et fe partage en deux
bras dont Fun vient ddboucher endega du Cap des Correntes; ce bras
efl le m^me que les n6tres ont ancienntment appel^s fleuve de Lagoa
et appellent maintenant Espirito Santo, nom qui lui a 6x6 donnd par
Lourengo Marques qui efl all^ I'explorer en I'ann^e quarante cinq.
Uautre bras ddbouche au deflbus de Sofala vingt cinq lieues et efl
appel^ Cuama quoique vers Tintdrieur d*autres peuples lui donnent ce
nom de Zambere" L'erreur de Barros, en 1552, correfpond k celle
d'Erhardt en 1856, reproduite encore fur quelques cartes frangaifes
en i860. Uun r^unit les origines fluviales dans un grand lac, Tautre
confond enfemble les lacs Ukereue, Tanganyika et Nyafla dans une
immenfe mer intdrieure. — Z. CordeirOy p. 43.

The Portuguefe mifTionary, Santos, has the following curious theory
regarding the Nile : — " Into this kingdom " (of Bagamidri, which he
makes flretch from the equator northwards;, he says, " the Nile flows,
which takes its rife in a great lake, called Barcena^ in a defert of
Ethiopia, lat, 1 2° S. {according to the most correct information I can
gather). The lake is furrounded by high and fleep mountains, par-
ticularly towards the eafl, from whence this river flows, and which is
the country inhabited by pagan Kaffirs, called Cafates, who are very
powerful favages, and much given to hunting wild beafls. From
thence this river flows north-eafl as far as the second lake, fituated under
the equator, and going flill further eafl and north-eafl, after crofTmg
fome of the kingdoms of Prefler John, it reaches the Ifland of Meroe,

Notes. 163

KHiBBlB

from whence it flows towards the north-eail as far as the kingdom of
Dambia, which is peopled by AbyiTmian Chriflians. In this kingdom
the Nile forms a large lake, 30 miles long^ and 20 miles wide,

(P. 130) "Nile Fountains." — "Csetenim priores affirmant Nilum
maximo impetu ex montibus prsecipitem ni subterraneos meatus ferri,
eofque fontes efficere. Utraque harum opinionum falfa efl : neque
enim quifquam vidit unde Nilus trahat originem." — Leonis Africani
de Africce descrip,^ Lugd. Bat, 1632, i6mo, pt ii., p. 742.

(P. 3) " PiGAFETTA." — Our author was in the fuite of the Legate
Caetano, who played an important part during the fiege of Paris in 1590 ;
and it was in that pofition he remained in that city during the whole
time of the fiege. De Thou (" Memoires de la Society de VHistoire de
Paris et de L'lle de France,^* — Liv. 99, page 190) thus refers to him : — ** II
y avait alors dans Paris un homme connu par fes longs voyages, nomm^
Philippe Pigafetta. II ^tait venu avec le Cardinal Caetan, et, quelques
ann^es auparavant, Philippe II. I'avait d^j^ envoy^ en Angleterre pour
reconnaitre les cotes et les ports de ce royaume. Nous avons les
memoires qu*il publia depuis k ce fujet Cet auteur qui eut lui-m^me
beaucoup k fouffrir pendant ce fi^ge, nous a laifTd plufieurs traits de la
miffere extreme oU les Parifiennes furent alors rdduits. P. Pigafetta
^tait le parent, peut-^tre m^me le fils (car les dates femblent autorifer
cette conjecture) d' Antonio Pigafetta, qui fit le tour du monde avec
Magellan (15x9 — 1522). Les biographes nous apprennent que Philippe
Pigafetta naquit k Vicence en 1533, et quHl mourut dans cette meme
ville le 24 Octobre, 1603. II fe diilingua d'abord comme ingdnieur
militaire, et plufieurs des villes du nord de Tltalie lui doivent leurs
fortifications. II parcourut enfuite le Levant, et revint k Malte od il
fut regu Chevalier, de Tordre de Saint Jean de Jerulalem. Sixte Quint,
dans le but de former une ligue contre les Turcs, Tenvoya en miflion
tantot d'abord en Perfe, puis auprfes de diffi^rente cours d'Europe. II fut
Ambaffadeur,tant6tguerrier,car les m^mes biographes nous difent encore,
qu*il combattu en Croatie, en Hongrie, en Pologne, et fur difFdrents points
de la Mdditerrande. Lui-m^me nous apprend qu*il fit la guerre dans
Abruzzes en 1557, et qu'il connut Biron au fidge de Civitelle oh ^choua
Fran9ois de Guife. En 1591 le Pape, Innocent IX,, le nomma fon
camerier, et Ferdinand I" de Medicis, grand due de Tofcane, en fit fon
confeiller intime. Comme Ecrivain, Pigafetta a laiffd plufieurs ouvrages.
II a dcrit un difcours fur I'hifloire et Tufage de la boufTole, paru k Rome

