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FEOM BENGUELLA
TO THE
TERRITORY OF YACOA.
AUG 0 7 1985
l.fBRARfc*
LONDON :
PRINTED BY GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, LIMITED,
ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.
VI
Gil
C22X
FEOM BENGUELLA
[v/\AA t0 the
TEEEITOEY OF YACCA.
Uctfcviption of a $ounug into
CENTRAL AND WEST AEEICA.
COMPRISING NARRATIVES, ADVENTURES, AND IMPORTANT SURVEYS
OF THE SOURCES OF THE RIVERS CUNENE, CUBANGO, LITANDO,
CUANZA, AND CUANGO, AND OF GREAT PART OF
THE COURSE OF THE TWO LATTER;
Together with the Discovery of the Rivers JTamba, Caua/i, Sussa, and
Cugho, and a detailed Account of the Territories of Qniteca
N'bungo, Sosso, Futa, and Yacca.
BY
H. CAPELLO and R. IVENS,
Officer* of the Royal Portuguese Navy*
EXPEDITION ORGANIZED IN THE TEARS 1877—1880.
TRANSLATED BY
ALFRED ELWBS, Ph.D.
WITH MAPS AND NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
iiontion:
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON,
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET.
1882.
[All riff Ids reserved.]
IN RESPECTFUL REMEMBRANCE
OF
JOSE J. DE OLIVEIRA ANCHIETA,
THE ENLIGHTENED, UNTIRING, AND MODEST
NATURALIST AND EXPLORER
TO WHOM
SCIENCE AND HUMANITY
AEE SO DEEPLY INDEBTED
A SPECIAL PAGE OF THIS VOLUME
CONTAINING HIS POETEA1T
IS DEVOTED BY
THE EXPLORERS.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Last day at the fair and meditations under the old sycamores —
Desertions and new recruits — General aspect of the country,
temperature and effect of humidity — A native court and a
cemetery — Sketch of an encampment on the march — Cambolla
the jagga — Etiquette in the Banza — The sova'shat — Exchange
of presents — The banks of the Lui and the baobabs — -An ex-
cursion towards the Cuango — Difficult roads and dangerous
currents — The water-snake and fetish preservatives — Alarm
caused by a couple of leeches — The jagga of the Bondos and four
salt lakes — A sacrifice to science — Native caravans — Prone-
ness of the Africans to trade, and what they owe to it — The
pest of the woods, and an unpleasant family of ants — Tala-
Mogongo ; its aspect and vegetation — A lovely prospect and
the reflections it awakened ....... 1
CHAPTER II.
Limits of Cassange — Native justice — Reflections upon the African
character — The rise and course of the Cambo — The African
opium— The insect world — Breaking up of the encampment —
Capulca again — Lake Utamba — Deceptive medlars — N'Dala
Samba and T'Chica — Jose do Telhado and mortality of the
Europeans in Africa — Cuango and Cuanza — Divisional line of
their waters — Cha-Landu and exactions of the petty sovas
viii C 071 tents.
PAGE
— The Ambaquista, distinctive features, habits, importance,
fondness for scribbling— Ascent of the morroBango — Dr. Max
Buchner, the German explorer — A queer ecclesiastic — The
Lu-calla and Lianzundo cataract — Duque de Braganca and a
dinner with Captain A. Silverio . ..... 24
CHAPTER III.
On the tramp again — The banks of the Lu-calla and a nice dispute
— Cateco, the hunter of wives — The Jinga, its limits and im-
portance— The king, titles and residence — Hierarchical scale
— Peculiar mode of bestowal of property — The ma-lung a and
quijinga — The Muco-N'Gola or Mona N'Gola — Strange head-
dresses and queer pockets — On the summit of the Serra
Catanha — A love episode and its unpleasant close — Conjugal
relations — An evening discussion and a morning fli'ght —
Mineral wealth of the Jinga — Mode of preparing cloth,
dwellings, &c. — A storm in the forest, and a further desertion —
Den of thieves — A page or two from the diary — A tough cow
— Arrival at Cafuchila ........ 48
CHAPTER IV.
The Hungo and its people — Head-dresses — Tobacco and snuff —
Ugliness of the women, their indifference to dress — Low esti-
mation in which they are held — The monarch of the Congo —
Preparations for departure — Discussions with the natives —
Sudden dissolution of a meeting — Abandoned senzalas — A
little looting — Lake Tiber — The camp kitchen and an old
acquaintance — A siesta disagreeably interrupted — Flight of
the caravan — Fallen among thieves — A trial and a singular
decision — The forest fired — Woods and vegetation — Quadru-
mans and reptiles — What explorers have to expect — Discovery
of the river Cu-gho — Varieties of trees — Passage of the river
and African cunning — A rest in the forest . . . .71
Contents. ix
CHAPTER V.
PAGE
We leave the Cu-gho — Gloomy presentiments — The mu-chitos and
the desert — An evening of tribulations and a devouring thirst
— Trying times of a life in the interior — A Providential inter-
position— More mu-chitos and fresh labour — Caught in the
wood — Nervous state of the explorers — All but lost — Scouts
sent out in search of succour — Two lines from the diary — A
terrible night — Return of Jose and brief narrative of his
adventures — Two solitary hunters — Fresh hopes — Again
astray — An apparition of palancas — Night again — Final
decision . . . . . . . . . . 92
CHAPTER VI.
Opinion of the authors upon laconism in the description of toil and
suffering — The night of the 27th May — Apprehensions —
Night phantoms — An unexpected discovery — The women
of the caravan — A marriage — Famine and plenty next-door
neighbours — Having satisfied the body we seek distraction of
mind — A wine-party — Quizengamo, an important quilolo,
visits the encampment — Two pages from the diary — The
guides urge us to repair to the Court of the Quianvo — Our
own resolve — The Cuango and capricious sinuosities of its
course — Frightful effects of dysentery — Putrid fermentation
and the failure of food — A dance of the Ma-yacca — Aban-
doned in the forest — Fever, ulcers, and dysentery — Flight of
the guide — The desert — Fragment of the diary — Baffled —
Return— The Cugho 113
CHAPTER VII.
The author's experience respecting the importance of the stomach
— Brief sketch of the course of the River Cuango — In the
Cugho — The land of plenty — Maluvo wine and its collection —
Lake Aquilonda wiped off the map — The palm and climato-
logic zones — The Rivers Sussa and Cauali — Vegetation— Sova
Contents.
PAGE
Catuma Cangando and indiscreet curiosity of his lady-subjects
— A native song — Strange ceremony among the Ma-hungo —
An interment in the woods — Danje, Luamba, Matamba, and
Pacaca Aquibonda — Caculo-Cabaca — Homicide of a carrier —
The value of life among the negroes — F?/wda-ia-Ebo and the
last burial — The valleys of the Lu-calla and a story of a
crocodile — A new theory of Cosmogony — The delights of the
table — Passage of the Lu-calla —List of members of the
caravan that reached Duque de Braganca . 139
CHAPTER VITT.
Duque de Braganca, its importance and fertility — Dinner-time
again — A Sova god-father — African children and some re-
marks concerning them — Infants and adults — Explanations
concerning our route — A parallel and the cardinal points* — An
alarm — The encampment in flames — Anxious moments — The
papers of the explorers and the ammunition of the expedition
— Carriers and thieves — Things might have been worse — Otubo
and our clumsy assistant — " From sources small what great
events may spring " — The bi-sonde and the last night of the
month of July 162
CHAPTER IX.
Pinal departure from Duque de Braganca — One of Jose's stories —
The Lu-chilo and the patrulhas — The Ptyelus olivaceus — Cap-
tain Silverio's pets — The Cosmetornis vexillarius— Jose has
another uncle — Samba-Cango, the Hango and the Lu-calla —
Brief notice of the river, conformation of the land and vege-
tation— The Cariombo and Porto Real — Novel rafts and
ingenious method of propulsion — A visit to Pamba, and a
few remarks thereon — A vegetable giant — The road to Pedras
Negras — Jose and the basalts — Xative silk — Pungo N'Dongo,
its aspect and constitution — Remarkable impressions on the
rocks — Port Hunga and its orange-trees — Philosophical con-
Contents.
XI
^derations of the explorers — " In the country of eyes, the
blind are kings" — The Caballo cascade — The Cuanza, ob-
stacles, fish, cataracts — Brief reflections thereon — Malange,
Calundo, and Pungo N'Dongo ... ... 179
CHAPTER X.
Return to camp — The pulex penetrans and a noteworthy entozoario
■ — Variableness of the winds at Pungo N'Dongo — The ex-
plorer's staff and the writer's pen — We take leave of Silverio
— Cabeto and Cuanza flies — Native lightning-conductors —
Capanda and the western vegetation — Brief notice of its
ornithology — Sengue and Nhangue-ia-Pepe — Cataracts of the
Cuanza — The Sova Dumba — Cassoque — Von Mechow — The
Baugo and climatological variations — The Cuanza and the
Cabulo cataract — Last glance at the interior — The Dondo —
Reception of the explorers at that place — A trip on the river —
Loanda — Mossamedes — The voyage home .... 208
Conclusion ......
Table of Geographical Observations .
Heights above the Sea-Level
Additions to the Fauna
Flora
African Dialects
Vocabularies .
Index
231
277
282
283
299
302
304
335
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
PAGE
Dorningos' tender farewell . . . . . . . .4
Catraio . . . . . . . . . . .5
The Caravan, in a long line, filed off . . . . . .6
Construction of the Encampment . . . . . .8
The Jagga Cambolla . . . . . . . .11
Plunging into the thick grass . . . . . .20
Following the steep and broken track ■ . . . . .21
Native Box 23
Smoking the fatal Liamba . - . ' . * . . . . .29
The colossal Lughias . . " . . . . . .33
A roadside Cemetery . . . . * . . . . .36
An Ambaca Gentleman . . . . . . . .41
" I am Dr. Max Buchner " 43
Lianzundo Cataract ......... 45
Nest of the Capata-ieu . • . . . . . .47
On the banks of the Lu-calla . . . . . . .49
Jinga Type . . . 53
Cateco, the Guide ......... 59
The Tempest had now reached its height . . . . .63
All but lost 67
We found the herd waiting ....... 68
Sharpia Angolensis ......... 70
The Ladies of the Hungo 73
x i v List of Engravings .
PAGE
Lake Tiber 79
The Holo Type 81
The Court was complete ........ 84
We had to cut our way with the hatchet ..... 87
The Cu-gho Watermen 90
Cynocephalus Porcarius ........ 91
Slowly descending from a height ...... 97
The Mu-chito 99
Jose and his Companions emerged from the Wood . . . 106
ThePalancas . . . . . . . . . .110
Coracias Espatulata 112
Lemba, Hutu's Wife 117
The two Fugitives . . . . . . ... . 121
Yacca Head-dresses . . . . . . . . .125
The Cuango in Yacca . . . . . • . .129
Dances of the Ma-yacca . . . . . . . .130
Woman of the Congo . . . . . . . . . 134
The silence of the tomb reigned supreme 135
Qui-vuvi, the Silk-spider . . . . . . . .138
Provisions literally showered ....... 142
Curiosity punished . . . . , . . . .151
A terrible Mishap . . . . . . . . .155
Cosmetornis Vexillarius (Quimbamba) . , . . . . 161
A Sova Godfather .167
The Peril was intense . . . . . . . .174
African Silk . .178
The Patrulha of Samba Cango . . . . . . . 184
It is a complete system of parallel screws ..... 186
Rocks of Pungo N'Dongo . . . 193
The Caballo Cascade . . . . 199
Telphusa Anchieta?, River Cuanza ...... 200
Telphusa Bayonniana, River Cuanza ...... 200
Euprepes Ivensi (new species), River Cuanza . . . .201
List of Engravings.
Chroinis Sparramanni (Smith), River Cuanza
Dembe (Mormyrus Lhuysi, Steind), River Cuanza
Muaca (Hemichromis Angolensis, Steind), River Cuanza
Cliromis Moss Ambicus (Peters), River Cuanza
Highly ornamental frog, River Cuanza
River Cuanza Crab .....
Empacaceiro of Quissama ....
The Tipoia of Angola ....
The Voyage home .....
XV
PAGE
201
204
204
204
205
207
216
224
230
►
Sampson. Low, Marston . Searle , & Rhdnatcnx
5000»feet
4000 \
3O00
level of tke SeaJ
m5?
. a
FROM BENGUELLA TO THE TERRITORY
OF YACCA.
CHAPTER I.
Last day at the fair and meditations under the old sycamores — Deser-
tions and new recruits — General aspect of the country, temperature
and effect of humidity — A native court and a cemetery — Sketch of
an encampment on the march — Cambolla the jagga — Etiquette in
the Banza — The sova's hat — Exchange of presents — The banks
of the Lui and the baobabs — An excursion towards the Cuango —
Difficult roads and dangerous currents — The water-snake and
fetish preservatives — Alarm caused by a couple of leeches — The
jagga of the Bondos and four salt lakes — A sacrifice to science —
Native caravans — Proneness of the Africans to trade, and what they
owe to it — The j>est of the ivoods, and an unpleasant family of ants
— Tala-Mogongo ; its aspect and vegetation — A lovely prospect
and the reflections it awakened.
We have before observed that the departure of a caravan
for a long journey is always an event of some importance,
as the reader would have admitted had he been by our
side in Cassange in the afternoon of the 18th day of
February in the year of grace 1879.
The ample terrace of our residence was encumbered
with the various articles taken from the warehouses
by the busy little band of boys. The work began as
usual with a great deal more noise than was necessary,
accompanied by animated jovial talk, a great display of
VOL. II. B
.^M^.cJ^^^^-^,^^^^ :
SECTION BETWEEN M.CAENGUE AND MASSANCANO fcrironul Scale i». ..- M ,,,
2 West and Central Africa.
white teetli and sundry jokes from the more lazy of the
crew seated on the bales and trunks.
Exchanges of loads, protests against their weight,
substitution of muskets, pilferings of ropes and straps, or
the loss of a key of an important case, that required to
be opened, and which the intelligent carrier, after insane
search, in a sudden fit of inspiration, suggested might be
inside, made up some of the common incidents of the
scene.
The sun, as it got high in the heavens, was a signal
to knock off work, the goods being then all piled in
readiness, and we took our last rest beneath those
memorable sycamores.
Each had lighted his pipe and was puffing huge volumes
of smoke in silence, his head sunk within the collar of his
great-coat, his knees well drawn in and his body arched
to the not unnatural position assumed by a man who has
only a hard stone to sit upon !
Forty days had we passed in that place, gazing upon
the miserable huts, and twice as many plans had we dis-
cussed and rejected in the interval. L'homme propose et
Dieu dispose is a proverb which, however hackneyed, had
been found to be only too true in Cassange scores of
times.
" Cribbed, cabined, and confined " in that wretched
hole, where our goods were stored in semi-picturesque
disorder, at one time down with fever, and more often
than not under its influence, a constant prey to ticks
(ma-n'cuba) which had permanently settled about us,
there was scarcely any form of annoyance that we had
not gone through during our stay.
It has been seen how the excursion to the east was
defeated by the Ban-gala ; how a previous one to the
north was frustrated by fever ; how the rains prevented
Leave-takings
&
any wanderings in the neighbourhood ; and finally, we
may add, that interviews with the natives were so boot-
less and so fatiguing that we at last refused to receive
them, owing to the insupportable impudence and pre-
tensions of the petty chiefs.
Although Cassange cannot be reputed the worst of
places, owing to the resources which it undoubtedly
possesses, it was nevertheless one of those that we left
without regret and would willingly have blotted from our
memory.
Jose, our new guide, but recently engaged, had pro-
posed to conduct us by a different road across the Jinga,
until we should again fall in with the Cuango ; but many
of the carriers who took not the slightest interest in such
an undertaking and had certainly no ambition to follow
it out, deserted in a body and with them went the
cabindas who had hitherto stuck by us. The guide,
nevertheless, succeeded in getting some five-and-twenty
fresh carriers and with them we had resolved to make a
start.
The 18th. of February had come and gone and at day-
break of the 19th, when in a sound sleep, a voice, issuing
from a head popped within our cabin, exclaimed, —
" Senhores, it is five o'clock ! "
Springing to our feet we issued the necessary instruc-
tions ; had a capital breakfast in the dwelling of our
good friend Narciso A. Paschoal, whom we beg in this
place to thank for many acts of kindness; shook hands
and exchanged cordial greetings with acquaintances we
had made, and then watched the arranging of our men
into marching order.
There were other leave-takings besides our own and
some of them even assumed a poetic form. Of this com-
plexion was the tender farewell of Domingos, a carrier,
b 2
4 West and Central Africa.
to his beloved Umba, wherein his n* dengue (heart)
figured very prominently ; his improvised song running,
TJmba-ri-ame muene rf dengue Io-oende.
Umba-ri-ame muene n' dengue Io-oende.
Moi N'jinji.
Or as it was translated to us,
" Umba, my lady and my heart,
From thee, N'jinji must depart !"
DOMINGOS TENDER FAREWELL.
Catraio, our blundering assistant, was spared so pain-
ful a ceremony, for the simple reason that his affectionate
spouse, for the twentieth time to our knowledge, had
run away from him, and now seated on the ground, he
sought consolation in his pipe while the bustle and
confusion gradually gave place to order, and the caravan,
Departure from Cassange. 5
in a long line, the porters duly laden, filed off to the
westward.
In this fashion, then, we abandoned Cassange, and
struck into the serpentine path which first crosses the
undulating plateaux leading to the western mountains,
makes its way along the slopes of the latter, traverses
the territory of the Ban-gala and Ban-bondo, on the
higher ground, and reaches at last the Portuguese station
of the Duque de Braganza.
CATRAIO.
The expeditionary corps steered a direct course for the
ravine of Tala-Mogongo, about seven days' journey from
our point of departure. Crossing numerous rivulets, for
the most part affluents of the Lui, some having an im-
petuous current, running through steep banks of schist
others on a low flat bed, frequently inundating the
adjacent country and giving birth to tall, stiff grass, ferns,
Papyrus, Typhus, Nenuphar es, Victorias, and Mariancjas,
the homes of numerous frogs, whose croakings were
heard at a considerable distance and resembled the
6 West and Central Africa.
cackling of geese, and not a few toads, with a note not
unlike the tinkling of grelots, the caravan reached one
of the most picturesque regions in this part of Africa.
What a pity, we thought, that our poets and our
painters, who are compelled to see so many things with
their mind's eye, cannot be transported hither to enjoy
in reality the numerous sights and sounds which this
magnificent country possesses in such profusion ! What
delight these romantic scenes would afford the ardent and
THE CARAVAN, IN A LONG LINE, FILED OFF.
insatiable imagination of the artist and the — but there
we stopped, not being quite clear about the delight of the
poet under such circumstances. So putting an end to our
philosophical considerations, we plunged into the thicket
and went on our way.
Under this latitude, the months of February and March
are the hottest in the year, the thermometer reaching
87° Fahr. in the shade. The atmosphere so sultry and
yet so full of humidity is then perilous in the extreme.
When in the heart of the forest, the air, saturated with
A Court of Justice. 7
vapour is almost unbearable, and it is only with an effort
that one can breathe at all. Under its influence, the
very plants suffer; trunks of stout trees becoming every-
where covered with cryptogamic excrescences in a perfect
state of putrefaction. As a natural consequence most
metals oxydize with astonishing rapidity, and the barrels
of our guns and pistols, our knives, the needles of the
compasses and other articles were in a few hours covered
with rust. Leather softened, the wood of our instru-
ments warped, paper returned to its original pulp, our
goods soaked up damp like so many sponges, to such a
degree that it became necessary to open the bales and
expose their contents to the sun, to prevent their utter
destruction. In man, the effect of this dis -equilibrium
of nature is to produce permanent dysentery.
At about noon, on the 25th, we reached the banza of
the Sova Cambolla, the chief of one of the families in
whom the jagg ado, already referred to, is invested. Only
a few moments previously, we had passed a gigantic syca-
more under which a Court of so called Justice was sitting.
An assassin was on his trial, his punishment being the
payment of a fine to the family of the victim ; and as,
on the one hand, there was a mu-cano, and on the other a
quituche in respect of the motives of the crime, the accused
was likely to be heavily mulcted.
Leaving the banza on the west, we made for a pleasant
eminence, which, being crowned with a group of graceful
trees, looked a likely place for the construction of our
quilombo. Loud cries, however, from the natives gave us
to understand that the place was a cemetery ; and com-
pelled us to seek another site. We had noticed this to be
the case so frequently that we determined in future to
eschew picturesque localities for the pitching of our camp
— at least, in the neighbourhood of villages, for the
8 West and Central Africa,
natives have quite a mania to select the most beautiful
spots for the last resting-places of the dead.
Experience soon taught us that the best place for an
encampment was in the wood, and as a general rule we
erected it there. Such a site had always much in its
favour. Material for the erection of the huts and for
fuel was ready to the hand ; our position was relatively
independent, and we were relieved from the visits and in-
conveniences arising from a residence in the libatas of the
sovas. On the other hand, we more than once got into
hot water with these gentlemen for refusing to take up our
quarters in their precincts, but we always found them
disposed to yield if we showed sufficient firmness in our
own determination. In the present instance having left
the lib at a, near which we first thought of camping, half a
mile behind us, we came upon some fresh water, and at
once gave orders to pile the goods round a large tree.
Then ensued the busy scene that was usual on such
occasions. Our men, who were now tolerably expert
from long practice, started off in every direction. Some
in search of young trees, which were cut down to form
the skeletons of our huts. Others lopped off and brought
in branches to fill in the interstices and make a first
covering of the roof; whilst many more came laden with
sheaves of the tall grass, to be used as thatch and as
outer coating of the houses.
Work was going on inside as well as out. Three or
four of the most expert would arrange the sleeping-places,
composed of grass and dry leaves, on which were spread
a couple of panther-skins ; while Otubo neatly piled upon
two or three tree-trunks, set in front of our huts, the
whole of the goods, that were then covered with
tarpaulins which we carried with us for the purpose.
When the two principal huts were built, the men ran
Sketch of the Encampment. 9
up their own little wigwams, disposed in a circle about
our own, so as to leave our dwellings and the goods in the
centre ; and in about a couple of hours after our arrival
the encampment was complete.
Meanwhile Capulca had been fitting up his camp-
kitchen, and having turned out his pans, coffee-pots,
knives, tin plates, cups, &c, he set two or three young
niggers to work to clean them.
We ourselves were soon engaged in determining by
divers observations the geographical co-ordinates with
their variations, taking the bearings of the region in
which we stood, and registering our meteorological calcu-
'ations. The entering all these took up our time till
^out three in the afternoon, the hour generally selected
lur our principal meal. The little box that held the cups
and plates served alternately as our working and our
dining-table. Upon it were then placed a couple of
plates with knives and forks, and on the ground a large
iron pot of infundi, a dish of roasted meat, on fortunate
days, — smoke-dried fish on others, and not unfrequently
nothing whatsoever. Our food was seasoned with Chili
pepper or jinduncjo which had the advantage of covering
any flavour that the palate would otherwise have fouud
objectionable. A cup of coffee and a pipe to finish off
with did wonders towards making us satisfied with our
homely fare.
Then would follow the hour for reflection and repose.
An indigo sky, a pleasant temperature, a brilliant land-
scape, and a full stomach invited us to rest upon the
springy surface of the grass, growing all about us,
leaving to the " gentle zephyrs " the care of fanning us
to sleep !
At two o'clock that afternoon we were introduced into
the dwelling of the jagg a Cambolla, a handsome residence,
io West and Central Africa.
constructed in great part of marianga, perfectly interlaced
with grass, and surrounded by a stockade.
The macotas, opening and shutting doors, introduced
us successively into fresh compartments, till we wished
their etiquette at the very deuce. And there was such an
air of mystery about the whole proceeding, peeping into
corners and nodding of heads as if they expected to find
something which they were sure was lying concealed.
Two more compartments, traversed in the same way,
brought us to the hall of reception, in the middle of which
we found the old chief, seated on a low stool ; a large
framed, powerfully made man, already in years.
Like many of the other potentates of whom we have
spoken he exercises absolute and despotic sway over
numerous vassals, whom he treats at his good pleasure,
makes war and peace as he thinks fit, takes everything he
covets and possesses a variety of other prerogatives which
his panegyrists are always dinning in his ear.
He was attired in a long cloth of printed calico,
bound with blue, had bangles on his wrists and ankles,
wore a bead-necklace, and on his head an enormous hat of
a Portuguese infantry soldier of the eighteenth century,
and which, driven right down to his ears, gave him a
most grotesque appearance.
Regretting, as he informed us, his inability to treat
us as he wished, he nevertheless made us a little
present of an enormous black ox, which, not only refused
to yield to the persuasion of a bullet that was put into
him, but took to flight across country ad perjpetuam rei
memoriam.
Presenting him with some cloth in return and one of
Cassai's pups, which his Majesty was very anxious to
possess, we took leave of Cambolla Cangonga and pur-
sued our way towards the west.
The River Lui.
ii
Before us extended the azure line of the high land,
terminating northwards in Mount Bango and the serried
heads of the N'guri ; and in the south the view was lost
in the far horizon, where Bumba, another jagga of
Cajinga, had his residence. On the south-east appeared
a lofty peak, called Cassalla, the summit of which is known
only to a few intrepid natives, who, having found water
THE JAGGA CAMBOLLA.
near the top, have converted it into a perfect fortress, held
lO be impregnable.
Having crossed the Lui, whose banks we found covered
with the broad flags of Arundo jyliragmites^ green ferns,
eschinomenes — a species of sensitive plant — and ede-
monas, we continued on through inundated plains.
On the last day but one of the month of February, to
the north-west of the Lu-ango senzala, the expedition
1 2 West and Central Africa.
was encamped on the precipitous bank of the Muhamba ;
a rapid torrent to which the waters from the mountains
are drained and rush on to swell the Lui. Here we met
our old friends the baobabs, those splendid trees we had
lost sight of since we left Quillengues. The altitude
was shown to be 3321 feet.
The rain at that time was coming down in avalanches.
So after arranging our meteorological instruments,
barometers, and thermometers in the open air, together
with the psychrometers to estimate the humidity, we
took shelter within our hut and looked disconsolately at
the watery picture.
We still obstinately stuck to our idea of travelling
north-eastward,, in order to see whether we could not
elude the Ban-gala and cross the Cuango through Holo.
But our guides just as obstinately protested against it,
asserting that the attempt would be a certain failure.
66 Throughout Cassange," they averred, " the news had
spread that the people of the Cuango had forbidden the
whites to cross the river. That a short time before, a
t'chindelle (referring to Otto Schutt) had got into trouble
in the Yongo with the Calandula of the Caquilo and the
Banza Quitumba-Caquipungo ; you yourselves, further
south, were stopped by the Banza-e-Lunda, and ran
great risk of losing all your goods ; so that the trying
once more to force a way in the teeth of those savages
would be to court defeat and probable destruction.'7
Admitting to a certain extent the force of this reason-
ing, we nevertheless held that an attempt might still be
made by one of us to ascertain the feeling of the natives
whilst the others remained in camp, and this being fully
discussed and decided on, we at once proceeded to put
the plan into execution.
Next morning, therefore, early, the exploring party
Excursion towards the Cuango, 1 3
set out in the direction of the N'guri range, towering up
in the north, and in whose vicinity the jagg a of the
Bondos had his dwelling.
Traversing the little plateau of the Luango, we began
ascending and descending the undulating ground and
plunging into fresh obstacles with every step. The
brawling streams, rushing from the heights through the
deep furrows worn in the mountain -side, committed all
sorts of vagaries, at one time presenting a narrow but deep
rivulet, at another inundating the lower ground, which
it converted into marshes, where the water reached our
waists.
Issuing from a low-sunken valley, we climbed on to
the mountain slope, but had no sooner congratulated
ourselves upon the change than we were buried in the
thick grass and papyrus, and had thus to struggle with
the forest and marshy vegetation combined.
These marches up and down, if prolonged to any
extent, become somewhat insipid and monotonous, inas-
much as the side of the mountain on the one hand and
the vegetation on the other, completely shut out all view,
and leave nothing but a peak or two and the sky over-
head to relieve the attention.
When crossing the river Bale, with the water to our
middle, one of the carriers very nearly lost his life. It
was a moment of intense anxiety, which was only relieved
by dint of great exertion. The poor fellow stepped into
one of those holes of soft mud, which are so frequent in
these rivers, and sunk immediately down to his arm-
pits ; nothing, in fact, could have saved him if help had
not been so near.
The woods we passed through were utterly deserted.
Scarce a vestige of the passage of a caravan was dis-
covered ; the only evidence being the carbonized trunks
1 4 West and Central Africa.
of a few trees and a calcined stone or two in the more
open ground.
Whilst cutting our way through dense underwood, a
perfect labyrinth of canes and brambles, and where
almost every tree exposed its complicated net-work of
roots to the air, we observed, to our astonishment and
alarm, the men who formed our vanguard throw down
their loads and rush towards us.
" Uta ! Uta ! " was the cry. " A snake, senhor, an
enormous boa ! "
Desirous of ascertaining the truth, we advanced
cautiously in the direction they pointed out, and made
our way to the trunk of a colossal Herminiera _£/., lying
prone upon the ground, beside the precipitous bank of one
of the torrents already referred to. Whilst peering about
there suddenly emerged from the grass a gigantic head,
followed by an enormous body, which, with a couple of
undulations reached the stream and disappeared in the
water. This apparition, most probably a water-snake or
Naja, produced a most disheartening effect upon our men,
not one of whom would now venture to ford the river,
each, saw the dreadful reptile at a different spot, only
waiting an opportunity to devour him.
In order to frighten away the beast and destroy any
secret and malignant influence it might be supposed to
exercise, to the prejudice of our expedition, Master Jose,
or Ze as they called him, here came to the rescue and
exorcised the animal by a combined system of fetishism
known only to himself. After the lapse of five minutes
he came out of the wood, where he had ensconced himself,
gave two piercing whistles and then declared the job
complete and that we might enter the water without
fear. But when half-way across, a sudden dash of the
torrent, followed by a piercing shriek, sent all flying — our-
A curious Bird. i 5
selves, we must confess, among the number — while a man
in mid-stream screamed out, " I'm lost ! I'm dead ! "
As, however, in spite of his asseveration he still held
his ground, we went to the rescue, and dragged him out,
when it was discovered that a couple of leeches had
fixed upon his ankle and caused the cries which had so
alarmed us.
On the 2nd of March, when passing the base of Mount
Catanha, a porter was sent up to the jagga's senzala, with
the customary present, subsequently folio wing us towards
the north-east, in the direction of the territory of the
N'ganga N'zumba. That sova was absent, and the
information obtained from his subjects entirely dissipated
the notion we had conceived of reaching the Cuango in
this direction.
" The Ban-gala will not allow you to pass," they all
exclaimed ; but apart from this, they informed us that
the land through which the river Lu-anda ran was all
under water ; that four salt lakes, the property of
N'ganga, also intervened and barred the passage ; and
that if even these difficulties were got over, the whole of
the foot of the slopes beyond was inundated, and the
track, for the time being, utterly swallowed up.
By this time our porter had arrived in company of an
inhabitant of the senzala, who brought us a basket of
fuba, by way of compliment, and an enormous bird (hear-
ing probably that we had a taste for ornithology), which
was accompanied by the inquiry whether there were any
such beyond the great water.
It was a large, black palmiped with an immense beak
like a toucan; the eyes reminded us of a chameleon,
being circular, prominent and movable; the body re-
sembled that of a duck but was much larger.
Unaware whether the creature was an acquaintance of
1 6 West and Central Africa.
the naturalists, we evaded a reply, and as the doubt
existed in our minds we saw no better mode of solving
the problem than to wring its neck in the name of science,
and substituting for the internal arrangements bestowed
upon it by nature, a little cotton wool, wait quietly for
the decision of the masters.
Seeing that there was nothing else to be done, we
decided on returning the way we came, besides that the
state of our health made such a proceeding advisable.
On the 3rd of the month, not only were we prostrated
by fever, but dysentery set in, and the ulceration of the
lower part of our legs resisted every treatment that we
applied, so that the last days' journeys were a martyrdom.
Travelling again over the same ground, which had
not been made easier in the interim, we fell in, upon the
third day, with a caravan of Ma-songo, bound for the
west with a heavy load of india-rubber and wax, for-
warded from Cassange.
It appeared in the shape of a long file of men and boys,
for the most part wearing a single rug suspended from
a piece of rope round the waist, and in which they tucked
their pipes, hatchets, knives and other articles ; and as
they marched intoning a monotonous song. The boys
seemed to be of no little assistance to their elders, who,
being laden with packages weighing some ninety pounds,
in most cases divided their burthen with the young ones,
so that many of these striplings had to carry forty
pounds of weight.
The position of a trader in this part of the world is
anything but an enviable one. No sooner had we reached
the spot than any number of india-rubber balls were
offered us for sale, abstracted from the bales by their
carriers. As we had no inclination to do business, they
dispersed and carried their stolen wares to the neighbour-
Passion for Trade. 17
ing senzalas where, of course, no end of disputes at once
arose. In one instance a fellow wanted to exchange his
gun, without a lock, for a new one, making up the
difference with wax or india-rubber ; in another, a carrier
having procured some garapa upon similar terms, his
companions managed to abstract and drink half of it,
and he could only save the remainder by retiring hastily
to the wood, calabash in hand, and consuming it in
secret ; two or three haying clubbed together to purchase
tobacco, fell to loggerheads about its division, and so on,
making a scene of quarrels, drunkenness, and confusion
that was perfectly bewildering.
The Africans, as a rule, dearly love a bargain, and
many of them have almost an innate passion for trade.
Bin-bundo, Ban-gala, Ba-lunda, Ban-bondo, all alike are
traders, and are deemed fitting for it in proportion to
their cunning and dishonesty, the latter quality being
considered indispensable. Living by trade and for
trade, they are to be found wherever goods can be ob-
tained and bartered, and in pursuit of their calling they
will plunge into endless controversy, make contracts
which they either break or never half fulfil, and spend
innumerable days amid interminable talk.
Their fairs or markets are the important centres
where the natives display all their dexterity and eloquence,
and to which all the great commercial expeditions natu-
rally tend ; but they will never lose an opportunity of
doing business on the road.
Goods vary greatly in price and facility of sale,
according to the countries they pass through, and one
may readily guess for what part of the interior a caravan
is bound on learning the kind of merchandise with which
it is laden.
The natives have everything to gain by trade, and it
vol. it. n
1 8 West and Central Africa.
may well be said that without it they would be nothing.
Commerce, by obliging them to make repeated journeys,
carries with it, as a necessary consequence, the establish-
ment of relations and the making of contracts with dis-
tant peoples. Compelled to seek out districts where
articles can be obtained at the cheapest rate, in order to
get the most profit out of them, they acquire a taste for
speculation and a clear knowledge of value. Experience
has given them considerable expertness, and nature has
supplied them with a vast amount of dissimulation as all
Europeans who have had any dealings with them know
to their cost.
It is really curious to observe the eagerness with
which the negro will seek to do a little business. A
cloth or handkerchief purchased but a moment before,
will be readily exchanged if he see the most ..trifling
profit can be made by the barter. In our own encamp-
ment we have had opportunities of observing within the
short space of twenty-four hours, a yard of red baize pass
into the hands of six successive owners.
The whole of the goods constituting the African trade,
south of the equator, are carried upon the heads or
shoulders of men, who, collected in caravans, styled
m'bacas in the south and quibucas in the north, and
directed by a quissongo, march in extended lines across the
country. It was one of these we now met, and whose
presence has given rise to the foregoing remarks, and
which, to our supreme satisfaction, shortly afterwards
resumed its way, and left us in peace to construct our
own little encampment.
By three o'clock, our huts being built and fires lighted
to dry our clothes and prepare our food, we got out the
instruments for recording the usual observations, when
Catraio (of the " bird of ill-omen " memory, and whose
The Pest of the Woods. 1 9
duty it was to take charge of the scientific apparatus)
imparted to us the unwelcome intelligence that we might
from that date consider ourselves without a ground
thermometer, as he had left the iron tube behind him at
Cassange in company of a pair of boots ! He attributed
the forgetfulness to the unsettled state of his mind, owing
to the desertion of his spouse, and as there was no help
for it we had to admit the excuse. We could not help
thinking, however, that if we went on at this rate, we
should have very few things left by the time we reached
the end of our journey.
Substituting for the first loss an air thermometer, we
thought of inflicting condign punishment upon the
rascal for the serious inconvenience the second might
cause us, when we were relieved from the necessity of
doing so by a huge fly, common enough in the thicket,
and whose powerful mandibles cause great terror to the
natives, which fixed upon the negligent assistant and
stung him severely ! The insect somewhat resembles the
Gapambo (Dasypogon Capambo ?) or ox-fly, but is consi-
derably larger. Its sting, which is very venomous, is
immediately followed by inflammation and acute pain,
that occasion serious inconvenience. Naturalists call it
Synagris comuta, but we, among ourselves, dubbed it the
pest of the woods!
It was on the 7th of March that we again joined
company and shook hands on the bank of the Gamba
rivulet.
Immediately on our arrival we became sensible of a
most horrible stench, which made us suppose that some
flesh was about in an advanced stage of decomposition ;
but we learned upon inquiry that it was due to a visitation
of a strange species of black ants, nearly half an inch in
length, that had invaded the camp and which emitted
c 2
20
West and Central Africa
the most pestiferous smell as they were destroyed by the
men. There was nothing better to be done than to
PLUNGING INTO THE THICK GRASS.
escape the infliction by flight, and on the very day of
our arrival we consequently set forth.
Ta la - Mogongo.
21
Before us rose the vast heights of Tala-Mogongo,
with spurs that jut out into the plain like huge promon-
tories, whose precipitous sides, tinged by oxide of iron,
have the appearance of titanic walls.
Following the steep and broken track which wound
FOLLOWING THE STEEP AND BROKEN TRACK.
about the flanks of the mountain, now clinging to a mossy
trunk, now to a branch that offered a friendly hold, we
succeeded, in carrying our reduced weight over the
asperities that lay between the valley and the practicable
heights.
22 West and Central Africa.
We halted upon a little platform to enjoy the splendid
panorama unrolled before our delighted eyes. The in-
clination of the slope was about 45°, and it was clothed
with wood of a dark green colour, so thickly that not a
yard of ground was distinguishable. The very trunks of
the tamarinds, acacias, and taculas were invisible from
the wealth of foliage that surrounded them. From the
base of this richly- wooded mountain ran on and on, as
far as the eye could reach, vast savannas which presented
every gradation of green and blue according to the
distance from the point of vision, covered at the outset
with a labyrinth of tree-trunks, and intersected further
on by meandering streams which occasionally glittered as
they were caught by the light, and then were lost again.
The picture was further adorned by several lofty moun-
tains, such as the Bongo and the serried heads of the
Yongo range, that stood out in bold relief " against
the sky, and the sun had arrived at that point in the
heavens when it flooded the whole scene with golden,
transparent hues, which had the effect of intensifying,
without destroying, the other lovely colours of the
landscape !
For half an hour we stood wrapt in wonder and
admiration before the lovely prospect, and, as is not un-
frequently the case when contemplating similar marvellous
works of the beneficent Creator, it brought to us a
peace and serenity of mind to which we had long been
strangers.
There in the distance lay the mysterious Cuango, —
there the lands of the Chinje, — yonder rose the mountains
of the Peinde, — all abounding in strange problems, and
filled with an unknown people, that we so longed to
visit and explore !
And then came the revulsion of feeling born of our
A Question of Time. 23
recent trials and disappointments, and almost together we
exclaimed, —
" Those infernal Ban-gala ! "
But is it in the nature of things we inquired, that so
many thousand souls can remain, in an age of civilization
like the present, when the spirit of progress is abroad
in the world, steeped in ignorance and slavery, a prey to
a few wretched tyrants, not a whit more enlightened
than themselves, but on whom superstition and fear
have bestowed absolute and irresponsible power !
And the answer came, in the strong conviction of our
minds, in words as plain as though they had been uttered
by a voice, —
"It is but a question of time ! "
NATIVE BOX.
24 West and Central Africa.
CHAPTER II.
Limits of Cassange — Native justice — Reflections upon the African
character — The rise and course of the Cambo — The African opium
— The insect world — Breaking up of the encampment — Capulca
again — Lake Utumba — Deceptive medlars — N'Dala Samba and
T'Chica — Jose do Telhado and mortality of the Europeans in
Africa — Cuango and Cuanza — Divisional line of their waters —
Cha-Landu and exactions of the petty sovas — The Ambaquista,
distinctive features, habits, importance, fondness for scribbling —
Ascent of the morro Bango — Dr. Max Buchner, the German
explorer — A queer ecclesiastic — The Lu-calla and Lianzundo cata-
ract— Duque de Braganca and a dinner with Captain A. Silverio.
We were at length out of the territory of the jag gas of
Cassange, and away from the influence of those im-
portunate Ban-gala and of their terrible climate, for
though under the parallel we had now reached there was
little to be said in favour of its salubrity, the basin of
the Cuango must be considered perfectly pestilential.
Tn spite of this, we more than once, having somewhat
recovered from our fatigue, half made up our minds to
turn back, and try again, but better counsels prevailed ;
so definitively turning our backs upon the inhospitable
region, we pursued our way.