Y 2

164

Notes.

en 1586, et un opufcule relatif k la fameufe armade Efpagnole. Mais
fon ouvrage le plus confiddrable efl certalnement la traduction Italienne
du traitd de tactique de TEmpereur Grec L^on VI. le Philofophe. II
fit auffi paraitre vers 1600, la traduction de \2i^ Romaillustrata^ de
Julie Lipfe, et celle du Theatre d'Ortelius. Sa correfpondance avec
J. A. Comaro (1574 — 1603), efl k la Bibliothfeque Royale de Berlin,
11 a laifli^ en manufcrit une hidoire de Vicence,"

(P. 20) "PoRCELLETTK," — The Portugucfe traveller, FemSo Mendes
Pinto, in his travels, calls thefe Porcellette, Porcellana, which is a fpecies
of univalve Ihell. — Cap. 55, v. 65.

(P. 128) "Prester John.'*— This mythical perfonage is affigned by
fome writers to Afia, and by others to Africa. According to the
hiflorian, Molheim, the firfl account of this potentate is to be found in
Abulpharajius, on the authority of a letter from Ebed Jefu, the Metro-
politan of Maru, to the Neflorian Patriarch, John, in which he
d^fcribes the converfion of the king of the Tartar people, called Berit,
who was baptized by the name John. The chiefs of this tribe feem to
have joined the prieflhood with their kingly office, and to have gradually
extended their fway. The people over whom they ruled came to be
known as the Ung people, and at lafl one of the chiefs was created
Ung Khan by the Emperor of China. In the time of this khan began
the flrife, fo long waged between the Romanills and Neflorians in
Tartary; and in the year 1177, Pope Alexander III. fent a medical
uiiffionary, Bifliop Philip, with a letter, which has come down to us, to
this chief. No trace of the refults of this miffion, however, can be
found. In 1202, the rule of thefe priellly khans was overthrown by
the great conqueror, Jingis Khan, who married the daughter of the
lafl khan.

Colonel Yule fays, "The idea that a Chriflian potentate of
enormous wealth and power, and bearing this title, ruled over vafl
tracts in the far Eafl, was univerfal in Europe from the middle of
the 1 2th to the end of the 13th century; after which time the Afiatic
glory feems gradually to have died away, whilfl the Royal Prefbyter
was affigned to a locus in Abyffinia, the equivocal application of the
term India facilitating this tranffer. Indeed, I had a fufpicion, contrary
to the view now generally taken, that the term may from the firfl have
belonged to the Abyffinian Prince, though circumflances led to its being
applied in another quarter for a tfme. The firfl notice of a conquering

Notes. 165

■BBBBH

Afiatic potentate, fo flyled, had been brought to Europe by the Syrian
Bifliop of Gabala {Jibal^ fouth of Laodicea, in Northern Syria), who came,
in 1 145, to lay various grievances before Pope Eugene III. He reported
that not long before, a certain John, inhabiting the extreme Eafl,
king and Neilorian priefl, and claiming defcent from the three wife
kings, had made war on the Samiara kings of the Medes and Perfians,
and had taken Ecbatana, their capital. He was then proceeding to the
deliverance of Jerufalem, but was stopped by the Tigris, which he could
not crofs, and compelled, by difeafe in his hoft, to retire." — Marco
Folo^ V. I., cxlvL p. 205.