All our crew expressed a lively sentiment of satisfaction
at having escaped out of the clutches of those grasping
and cruel tribes amongst which we had struggled so
long, and being relieved from the apprehension of another
attempt to force a passage through them, the caravan,
with Capulca in front, and ourselves bringing up the rear,
Rescue of a Prisoner. 25
plunged into the masses of verdure in capital temper.
The abundance of low marshy ground and pools of
stagnant water makes this part of the country simply
calamitous and we did not envy the possessions of N'Dala
Quissua, who is the ruler of the district.
We had not traversed more than three miles of the
road than we quickened our steps on hearing loud
shrieks and cries proceeding from the forest.
Cassai, the hound, on seeing us run, started on ahead and
struck into a by-path as if to show us the way. A few
minutes brought us to a quilombo, outside which a little
crowd had gathered. The chief, as we were informed,
was not present, and in answer to our inquiries about the
shrieks we had heard, we were told with the usual
circumlocution that the carriers were amusing them-
selves with chastising an unfortunate for not paying his
debts.
The curious part of the matter was, that he was per-
fectly innocent, for we learned on rescuing him that an
inhabitant of the village to which he belonged had some
time before obtained something to eat at the senzala and
not paid for it, and that they had seized upon him to
settle the score.
His body was in a miserable state from the blows he
had received, but when he found himself among friends,
he seized a knife and seriously wounded one of his per-
secutors.
Having, after some trouble, quelled the disturbance,
we resumed our journey, taking the late prisoner with
us as a guide to the place for which we w^ere bound,
situated, as he averred, at no great distance on the road.
It is worthy of remark that we rarely observed among
the natives, scars of wounds arising from individual
dissensions among them. At the outset we took this as
26 West and Central Africa.
a favourable sign, showing their little tendency towards
crimes of violence. With wider experience, however,
we considerably modified this opinion, and attributed
the fact rather to indifference. The natives, indeed,
seldom trouble themselves about others. Personal
interest with them is everything, and that satisfied,
rightly or wrongly, they care little for aught else. From
this indifference to others, rivalry occurs only in special
cases. Those games and competitions wherein dexterity
is the moving spirit, that love of distinction and thirst
for admiration, which in Europe not unfrequently lead
to quarrels and disputes are pretty nearly unknown
among the natives of Africa. And thus it happens that
the chief sources of envy and jealousy being dried up,
their consequences disappear. The negro has, besides, a
natural horror at the sight of blood, and therefore re-
frains from committing an assault upon his neighbour,
not from any high principle of kindness or compassion,
but from timidity and cowardice. When, however, he is
brought into contact with civilization, and other interests
and stimulants are awakened within him, he too fre-
quently becomes a dangerous assassin. Hence it is that
crimes of violence are most frequently committed by those
tribes who reside among Europeans, and who are to be
found in great commercial marts.
At half-past one on the 8th day of March, 1879, we
arrived at a vast cane-bed, pointed out by our guide as
the source of the river we were seeking.
Having set up the abba on the brink of the marsh, we
took observations to determine the longitude and varia-
tion, and while chewing a manioc root, and remarking
for the hundredth time that it tasted very much like a
chestnut, we jotted down the following particulars in our
diary : —
The course of the River Cambo. 2J
The Cambo rises on the slope of Serra Catanha in
marshy ground that receives the drainage of the upper
plateau, and running northwards between the lands of
Quifucussa and Catalla Canjinga, penetrates into the
Jinga, and finally empties itself into the Cuango in
latitude 7' 40°, about seven miles below the great cataract
of Suco-ia-muquita or Suco-ia-n'buncli,1 in the territory
of the Tembo Aluma, and above two others possessed by
the same river. It is the second affluent of the Cuango
after the Lui, and is erroneously represented on the old
maps, where it is made to run through the low grounds
of the Yongo and Holo in a mean direction north-north
east.
We were just preparing to make a series of magnetic
observations in the interest of science, which nowadays
demands so much of the explorer, when the rain quite
upset our arrangements, and compelled us to leave the
task to future travellers, whom we trust may be blessed
by better weather. As to ourselves, we were assailed by
a fierce thunder-storm, followed by a deluge of rain, that
compelled us to keep indoors, to the unconcealed delight
of our followers, who, not in the slightest degree in-
convenienced by the clouds of thick smoke that filled the
confined space of the huts, passed the pipe round from
mouth to mouth in hearty enjoyment of the tobacco,
which is very abundant in the country of the Bondos.
As long as they confined their attention to wholesome
tobacco it was all very well, but most of them soon
abandoned the tobacco-pipe for the mu-tojpa, a horn con-
taining water and a bowl used for the consumption of the
fatal liamba (Cannabis sativa).
The smokers sit round an ample brazier, whence, with
small tongs, they draw out a bit of charcoal and place it
1 Suco-ia-u'bundi seems to express a perturbation of sight.
28 West and Central Africa.
on the top of the bowl containing the liamba. One of
them puts the mu-topa to his lips, and takes four or five
strong pulls, inhaling the precious smoke, whose effect is
to cause a violent fit of coughing, apparently all the more
satisfactory if it nearly suffocates him in the process.
The instrument is then passed on to his neighbour, who
draws it till he remains quite stupefied, his eyes glazed
while he breathes as if in a deep sleep. The water in
the horn bubbles as the smoke is drawn through it, but
the sound is soon lost in the hubbub of voices, each man
clamorous for his turn. Meanwhile, those who have
already had their pull become, as it were, mad-drunk,
throw themselves about, talk and laugh in the most
excited fashion, the while the saliva, produced by the in-
halation of the burning hemp, runs from their mouths
and makes them, with the contortion of their features,
dreadful objects to contemplate.
We tried our best over and over again to put a stop
to the practice, for the sight of the men disgusted while
it pained us ; but it was of no use, for they only hid
themselves away in the woods and indulged in the dele-
terious habit in secret.
An entomologist would have been in ecstasies with
the variety of specimens to be met with in this region.
When the rain was over, thousands of butterflies, adorned
with wings of every variety of colour, darted about the
wood, and excited our wonder and admiration, and we only
wished that the illustrious director of the Museum at
Lisbon could have been there to enjoy the spectacle.
At one moment there fluttered past us the Synagris
comuta, already spoken of ; at another the ma-
cunhapamba or Odonata. On the green stalks of the
tall grass we recognized the mu-curulumbia Mantis,
nearly four inches in length, climbing towards its curious
Entomology
29
nest, and hard by we saw the still more curious home of
the Capata-ieu, constructed of small fragments of stick,
arranged like a fluted column and fastened securely
together by a web. These being burnt, produce an ash
reputed of great value for the preservation of the teeth,
which may indeed be gathered from the native name, ieu,
-•i^>:fe:£r>^
)K1NG THE FATAL LIAM
signifying a tooth. On the ground the gongolo (Sjnros-
treptus gongolo) were crawling slowly by the side of
Gapricornios ; more than one variety of Scarabeus engaged
on their laborious task of conveying along enormous balls,
formed of matter dropped by herbivorous animals,
wherein to preserve their eggs.
30 West and Central Africa.
The termites, ever hard at work, were reconstructing
their habitations. Strange Arachnidios, such as the silk-
weaying spider, ma-vuvi (Nephita bragantina) were swing-
ing from spray to spray, fastening them together with
their delicate yellow webs. The active and obscure
Xylophages were mining to the very heart the knotted
trunks of ancient trees. Colossal m'bangarala (Cicadas),
in continual motion, perfectly confused us with their pecu-
liar sharp whirr, interrupted every now and then by the
still more piercing notes of the n'gumbe, a bird that we
took to be the Gorythaix paulina. The wonderful ma-
ribundo or ma-libundo (Pelopceus spirifex) whose clay
nests might be seen sticking about the beams of the
houses, were also among our numerous acquaintance.
After depositing in each nest an egg and food for the
support of the progeny when it comes out, the parents
close it up and abandon it to its fate. Not 'the least
singular peculiarity about the creatures is, the apparent
absence of females among them, as all those caught were
males. We also saw buzzing about innumerable bees, and
certain small honey-producing flies, the latter a perfect
scourge of the encampments, which assail the tired
traveller in such myriads that he eats flies, drinks flies,
sneezes them out of his nose, and coughs them out of his
throat, until he is half maddened with the visitation.
At six o'clock, when the sun disappeared, and the
earth was immersed in shadow, the insect world retired,
and silence fell upon the scene. We then sought the
driest place in our little huts, whereon to extend our tired
limbs — spread our leopard-skins upon the grass, drew
our caps down upon our ears, and invoking divine
Morpheus, prayed of him the gift of tranquil sleep. This
he was good enough to grant us, and the night passed
without any of those disturbing influences which may be
Awakening of the Encampment. 3 1
interesting to a reader, but are far from pleasant to a
weary explorer.
With, the first red blush of morn we rose and soon woke
up the entire encampment, when once again was re-
peated the picturesque scene of the starting of the cara-
van, so full of incident and of a certain wild charm to the
traveller who plays his part therein.
After a prolonged performance of stretching of limbs
and yawning of huge jaws that are fearful to behold,
an incessant chatter, joined to that peculiar sniggering
laugh of the negro, accompany the efforts of some of the
men to revivify the smouldering embers of the fires, in
order to warm the food prepared the night before ; while
other hands are busy in rolling up the mat-beds, which
with joints of meat and bags of fuba compose the bag-
gage of some of the carriers.
The coffee for the chiefs is then set to boil.
The goods, drawn from the heap where they have been
piled, are taken out by their respective porters, and secured
with their other impedimenta to the mangos.
The scene becomes a very lively one ; all are at work,
or pretending to be so, and a general chorus of voices, in
every key, from the deep bass of the stalwart carrier to
the faint treble of a puling child, is echoed far and wide.
Meanwhile, the light increases in intensity. Thousands
of birds are upon the wing, and gladdened by the sight
of day are filling the woods with melody. The mist,
which has hitherto hung over the horizon, is now moving
upwards and melting in the air, allowing the eye to
embrace the outline of the distant hills, from behind
which soon grandly rolls the orb of day, which in those
latitudes, north or south of the equator, rises approxi-
mately at ten minutes past or ten minutes before six.
The hot coffee is taken, to the great comfort of the
3 2 West and Central Africa.
inner man ; the women with their infants at their backs
and baskets on their heads are waiting to fall in ; the
cook has gathered np his last traps and seen them duly
secured; the guide marshals his men who are to act as
a vanguard, and at a signal takes the lead ; others soon
follow ; a last look round is given to see that nothing has
been left behind, and in a few minutes — of the encamp-
ment so recently full of noisy life — there remain but a
couple of dozen huts, looking already strangely solitary,
and a few heaps of smoking ashes.
Plunging into the woods, with our strength renewed
by the night's rest, we make our way, deriving no
small assistance from our bill-hooks in widening the path
and removing too obtrusive thorns, while we philosophize
on the marvels of creation and dilate on the advantage of
a bit of adhesive plaster on our corns !
These early morning tramps through the grass and
forest land have doubtless a charm of their own, but as
certain drawbacks modify every pleasure in this world, so
we discover that tall grass laden with water and satu-
rated trees which the slightest wind puts in motion,
and thereby creates an artificial rain beneath, may contri-
bute in the end to make a man feel very uncomfortable.
Still we pushed on in good spirits, buoyed up with
the hope that we should soon be in the open where the
warm sun would dry our clothing and a good meal would
fortify our stomachs, when suddenly there broke upon the
mind of Capulca a reflection that could not but interest us
very deeply ; namely, upon what we were to expend the
splendid appetite that our morning's march had made
wonderfully keen ! But one pound of fuba, it appeared,
was all he could offer for the refreshment of two hungry
men, seasoned with as much fresh air as we chose to
throw in !
The colossal Lughias. 3 3
It was really too bad, and the fellow seemed to make
quite a virtue of the fact that he had only just thought of it !
Our disappointment was so great that we had scarce
eyes or admiration left for the many beauties that met
our view as we neared the borders of the forest and got
upon clearer ground, so all-engrossing was the subject of
an empty stomach with nothing to put into it !
THE COLOSSAL LUGHIAS.
And yet how beautiful were the colossal lughias, with
their green and tender fruit, and wide-spreading branches,
beneath which hundreds of men could find an easy shelter ;
how charming were the mu-anza, covered with the won-
derful bark so useful for dyeing leather ; how marvellous
were the varieties of thorns and underwood, here present-
ing spongy heads, and there glowing with flowers, as
VOL. 11. d
34 West and Central Africa.
remarkable to the sight as to the smell ; but alas ! none of
these were good to eat, and we were getting so hungry
that half their picturesqueness was swallowed up in the
great absorbing thought of food.
Cursing the negligence of that very trying individual,
Capulca, and envying the philosophy with which our com-
panions in misfortune solaced themselves with their pipes,
we drew our belts all the tighter to prevent the emptiness
of our stomachs from being too apparent, and still
trudged on, the sun, as it made giant strides in the
heavens, setting us the example.
Strange as it may appear, our black thoughts were
gradually dissipated amid the constant change of scene,
and eluding the pangs of hunger, we followed the ill-
defined track which edged the forest, now stopping to
trim our pipes, now stumbling over the irregularities of
the ground.
But these pastimes had not been of many hours
duration, when an unexpected disaster overtook us. We
had just entered upon an immense slimy plain — a perfect
bog indeed, which the guide informed us bore the name
of Lake Utumba — when one of us went in up to his
knees, and on the other attempting to assist him, both
fell flat upon our faces in the slime ! Nose, mouth, eyes,
and ears, were choked with the sticky mud, and we had
the satisfaction, when we could recover our vision, to
discover our followers on the broad grin at our
disaster.
Our mouths had been thus unexpectedly filled, and
yet we were unsatisfied ; nor did the ghost of a senzala
appear to gladden us. At four o'clock, quite fagged
out, we were compelled to stop and construct our
camp.
No sooner were we installed, than Capulca (that
A deceptive Fruit. 35
genius for discoveries) strolled off along the bank of a
neighbouring rivulet, the Cu-ji, and ten minutes later
came running back radiant with joy, holding up some-
thing in his hand. On drawing nearer he showed us, with
great glee, a handful of some yellow fruit, not unlike
in appearance the European medlar. We seized it with
avidity and crammed it into our mouths ; and then
half a dozen men, proceeding to the tree whence it was
taken, gathered and ate a considerable quantity.
At night-fall the fires were lighted, and we soon
turned in for our desired rest. About eight o'clock we
were startled by sundry sighs and groans, which grew
louder as we listened, and mingled with these were other
sounds not uncommon on board a passenger-ship when
the vessel is lurching heavily.
As we started up to learn the cause, we were conscious
of a feeling in the stomach, as if it were bursting,
followed by a frightful colic, which made us roll about
in pain. The murder was out, we had been half
poisoned by the unknown fruit we had so heedlessly
devoured ; and the cook, the young niggers, and such
of the carriers as had partaken of the delusive medlars,
were suffering the same pains, and uttering, the cries and
groans that had so startled us. Fortunately, we were all
violently sick, and having got a little sleep after ridding
ourselves of our indigestible burthen, we rose up next
morning sadder, but wiser men.
We had a gleam of hope ere setting out imparted to
us by Jose, the guide, whose stomach, owing to a fellow-
feeling, sympathized with our own. He assured us that
before the sun set we should reach the establishments of
N'Dala Samba, where he actually possessed an uncle !
a revelation and a relation for which we could have em-
braced him on the spot. Nor did he deceive us with
l> 2
36
West and Central Africa.
false hopes, for after seven and a half miles' march we
entered T'Chica, and finally reached our destination,
pitching oar camp close to two farms, where we were
enabled at once to purchase provisions.
At length we had something to eat, and there only
remained the ceremony of cooking it. In order to
mitigate the horrors of expectation, and discipline our
appetites, somewhat excited by the previous twenty- four
A ROAD-SIDE CEMETERY.
hours' fast, if we leave out of the accounb those medlars
of painful memory, we sat down and began whittling
some sticks, the while Jose's uncle, to whom we had
been presented in due form, told us a few stories, inter-
spersed with episodes of the woods, which, od more
accounts than one, we refrain from presenting to our
readers.
We were rewarded at last by Capulca's exclamation
that "dinner was ready," and great was our emotion to
Frightful Mortality. 3 7
see him draw from the bubbling cauldron two white and
well-fed fowls, which he placed upon the board !
In ten minutes nothing was left but the bones, to the
great astonishment of Jose and his respectable relative,
who craned their necks in vain to discover if any frag-
ments were left that were worth consuming !
On our recent journey hither we had fallen in pretty
frequently with the burial-places of both Portuguese and
Africans — a sad reminder of the difficulty of keeping
life within the body in these remote districts, where
various agents of trading-houses, established in Malange,
had taken up their quarters with a view to induce the
caravans from the interior to halt for refreshment and
secure a little business.
At T'Chiea we visited the tomb of a famous Portuguese
trader, Jose do Telbado, whose reputation for probity is
still preserved among the natives. The monument, that
is situated in the middle of a little hamlet, is carefully
kept up by the last of his old retainers, and was not only
strewn with many fragments of articles used by the
deceased, but was made pretty by a variety of flowers in
bloom.
The mortality in this part of the continent is perfectly
frightful. The miasmatic influence of the climate does
not appear so intense at all periods of the year, which is
intelligible enough; during the rainy season, the elevated
temperature not only makes the emanations from the soil
far greater, but causes abundant perspiration, excites
more thirst, and renders the absorption considerable,
and the organism being thus disturbed, violent and
dangerous sickness is the result. During our stay in
Cassange, three traders, whereof one was an European,
were taken off. At Malange, a firm with three partners,
and having a branch at Cassange, was also closed,
$& West and Central Africa.
owing to the death of two out of the three associates;
and we were forced to come to the sad conclusion, that
whatever their desirability as places of trade, they were
but little fitted for the well-being or requirements of
Europeans in respect of salubrity.
Where we stood we found ourselves on the divisional
line of the Ouango and Cuanza basins. On the north,
Camicungo pours its waters into the Congo-Zaire, on
the east the Camoaxi runs through the Mucari to the
Cuanza.
The caravan being duly provisioned, after a visit
paid to Sanza, we started in a south-westerly direc-
tion.
We were now in the district of Malange, that we
intended crossing on our way to the Duque de Braganca,
whence it was our resolve to take a fresh departure
for the interior.
Impenetrable wood was met at intervals, in great part
under water ; and in spaces where the ground wras
cleared, the land was frequently inundated. Traces of
game appeared, but no animals were seen ; partridges
and wood-pigeons were tolerably abundant, but so shy
that we could not get a successful shot at them.
Petty sovetas visited us by the dozen, and with one of
them, Cha-Landa, we had a serious dispute. Out of
mere caprice that gentleman took a fancy to the great-
coat one of us was wearing, and after a good deal of
beating about the bush, he made application for it
through the interpreter. Irritated by our refusal, he
blustered to such an extent in the quilombo, that we had
to show him the outside of it.
No one can conceive the series of petty difficulties and
annoyances to which the explorer is subject in these
parts. The mere sight of his goods arouses all the
The Ambaquista. 39
cupidity of the miserable little despots, and when they
cannot satisfy it by force, they resort to every kind of
chicanery. No sooner does a caravan appear at any
point, than up spring sovetas, seculos, delegates of the
latter, relatives of these, and so on, putting forward the
most absurd claims ; such, for instance, as the taking of
a couple of eggs from the wayside, for which they
demand whole pieces of cloth in the shape of fine. It
often happens that the sova, who appears in the guise
of a captain in the army, is merely a private in one of
the native regiments raised by the Portuguese govern-
ment in Africa, who gives himself the airs of a
general, at least, is surrounded by a horde of worth-
less characters, and iuvariably attended by a sort of
secretary or bully, always a finished knave, selected from
among the Ambaquistas.
And now that we are upon the subject, we will say a
few words about this noted tribe, a sort of African
Bohemians, who are to be met with throughout the
country from Malange onwards. The Ambaquista is in
fact the dine damnee of the interior.
One of the surest signs whereby he may be recognized
is his general get-up, which is outre to the last degree
according to his means ; another is the mark of the
small-pox which he generally bears upon his face ; and
be it noted, as a peculiarity, that they who are so marked
are more cunning than foxes.
Having a profound knowledge of the native character,
the Ambaquista makes his way into the senzala, ]oses
little time in captivating the good graces of all its inmates,
and principally of its Sova, decides disputes, has the
cunning to maintain the opinion of superior understand-
ing with which he is credited, amuses the ruler with
singular stories touching the manners and customs of
40 West and Central Africa.
Europeans, gives him even some notions, however9
erroneous, of religion and of "worship, and in fact creates
himself a position. The circumstance of his being able
to write — for a good many of his countrymen have that
accomplishment — helps not a little to raise him in the
estimation of the ignorant savages, and, as the so-called
secretary of the Sova, he is naturally a recipient of all
his secrets.
Where the Ambaquista is not attached to the service
of any ruler, lie makes a tolerable living by wandering
about the country with an ink-horn, pens, and paper,
packed among the other articles of his little muJiamba,
and rarely fails to obtain his two, three, and even some-
times four yards of cloth for the letter he writes at the
instigation of the Sova to the authorities, and occasion-
ally from the latter to a native chief. Among them-
selves, the Ambaquistas have a perfect mania for
drawing up protests and memorials. A half-dozen of
them, united in council, will indite a protest or two every
week.
We heard a little story upon this subject which is
amusing in its way, and illustrates very completely both
their rage for scribbling and their natural caution not to
commit themselves. Five of them having drawn up a
very lengthy memorial against one of the Portuguese
authorities, were about to sign it, when a grave discus-
sion arose amongst them, owing to the disinclination of
each to be the first to affix his name.
The more they debated the question, the more serious
it appeared, and they were about to destroy the docu-
ment in despair, out of the difficulty of finding the x of
the problem. Finally, a happy thought illuminated the
brain of one of them, and was adopted forthwith as a
triumphant way out of the difficulty ; and that was to
T?Ma£era,{
F? PalmeirirLhxLS <
13
East of Greenwich
"eller, Uifv
7W".,t. <■+,», s^.W,* .?,
An Ambaca Gentleman,
4i
write their names in the circumference of a circle, and
therefore without an}r order of precedence !
The portrait we present to our readers is that of a
AN AMBACA GENTLEMAN.
very superior Ambaquista indeed — a trader and a man
of means — a very gentleman of the tribe.
Returning to our narrative, Ave now found ourselves
not far from the town of Malange. To the south of us
42 West and Central Africa.
rose Mount Bango, near which we pitched our camp, in
order to enjoy a short interval of rest, and make the
ascent of the mountain to obtain a tour oV horizon.
As the density of the underwood was such as to bar
our progress, the two first days of our sojourn were em-
ployed in cutting a path upwards — a labour wherein our
whole caravan was employed, while we ourselves prepared
the scientific apparatus we intended to convey to the
summit. The ascent was made on the third day, and a
very hard task we found it ; the chest labouring like the
bellows of a forge.
It was a grand spectacle from the top as the mountain
rose in solitary grandeur from the plain to a height of
nearly 900 feet, and allowed a perfectly uninterrupted
view of the verdant savannas through which the Cuanza
wound its serpentine course. Further to the northwards
was visible another mountain ; on the western horizon
appeared the lofty peaks of Tungo N'Dongo, not unlike
the cupolas of some gigantic edifice ; on the north-west
the mountains of Ambaca ; on the north rose Serra
Muhunzo, and on the south lay the town of Malange, all
successively marked by the azimuth needle and traced on
the paper when the latter descended.
Next morning, the 19th of March, we were seated at
the entrance of our hut, sketching the portrait of Master
Jose, the guide, who had put on a large hat, and enveloped
himself in a sheet for the occasion, while his uncle, lying
on his back with his legs in the air, admiringly looked
on ; when there suddenly appeared to our astonished eyes
an European gentleman, mounted on an ox, and attended
by two or three negroes.
As he dismounted, we hastened to meet him, while con-
jecture was immediately at work to guess the name and
calling of the fair man who stood before us. He at once,
Dr. Max Buchner.
43
however, satisfied our mental inquiries by introducing
himself.
" I am Dr. Max Buclmer, a German explorer, sent on
a special mission to the country of the Lunda, where I
am to have speech of Muata-Yanvo. Being at Malange
completing my staff, and waiting for certain articles I
"1 AM DR. MAX BUCHNER."
have to take with me, I heard of your arrival here, and
therefore came over with the double object of making
your acquaintance and scaling the mountain hard by, an
ascent I have promised myself to make ever since my
entrance into the country."
Inviting him to breakfast, we soon sat round our im-
provised table, which was furnished with the best our
44 West and Central Africa.
men could produce, and for the space of a good hour we
talked upon every subject imagination could suggest to
three men under such circumstances. We dwelt upon
the advantages of certain compasses, of the excellent
working of certain other theodolites, of direct processes
for the determination of the longitude, of the difficulty
of transport in the forest, of the most recent news from
old Europe, of the broad awakening interest felt by
many of her sons for African exploration, of the
disastrous influence of the climate of the great conti-
nent ; of the best mode of warding off its fevers, and
other kindred subjects, that made the time fly swiftly
and pleasantly.
Dr. Buchner then started with a guide we lent him and
made the ascent of the mountain by the track we had cut
for ourselves. At four he returned, in a devouring fever,
and taking a hasty leave, he retraced his steps -the road
he had come, and we saw him no more.
We ourselves remained a few days longer in our camp,
hard at work during the day and listening to extraordinary
stories at night, one of which we record, without, of
course vouching for its accuracy.
Some time previous to our arrival a certain celebrated
ecclesiastic, whose name, which was not Portuguese, was
mentioned to us, made a progress through this part of
the country, and played such extraordinary pranks that
his fame extended far and wide. The worship that this
noble priest endeavoured to set up was that of Bacchus,
of a form modelled by himself, and as, instead of young
converts, he only met with old roues and jealous rivals,
he had recourse to the stick ! The natives, becoming
alarmed at this energetic proselytizer, at last gave him
the widest possible berth, so that the congregation of
this extraordinary pastor, with a cloth round his head
The Lianzundo Cataract. 45
and a flagon under his arm, got gradually smaller. They
called him IFganga-ia-puio (the fetichman of the whites),
and at last got so terrified at the stories that were told
of his evil powers, that the rumour of his coming was the
signal for a general flight. Happily, as aguardente grew
scarce, the zeal of the missionary cooled, and, as it is pre-
sumed, after mature study of the position, he concluded
that it was both ridiculous and inglorious to run the risk
of the martyrdom of deprivation of alcohol for the stupid
and insignificant result of four baptisms and three chrisms,
he shook the dust of an ungrateful country off the soles
of his feet and travelled coastwise, where it is to be con-
cluded he found a more genial soil and unquestionably
more rum.
On resuming our journey we skirted the mountains on
our right, and had on our left an immense plain, inter-
sected by several rivulets with marshy banks, where
" the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field " might
roam with safety, but which was but ill-fitted for the
passage of the human foot. We traversed in six days,
by the border of the Malange district, the space interven-
ing between our point of departure and the Duque de
Braganca, sleeping one night near a little hamlet, where
a Sova, in the uniform of a Spanish soldier, worried us
almost beyond endurance, at another in the forest ; now
in the open, and again on the bank of some river.
It was the 2Sth of March that we sighted for the first
time the river Lu-calla, at the residence of Calandula,
near the Faba rapids ; and on the 29th, having gone a
little up stream we came upon the great Lianzundo
cataract, a beautiful sheet of foam, ninety-seven feet in
depth, with a spring-like vegetation clinging to its steep
sides, and at its feet a thicket of orange-trees, which we
depict in our engraving.
46 West and Central Africa.
On the 30th we made the fortress of the Duque, and
were cordially received by the Portuguese chefe, Captain
A. Silverio, a courteous gentlemen, well advanced in
years that had been expended in the service of his country.
In the course of three hours our quilombo was run up
and put into something like order, so that we were
enabled to accept in comfort an invitation of the
captain's to dinner.
We were much struck on entering the residence, at the
novel aspect it presented. A vast verandah, not unlike
those of the Arab tembes, having been traversed, we
reached an inner pateo or court, having at one side the
kitchen, partly concealed and sheltered by bananas and a
paling, about which were cutting half a dozen little
niggers, a couple of pigs, a dozen or so fowls, a. monkey,
a gazelle, and a parrot. The opposite side was taken up
with the living-rooms of the establishment, and -in one of
them, which did duty as drawing and dining-room,
appeared the welcome, and, to us, uncommon sight of
a long table covered with a white cloth, having dishes
containing smoking viands ranged down the centre, and
a couple of bottles of wine at each corner !
The succulent food brought to our recollection a sub-
ject we had frequently discussed when we had nothing
to stay our hunger ; and we unanimously concurred, at
this joyous moment, that we should not eat merely to
live, for that a tender, juicy, delicately-browned beef-
steak produced, in its consumption, sensations of the
mind as well as the body that were worthy of mature
consideration.
We were quite touched when our worthy host uttered
the simple compliment, "Will you please be seated?"
and the first spoonful of hot soup really did bring tears
into our eyes ; we recovered courage, however, as we got
A civilized Dinner
47
on, and before half an hour had gone by, found ourselves
hob-nobbing with one another with as much ease as if
we had been used to that sort of thing all through our
adventurous journey.
NEST OF THE CAPAT^-IEU.
48 West and Central Africa.
CHAPTER III.
On the tramp again — The banks of the Lu-calla and a nice dispute —
Cateco, the hunter of wives — The Jinga, its limits and importance
— The king, titles and residence — Hierarchical scale — Peculiar
mode of bestowal of property — The ma-lunga and quijinga — The
Muco-N'Gola or Mona N'Grola— Strange head-dresses and queer
pockets — On the summit of the Serra Catanha — A love episode
and its unpleasant close — Conjugal relations — An evening discus-
sion and a morning flight— Mineral wealth of the Jinga — Mode
of preparing cloth, dwellings, &c. — A storm in the forest, and a
further desertion — Den of thieves — A page or two from the diary
— A tough cow — Arrival at Cafuchila.
Twenty-four days have elapsed since the memorable
dinner recorded in the last chapter, the same scenes
being repeated while we waited for the cessation of the
rains ; sometimes absorbing quinine in larger or smaller
doses, at others lying in bed without a sight either of
earth or sky.
We had reached the 26th of April, exactly 532 days
since we left Benguella for our journey northwards, but
in spite of our mishaps our disposition to push onwards
remained as strong as ever. We considered our honour
and our dignity alike embarked in the solution of the
problem we had set ourselves, and, determined to make
our constancy overcome the difficulties by which we
were beset, we made all preparations for a departure on
the first favourable opportunity. The weather alone now
stood in our way.
In order again to reach the basin of the Cuango it
An zincomfortable Strike. 49
was necessary to cross great part of the kingdom of the
Jinga — a territory that our informants depicted in the
darkest colours, whilst they could scarcely find terms
strong enough to portray the exactions and tyranny of
the supreme ruler. We were getting, however, quite
case-hardened in our scepticism, and resolved to judge
for ourselves.
Thus it happened that at daybreak of the 28th of
April, 1879, without even waiting for the preparation of
the morning meal, we set off for the margin of the river,
where a miserable canoe had been placed at our disposal.
The banks of the Lu-calla are almost entirely com-
posed of marsh, so that we had no choice but to be con-
veyed upon men's shoulders, whereof several brawny ones
were at once offered for our accommodation. As these
offers came from the natives of the district, and addi-
tional hands are always welcome, we gladly accepted
their proposal, our guide promising them a couple of
yards of cloth each by way of remuneration, with which
they appeared to be perfectly satisfied.
When, however, we were about half way through,
the cunning rogues struck for higher wages, and vowed
they would go no further !
In Europe, where contracting parties have reason to
be discontented with the working of a contract, it is a
usual thing to have recourse to arbitration to settle the
dispute ; but as that was not the custom in Africa, and
the fellows threatened to let us clown in the mud and
deep water unless their demands were complied with,
we were forced to put our indignation and sense of the
justice of our , case in our pockets until we felt firm
ground under our feet again.
We were then near the residence of the Sova Zundo-
ia-Faco, into which we entered with a rush, followed by
VOL. II. E
50 West and Ceittral Africa.
the mutinous Jingas. We found that chief, whom we
immediately recognized by the possession of a battered
old hat, squatted on the ground in the open air, adorn-
ing the sides of a rough kind of bench of his own manu-
facture, his Majesty having, apparently, a turn for
carpentry.
Having coolly appropriated the bench for our own
use, we sat down on it, in order to plead our cause,
leaving the Sova the choice of the ground, and for two
mortal hours we discussed the question of our agreement
with the men, which terminated in our being compelled
to give them three yards each instead of two.
On the 30th of April we had run up our quilombo
near the dwelling of the OWck-ia-Legho, when a man
introduced himself as one willing to act as a guide.
As we were examining him from head to foot, he
quietly seated himself, and began to relate his story.
Having the " gift of the gab," and being as well versed
in gesticulation as a Neapolitan, he had uttered in ten
minutes quite enough to fill some volumes, and had
thrown his arms and legs about like the sails of a mill
in a heavy gale, during the whole of which performance
we remained perfectly quiescent, partly from a feeling of
politeness, but more through not understanding a
twentieth part of what he said.
When he had finished, our interpreter gave us a brief
summary of his discourse. According to his own
account he was a proficient in the highways and by-ways
of the district, was well acquainted with sovas in general
and with a good many in particular ; was one of the
most disinterested members of his profession (that of a
hunter), which he had adopted from inclination, and
whence sprang many advantages, the chief among
which being the ready acquirement of many wives culled
A new Giade. 51
from various countries, all of whom were passionately
fond of him, and lived in perfect harmony with each other.
As we regarded his sour aspect and wrinkled skin,
we could not but think that some of these African
dames must be rather easily contented.
He went on to say that having got tired of one of
these same spouses, with whom he had been living
through the rains, he had resolved to go northwards for
a little change of air, and in order to see another of his
wives whom he had not set eyes on for upwards of a
twelvemonth.
Well, we thought, if the possession of a number of
wives can be considered in this country as a guarantee
of respectability, here is a respectable man par excel-
lence. A nephew of our visitor who stood by seemed
almost to divine our meditations, for as we made them
he gravely nodded his head in the affirmative.
" As you know the country so well," we remarked,
oblige us by saying which you consider the best road to
the territory of the Hungo."
" By taking this direction," he answered, pointing to the
west-north-west, " and passing by the Serra Catanha, a
man would find himself in very uncomfortable quarters,
as it is the district of the Quibungo Quiassama — a
terrible tyrant. On the north-east he would find an
even worse character in Tembo Aluma ; so I should
advise as the most reasonable step, to proceed directly
to the king's court."
" The king's court ! " The words raised our sus-
picions that it was another attempt to impose upon us.
Still, we let it go ; and having engaged his services, we
dismissed him for the night with the words : — ■
" We shall start northwards on the morrow, so, at
break of day, be in readiness, here."
e 2
52 West and Central Africa.
A couple of " calling as " exchanged between us put an
end to the interview, and he had scarcely retired than
we found ourselves face to face with the sova of the
district, one of the most silent of his class we ever met
with. As we had just as little to say to him, we made
him a present of six yards, and then, retiring to our
huts, we posted up our notes and went to bed, passing in
a sound sleep the last hours of the month of April — the
spring time of the dear old country.
We were now in the very heart of the Jinga (a queen
of which country figures in the sonnets of Bocage), now-
adays a mere reflex of its former grandeur ; it is divided
into three provinces, Sussa, Danje, and Dongo, and has
recently received an acquisition of territory in the shape
of the Matamba lands. Its boundaries are the Cuango
on the east, and the Lu-calla on the west ; while on the
north it is limited by Hungo, and on the south by Holo.
Its commercial importance is almost nil.
The Jinga, like all old and decaying nations, is allow-
ing itself to drift along the downward path which leads
to utter ruin and annihilation. The autocrat of the
Jinga bears the title of king, a designation which struck
us as rather pretentious, seeing that he differs but little
in appearance or intellect from the commonest carrier.
The monarchs of the country are always styled N'golas
Quilluanjes Quissambas, though they have their own
special names, that of the reigning king being Calunga
N'Dombo Acambo. He resides in a senzala pompously
styled a " court," surrounded by many vassals, dukes,
counts, marquises, and what not, whom he uses for his
own pleasure and advantage.
The Jinga is divided, not into fiefs, as there are no
direct lords, but a large number of estates frequently
held for life, and which as they fall in are bestowed by
The Jinga Court. 53
the monarch upon whomsoever he thinks fit. He is
governed in his choice by considerations which will
appear in the hasty sketch we append of the complicated
hierarchical-social scale of the government.
The first dignitaries in the order of their rank are
the vundas (a species of duke); the second the candas
(a sort of count), followed by quilluanjes, znndos, dambis,
capelles, catecos, n'gola-n boles (a kind of secretary),
matomuzmnos, &c, who occupy the estates above referred
JINGA TYPE.
to, surrounded by their slaves, and form the royal
suite.
Whenever one of these personages dies, his nearest
of kin does not, on account of his relationship, succeed
him, since such an arrangement would not suit his
Majesty's views. Various wealthy, ambitious individuals
are sure to step in and make lumping offers for the
vacant property, which is, in fact, put up to a species of
54 West and Central Africa.
auction, with this difference, that the matter is held
pending sometimes as long as six months, in order that
the competitors may continue pouring their valuable
stores into the king's warehouses, there to await his
decision, and, it is needless to say, are charged pretty
heavy warehousage in the shape of exactions.
When the matter is finally settled the successful man
is undado (invested or sworn-in), and receives a ma-
lung a1 (bracelet), and the qui-jinga or ca-jinga (cap),
with the declaration of vunda or canda, and he may then
in his turn select his subalterns, or as it is politely
termed may appoint m'jpembas of ma-tomuzumo n'gola-
n'bole, &c. A personage so invested need only doff his
qai-jinga in presence of the king, to whom he always does
obeisance, by touching the ground with his lips and
clapping the palms of his hands together. He may
also put the prefix of calunga or noble to his name, just
as the monarch himself uses the term of mueniche.
Finally, repairing to his estate, he becomes lord of all it
contains.
The Jingas style themselves Muco-N'Gola, or Mona-
N'Gola. In shape, they are well- formed but slender,
very dark in colour and of a uniform tint. They affect a
great variety of hair- dressing, the favourite form being
a great bunch on the top of the head, adorned with
bands, braids, plumes of feathers, spiral strips of brass,
plates of the same metal, beads, &c.
"We were considerably amused wifch their pockets,
which, owing to the monstrous size of their coiffures they
arrange on the tops of their heads with the opening
behind ! Into this they thrust every small article the
1 We should have thought, as there is only one, that qui-lunga would
have been the more correct expression ; as, however, we never heard
it so used, we give it as we found it.
Don Jtcan again. 55
hollow will contain, the woolly texture of the hair aiding
considerably to keep it in. Their dexterity in putting
away anything that was given to them was such that it
appeared on our first acquaintance with these people very
like sleight of hand, for we saw the upward movement
of the arm to the back of the head, and noted the hand
come back empty ; and as politeness would not allow
us to go round to see what had become of it, we at last
procured an answer to the enigma from our own people.
At noon, on the 2nd of May, under a blazing sun, we
arrived pretty well fagged on the slope of the Serra
Catanha, where, under the shade of a leafy acacia, we
spent nearly an hour in philosophical meditation, drying
our garments, drenched with perspiration, and munching
manioc root.
From the summit of the mount we had a fine view of
the extensive plains of the kingdom of the Jinga, com-
mencing by the Province of Dongo. Senzalas, scattered
about in every direction, represented the estates above
alluded to, and whereof some canda or vuncla, with a
few dozen slaves as attendants, was the lord and master.
In the distance, on the banks of the Hamba, rose the
pretended court, surrounded by the dwellings of the
king's retinue, while numerous flocks and herds gave
animation to the green hills.
While engaged in the contemplation of this beautiful
scene we were startled by a tremendous hubbub in the
direction of the senzala and at once hurried hither to
learn the cause.
We might have guessed as much. Don Juan was at
his old tricks again, and we could not help thinking that
if he only showed in the field of danger a tenth part of
the boldness which distinguished him in the paths of
love, he would have made a famous hero.
56 West and Central Africa.
And yet — to look at him — lie was one of the most un-
likely beings to command success in those same paths
that the eye could well light upon ; it was his consum-
mate impudence and vanity that spurred him on, and
made him frequently successful where a handsome but a
modest, retiring man would not have had the ghost of a
chance.
He was short, thin, bow-legged, prematurely aged by
excesses of all kinds; bore on his scraggy neck a huge head
with a sinister-looking face, to which two ill-shaped, yellow,
furtive and cunning eyes occasionally lent an expression
of revolting ugliness — certainly not removed by a pair of
lips of enormous thickness, which only parted to show
his broken and irregular teeth. This is no exaggerated
portrait of Capulca, whom we pompously styled our
chef, and who, in spite of these physical defects, was the
most terrible lady-killer it was ever our fate to fall in
with.