In Mr. Arber's reprint of " Edward Webbe, Chief Mafler Gunner,
his Travailes, 1590," we find the following account of Webbe's perfonal
experience of Prefler John's Court. The narration does not imprefs
one with the idea of Mailer Webbe's truthfulnefs, but rather fu^efls
that, if a mafler gunner, he was alfo a mafler of the long bow, yet the
narrative bears witnefs to the fact that at that time it was the fafhion for
travellers to know fomething perfonally of the mythical Prefler John.

" From Damafco we went into the land of prefler John who is a
Chriflian, and is called Christien de Sentour: that is, the Chriflian of
the Gerdell ; againfl this prefler John, I went with the Turks' power,
and was then their maifler Gunner in the field, ye number of Turkifh
Souldiers fent thither, was five hundred thoufand men who went
thither by land, and pitched themfelves in battaile ray at Saran, neere
to the place wher the fon of prefler John keepeth his Court. There
Prefler John with his power, flew of ye Turks the number of 60
thoufand onely by policie of drawe bridges to let foorth water, made as
fecret flewfes for that purpofe, in which water fo many Turks perifhed.
The next day following, the Turkes' power did incompafse Prefler John's
fonne and tooke him prifoner, and fent him for a prefent to ye great
Turks' Court then being at Conflantinople, but fooue after, prefler John
himfelfe made an agreement betweene the greate Turk and his fonne,
that the one fhould not demand tribute of the other, and fo his fonne
was releafed and fent home againe.

** This Prefler John of whom I fpake before, is a king of great power,
and keepeth a very bountifuU Court, after the manner of that Cuntrey,
and hath every day to ferve him at his Table, sixty kinges, wearing
leaden Crownes on their heads, and thofe ferve in the meat unto
Prefler John's Table : and continually the firfl difh of meat fet uppon
his Table, is a dead mail's fcuU cleane picked and laide in black Earth :

1 66 Notes.

putting him in minde that he is but Earth, and that he mull die, and
ihal become Earth againe.

" I have feen in a place like a Park adioyning unto prefler John's
Court, three fcore and feventeene Unicomes and Eliphants all alive at
one time, and they were fo tame that I have played with them as one
would play with young Lambes.

" When Prefler John is ferved at his Table, there is no lalt at all fet
one in any fait fellar as in other places, but a loafe of Bread is cut
croffe, and then two knives are layde a croffe upon the loafe, and fome
fait put upon the blades of the knives and no more.''

Mr. Arber, in a Note on Prefler John, after citing the " Encyclopaedia
Britannica," gives the following interefling information : —

'^ Among the curious defcriptions of this fabulous empire is a fmall
work, printed in French at Rouen in 1506, of which the title is fimply
* Perrefler lehan,' while the imprint runs thus : Cy finent la diversitie
des hommes, des bestes et des oiseaux qui sont en la terre de prestre lehan^
Imprimees a Rouen Pour Richard rogerie demourant a Morletz, It
purports to be a letter from Prefler John himfelf to the Emperor of
Rome and the King of France, and is dated **£rom our holy palace, in
the year of our birth 506." It is a tiffue of marvel after marvel : fo as
to render it hardly credible that it was ever feriously believed in. A
few fentences will fhow its character.

" * Prefler John, by the grace of God all powerful king of all the
Chriflians : to the Emperor of Rome and to the King of France, our
friends, greeting. We wifh you to know of our ftate and of govern-
ment, that is to fay, of our people and the different kind of our
animals. And becaufe you fay that our people do not agree in wor-
Ihipping God as you do in your country, we wifh you to know that we
adore and believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are
three perfons in one Deity, and one God alone. And we certify and
fend to you by our letters fealed with our feal concerning the State and
manner of our land and of our people. And if you will come into our
country, for the good that we have heard of you, we will make you lord
afler us, and will give you large lands and lordfhips.