On the present occasion, time hanging rather heavily
on his hands — for our meals were not of that extensive
character to occupy very much of his attention — he con-
ceived that it would be an agreeable pastime to bandy
soft speeches with some of the lady inhabitants of the
district, and actually persuaded one of them to take a
stroll with him in the fields. Whether at her invitation
or not, it matters little, he accompanied her back to her
dwelling, and was just entering the doorway when he
almost flattened his nose against the master of the house
and husband of the lady, who at once, pouncing upon him,
called for assistance and had him secured. That was
Act the First.
In Act the Second we find him roaring for mercy under
the infliction of a dozen lashes or so, well laid on by
one of the government delegates ; and when he was let
Marital Arrangements. 57
loose more dead than alive, the scene was closed by his
having to pay a thumping fine to the fair one's sposo.
It is somewhat in this fashion that most of their
amorous delinquencies are punished — the lash being
spared where the woman is at fault, but vigorously
applied if the misdemeanant be a man. This was sum-
mary justice, we thought, with a vengeance ; yet some-
how it commended itself in many ways to our judgment,
when we compared it with some of the long and tedious
processes with which we had become familiar in old
Europe.
The native system, however, in treating offences
against the marriage laws cannot always be approved,
as the following instances will show : A lady, becoming
tired of daily intercourse with her lord, clandestinely
quits bis roof and finds a home with a more congenial
companion. The husband, in order to remove any
difficulties that such a proceeding might involve, seeks
out the new protector, and in the most business-like way
demands an indemnity, which the latter invariably pays.
Should he be averse to keep the frail one, he pays some-
thing more, in accordance with an amicable arrangement
between the parties, and in this case the husband takes
back his wife without any disturbance of his equanimity ;
indeed, the gentlemanly way in which the whole affair is
conducted is beyond all praise.
That incorrigible rascal, Capulca, elected the former
course, and in spite of his sore back, after he had paid
his fine he coolly requested that the caravan might be
augmented by an additional member, in the shape of his
new spouse !
Abandoning at length the shade of the friendly acacia,
where, in addition to our cook's escapade we had a few
words with Cateco, our new guide, who had, by accident
58 West and Central Africa.
or design, mistaken his road, we camped on the edge of
the Serra at no great distance from the residence of the
noble 0<z7?<i<z-ria-Massango. A little further in advance
was the dwelling of another of these lordlings, called
OWtZa-ria-Canzella, a perfect bully of a fellow, hope-
lessly given up to drunkenness.
This latter came to the quilombo to visit us, at the
very time we had another visitor from Duque de Bra-
ganca, a trader there of the name of Figueiredo. This
gentleman had come over to explore the neighbourhood
in our company, but the whole of the day till nightfall
was taken up with a hot discussion between himself and
the petty chief, the subject being a lady of whom Mr.
Figueiredo had been deprived.
After worrying us to the limits of our patience, one of
the disputants got dead drunk and the other went to
bed ; nor did we wait to hear the result of the contention,
which was certain to be renewed next day, for having
snatched an hour or two of sleep, at three in the morn-
ing, before it was light, we quitted the place, leaving
plaintiff and defendant in the arms of Morpheus.
We trudged along the lofty heights of the Serra
Catanha, whose eastern flank, the work doubtless of
some convulsion of nature, was seamed by steep preci-
pices, exhibiting here and there huge blocks of sandstone
and granite, fantastically shaped in the semblance of
turreted castles and frowning fortresses.
The region is evidently rich in minerals. Silver
appears to be exceedingly abundant, as various of the
dignitaries who called upon us wore bracelets and anklets,
and carried large batons of that metal. We could get,
however, no reliable information concerning the mines
whence the metal was obtained, or respecting the process
employed in the working.
Taenia.
59
Taenia is perhaps one of the most important staples of
the trade of the country, if we might judge by the
quantity of people we saw collecting this wood and
heaping it in piles. It is employed for various purposes,
such as staining the hair and body, but more particu-
larly for dyeing cloth. The natives of the Jinga are
CATECO, THE GUIDE.
accustomed to use it very much for this latter purpose,
the natives asserting that it preserves the fabric and
keeps it cleaner. They moreover make an infusion of
taenia, dust, and oil, steep cloth therein for some days,
and then expose it to the sun. The result is a species
60 West and Central Africa.
of oil-cloth, which may be useful in keeping out water,
but it stinks abominably.
The dwellings of the Jingas were unlike any we had
yet seen. In shape they were elliptical, the sides being
of grass thickly interwoven, with, the door at one of the
ends of the larger axis, sheltered by a porch with trellis-
work. They were not wanting in picturesqueness, and
some of them were neat and pretty.
To the north of the road we were pursuing, lay the
territory of Matamba, and on the east the Dongo, whose
extreme limit, just visible in the distance, was marked by
an irregular blue line. Our guide Cateco steered his
course unhesitatingly through the territory. His gait
was almost as regular as that of an automaton, his step
firm and assured as a hunter's should be, and with his
long gun over his shoulder, he climbed mountains or
strode down into valleys, crossed ravines or forded brooks
with the same equanimity, merely stopping at a place
where two paths diverged to exclaim,—
" N'gila murno, n'gana " (This way, gentlemen), or
perhaps, to save himself the necessity of uttering even
this brief explanation, he would simply block the road
we were not to take by bending a bough across it, or
placing a bramble at the commencement of the track.
Having thus travelled northward for some distance we
arrived, tired and panting, at a village belonging to the
Canda-rm-Ijumbombo, where we raised our huts and
spent the rest of the day in scientific labours. Next
morning, however, the 4th of May, by daybreak, we were
again upon the road, making for the lands of the Zundo-
ia-Cassungo.
The weather, which had been fresh and clear since our
entry into the territory of the Danje, became suddenly
overcast and threatening. A suffocating heat made the
Desertions. 6 1
earth crack in every direction, and the first drops of rain
that fell were immediately dried up. Large masses of
cloud, rolling quickly up from the south-east, portended
a storm near at hand. Not a leaf stirred ; the motion-
less trees, white with dust, seemed anxiously waiting
and looking for the water that was to put fresh vigour
into their drooping sprays.
Within a few paces of us, in the ravines which bordered
our path to the westward, lay the sources of the river
liamba, a large affluent of the Cambo, visited by us for
the first time. Crossing to the left side by a rude bridge,
we suddenly came to a halt through an unforeseen cir-
cumstance that occasioned us fresh embarrassment. We
were first attracted by loud shouts in the rear, and
hastening back to inquire the cause learned from Jose,
one of our guides, that seven of the carriers had deserted
with their guns, and left their loads in the middle of the
path to take care of themselves ! Jose assured us he
had made every possible effort to dissuade them from
their purpose, but without effect, the only answer they
deigned to make to his persuasions and arguments being
" tund'enu" (We are off), and off they went.
It was not easy to arrive at a clear explanation of such
conduct. Fear, perhaps, had something to do with it,
the apprehension of going further northwards into a
region which they felt convinced was peopled by cannibals ;
but there were evidently additional motives in the shape
of disputes and quarrels with other members of the
caravan, and something besides which they did not
choose to reveal to Jose.
Their defection could not have been worse timed, for
at that moment the storm burst over us and the rain
began to fall as it only does come down in this country.
We immediately called a council beneath the shelter of
62 West and Central Africa.
an acacia, as we really for the moment did not know what
better to do. Canght as we were, perfectly unprepared,
the men standing about looking like so many sheep,
dripping with water, the thunder- claps, so loud and in-
cessant that we could with difficulty hear ourselves speak,
and the groaning of the trees as they bent beneath the
tempest of wind and rain, rarely did we feel so utterly
non-plussed as on that occasion.
As the goods lay out in the open, our first care was to
get them round us, to which end the guide went off with
some of the men, and this being done we did our best to
distribute them over every working member of the
caravan. After a deal of chopping and changing, grum-
bling and persuasions, we succeeded, after half an hour's
hard work, in settling the matter to our minds, and
valiantly trudged off through the forest, though we were
wet to the skin. It need scarcely be said that we did
not wish every kind of felicity might befall the fugitives ;
indeed, I am afraid we mentally consigned them to very
uncomfortable quarters — a sentence which, though it did
them no harm, was a miserable kind of balsam to our
own feelings.
In the laying on of this " flattering unction," we were
heartily assisted by the carriers who had to bear the
increased burthen caused by the flight of their fellows,
and even Capulca, whose antecedents might have taught
him to be silent upon such a subject, broke in with, —
" Oh ! let them alone, senhors, before the sun sets, they
will find out their mistake. It is ill joking with the
sovas of the Jinga, and what with their viondas and
candas and catecos, our friends will have a lively time of
it. For my part, I wouldn't take a dozen steps away from
the caravan, for all the goods in the world ! Only a few
days ago — "
A heavy Storm. 63
As this commencement threatened to have a long yarn
at the end of it, we requested him to fall into his place.
With the temperature at 86°, and a tropical rain falling,
one is but little disposed to listen to long stories.
The tempest had now reached its height, and we
had no other resource than to pack ourselves into the
smallest compass, so as to present the least possible sur-
face to the elements and as we crouched under the trees
let the water as it poured down the napes of our necks
find an exit at our boots ! These frightful storms are
bad enough to bear when the traveller has taken certain
precautions against them, but when they catch him
unawares they are simply atrocious. The sheets of rain,
by converting the soil into paste, obliterate every vestige
of the track, while the water considerably increases the
weight the men have to carry. The clouds are so dense,
and so completely shut out the sky, that within the
forest it becomes black night, with all the horrors attend-
ing the hours of darkness ; the flashes of lightning, as
they partially illuminate the scene, give to the gaunt
trunks of the trees the appearance of the bars of some
gigantic cage, in which the dripping, miserable wayfarer
is caught without the chance of an escape, while to the
rolling of the thunder is added the soughing of the wind,
the crash of breaking branches, the swishing of the rain,
and other nameless unintelligible sounds that a lively
imagination or a superstitious mind converts so easily
into the groanings and repinings of uneasy spirits !
A tempest, fortunately, does not endure for ever, and
it is short in proportion to its violence. So after a time
the clouds broke; a patch or two of blue sky became
visible through the rents, a ray of sun shot through
another aperture and widened the breach thus made, till
the forest was illuminated with the golden haze and the
64 West and Central Africa.
sun-light glistened in every raindrop and puddle; the
black masses of vapour rolled away, the earth steamed
beneath the glowing heat, and one began to wonder at
the fancies which an hour ago held the mind enthralled.
Giving ourselves a shake or two as a clog does on
issuing from the water, we resumed our journey, camp-
ing at two o'clock near the senzala of the chief Zundo-m-
Cassungo, at the base of Serra Catucua.
The 5th of May broke serene and beautiful, and we
set out in good spirits for a long march. That amiable
disposition was not, however, destined to last long, for
Cateco, who had views of his own, guided us through
paths and by-ways which seemed to lead to the habitations
of every acquaintance he possessed in the neighbourhood.
We found them to be perfect dens of thieves, where our
patience was put to the severest test, and our means
were diminished to an alarming degree.
Innumerable vundas, all of them grasping rascals,
wanted cloth, beads, aguardente, on the largest scale and
on little or no pretext whatsoever. First there was a
certain Fzmdb-ia-Navina, then an impudent Cambaxe,
further on a Vunda-m-^uta, at a few dozen paces in ad-
vance a Fim^a-ia-N'gola-Quilluanje, a little while after-
wards a F?mcZa-ia-Miquenha ; a very horde of cringing or
hectoring nobles, whose capacity for swallowing every
thing that they could beg or worry out of us was infinite.
Boiling with rage, we encamped near a small river, the
Quimbaxe, apprehensive of going any further that day, lest
we should be utterly despoiled. Another reason was,
the extreme interest attaching to the country round,
which we found it impossible to examine or survey
whilst our minds were worried with resisting extortion
and paying tolls.
Happily, an apprenticeship of many months engenders
Extracts from the Diary. 65
a certain practical scientific experience, and the traveller
who is accustomed to note the orography of the lands he
is passing through, the direction of the mountain chains
and their ramifications, the sources of streams and rivers,
&c, acquires a rapidity of glance and observation that
enables him considerably to abridge the labours of the
field. Thus it is, that with a couple of extreme latitudes
and longitudes, two opposite azimuths and a tour half-
way, he has no difficulty in committing to paper the
rivers whose courses he falls in with, the direction of
their sources, their sinuosities, and the bearing of the
serras — a sketch which a subsequent careful examination
in his hut enables him to complete to his satisfaction.
We extract from the diary the notes of the two fol-
lowing days, the 6th and 7th of May, for being jotted
down at the time they will serve better than any narra-
tive to enlighten our readers upon what an explorer has
frequently to endure upon his inarch.
Portuguese- African Expedition.
May 6, 1879. Page 510.
Aneroid 2272 ft. (uucorrd.) Temperature 82° Fahr.
2.10 p.m. Camped near the River Candanje, to the N.W. of a lofty
peak of Serra Catucua, 2-15° true (Lu-ache and Cambo, rivers), 76° true?
in parallel 8° 22' S. O mer. = 72'06 ; azimuth rect. 150° true.
To-day's journey infernal ; broken, frightful ground, through two
ravines, Catucua on the W. and Temo on the E. forming the basin of
the Hamba. Scaled and descended eight steep mounts, of not less than
1000 feet, which half-killed us with fatigue.
Our guide, who knows the country, tells us that between here and
the Quango the ground will get gradually worse ; and that the next
twenty-five days' march will be nothing but ups and downs, the moun-
tains and valleys covered with lofty vegetation.
From this point we see the Hamba, which by a narrow curve opens
out to the N.E through rocky banks.
To the W. of the camp mountains and valleys intercept the view.
"We have just visited two graves close by, respecting Avhich we heard
VOL. II. F
06 West and Central Africa.
a story somewhat in the style of the fable of the two crickets that
managed to devour each other.
A couple of natives had started from the coast together, in order to
sell their goods : on their return they camped near this spot to divide
the proceeds.
As, however, they disagreed in the process, from words they came to
blows, and in the end killed one another.
They seem also to have buried each other besides, for an eye-witness*
who saw them lying dead in the eveniug, found only their toes stickiug
out of the earth at sunrise next day !
We should have liked to question that witness as to whether he had
covered up their toes !
Portuguese-African Expedition.
May 7, 1879. Page 511.
Aneroid 2275 ft. Temperature 80J ° Fahr.
Broke up camp at 7.30 a.m.
Fresh labour and difficulties. These marches are very trying to the
men, who have already had eighteen months of it in the interior.
The road to-day was along a track which, in the space of a quarter
of an hour, led us north, south, and east.
Covered with huge flints, it was a perfect ankle-trap, with vegetation
in between, that made the passage of a heavily-laden man all but
impossible.
The carriers, cut, bruised, and exhausted, refused to go any further.
Poor fellows ! we pitied them from our hearts, with their seventy pounds'
weight to. carry !
The path led us from Candanje to Calling a-M\id'i\le ; thence to
Calling a-N'bondo, and finally to CaZwn^a-Mutomba, where we are now
camped ; the entire road running along the edge of the great precipice
lying on our left.
•at* <&t» .m. jg» *m» je» 4t» ' «ai»
We closed the events of the day just recorded (the 7th
of May) by a hot discussion with the Sova, Galunga-
N'bondo, who in the most delicate and polite manner
wanted to force upon us one of his oxen. As we refused
to accede to such an arrangement, which we knew would
be a dear bargain, that rascally Cateco determined to
second his intentions, and on the 8th at daybreak, start-
Treachery of the Guide.
67
ing at the head of the caravan, by previous agreement
with the too generous chief, he guided us by a path
which turned out to be a cul-de-sac, and left us in a deep
river, called the Mucuna, and took to his heels !
After searching about for a path in vain, we had to
retrace our steps, and found ourselves at length almost
at the spot we had started from.
ALL BUT LOST.
We managed to catch our guide, and on the following
day took a northerly direction, but got on so slowly that
on arriving at Mahabo we found the herd waiting for us
that we might select one of the animals.
Then ensued a discussion that lasted hours. The Sova
did not want to sell, but to give us a beast, only, by way
of preliminary ; he himself wanted a present of sixteen
pieces of cloth !
¥ 2'
68
West and Central Afi
nca.
We came to an arrangement at last, the high contract-
ing party letting us have a fat cow, but which turned out
to be so old and tough that we could scarce get our teeth
into the meat when it was cooked.
We were informed that this was one of the wealthiest
WE POUND THE HERD WAITING.
Sovas of the Jinga, an assertion we readily believed, judg-
ing from his extensive herds of cattle. We could not help
observing, however, that all his wealth failed to secure
him respect, for the animal having been brought down
and quartered, all the natives who had been engaged in
The river Cn-ilo. 69
the occupation, took up their little bundles, and turning
their backs upon the great man, sneaked quietly off.
It is a noteworthy circumstance that the possession of
this world's goods does not of itself insure superiority
among these people : it merely secures to their owner the
advantage of satisfying his inclinations. That feeling of
respect, which in the old country is shown towards the
great capitalist, seems to be quite unknown here. This
is due, probably, to the fact that some of the wealthiest
Sovas are the most exacting, and will stoop to the meanest
actions to increase their store.
The real aristocracy of the country, if we may use
such a term in connexion with these savages, is the
hunter whose prowess is indicated by the number of skin
rings bound about his weapon — each ring showing an
animal brought down — or the warrior who has distin-
guished himself in battle, or the man who has dared to
penetrate into a region till then unknown. These hold
the highest place in public esteem, and are not unfre-
quently selected for important offices at court.
Sick of all the petty annoyances to which we had lately
been subjected, we longed for a quiet spot where we
could find rest, and shouldering our dismembered old
cow, we set off in search of such a desideratum. We did
not, however, find one to our mind till the 16th of the
month, when, having gone over some fearful ground, we
sighted, near the bank of the Cu-ilo, a river for the first
time marked down, the residence of Cafuchila, one of the
principal Sovas of the Hungo, whom Cateco specially
recommended to us.
On a nearer approach, we were informed that the ruler
himself did not reside there, but only a sister. Still, as
it was of small interest to us whether it were a sister or
a brother, we encamped in due course.
7o
West and Central Africa.
But if we were indifferent to the subject, others did
not take the same view of our proceeding, as the reader
will learn in the next chapter. We will merely observe,
on closing this, that two hours after our arrival we
learned that it was not a sister who lived there after all,
but the Sova himself who had just departed this life ;
then they told us that the Sova was not dead, but had
decamped ; and finally this was again corrected by the
assertion that the chief had gone on a journey !
" Anyway, what does it matter to us ? " we exclaimed,
" whether the man be dead, run away, or travelling ? "
" But," explained Cateco, " they want to go and fetch
him."
" Let them go, and good luck go with them."
It turned out to be bad luck for us ; and little did we
dream when planting our huts in that longed-for spot,
that we should be the poorer by twenty pieces m of cloth
ere we got quit of it !
SHABPIA ANGOLENS1S.
CHAPTER IV.
The Hnngo and its people — Head-dresses — Tobacco and snuff — Ugli-
ness of the women, their indifference to dress — Low estimation in
which they are held — The monarch of the Congo — Preparations
for departure — Discussions Avith the natives — Sudden dissolution
of a meeting — Abandoned senzalas — A little looting — Lake Tiber
— The camp kitchen and an old acquaintance — A siesta disagreeably
interrupted — Flight of the caravan — Fallen among thieves — A
trial and a singular decision — The forest fired — Woods and vegeta-
tion— Quadrumans and reptiles — What explorers have to expect —
Discovery of the river Cu-gho — Varieties of trees — Passage of the
river and African cunning — A rest in the forest.
We are now in the territory of the Hungo, and have as
yet said nothing of the aspect and customs of its inhabi-
tants, for the simple reason that as the data had to be
culled from the notes of our diary, we have only at
present reached the point where we can properly speak
of them.
The natives of this part of the continent, who are
called ma-hungo, have a special type, very different to that
which distinguishes the people further south. From
the moment of our entry into Matamba, we began to re-
mark that difference principally observable in the colour
of the skin and the mode of dressing the hair. To the
jet black of the Jinga had succeeded the mahogany hue
of the Ma-hungo ; and in place of the trim bands and
plaits of the former, we found a far more simple style
adopted in the Matamba. The Ma-hungo men do not
7 2 West and Central Africa.
plait tlieir hair at all, but either leave the wool alone, or,
shaving portion of the head, adorn the sides with blue
glass beads or other more common ones.
Their dress is a simple c]oth suspended from the
girdle, with a brass bracelet on the wrist ; they carry a
musket whereof the metal is kept clean and well-polished,
and occasionally a curved sabre of the old huzzar fashion,
with metal sheath.
They cut away the two front teeth to the gum, and
sometimes the two lower ones also, which gives them a
most repulsive appearance. In their mode of life they
are barbarous to a high degree. They anoint and dis-
figure their bodies with oil and clay, and they carry with
them in consequence a bouquet, that is perceptible at
several yards' distance.
Both men and women smoke incessantly. Nicotiana
tabacum with a large lance-shaped leaf abounds, together
with another quality having a round leaf (N. rustica or
vulgaris ?) that is sold by the leaf or in small conical
piles in which it is packed. Their most inveterate vice,
however, is that of snuff-taking, which all more or less
indulge in. They use for the purpose cylindrical boxes,
wherein they put the dried or toasted leaf, that is
pounded with a small wooden pestle, and they add
pepper to it to give the mixture a more pungent flavour.
Their mode of taking it is peculiar : thrusting into the
box a stalk of the massambala with part of the ear
attached, as if it were a spoon, they fill the little cavity
with snuff, carry it to the nostrils, and inhale it with a
powerful sniff. The operation so far is the mere indul-
gence of a vice ; but with most of them it does not stop
there, for the operator, introducing the little spoon for a
second time into the box, smears all the upper lip with
the powder, which sticks there readily enough through the
THE LADIES OF THE IIUNGO.
Page 73.
The Women of the Hungo. 73
running from the nose, and this done, he or she seems
very proud of the disgusting result.
We said he or she, for the ladies indulge in this habit
quite as frequently as their lords, and the effect may be
imagined when, their mouths and noses plastered over
with the yellow powder, they open their lips and display
their toothless jaws !
As we are upon the subject of the gentler sex, we will
add a few more words about these degenerate daughters
of Eve. The women of the Hungo are, in general, far
uglier than the men, and their savage appearance is in
harmony only with the soil on which they live. The
mahogany colour of the skin, not uniformly tinted, but
often patched and spotty, is not by any means so agree-
able to the eye as the shiny jet of the natives further
south. As one meets them abroad en grande toilette
(that is to say as bare as the palm of one's hand) with
a layer of clay upon their heads to keep down the woolly
hair, a pipe in the month, a snuff-box dangling from the
girdle, powerful limbs (many of them are five feet nine
inches in height) a basket suspended by a narrow leather
thong from their foreheads, and hanging down the
back, — a feeling of- pity is mingled with the disgust
which the sight of them occasions.
They seem to have the most sovereign contempt for
any sort of clothing, if we except a little scrap of baize,
which they wear like an apron, only behind instead of
before. Thirty times to one they rejected the cloth we
offered them, taking beads in preference, to adorn the
flat tresses that surround their head, and which represent
the labour of months — perfect nests, wherein the
parasites must lead a quiet, peaceful life, and multiply
undisturbed. If by any chance they did accept a piece
of cloth, they gave it to their husband, or wrapped their
74 West and Central Africa.
child in it, or made any use of it rather than to cover
their own nakedness.
They appear to be held in esteem merely as beasts of
burthen ; and if we had any doubt concerning the exist-
ence of love, as a sentiment, among the tribes further south,
we can have no hesitation in affirming that not a scintilla
of it is to be found here. Everything is absolutely
practical. A man appreciates his cows far more than he
does his wives, and will make sacrifices to recover the
former if stolen or strayed, but as to the latter, they may
disappear without any hue or cry being made after them.
The dances to which we have more than once referred
in the course of our narrative are practised here, but all
their grotesqueness has disappeared, and left nothing but
the obscenity, in which the women take the most active
part.
Their dwellings are filthily dirty ; and their clay
utensils are clumsily made; nor do the other articles
with which they adorn the interior of their huts, and
that are familiar to the reader, display any greater taste
or skill. There are mortars, drums, benches, stools,
bows, lances, canes, wooden platters, oars, fetishes,
calibashes, cartouch-boxes, powder-horns, bracelets,
pipes, knives, marimbas, and other things which the
Ma-hungo, like their congeners, manufacture for their
use, but they are rude and unfinished.
The supreme authority acknowledged by this people,
who are indubitably of a different origin from those in
the south, is the King of the Congo, residing in the north
at St. Salvador, one of the three monarchs of whom they
have any notion; the other two being the King of
Portugal, and the King of the Jinga.
In the afternoon of the third day of our sojourn in
Cafuchila, the guide, Cateco, appeared before us and
Something. Wrong. 75
-£> " - -. —,&
inquired in a queer sort of way whether we still intended
to start next morning as we proposed.
" 016 ! " was our reply. " Of course we shall leave ;
the Sova does not appear ; only his sister is at home, and
we have no idea of taking root in this place."
Turning on his heels with an insolent air, he walked
off towards the village, as if to make the necessary
arrangements, but hours flew by and he did not return
to the quilombo.
The night passed over quietly enough, and with the
first blush of day we began to get all the goods ready
for departure, and sent for Cateco ; but he was not to bo
found; the rascal was hiding for some purpose of his
own, and we had once again to leave without a guide.
No sooner had we commenced our march than we
began to understand the position of matters, for in
almost every direction we heard the confused sounds of
large bodies of men, followed shortly after by the
beating of the war-drums, and the appearance in the
neighbouring woods of many armed natives. We were
surrounded, that was clear ; and according to their notions
we had committed some crime, of which we were pro-
foundly ignorant, but which we were expected to pay for.
In the course of a few moments there issued from the
grove on the left three warriors in company of the traitor
Cateco, with feathers stuck into their heads and making
threatening gestures.
Our first impulse was to rush upon the fellow and give
him what he well merited — a thoroughly good thrashing.
But the rascal, as if divining our intention, no sooner saw
us approach than he took to flight, his long, thin legs
and arms, and lanky body, surmounted by his plumed
head, giving him the appearance of an African flamingo.
His companions had some difficulty to catch him for the
76 West and Central Africa.
intended conference, and when they did the whole four
returned ; then one of them, after a short silence, and
in a harsh voice, gave vent to the following pithy dis-
course : —
" Muene Puto ! The Ma-hungo are wrath with you.
The sister of Cafuchila, now in charge of the state, has
been deceived by you, as you said you would await the
Sova. Did she not send you one of her macotas to hear
from your own lips that you would await the coming of
the Sova who is now two suns' journey distant ? "
" She did," we replied.
" Did you not say that you would wait ? "
" We did,"
" Is she not the lady of these lands ? "
" She may be so."
" Did she not give you flour for your daily food ? "
" Well, not exactly give, she sold it us."
" Anyway, you cannot quit this place because you have
not two tongues ! Either stop or go back : if you do
otherwise, you must pay."
It being now our innings, we posed in a proper
attitude, and putting Jose, our interpreter, in front of us,
uttered in a measured way the following words :—
" Macotas ! We came here to pay a visit to the Sova ;
we did not find him, for which our heart is much afflicted,
and therefore we are about to pursue our onward
journey. We never dreamed of possessing two tongues,
a monstrosity which only an error of nature could produce.
We are good and loyal friends " (Jose could make nothing
of the loyal, so he substituted fat, which no doubt
answered the purpose just as well), " what reason, there-
fore, have you to act as you are doing? Does it not
appear to you treachery towards the whites ? If you
were in the country of the whites, think you we should
A Conference. jj
act as you are doing ? It is not our intention to flee
from the Sova, and as a proof of our friendship we have
here a present to offer him."
At this point we thought matters were looking a little
brighter, when the trio interrupted us with, —
" What is your present ? "
" A piece of gingham, half a piece of cotton, and six
handkerchiefs," we replied, trying to look as grave as
judges.
"Uh-ehl" exclaimed the three rogues together,
" Cafuchila is a great Muene, he governs all this land ; he
is greater than Tembo Aluma, greater than Quinbungo
Quiassama ; only the Mani-Congo is greater than he. He
allows no one to pass without permission. Eh- eh ! wait
one day longer and he will be here. He has not seen the
whites ; he wishes to talk to them and drink aguardente
with them ; wait, wait two days longer and he will come."
What is the use, we argued between ourselves, of con-
tinuing all this palaver ? we shall be talking here all night,
and yet leave off where we began. But at this moment
a diversion was afforded by that inimitable Cateco, who
addressing us in an insolent kind of way said, —
" And have you nothing else to offer us ? "
This was too much for our patience, so we answered, —
" Yes ; we have a stick " . . . . seizing a good stout
one, ready at hand.
The action, which was perfectly unmistakable, broke
up the meeting, the false guide and the three doughty
warriors incontinently taking to their heels.
Giving at once orders to march, we plunged into the
vast campaign country to the north, the echoes for some
time repeating the tumming of the drums ; these, how-
ever, grew fainter as we advanced, and at length were
lost altogether to the ear.
78 West and Central Africa.
A couple of miles further on brought us to some plan-
tations of manioc, pepper, pumpkins, and other products,
and we shortly after descried a couple of senzalas in the
woods.
Although furnished with the ordinary utensils and
articles of savage life, they were totally deserted of in-
habitants. By the ashes of the fires that were still warm
and the general disorder perceptible about the huts it
was evident that their inmates had recently taken to
flight. This is no uncommon thing in the interior of
Africa, where the first beating of the war-drum will fre-
quently cause a senzala to be abandoned.
That cunning Oapulca, having satisfied himself that
there really was nobody about, plucked up courage to
make a recognisance and returned with a staff and a
dozen maniocs that he had looted. His example was
soon followed by others ; one appropriated a very good
skin ; another picked up a pan ; a third, some other
article ; and we ourselves secured a little fetish, quieting
our conscience for the theft under the pretext that it was
done in the interest of science and for the gratification
of European curiosity. Lighting our pipes at a
smouldering fire we quitted the spot and resumed our
way.
Still keeping a northerly course, by an open track, we
fell in with another deserted hamlet, through which we
marched in triumph, and two miles further on, descending
an abrupt slope, we came, at half-past eleven, upon a
lovely lake surrounded by high ground, the name of
which, as we subsequently learned, was the Tiber.
Its banks, cut into a variety of fantastic creeks and
mimic bays, thickly clothed with verdure, offered a most
enchanting prospect, the contemplation of which soon
banished from our minds the annoyances of the early
Lake Tiber.
79
morning; for having now become habituated to the life
of the woods we could give ourselves up to the enjoyment
of any novelty that came in our way with the same light-
headedness as any of the natives — our companions.
The water, whose limpidity left that of its namesake in
old Rome far in the shade, faithfully reflected the image
of the steep and richly varied banks and the azure vault
LAKE TIBER.
above ; not a sound disturbed the holy stillness : not a
ruffle broke the mirror-like surface of the lovely basin ;
and we might have fancied ourselves suddenly trans-
ported by some kindly genius to this enchanting spot as
if to show us of what Nature was capable in her happy
moods in the interior of savage Africa.
The magic of such a scene was susceptible, we thought,
8o West and Central Afi
nca.
of being heightened if contemplated under the most
favourable material circumstances, that is to say, under
the influence of a hearty breakfast ; so rousing Capulca
from his pleasant occupation of munching one of his
stolen maniocs, we gave orders for the preparation of
the meal.
Making for the nearest tree, and arranging close to it
three large stones (our invariable camp fireplace), our
chef divested himself of his cap, boots, and pipe ; and
kneeling down to attend to the fire, his cook's knife
in its sheath stuck out behind him, he bore so extra-
ordinary a resemblance to a baboon with a stiff tail,
that we could not refrain from laughter at the sight !
Pending the preparation of the meal, we set ourselves
to gather small shells in order to enlarge the concho-
logical acquirements of the naturalists, and when break-
fast was ready Ave eagerly attacked the invariable fowl.
It was an old acquaintance, or at least must have been
very near of kin to many hundreds of equally lanky,
stringy creatures upon which it had been our fate to
banquet for many a long month. While carefully picking
its bones, we discussed — as we had often done before — ■
the tooth-resisting power of this species of biped in
Africa, and when the herculean task was over, we lay
back on the grass, our heads supported in our hands,
disposed for a comfortable siesta.
It did not last long; nothing pleasant in this world
ever does; for while watching amused, with half-closed
eyes, the young niggers licking the plates as they
gathered them up, and swallowing any scraps (they
must have been very few) we had inadvertently let fall,
we saw a sudden movement of alarm among them, and
with the warning cry of " The Ma-hungo !
our ears, we sprang to our feet.
Pursued.
81
The cry liad roused the whole caravan, the men
seizing their guns. On looking round we were con-
vinced of the presence of the enemy, for they clustered on
the neighbouring hills and showed their heads above the
grass, all apparently armed with guns and assagais.
" They are back again," was the universal exclamation,
" and we shan't get by ; they mean to rob us ! "
""Well; if they try, we must defend ourselves," was
our response.
And giving orders to march, we filed along the edge
of the broken ground, in the
midst of a roar of voices
from the savages, which the
echoes repeated in the
strangest sounds.
It was a frightfully trying
march up that mountain
side, under a burning sun,
our only track the irregular
furrows made by the waters,
every where strewn with
sharp, flinty stones. On
reaching the summit we
discovered at the base the
upturned faces and shining
bodies of our pursuers.
The women of our caravan were in terrible trouble, for
what with heavy loads upon their heads and their infants
at their backs they could with difficulty get along,
and we deemed it prudent to bring up the rear to pre-
vent the laggards being seized and carried off by the
natives.
The mountain was succeeded by a plateau, in crossing
which we came upon the important track called the Holo,
VOL. II. g
THE HOLO TYPE.
82 West and Central Africa.
that runs westward to Ambriz, passing through Dembo
Naboangongo. We at once struck into it, followed
closely by the horde of barbarians, who pursued us with
cries and threats, stopping when we stopped, and moving
on when we moved. This convinced us of the inefficacy
of any attempt at negotiation.
At times they would conceal themselves, and the joy
of our crew was great. It was always, however, short-
lived, for heads would pop up again in the most
unexpected places, as if the wretches had burrowed
through the earth like moles.
Four anxious hours were spent in this manner, hours
that seemed weeks in length, and we were uncertain as
at the outset, about what we had better do : for we stood
unsupported, in a savage, desert country, with compara-
tively few resources, and surrounded by a hostile people.
At this moment a murmur, as of some important
discovery, came from the vanguard, and we ourselves
observed, as we commenced the descent of the high
ground, that we were in the neighbourhood of a senzala.
We at once decided upon camping there; and on reaching
a convenient spot the loads were willingly lowered and
piled, and the men set to work to procure materials for
the huts. On seeing this, the Ma-hungo closed up on all
sides and completely surrounded us.
Suddenly there issued from the senzala an old noble,
recognizable by his cajinga, who came towards us. As
he approached, we were so little prepossessed by his
general appearance, his enormous mouth, hanging lips,
wrinkled skin, flattened nose and blear eyes, that we
could not help muttering, "Another thief! "
Little wotting of the unfavourable effect he had
produced upon us, he addressed us with the words, —
" I am the chief of this senzala. Who are you ? Whence
Trial of the Cause. 8
j
do you come ? And who are these people surrounding
you ? "
At first we hesitated about making him our confidant,
but on second thoughts, seeing the not too favourable eye
he cast npon the Ma-hungo, we thought it better to give
him some explanation. Upon our hint, therefore, the mu-
zumbo furnished him with a brief narrative of the events
of the day, the persecution to which we had been forced
to submit, and the absurd pretensions of the Ma-hungo,
who claimed twenty pieces of cloth in payment of an
offence that was either imaginary or that we had never
committed.
" Fear nothing," said the ngly old chief, after listening
to this story : "I will decide everything."
And in a rage, real or pretended, turning to onr
pursuers, he began to rate them soundly, interspersing his
discourse with such gentle epithets as " thieves, rogues,
and villains," so that our hearts, as well as those of the
whole caravan, were gladdened within us at this evident
leaning to our side. Before this untoward affair, how-
ever, was terminated, we were forced to alter our opinion,
and to confess that the hoary old Jinga was a more
cunning rogue than all the rest put together, as he was
sharp enough to swindle both parties alike.
Deeming that at his advanced age a vertical position
could not be particularly comfortable, we found him a
small bench to sit down on, and when he had taken his
place beside ourselves, our people and the Ma-hungo
gathered round and the Court was complete.
The interpreter Jose, on our behalf, opened the case,
and bitterly complained of the annoyances to which we
had been subjected ; and when he had done our adver-
saries, by their mouth-piece, made answer. This was
followed by reply and rejoinder, till one would have
g 2
84
West and Central Aft
mca.
thought the gates of some lunatic asylum had been
suddenly opened and the inmates had broken loose.
The old judge listened, but appeared to be in no sort
THE COURT WAS COMPLETE.
of hurry to pass sentence, meanwhile night was approach-
ing, and he knew the natives would not stop there after
dark. This evidently was his policy ; he wanted to gain
Judgment. 85
time, so as to force them to modify their claims. As the
sun Beared the horizon their demands were already
reduced to fifteen pieces ; as it was setting they dropped
down to twelve ; and when its last rays disappeared they
had fallen to ten.
" Ten be it," we exclaimed : admitting to ourselves
that the good man had done us this much service in
reducing the claim of these wretches to one-half.
A bale having been opened, and the ten pieces counted
out, the natives took possession, and at once marched off,
to our intense satisfaction. Imagine, however, our
astonishment and disgust when, on the retirement of the
band of thieves, the arch-thief, our African Daniel, holding
out his hand, said, in a snuffling tone, —
" Bin-delle, now hand over the other ten pieces to me ! "
And we had to do it, iniquitous as we considered the
arrangement ; and thus were brought to a close an absurd
adventure and a singular trial, the first in the country
in which we flattered ourselves we should obtain justice.
So disgusted were we with the events of the last few
hours that we had almost made up our minds to resume
our march at night, but this idea was abandoned as soon
as formed, for not only was the darkness at our place of
encampment complete, but before us, at some four to six
miles distance, the northern horizon in an arc of 100°
suddenly wore the appearance of an ocean of fire.
The flames lent to the hills and mountains on that side
a weird appearance, fitted to daunt the boldest heart;
and very shortly afterwards, while regarding the fearful
spectacle, flames broke out to the south, the work,
doubtless, of our recent adversaries, who, on retiring, had
amiably fired the woods to interpose a barrier to our
further progress ! We stood, in fact, in a perfect circle
of fire, and never did we pass a more anxious night !
86 West and Central Africa.
How truly did we not then recognize the truth of Stan-
ley's descriptions ! How vast is the difference between
the inhabitants of the middle basin of the Congo, into
which Europeans rarely penetrate, and the comparatively
gentle peoples of the south — the Quiocos, the Ganguellas,
and the Songos ! How much savagery and ill-faith are
centred in these monsters, for they are men only in form !
And the more we reflected upon the subject, the more
serious it presented itself to our minds, for was it likely
that matters would improve as we went on ? From
what side were we likely to find protection, when every-
thing that bore a human shape was our enemy, whose
sole aim was to bring about our ruin ?
A delicious morning dissipated many of the gloomy
reflections born of night and of the horrors that sur-
rounded us. On starting, we plunged into the woods,
the few natives that appeared fleeing in terror at our
approach, and shortly afterwards, descending a steep
incline, found ourselves at the bottom of the valley.
There the gigantic fig-trees, m'pafu (Elemi) and immense
palms, connected by a network of the spiral stems of the
Calamus florus, and other creepers, formed an almost
impenetrable jungle, inhabited by troops of monkeys of
revolting aspect, among which we recognized the Cyno-
cephalus porcarius.
A river with marshy banks then completely inter-
cepted our path, and as there was not the ghost of a
bridge, we were compelled to wade across with the water
up to our waists.
Continuing our way over hill and dale, keeping a
steady northerly course, at one time through a marsh,
at another by a piece of woodland, we came, by chance,
at four o'clock in the afternoon, when we were despairing
of such good Inch, upon a little village named Mucole
Dense J tingle. Sy
Quipanzo, where we were at once the victims of a
swindle ; for having engaged a guide there and given
him six yards of cloth for his services, the fellow
decamped, and we had to go on without him.
The ground was so frightfully rough and broken that,
unable to continue longer in a northerly direction, we
diverged to the eastward, a course that we pursued for
a couple of days, one of us suffering from fever, the other
from rheumatism. The path was encumbered with a
profuse growth, called by the natives mu-chito, a perfect
dedalus, for which the Hungo is celebrated. We had
literally to cut our way with the hatchet and the sickle,
and whole hours were passed with immense labour to
open up a mile of road.
Many a day was spent during this journey in the midst
of such labyrinths, where the foot of man had probably
never before trodden, which the native carefully avoids,
and whose only inmates are monkeys and baboons or
some frightful reptiles, which find a home in the hollow
trunk of an ancient tree or about the network of roots
that are as much above the ground as under.
These are true thorns in the sides of an explorer, and
when he meets them he is bound to put out all his energy,
so that he may, by his example, prevent the demoralization
of those who follow him. For as they struggle through
pestilential bogs or almost impenetrable woods, stumbling
here, sinking there, laying down their loads to take up
their hatchets, they would infallibly drop beneath their
fatigues and deprivations were they not encouraged by
the words and activity of their leaders, to whom they
look up, so to speak, for inspiration.