" * Know then that we have the highefl crown in all the world. Alfo
gold, filver, and precious flones, and cities, caflles, and towns. Know
alfo that we have in our country forty-two kings, all powerful and good
Chriflians. Know alfo that we fupport with our alms all the poor in
our land, whether native or foreign, for the love and honour of Jefus

Notes. 167

■■

Chrill. Know alfo that we have promifed in good faith to conquer the
Sepulchre of our Lord Jefus Chriil and alfo all the Land of Promife,' "

Sir John Mandevile, knight, tells us {Voyages and Travels^ &c.,
London, 1670) that the " Emperor Prefter John is chrillened, and
a great part of his land alfo . . . they believe well in the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghofl. . . . The Emperor Prefler John, when he
goeth to Battel, hath no banner borne before him, but he hath borne
before him three Croffes of fine Gold, large and great, and richly fet
with precious flones . . . and when he hath no battel, but rideth to
take the air, then hath he borne before him but a crofs of a tree. . . .
Prefter lived in a city called Suse."

ProfefTor Bruun identifies the myfterious perfonage known as Prefter
John with Prince Ivanfe, of the house of Orpeliani. He was of the royal
race of Djenefdan, the chiefs of a Turanian people from that part of Afia
which lies between China and the Oural, and, in 1 1 23, delivered the country
from Tiflis to Ani out of the hands of the infidels. He died in 1145.
According to Profeffor Bruun, another Ivanb, who overthrew Sokman
II. in a great battle near Ani, in ii6i, was the fame Prefter John who
correfponded with feveral potentates in Europe, and the receiver of
the letter addrelTed by Pope Alexander HI. in 11 77. In the chronicles
of Ibn-Alathir, it is recorded that in the year 1155-56 (a date, however,
that does not accord with that given in the Armenian chronicles) the
city of Ani was taken from the Emir Cheddad, by the priests of Armenia.
In the Ivanfe called Juanus rex Georgianorum^ Bruun fees the Prefter
John of 1219, who wrote to the Pontiff, Honorius III. In 1247,
another Prefter John appears, viz., Taiyang Khan. The Prince George
of Marco Polo, and of Giovanni de Montecorvino, was a defcendant
of Taiyang Khan.

The ftrife between the Romanifls and the Neftorians caufed the
latter to be regarded as unbelievers, and all intereft in them feems
to have died out in the weftem world. Then arofe the idea that
the traditional king-prieft was to be found in Africa. The firft
reports which were brought to Europe of the exiftence in Africa
of the fabulous Prefter John came from the Weft Coaft to Portugal.
Mr. Major, in " Prince Henry the Navigator," p. 337, gives an account
of a great monarch living fome 350 leagues eaft of Benin, the fearch
for whofe kingdom, in 1487, made by command of the King of
Portugal, led to the great difcovery of the route to India.

ProfefTor Zamcke, in his Abhandlungen der Fhihlogisch-Historischen

1 68 Notes.

BB

Classe der Koniglich SiUhsischen Gesellschaft der Wissenschafteny
Leipzig : bei S. Hirzel, 1879, regards Yeliulinya as the founder of the
Karakhataian Empire in Turkellan, and as the real victor over the
Sultan Sandjar, in 1141, and, confequently, as the actual Prefler John,
But, inafmuch as Chinefe hiHorians reprefent Yeliulinya as a Pagan,
and Zamcke himfelf is compelled, whild not denying the poffibilily of
Yeliulinya having been baptized by the Neftorians, to afcribe his fame
as a ChriHian and a prieil, to the imfounded hopes and lively imagi-
nation of the Chridians, whofe difappointed hopes afTumed the garb of
a myth ; it does not appear that Zamcke has thrown further light on the
hiflorical truth of Preller John than have earlier writers. — TV.

It is intereding to notice that all the traditions as to the exiHence of
a Chriilian potentate in the interior of Afia connect themfelves with
the fpread of Chriflianity under the Armenians, and the extent of their
enterprife in this direction is fhown by the well-known (lone, which is
(UU in exiflence, to the north of the Wall of China. It is not impossible
that the legends refpecting Prefler John, and the flory of his letters to
the Pope and European kings, may be merely mediaeval repetitions
of the patriflic traditions regarding King Abgar of EdeiTa, and his
letter to our Lord, and fubfequent letters to the Emperor Tiberius, and
to the Kings of AfTyria and Perfia. — See Tr. of Syriac Documents
acquired by British Museum from the Nitrian Monastery in Lower
Egypty by Rev. B. P. Pratten^ pub. by T. Clarke^ Edinburgh. —Tr.

(P. 127) " Prester John, Empire of." — ^The following extracts from
Cordeiro's work I have introduced, not fo much in connexion with the
kingdom of Prefler John as for the purpofe of throwing light on the
map compiled by Pigafetta. — Tr.

II ne faut pas toutefois exag^rer outre mefure Terreur attribute aux
g^ographes du XVP fifecle pour ce qui a trait k Tetendue qu'ils donnent
k Tempire du PrestisJodtOy et ne pas trop nous pr^ccuper des limites
plus ou moins bien d^termin^s de TAbyfTmie actuelle. Voyons
qu'elle ^tait Tetendue affign^e, au XVI* fifecle et m^me plus tard, au
fameux empire: Longtemps aprfes (Lopes) Jerome Lobo {A Short
Relation of the River Nilcy of its Source and Current (Trans,), London,
1798) faifait cette remarque :

" This Empire (of Prefler John) anciently commanded many king-
doms and provinces ; its own annals and fome hiflorians count above
twenty, with almofl as many provinces. AVhat at prefent paiTeth for

Notes. 169

■■■

cuirent is that its greatnefs was notorious, though now limited to five
kingdoms, each about the fize of Portugal, and to fix provinces,
every one differing little from Beyra or Alemtejo."

Voyons quels ^taient les pays et royaumes limitrophes du Prestes*
JodOf au dire d'Alvares (Francifco Alvares, Chapelain du roi et natif
de Coimbra, partit pour rAbylTmie en 1520 avec TAmbafTade de Dom
Rodrigo de Umd)^ et k fon ^poque :

'' On the coafl of the Red Sea and towards the fouth is a pafloral
people, who mov& in tribes (alarves) of from 30 to 40 families;
farther flill is the Moorifh Kingdom (iic) of Dangalii^ and next it that
of Adel^ which belongs to Zeilah and Berberah, and extends to Cape
Guardafuy, and borders on the kingdoms of Fatigar (Harrah) and Xoa
(Choa), which belong to Prester John, Next to Adel is the kingdom
of Adea {aduch?\ which is peopled by Moors, and reaches to
Mogadooco. To the wed of the kingdom of Adea are the pagan
kingdoms, of which the two firil, very large ones, are Gause and Gatnu.
To the fouth-wefl of this lafl lies the kingdom of Gorage. Still farther
wed is a very large province which forms the kingdom of Damute^
and in it is the principal flave-market. Wed of this, bordering on a
part of the kingdom of Xoa, are the territories of the Cafates, Now
passing from the south and going westwards^** adds Alvarez, '^ another
kingdom belonging to Prester John appears, called Goyame. This
kingdom borders on the Ca&tes on one Ude, and towards the north on
the kingdom of Bagamidri'' Alvares did not know its boundaries on
the other fide (W. ?) ; " but it is faid," he again afferts, " that they are
barren mountains." Alvarez alfo writes, '* And they fay that in this
kingdom (of Goyame, which, as we have feen, he places towards the
wed, or rather fouth-wed) rifes, orflows^ the River Nile, which is called
in this region Gion (and not Abagni, it mud be obferved, a corre-
fponding term in Cadanhofo, Barros, &c), and that lakes as large as seas
are found there^ And in the Kingdom of Damute^ it is faid, rifes a
great river contrary to the Nile, for each flows in an oppofite direction,
but it is supposed this flows to Mani Congo r — Verdadera^ inf. Ed. 1549,
C. 129.