In the midst of all our worries, labour, sickness, and
torment, a gleam of pleasure was at length afforded us,
not, it is true, unmixed and unalloyed, but that still, to a
88 West and Cenfral Africa.
certain extent, compensated ns for much of the suffering
of the last few days.
On the 23rd of May, while descending an easy slope,
we observed at the foot, and extending for a considerable
distance over the lower ground, a thick growth of reeds
and osiers that hinted at the presence of a large river.
Our conjecture was a true one, and when we reached the
bottom we found a vast stream of water which the in-
habitants of a neighbouring senzala informed us was
called the Cu-gho, an affluent of the Ouango, which we
at once marked down upon our map, and to which, a little
later on, we were enabled to assign a length of 100
miles.
It springs, according to our informants, in the north-
west, amid the territory of Macume-N'jimbo, in a spacious
lake, and along it lies a track which, via Quizau Malunga,
connects the interior with the coast.
In front of us, on the north-north-west, extended the
district of Quicongo, rugged, mountainous, full of lakes,
lying at the bottom of deep valleys ; on the west-north-
west lay the lands of Quiteca N'bungo ; and to the north
of the latter appeared the territory of Futa, where nestled
the Ba-congo tribes.
How savage was the aspect of the whole scene ! Accus-
tomed as we were by this time to the interior of Africa,
it somehow seemed to us that this region was unlike any-
thing we had yet beheld in it. The soil, the air, the inhabi-
tants, all seemed different. The vegetation, mainly,
imprints upon it a distinct character. Palms predominate.
There are, for instance, the Elais, the Hyphosne, the Boras-
sus, a species of Chamoerops (the fan-palm), the leafy
Raphias, whence is extracted the Maluvo, of which we shall
have more to say. Species of hemps begin to appear in
families which are generally herbaceous near the tropics,
Native Watermen. 89
Malvaceas, more especially, among which figure the
Adansonia and Eriodendron an/.; and even various Rubia-
ceas, show symptoms of this transformation.
We found in this district numerous species of Nympha-
ceas, together with Euphorbiaceas and Acantaceas ; pre-
cisely the contrary to the Fugeras and Orchideas epidendres,
which, rare throughout the continent, almost disappear
in these latitudes.
The gigantic Burseraceas, producing the Elemi balsam,
to which we have already alluded, under the names of
rripafn or m'bafu, are quite common. Down their enor-
mous trunks runs the white resin which, evaporating in
part, forms drops that stand out like the gutterings of
huge wax tapers. In close proximity to the former are
the colossal Landolphias, whence is obtained the india-
rubber, a gum that is very abundant in the Hungo.
We rested on the 23rd of May near the libata
Cambamba, and started off again on the 24th for Man-
gongo, with a view to crossing the river. This operation,
that constitutes one of the most difficult problems in
Africa, when the traveller has to employ the native boats,
was very nearly in our case bringing about a serious
conflict.
At the outset the natives hid their canoes ; then they
would accept none of our offers ; a little later they averred
we should not cross the river at all, and only yielded at
last under reiterated persuasion. And we had to bear
all this when we were consumed with fever !
The passage at length began ; but when they had
carried half our party over and had thus divided the
expedition, they struck, and would do no more work !
" What is the matter ? " we inquired.
"We don't intend to take over any more."
" For what reason ? "
90
West and Central Afr
rica
" Because four pieces are too little."
" But a bargain's a bargain. You agreed to the terms,
which are your own."
" You must give us two more pieces, otherwise you
may stop where you are."
In a moment of nervous excitement we seized our gun
and raised it to our shoulder with a view to fire at the
THE CU-GHO WATERMEN.
impudent swindlers. But our better judgment prevailed
and prevented an act which might have been attended
with very serious consequences.
We therefore had recourse to diplomacy ; spoke them
mildly, while we were boiling over with rage ; and after
a promise of increased pay, and three mortal hours passed
in discussion and persuasion, got over safely to the
A doubtful Halting-place. 9 1
other side, missing, however, at the last moment, when
the fellows were all gone, a she-goat that had formed part
of the last boat-load.
Late as it was — four o'clock in the afternoon — and
sick, worn ont, and trembling with pain and excitement,
we were bound to go further on in search of a convenient
place to pitch our camp ; which, after marching in a
north-north-west direction, we thought we found in the
midst of a thicket, and worked till nightfall at our huts.
Judging from the musty smell that soon saluted our
nostrils, we must have selected — if not the actual lairs —
the immediate neighbourhood of the haunts of wild beasts ;
but we were so thoroughly done up that at that moment
we cared but little where we lay our heads, so that we
obtained rest. This blessed resource was happily not
denied us ; and thus at the extreme limit of the Hungo
we slept profoundly.
CYNOCEPHALUS FOKCARIUS.
92 West and Central Africa.
CHAPTER V.
We leave the Cu-gho — Gloomy presentiments — The mu-chitos and the
desert — An evening of tribulations and a devouring thirst — TryiDg
times of a life in the interior — A Providential interposition — More
mu-chitos and fresh labour — Caught in the wood — Nervous state of
the explorers — All but lost — Scouts sent out in search of succour —
Two lines from the diary — A terrible night— Return of Jose and
brief narrative of his adventures — Two solitary hunters — Fresh
hopes — Again astray — An apparition of palancas — Night again —
Final decision.
With our proximity to Yacca commenced the most trying
portion of our whole journey. So long as we remained
on the Cu-gho we remarked, and the guide confirmed our
observation, that the natives appeared more and more
anxious about the road we intended to pursue, whisper-
ing among themselves that in such-or-such a direction
not a living soul was to be found, and that the only known
track, that of Cha-Massango, lay along the river's course.
We had, however, got so accustomed to the assertion
that certain territory was a desert while we found it
everywhere peopled, that we paid little heed to their
apprehensions, and resolved to continue on.
On the 25th of May, therefore, having risen in the dark
and whilst the woods were still echoing with the mourn -
ful cries of the monkeys and the more painful ones of
the jackals, we were seated by the fire waiting for day,
which an inexplicable presentiment seemed to tell us
would be one of trial. The blessed light of morning soon
Trying Moments. 93
appeared, and brought with it the energy which naturally
conies to the man whose mind is prepared for a great
struggle.
" Wake up ! Wake up ! " was the cry, and the men
unrolled themselves from their mats and busied them-
selves with preparations for departure.
No one said a word ; we ourselves, as glum as our
followers, waited till all was ready, and the silence that
had fallen upon the entire camp was in singular contrast
to the hilarity and chatter which usually attended our
setting out.
Our first care was to discover a path, and as our guide
after a little search found a goat track, we struck into
it and filed off in a north-easterly direction.
For the first hour we picked our way amid the crags
which formed the steep bank on the left side of the Cu-
gho, stopping occasionally to listen for the slightest
sound that indicated the existence of humanity. Not
a murmur, however, met our ear, and not a vestige
of a living thing caught the eye as we descended the
bare declivity, plunged amid some ragged palms, and
reached at the bottom a deep ravine, almost concealed
by the abundant vegetation, where every vestige of a
path had disappeared.
Face to face with this new obstacle, we groped about
till we found an opening into which, stooping our heads,
it was so low, we unhesitatingly dived. The hard sand-
stone was here succeeded by a spongy soil, that soon
became a slough covered with leaves, osiers, and sprays
of the Metroxilon, through which water was perceptible.
We were evidently in the channel of a little river.
In lieu of the radiant light of the sun we had a semi-
darkness which scarcely enabled us to pick our way,
and the light boughs of wavy trees were replaced by
94 West and Central Africa.
giant trunks with overhanging branches scarcely less
gigantic.
The forest, ever increasing in density, became at last
all but impenetrable, so that we had to make a dozen
trials ere we could force a passage. At half -past nine,
all but disheartened, and yet apprehensive of stopping
where we were, we came to a halt and sent scouts out
in different directions, with orders to communicate their
position by shouts and cries. The reports of several
guns from the north made us start in that direction, and
after tracking our way through the underwood we got
out of the maze and reached our companions.
It was then ten o'clock. The sun, that was high in
the heavens, darted his full beams upon the neighbouring
plain, covered with a new kind of low and yellow grass,
which we got through without much difficulty ; but
before three quarters of an hour had elapsed we found
ourselves engulfed in another thicket of colossal mu-
chito, which covered for some few leagues the entire
basin of a broad river called the Ouviji.
It is difficult to conceive the dangers that beset a
traveller in these . woods. The black and shifting soil,
formed by the accumulations of centuries of debris of
the vegetable world, the humidity below retained by the
imperviousness of the subjacent bed of clay, the tepid
vapours of the soil rising like a thick cloud between the
tree-trunks, the water dropping from the upper leaves,
the suffocating heat, the sudden chill, the overpowering
smell of decayed vegetation, mingled with the pungent
odours of other living plants, constitute a sum of elements
that the pen attempts in vain to describe.
Pushing on through this wonderfully beautiful but
still fearful forest, with many a hard struggle by the
way, the caravan, as before, came at length to the end,
A frigh tfu I Position . 9 5
and emerged into the open. The prospect before ns
was a rugged bit of country, exhibiting various bare,
circular mounts and deep, green valleys, of which our past
experience made us doubtful, but not the slightest indi-
cation of a track to show that it had been traversed by
man.
We stood, in fact, in a perfect desert, and a very short
halt under the burning sun produced a thirst which it
was difficult to satisfy. The men sought for water every-
where, but not the smallest brooklet was discoverable in
dale or valley.
At 4.30 p.m. we found ourselves on the summit of a
lofty mount, dropping with fatigue, burnt by the sun,
and fainting with thirst. A magnificent panorama of
hills and conical rocks, disconnected and without order,
was presented to our view, and as we regarded it, our
hearts sank within us, for we readily comprehended
that as there were no river-beds, the water which fell
from the clouds and formed little lakes in the hollows
became speedily dried up. Nevertheless, we despatched
half a score of men in different directions to search once
more for the precious liquid, but they returned one
after the other without success.
The position was a most critical one, for evening
would soon be upon us, and yet, what was to be done ?
Anyway, remaining there was useless ; so putting our trust
in Providence we resumed our wearisome journey, our-
selves taking the lead by way of setting an example to
our half-demoralized caravan.
But as we trudged along, uncomfortable ideas rose up
in our minds, and found expression in the half-muttered
words, What if the reports of the dwellers by the Cu-gho
should be correct, and the territory on which we are
entering be indeed a desert, devoid of water, bare of
96 West and Central Africa.
people, with no resources to support animal life, and the
further penetration into which will involve destruction,
by starvation and thirst !
Shaking off with difficulty these gloomy reflections, and
clinging to the hope engendered of former experience, we
kept sturdily on our way. As ill-luck would have it,
two of the carriers, overcome with fatigue and thirst, set
down their loads after we had got over a couple of miles,
and declared they could go no further, so we had to carry
the guns of our immediate attendants, and make them
assist in conveying the goods.
It was then half-past five in the afternoon, and our
anxiety had reached its culminating-point. In front,
some of the strongest and boldest of our party eagerly
pressed on, in the hope of being the first to slake their
burning thirst, but it was labour in vain, mountain,
plain, and valley alike showed by their sterility 'that no
water was there.
The sun was already hidden behind a bank of cloud, a
mantle, as it were, waiting to enwrap the god of day as
he sank towards the western horizon, and his disap-
pearance lent a most melancholy aspect to the arid
district. Day was about to close, and heaven only knew
what was to become of us after thirty hours' thirst !
Most assuredly, by the following morning, not one among
our men would be capable of taking a step under a load
weighing seventy pounds.
But that was not the worst ; our discomfort was deep
enough, but a lower depth was looming in the distance.
Without water, how were we to cook our infundi ? And
how, therefore, should we manage if we suffered from
hunger and thirst combined ?
In the depressed condition of our minds, what wonder
if we should ask ourselves whether the barbarians of
Losing Heart.
97
Central Africa were worthy of the sacrifices we and
others made on their behalf ? when all our labour, care,
anxieties and suffering were to be met by ingratitude !
But we had brief space for these or any reflections.
The lads of the party who had borne up so bravely began
to give way, and first one and then another slipped to
the ground with his burthen, and cried, " We can do no
SLOWLY DESCENDING FROM A HEIGHT.
more. Let us go back, senhors, let us go back. There
was water on the road we came from, there is nothing
ahead of us but rocks and stones."
We spoke to them kindly and encouragingly , though
our words scarce found an echo in our own hearts. We
urged them to take a little rest and then try again ;
assured them that their fatigue and trouble would soon
VOL. IT. H
98 West and Central Africa.
end, and that water and food would shortly be at their
disposal. And as we uttered the promise, the report of
a gun and then another from the front broke upon our
ear, and was repeated from the rocks around, as if a
dozen muskets had been fired. A frenzied excitement
at the signal succeeded the depression that was akin to
despair. Hoarse cries came from the cracking lips
which a moment before seemed incapable of proffering
a word. Arms, baggage, everything that encumbered
the motion of the limbs, were for the time abandoned,
and the long file of carriers just then slowly descending
from a height appeared to be animated with a feverish
life, and rushed downwards eager to see the origin of
the preconcerted signal.
Before us ran a vast river which one of the lads,
Fortuna, happily named, had just before discovered.
Like madmen we dashed into the stream, buried our
faces in the limpid water, drank it as a dog might do,
little reflecting, and for the moment little caring that
everything we then possessed of means was strown upon
the rugged way !
When we had come to our senses we began to think
of our encampment, and while part of the men in far
different spirits returned to the place where they had
left the baggage which they gradually collected, others
filled their calabashes with water and made preparations
for the evening meal. They were all, however, much
too tired to construct the usual huts, so we determined
to take our rest in the open. Never was rest more
needed ; and under the brilliant stars which twinkled in
the vast canopy of heaven we composed ourselves to
sleep.
By midnight the south-east wind that had been blow-
ing, moderated, and the moon, as she rose, looked down
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THE MU-CHITO.
Page 99.
Impenetrable Jungle. 99
peacefully upon our handful of men, lying in easy atti-
tudes about the smouldering camp fires, in happy
forgetfulness of the trying adventures of the day. Ere
we dropped off, we heard, mingled with the rush of the
Fortuna between its dark green banks, other strange
sounds due to the various quadrumen, as they chased
each other amid the boughs of the trees, or to the
night-birds shrieking as they flew by.
On the 26th, at daybreak, well provided with water,
having despatched what remained of some dried meat,
we started along the high ground in an easterly direc-
tion, in search this time of food, for we felt convinced
that along the river we should fall upon the Cuango (of
which we conceived the Fortuna was an affluent) and
the human habitations we sought. Unfortunately, we
were perfectly wrong in our conjectures, and at about
four miles from our starting-place, we discovered, im-
mediately beneath our feet, a ravine, into which we
descended.
But on reaching the bottom we found a dense thicket
of trees and our old enemy, the mu-chito, where we lost
ourselves for a couple of hours. On emerging from it
between the river and a lofty bank on the south side,
we kept along the ridge till we met with another thick
wood, where we soon found that we were completely
surrounded by water and plants.
The caravan floundered about the high and stubborn
grass in search of some opening whereby they might
issue from the trap — but for a long time unsuccessfully.
At length, fancying we saw a sort of track through the
dense vegetation, we followed it, but to our dismay soon
observed, by unmistakable signs, that it was a path
made by hippopotami, and all our care had to be devoted
to the task of not running against the monsters.
h 2
IOO
West and Central Africa.
As we stayed our steps for awhile, the silence was
profound. The river, choked with rushes and canes,
seemed to run in every direction, or to divide itself into
numerous branches, and while one of them appeared to
flow eastward, another decidedly ran towards the north.
Making our way to the margin, we found matters even
worse ; the treacherous soil gave way beneath our weight
and we sank up to our knees, so that we were obliged to
lend a hand to help the vanguard out.
Dead-tired and depressed in spirits, we felt ready to
succumb beneath the weight of such gigantic difficulties,
unknowing what to do or what to advise, and our spirits
were not raised by the questions we overheard our com-
panions put to each other.
" Where is it we are going to ? How shall we ever
get through this desert country — without food — without
a path — where wild beasts may meet us at every turn? "
How indeed ! we began to ask ourselves ; and is it
not a species of insanity to go further ? The only other
course open is to turn back, but then, what becomes of
our labour and our mission ?
Torn by these conflicting emotions — the feeling of the
quasi-impossibility of advancing pulling us in one direc-
tion, while our duty and our pride were urging us in
another — we still went on till we were ready to drop.
The life of the woods, which is generally miserable
enough, becomes aggravated in all its worst features as
the traveller plunges deeper into this great continent.
The huge obstacles and constant privations not merely
weaken and wear out his body, but at the end of some
months' marching they produce a state of irritability,
and nervous excitement closely allied to derangement.
An extraordinary change in individual character soon be-
comes apparent. The extravagance of gesture, precipi-
Over sir a ined Nerves . i o i
tation in every act, abruptness in issuing orders, baseless
fears, and a desire to rush along the road, as though
pursued by some phantom, all are evidence of the change
that is being wrought, and are symptoms of the malady
known here as African spleen.
The ideas which at such times rise up in the mind are,
as a matter of course, closely connected with the objects
of the explorer. A plan that he may have conceived
becomes a pivot upon which turn all the labours of the
brain ; by day, during whole hours of abstraction, he
figures to himself endless streams, colossal lakes, new
tracks, and strange habitations ; by night his dreams are
still of Africa, but mingled with them, the extravagances
and monstrosities proper to a state of semi-conscious-
ness.
How often when in that half-sleeping, half-waking
condition have we not beheld the Cuango, coursing
through a vast plain, and finally debouching into the
Congo-Zaire ! How often have we not dwelt on the
awful beauty of that region, and wandered through the
vast basin of the immense river, noting the huge plain,
here covered by many feet of water, there clothed with a
dense vegetation exhaling miasma and death under a
blinding, scorching sun ! We could even trace the
course of the numerous rivers that flowed into the all-
absorbing stream ; the Cuango, the Lu-angue, the Cas-
sai, the Moaza-N'gombe, converging to one receptacle,
where their waters intermingled ! In that same half-
dreamy state we found ourselves gathering information
from native sources, passing through scenes of the most
extravagant character, yet bearing an impress of such
vivid reality, that when we were broad awake, we tried,
but tried in vain to dismiss them from our mind. The
map of Africa was stereotyped upon our brain, and not
102 West and Central Africa.
even the pitchy darkness of our hut could shut it from
our view !
Did these strange vagaries, these fixed prepossessions
portend the dawn of madness ? Was the brain yielding
to the pressure put upon it, while the body was
weakened by fever, privations, and fatigues ? It was a
fearful fear, and as, from this lapse of time, we look
back upon those terrible days and try to realize all the
dread apprehensions that we then suffered, a feeling of
infinite pity and compassion for the suffering mortals
comes over us, as though for men who were other than
ourselves !
Amid the straits to which we were now reduced,
there was one great and overpowering necessity which
demanded instant attention, that of procuring food ; so
abandoning the margin of the river, we cut a path with
the hatchet through the forest which clothed the moun-
tain side, in order to reach the summit and obtain a view
of the surrounding country, and when we did so we
saw the folly of our recent struggles, and obtained an
explanation of the imaginary branches of the river we
had been pursuing. The forest extended as far as the
eye could reach, and iu the open ground we distinctly
observed two rivers, one to the north, the other to
the south of the mountain, and whose waters met at
some distance beyond its foot; the smaller one, the
Fortuna, our recent discovery, which flowed into the
Cu-gho ; and the point where we stood, was the massango,
or confluence of the streams.
With the knowledge thus acquired, there remained no
doubt upon our minds that we must retrace our steps,
as a forward motion was simply impossible. As we
continued our observations, we remarked in the far dis-
tance, eastward, what we took to be smoke, but no sign
of a human dwelling. The country was utterly deserted,
Sending out Scoiits. 103
and our stomachs, in consequence of the disappoint-
ment, began to protest energetically against the neglect
to which they were subjected.
It was then three o'clock in the afternoon, so calling
a council we resolved upon a plan which we proceeded
forthwith to put into execution. Fortuna, the lucky (for
we had reached a stage when such superstitious trifles
were not ignored), accompanied by a couple of com-
panions, was ordered to proceed in an easterly direction,
and he was furnished with a gun wherewith to signal
in case of a discovery and defend himself and party
against attack. Somma, an intelligent and active
mu-sumbi, with three or four more, was instructed
to make his way to the south in search of game or any-
thing else in the shape of food, while Jose, the guide, was
desired to go northwards, to see if he could meet with
the habitations of man. We ourselves were meanwhile
to keep watch and ward with the reserves over our
goods, and wait for tidings from the scouts.
When they had departed we set to work to construct
an encampment and scour the neighbourhood in search
of edible roots. As the quest was perfectly unsuccess-
ful, we were fain to content ourselves with cold water,
and such scraps of flour as we could gather from the
sack after it was turned inside out like a glove. Then
we entered in our diary the laconic phrases which we
literally transcribe : —
Portuguese-African Expedition.