Cette dfeomination de Gion correfpond k Thypothfefe facro-^rudite
du G^on, G€tion^fluvius Gion^ fous laquelle, d^jk fur la carte du Cofmas
ITndico-pleufles (VI* fifecle) paratt le Nil venant du Paradis terredre,
et qui fe retrouve encore fur la carte de Leardus (1448) ? C'est pofTible.
Mais Alvares Tenregidre k peine comme une denomination locale

1 70 Notes.

ou indigbne et nous trouvons le tenne : gion (portugais giao) avec ce
dernier caract^e dans d'autres Merits fur Tempire du Preste. Lopes dit
que le vrai nom de ce souversdn eft Bel-gian ; gian fignifiant : prince,
&C., et Santos affirme que le cdt^ du Guardafuy k la mer Rouge
fappelle Baragido (Bahr-el ...?). Duarte Barbosa (1516) dcrit
Barayam en appellant ainfi la cote de TArabie.

Lobo attribue au Abagni I'identid^ avec le Gihon biblique : '' In this
territory of Toncua is the known head and source of the River Nile by
the natives called Ahani^ L e. the father of the waters, from the great
coUection it makes in the kingdoms and provinces throughout which it
paiTeth . . . This is the river the fcripture in Gen. ii calleth Gihon . . ."

Quelques compagnons d'Alvares fuivirent le Preste dans une expedi-
tion au royaume ^Adea et parvinrent, " pr& Mogadaxo." "And they
fay," adds Alvares, " that there is in this kingdom (Aded) a lake as large
as a sea, whose shores cannot be seen from it, and in the lake is an
island^* Pero da Covilhan qui ^tait d^jlt parvenu k cet endroit confirme
rindication qui eft poft^eufement rdp^tde par d'autres dcrivains. Le
Mogadaxo (Mogadoxo) eft k peu pr^ plac^ fur les cartes modemes
comme fur celle de Lopes (1591) ^ 2 lat. N. et de ce cdt6 du fertao on
voit fur les premibres, feulement lefuppof^ Baringo ou plfitot le Ukereue,
— Z. CordeirOy p. 30-39.

(P. 13) "Rains, The." — In his account of the enormous rainfall of
Central Africa, and the reafons he afligns for it, we have a remarkable
teftimony to Duarte Lopez's thorough knowledge of the interior of the
continent. He is not, however, entirely accurate in the periods he
indicates for chief rain^dL Thofe who wifh to follow this fubject (hould
refer to Keith Johnfton's exhauftive treatife in his Handbook on Africa.
It is worthy of notice alfo that Pigafetta calls attention to that which all
travellers in Central Africa have found fo trying, viz. the contraft
between the temperature of day and night — TV.

(P. 130) " River Nile."— La th^orie de Santos\ regard du Nil eft trfes
curieufe. " Dans ce royaume (de Bagamedri, qu'il ^tend dfes I'^quateur
vers le N.)) dit-fl, entre le fleuve du Nil qui nait dans un ddfert de
TEthiopie d'un grand lac nomm^ Barzena, situi a 12^ du cdtk du Sud
(dapres les renseignements les plus surs- que fat pu obtenif), lac entour^ d^
hautes et abruptes montagnes, furtout vers TE., par oti fort ce fleuve ;
qui eft le pays habits par des Cafres idolitres, nomm^s Cafates, barbares

Notes. 171

trbs robustes et addonn^s k la chalTe des b^tes fauves. De Ik ce fleuve
court au N.£. jusqu*au second lac qui se trouve sous la Itgne, puis il con-
tinue vers TE. et le N.E. en traverfant quelques royaume du Freste^
jusqu*k ce qu'il arrive k Tile Meroe, d^oil il se dirige vers le N.E.jusqu^au
royaume de DambiUy peupl^ par des chrdtiens abyfliniehs. Dans ce
royaume le Nil forme un grand lac qui a 30 lieues de longueur et 20 de
largeur." — Z. Cordeiro.

(P. 7) "St. Helena, Island of." — Captain Cavendifh, who vifitedthe
Ifland of St. Helena in 1588, confirms the account given by Pigafetta
of the difcoveiy of the ifland, and of its fertility and productivenefs. —
Hahluyty voL iii. page 823, edit. 1600.

In the Commentaries of Afonfo Dalboquerque, p. 239, occurs the
fpUowing interefling allufion to the Ifland of St. Helena, where another
Lopes is mentioned as being amongfl the renegades wh6 took part in
refilling an attack upon Beneflarim, a fortrefs on the mainland, due
well of the Ifland of Goa : — " This Femao Lopes, who was the ring-
leader of the renegades, fet out on his return to Portugal after the
death of Afonfo Dalboquerque, but when he had got fo far forward on
the voyage as the Ifland of Saint Ilena, he made up his mind to flay
there with a flave, who belonged to him, and there he ended his days.
He was the firll who made a habitation in this ifland, ellablifliing a
hermitage, and planting many trees ; and he bred a great number of
hogs and goats, fo that the fite became a very commodious place of
fhelter for our fhips which touched there on the homeward voyage
from India." Cc^tanheda^ lib. iii. ch. xciii., and Correa^ pp. 315, 316,
both give information of great interefl to the political geographer
regarding the fettlemei^t of this man on the Ifland of St. Helena,
where, after living for a long time, he died in the year 1546. — HaJduyt
Soc. Edit, of Alboquerque^ 1880, pt. 3, p. 229.

(P. 104) **S. Margherita, Island of.'* — At Margarita, in the Wefl,
Indies, was kept the King of Spain's pearl chell, and the Earl of
Cumberland, in 1598, failed to attack Margarita. Contrary winds,
however, prevented the execution of the defign. — Athence CantdbrigiensiSy
vol. ii. p. 418.

(P. i) " St. Mark, City of." — A fmall city in N. Calabria — pop. 500,
formerly 25,000 — ^ancient name Argentanum. The fee was founded in
1x56 ; the Bifhop was exempt firom the local metropolitan, and fubject
to the Pope only. Antonio Migliori was prefented to the fee by

• z 2

172 Notes.

Sixtus V.y 13th Oct., 1586, but refigned it towards the clofe of 1591.
He was the 34th Bifhop. — See Ughelli^ Italia Sacra, vol. t page 881.

(P. 10) " San Thom^, or St. Thomas's Island." — This is a Portu-
guefe poffeflion, and was firfl feen by Joao de Santarem, and Pero de
Efcobar, two noble Portuguefe, who had Fernandez (of Lifbon) and
Alvaro Elleves (of Lagos) as pilots. They law it on December 21st,
1470 (the Feail of St Thomas).

It was firft colonifed by Joao de Pawa, in virtue of a warrant
from King Joao II., dated September 24, 1485, which gave large
privileges. One of the chief caufes of the fubfequent defolation of
St Thomas was the difcovery and colonilation of Brazil, the fuperior
climate of which and its vail extent foon attracted all the colonifls of
St Thomas. Its chief productions were indigo, fugar, and coffee ; and
foflered by royal care, this ifland became the chief emporium of the
Portuguefe colonial commerce. — Findlays S. A, Ocean, p. 560.

It is one of the five volcanic iflands in the Gulf of Guinea, which
are evidently a continuation of the volcanic range of the Cameroon
Mountains. The highefl point on thefe mountains is 13,000 feet.
Next comes the Ifland of Fernando Po, with its peak 10,190 feet
high; next is Princess Ifland, a volcanic flower-garden. St Thomas
has a peak 7000 feet high, and a fmall village, called Santa Anna
de Chavas. Lafl,, the little ifland of Annobon, croffed by bold,
rugged bafalt mafles of wondrous forms, with an extinct crater in the
interior of the ifland filled by a picturefque lake. — Keith Johnston's
Africa,

Its difcovery is thus alluded to by Camoens : —

" The illustrious isle, allied
By name with one who touched the Saviour's side."

Luficuis of Camoens, canto v. f. xii. — TV.

(P. 17) " Seno delle Vacche."— South of Catumbella, is Bahia das
Vacas, or Santo Antonio, contiguous to which the capital of the king-
dom of Benguella has been eflabliflied.

(P. i) " Sixtus V., P."— This Pope was bom on the i8th of December,
152 1, at Grotto a Mare, near Fermo, and was called Felix Ferretti.
The indigent circumfl-ances of his family may be gathered from many
little incidents of the child's life ; fuch as his falling into the pond
where his aunt was wafliing, his watching finit, and even tending
fwine. Fortunately, there was one member of the £unily in tlie

Notes. 173

Church, Fra Salvatore, a Francifcan, who, at lad, fuflfered himfelf to be
prevailed upon to pay the money for his fchooling. When in his
twelfth year he entered the Francifcan Order, and retained the name
of Felix. Young Felix went to fchool, and carried with him a piece of
bread, and at noon sat down and ate it by the fide of a fpring of water,
at which he quenched his thirft Fra Salvatore kept him under
very fevere difcipline. Felix often pafted his evenings fafting, and
ftudying by the light of a lantern in the crofs-ways, or, if that went out,
by the lamp burning before the hoft in the church. We find no
record of a marked indication of an innate fpirit of devotion. We
learn only that he made rapid progrefs at the fchools and univerfities
of Ferrara and Bologna, where he carried off the academic honours
with great credit. He won the entire confidence of Pius V., who
appointed him Bifhop of St Agatha, and, in the year 1570, Cardinal
Robed in the purple of the Church, Peretti returned to his native place,
as Bifhop of Fermo, where he had once tended cattle. He was
elected Pope in 1585. Immediately on ascending the throne he
declared his determination of exterminating the banditti and public
malefactors, and proceeded to the execution of this arduous work
with inflexible refolution. One of his chief fources of gain was the
fale of offices. He compelled the juft reviving induftry of the country
to minifter indirectly to his advantage. His great advifer in thefe
matters was a Portuguefe Jew, named Lopez, who had fled from
Portugal firom fear of the Inquifition. He had gained the confidence
of the datarius, of the Signora Camilla, and, eventually, of the Pope
himfelf, who entrusted to him thefe and fimilar operations. — Ranke's
Popes of Rome.

One of the moft egregious of all literary blunders, is that of
the edition of the Vulgate, by Sixtus V. His Holinefs carefiiUy
fuperintended every fheet as it pafTed through the prefs ; and, to the
amazement of the world, the work remained without a rival — it fwarmed
with errata! A multitude of fcraps were printed to pafte over the
erroneous pafTages, in order to give the true text The book makes
a whimfical appearance with thefe patches, and the heretics exulted in
this demonftration of Papal infallibility ! The copies were called in,
and violent attempts made to fupprefs it A few ftill remain for the
raptures of the biblical collectors ; and at a late iale the Bible of
gixtus V. fetched above 60 guineas — not too much for a mere book
of blunders ! The world was highly amufed at the bull of the editorial

174 Notes.

1^

Pope prefixed to the firfl volume, which excommunicates all printers
who, in reprinting the work, fhould make any' alteration in the text !-^
Curiosities of lAteraiure^ by I. Disraeli, p. 30, Ed. 1866. We would,
however, refer the reader to the Catalogue of Bibles in the Caxton
Exhibition, No. 991.

Sixtus V. is bed known in Englifh hiilory as the Pope who excom-
municated Queen Elizabeth, at which fentence her Majedy was
irreverent enough to laugh, very much to the perplexity of his Holinefs.
He died Augufl 24th, 1590, one year and three months after the final
departure of Duarte Lopez from Rome for Congo. — Tr.

(P. 51) " We have furnished pictures." — This refers to the original
copy, but the pictures are not reproduced in this tranilation.

(P. 51) "Litter." — The typoya, a defcription of hammock or
fleeping-net, fufpended from bamboos, and which is very comfortable,
is flill ufed in Angola.

LONDON :
GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,
ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.

I II