May 26th, 1879. Page 542.
Aneroid 2349 ft. Temperature 84° Fahr.
An awful day. Camped on a mount near the confluence of the
Cu-gho and Fortuna, completely cleared out of provisions. "Very down
and glumpy. Country deserted. Not a soul yet met with. Hungry,
feverish, and sick. Horary for longitude :
O at 2h = 53, 31. H = l\ 50m. 28s. 30*. Azith. = 369,9.
Q mer. = 67,97.
What next ? We must wait.
104 West and Central Africa.
It was the only thing to do, so we did it with resig-
nation while counting the minutes and listening to catch
the slightest sound. But in the immense solitude there
reigned a sepulchral silence which we ourselves scarcely
ventured to break.
Meanwhile the sun ran his imperturbable course;
passed through the stages from brilliant yellow to deep
orange, and nearing the horizon irradiated the patches
of cloud which floated beneath the azure vault of
heaven, shot a few grand rays through a rent in the
dense vapour, and then, in disappearing, carried with
him our last lingering hopes !
" Nothing, " we murmured sadly to each other ; " other-
wise they would have returned."
Night fell, and brought with it increased depression.
Extensive fires in the east and the moon which then
rose seemed to augment the solemnity of the prospect.
Hours passed over when we were aroused by the report
of a gun ; it was Somma with his party ; and shortly after
another report warned us of the arrival of Fortuna. They
brought us, unluckily, no comfort ; they had found no
cultivation, no track, not a vestige of a human thing. The
forest, they said, was all around us, but they had sought in
vain for a path which could hint of its ever being traversed.
In Jose, now, lay the sole hope that was left us, and
our readers may believe that we did so with intense
anxiety. His route had been northwards, and in that
direction we looked and watched.
As early as four in the morning we were on the look-
out ; we had tried to sleep, but in vain ; we had been
listening the night through. The morning breeze as it
fanned our fevered temples was an immense relief ; but
we were faint and sick for want of sustenance.
The sun reappeared and lit up all the landscape ; but
A slight Diversion. 105
to us it brought little relief, as we regarded the worn
and haggard looks of our companions in misfortune. As
for ourselves, wrapped in our great-coats, seated on the
ground and our backs supported by the open trunks, we
wound up our chronometers and recorded the readings
of the thermometers, and having thus performed our
duty towards science, restored the instruments to their
places and once more gazed out upon the country.
There was nothing new in it; there was no change
from the day before; the same valleys and the same
woodland met our eyes, and the same silence reigned
over all.
As time sped on, it became urgent upon us we knew
to take some resolution, to make some effort unless we
intended to wait, with arms folded, for the approach of
death by starvation. But what was that resolution,
what that effort to be ? To return ? we were far from
any inhabited place ; by the road we had come it would
take us two long days, and how were they to be got
through, fasting, while we had already fasted so long ?
To go forward ? whither ? amid the frightful obstacles
we beheld from our point of observation ? And Jose ?
could we, ought we to abandon him ? A thousand times,
no ! Remain we must, and to remain we resolved ;
further determining to use our efforts to draw fish from
the river and to scour the woods in search of game.
The idea was no sooner uttered than it was seized
upon with avidity, and once again did the encampment
display a semblance of motion. Anything that could
serve for a net was hastily rummaged out ; lead was cut
into little pieces to make small shot for birds ; some of
the hands set to work to manufacture snares, and
parties were in the very act of setting out for the river,
when from the forest, in a north-west direction, the
io6
West and Central Africa.
report of a couple of guns turned us for the moment
into statues !
"It is Jose ! " was the universal cry.
And as we looked we saw Jose and his companions
emerge from the wood, with a firm and elastic step
which was in strong contrast with our own weakness,
JOSE AND HIS COMPANIONS EMERGED FROM THE WOOD.
bearing upon their heads what we felt was to restore us
to new life !
It is impossible to describe the wild joy which took
possession of our whole band at the sight. As the men
rushed towards the new arrivals, eager to relieve them
of their load, they cried, —
" Is it food you are bringing us ? "
Return of Jose. 107
And Jose raised aloft a string of bagres from the river,
drew from his belt a root of manioc which he flourished
in the air, and pointed to the packages carried by his
attendants, in eloquent but silent answer to the eager
queries.
Jose's expedition, as subsequently related to us, may
be summed up in few words.
When he and his party left us the evening before, he
made his way through the neighbouring woods, and
coming out upon the river, considerably higher up than
we had met it, they found to their satisfaction that they
could ford it, which they at once proceeded to do.
Having reached the other side, they observed what
appeared to be a goat-track, into which they at once
struck, and marching along it, uninterruptedly, they
came, to the surprise of the guide, upon a solitary hut,
all but buried in the high grass. On entering they found
.themselves in presence of a couple of hunters, who had
taken up their residence in that spot in order to pursue
their avocation. The men were intelligent and friendly,
and Jose had no difficulty in bartering a piece of cloth
and a bag of beads for some thirty bagres, a parcel of
manioc roots, about eight pounds of flour, and a couple of
bindas of maluvo ; he, moreover, drew from them a pro-
mise to act as our guides upon the road. He would
have returned that very night, but learning that the
forest was not particularly safe during the hours of dark-
ness, owing to the wild beasts by which it was infested,
he discreetly waited till the next morning before making
the return journey.
Whilst our worthy guide was doling out his news, we
were in like manner distributing the provisions he had
brought, and though the banquet was not a luxurious one,
still manioc root and dried fish to a man who has been
1 08 West mid Central Af7'ica.
next door to starvation are not by any means to be
despised. Heartily thanking Jose for his good service,
which we promised duly to reward on reaching the coast,
we resolved to lose no time in pursuing the path he had
discovered ; and so soon as the wants of nature were
satisfied, we got ourselves into marching order and broke
up our camp.
Our course was north-westerly, and following in the
footsteps of the guide, we arrived, after about an hour's
march, at the point where the Fortuna was fordable, and
which river, as Jose informed us, was called by the natives
Unguiji, and came from a far distance and had its rise
in a lake.
On reaching the other side we began climbing in an
oblique direction a rugged mount, which made us per-
spire at every pore, till the caravan at length sighted the
hut spoken of by Jose, and that had been prudently
erected beside a running brook. It was then 11.30 a.m.
of the 27th May, 1879.
We did not consider it of good augury that, on our
arrival at the hut, its two inmates should take to flight
and conceal themselves in the wood, but this was what
they did on catching the first glimpse of our people, and
it required all Jose's powers of persuasion to induce them
to return. When they did so we endeavoured to persuade
them to guide us to some inhabited spot, on the bank of
the Ouango which, after an infinity of trouble and tempt-
ing promises, they agreed to do, and took the lead of the
caravan for the purpose.
Unencumbered by any stores of provisions we rapidly
skirted the forest and crossing an arid, granite mount, we
descended on to the picturesque margin of the river
Mapemba, where we halted ten minutes for a rest. On
resuming our march we scaled the lofty bank on the oppo-
In fresh Troubles. 109
site side and found on the top a vast plain, destitute of
trees, through which wound a sort of track.
Our guides here said they could go no farther, and that
we had only to follow the path to find ourselves at the
Cuango. Little agreeable as the announcement was to
our mind — for recent experience had made us suspicious
and doubtful — there was no help for it but to let them
go, more particularly as being paid beforehand we had no
means of detaining them. On separating, therefore, we
pursued our way, but after the lapse of about an hour,
all indication of a track having disappeared, we lost our-
selves completely in the high grass !
Some of our readers may perhaps argue, —
" But in the centre of a plain, with compass in hand, it
surely must be easy to reach any determinate point."
To which we will make answer, that until tried, few can
tell how difficult it is to follow a right line where there is
no visible point in the distance ; and this was exactly our
case, for owing to the high grass and cistus that sur-
rounded us, all view was completely shut out.
Groping about, therefore, amid these obstacles, our
course was very far from being a straight one ; the sun
blazed down upon our heads ; fatigue began to weigh our
limbs, and there loomed upon our minds the probability of
a renewal of our sufferings from hunger, thirst, and
anxiety.
The Cuango lay, to a certainty, in an east-north-east
direction, and to that point we endeavoured to steer, so
putting in the vanguard three of our stoutest hands, to
cut away the grass and weeds that blocked the way, we
followed slowly on.
Ill-luck appeared to pursue us upon this terrible journey
and with cruel irony placed food, so to speak, within our
reach only to snatch it away. As we plodded along, one
1 10 West and Central Africa.
of the carriers reported that he had seen upon the left
various dark, moving objects which he took to be
palancas.
We at once started in search, working round to leeward
of the spot, so as to prevent their getting scent of us.
In a few minutes we came in sight of them and could
observe their beautiful heads peering between the grass.
THE PALANCAS.
They were large female antelopes, hornless, with long
necks, elegant in shape, with very light and lustrous
skin, having the appearance at first sight of a herd of
wild asses. On our nearer approach, something caused
them to take the alarm ; and hesitating for a moment in
restless attitude, they darted away with all speed.
We let fly a couple of barrels at the nearest, but missed ;
and to our immense annoyance and the surprise and
Renewed Disappointments. 1 1 1
disappointment of the whole caravan, they got off scot-
free ! We followed them up for some distance, but we
might as well have chased the wind, for not another shot
was afforded us ! One of us succeeded in getting a
hasty sketch, tolerably approximate to the truth, but that
was the only record afforded us of their apparition.
This last misfortune seemed to deprive our crew of
what little courage was left them. Ten hours, which
appeared as many months in length, had elapsed since
we left the banks of the river Fortuna, and still there
was no evidence of human habitation. Surely, we thought,
one more day of such suffering will decide our fate, and
the caravan, already demoralized, must perish of inanition.
The very Ban-sumbi, the most robust of our men, were
sinking beneath the strain put upon them, and we ex-
pected at any moment they would throw down their loads
and refuse to carry them further. The young niggers
hobbled along, bent like old men ; the women, in most
instances overladen with their infants, the perspiration
pouring from them as they walked, took every opportu-
nity of stopping by the way, more willing to resign them--
selves to their fate, if it brought them rest, than to go on
seeking for what they deemed undiscoverable. We our-
selves, though carrying no load, did not suffer less than
any of our people. A general debility had taken posses-
sion of our entire organism, rendering it difficult for us to
stand upright, owing to the indescribable pains in the
back and loins.
It was mainly in the ascents that these inconveni-
ences and troubles were experienced, every hill-side
becoming a calvary, upon which we expected to faint
and die. Our temples on these occasions beat ]ike sledge-
hammers, our eyes were veiled with mist, and the rapid
action of the heart produced a feeling as of suffocation.
The sun was rapidly declining ; the heat diminished,
I 12
West and Central Africa.
but in the same proportion our hunger and thirst
increased, and yet the further we went, the more dis-
tant still appeared our chances of alleviation.
Knowing, however, from cruel experience, the danger of
stopping, and determined in our own minds that we
would not turn back, we still crawled on, conscious that
we must advance till we found water, or drop by the way.
The main body skirted a gentle declivity, while parties
were despatched to the right and left to search in every
hollow; and we then had another climb. Night was
falling as we reached the edge of a steep and bare
descent, and discovered about a mile to the westward the
windings of a great river. At the foot of the hill on which
we stood we observed an extensive valley covered with
grass, intersected by irregular lines of darker vegetation
that hinted at the passage of several brooklets.
" We will stop here ! " the men exclaimed as with one
voice ; nor did we proffer a word in opposition to the
general will. Besides that it would have been useless, we
felt ourselves that we could no further go. It was then
seven in the evening.
3 '1MAIS -t
CORACIAS ESPATULATA.
"3
CHAPTER VI.
Opinion of the authors upon laconism in the description of toil and
suffering — The night of the 27th May — Apprehensions — Night
phantoms — An unexpected discovery — The women of the caravan
— A marriage — Famine and plenty next-door neighbours — Having
satisfied the body we seek distraction of mind — A wine-party —
Quizengamo, an important quilolo, visits the encampment — Two
pages from the diary — The guides urge us to repair to the Court
of the Quianvo — Our own resolve — The Cuango and capricious
sinuosities of its course — Frightful effects of dysentery — Putrid
fermentation and the failure of food — A dance of the Ma-yacca —
Abandoned in the forest — Fever, ulcers, and dysentery — Flight of
the guide — The desert — Fragment of the diary — Baffled — Return
u —The Cugho.
To the man who has never had the misfortune to pass
entire days of hnnger and thirst, with the temperature at
86° of Fahrenheit ; who has never experienced the dire
sensations of intense fever, aggravated by the anguish of
dysentery, the terrible itching caused by parasites, and
which the flannel vest renders almost unbearable ; to the
man again who never felt the excruciating suffering
caused by scorbutic wounds in the legs and feet, making
the pressure of the boot a martyrdom ; our dwelling to
such length upon these subjects may appear perhaps both
troublesome and undignified. We consider, however,
that such a judgment is not a fair one, inasmuch as no
traveller is capable on his return to Europe and in the
quiet repose of his own study, to set down faithfully, after
the lapse of months, what he suffered in those inhos-
VOL. II. I
ii4 West and Central Africa.
pitablo regions, or give a just measure of the physical and
moral tribulations which at the time oppressed his
miserable existence. He may retain a faint recollection
of them, but hesitating between his diary and his wish to
say the exact truth, he is likely to suppress a great deal
that we consider it proper to lay before the world for the
behoof of future explorers.
Stanley, that active and indefatigable genius, was con-
scious of this truth when in the Zinga on the 10th of
June, 1877, he wrote :—
" The details of the tortures I suffered cannot be
described, but they are indelibly engraved in the depths
of a heart which feels all the bitterness of the pains which
wrung it."
It must have been a heavy load of suffering that in-
duced a man, usually so laconic, to pen those lines ; they
owed their origin to countless struggles, to the pangs of
hunger and thirst, to consuming fever and the loss of
faithful companions ; yet many readers probably passed
over that simple paragraph without a second thought. In
justice to him and others we intend to be less brief, and
in the present chapter to give a faithful record of our
vicissitudes and reflections.
It was on the 27th of May that the caravan, whereof
we were the chiefs, found itself on the left bank of a cer-
tain river, without shelter, pinched by hunger, fall of
bodily ailments, seated on a bare mount, in a narrow
circle, surrounding a fire as half starved as ourselves.
The thought of the morrow was in the minds of all.
Ten times that day had we lost ourselves in our wander-
ings, and we knew too well that the continuance of such a
course must, in the end, be fatal to some, if not to all. As
we scanned the horizon we put the question to ourselves,
" How long can this continue ? "
The Night of the 2 yth May. 1 1 5
In the far distance we discovered, aided by the pale
light of the moon, certain high land, on the summit of
which we perceived fires. Could they be senzalas, or were
they the fires of wanderers like ourselves ? none could
say ; this, however, was certain, that not a sound came to
our ears indicative of human beings. The whole country
lay in profound repose, only interrupted in the depth of
night by a troop of wolves hovering and howling about
us. Other black, shadowy forms, the more fearful from
being undefined, were creeping stealthily in the valley
below, so that our guns, upon the cock, were kept con-
stantly pointed in that direction.
A slow fever was undermining our remaining strength,
and a terrible insomnia had taken possession of us both.
Our heated imagination passed in review a multitude of
scenes, of thoughts, of disjointed ideas, which ebbed and
flowed in an uninterrupted stream. On inquiring of each
other, we found the experience was mutual, so drawing
our coats, which were stiffened by the cold mist of night,
closer around us we tried to sleep. A vain endeavour
truly ; and at three quarters past four in the morning,
we were witnesses, against our will, to day breaking in
the east.
So soon as the light permitted, a careful survey was
made of the surroundings, the result being, that we were
near the bank of the river Cuango, posted on an abrupt
mount which bordered it on the western side ; that the
stream ran, in a broad sheet, through banks clothed with
dark green foliage, forming an edging to the tall wavy
grass ; that on the heights beyond the further bank white
patches were discernible which by the glass appeared to
be human dwellings ; that northwards, the land was
broken and uneven to the last degree, and that behind the
hills in that direction white smoke was rising into the air.
1 2
1 1 6 # West and Central Africa.
As the watch marked the hour of five, we organized a
party to go to the river to procure water, and de-
spatched another up the stream to make a reconnois-
sance, whilst we ourselves to occupy the time till their
return endeavoured to take the bearings of the sur-
rounding country.
We had not, however, been long engaged at the work
before we saw two of the party rush back again through
the grass and make their way up the ascent uttering loud
cries. They were mere lads, though one of them, Lianda,
was quick-witted and expert, who informed us in a
breathless state that they had, immediately after setting
out, discovered an immense encampment inhabited by
fishermen, where the abundance of good things was such
that, to use the young fellow's own expression : " There
Were so many calabashes of maluvo that all of us put
together would not be so many."
The effect of this announcement may readily be con-
ceived, and we lost no time, after recovering from our
surprise, in setting out for the favoured spot.
In a tortuous line we descended the rugged slope,
placing the women of the caravan in front, who, with
their infants at their backs, intoned, as they went, a
mournful song, meant by its simple words to be one of
thankfulness. All honour to the sex and all honour to
these not unworthy members of it ! On fortunate days
they were the first at work, and by their handiness and
cheerfulness they gave to the camp what life and gaiety
it could ever boast of; and on the sad and trying ones,
the fewest complaints came from them, whilst their
patience and endurance were beyond all praise. How
often, when fighting with a host of obstacles, has not
the sight of them, plodding on in silence, encouraged
us as men to even greater efforts ; and how often too
The Women of the Expedition. 1 1 7
did we not behold a like effect bein & wrought anion 9; their
untutored companions, and a respect engendered that at
the outset was unknown !
We did our very best to foster this respect by the
rigorous rules we laid down where the sex was concerned.
All quarrels and domestic difficulties were referred to us
for solution, and woe betide the husband who dared to lay
a finger upon his wife or steal a cloth from her to barter
it away ! Scores of times Capulca discovered this to his
LEMBA, MUTU S WIFE.
cost, for though a gallant gay Lothario among strange
ladies he was a very Othello to his own Desdemona.
But for every blow he administered to her back, ho
got a dozen on his own, most religiously paid, for in
matters of this kind we made it a point of honour
never to be in his debt.
The garments they wore were delivered to them at
set times ; we treated both them and their children when
1 1 8 West and Central Africa.
sick, and if, by any sad chance, one of them became a
widow, we were careful at once to keep her apart till we
could find her a second husband.
While on this point we may mention that when in the
Quioco poor Filippe died, Lemba, his wife, was separated
in this manner, and on the following day, ranging in a
line those unmarried men who cared to enter the lists,
we made her come to the front with ourselves that she
might make her choice. It was curious to observe the
eagerness with which the candidates followed her eyes ;
for it is no light thing to be the object on which a
woman's choice shall fall amid a bevy of competitors !
At the outset they were all on the broad grin, for they
looked upon the affair as a capital joke, but on observing
the serious air with which we presided at the ceremonial
they composed their countenances and anxiously awaited
the young widow's decision. And when it came and her
choice was really made, the only countenance that dis-
played hilarity was that of the chosen youth who bore
the name of Mutu. Summoning him from the group,
we inquired : —
" Does this woman please you ? "
To which he answered, " She does."
" Would you like to live with her ? "
" I should."
"Be it so : now listen. Henceforth she shall be your
companion and your wife ; you will live with her and
have your rations apart ; you will be responsible for
her acts, and if you do not immediately repair her trans-
gressions, you will be punished; .remember, you must
not lay a finger upon her, but live in peace." And thus
were married Mutu and Lemba !
To resume our narrative; the sun shone full upon
our faces, as though to congratulate us on our good for-
Famine and Plenty. 1 1 9
tune, and obliquely illuminating the landscape, still in
part concealed by morning mist, gave it an aspect of
juvenile beauty and a sense of serenity that were consol-
ing to the awakening spirits.
Breaking away from the grass, we crossed the little
thickets that were scattered in every direction over the
plain, and at length came out in the neighbourhood of
the hamlet.
It consisted of half a dozen huts or sheds perfectly
well built ; a palisade, formed by a species of bamboo
split in half, formed the enclosure within which, they
nestled, while various fireplaces served for the cooking of
fish. Our first glance also showed us bindas of palm
wine, bundles of manioc and slices of meat hanging
within the dwellings, and several persons moving about.
On the right there was a larger number busy in assisting
at or witnessing some occupation, which we shortly dis-
covered to be the dismemberment of an enormous
buffalo, lying on the ground, that had been killed the day
before.
At our unexpected arrival, all occupations, both in-
doors and out, were immediately suspended, and the
natives, half in alarm, half in curiosity, regarded us,
open-mouthed; while we, staring with equal interest,
but with no sort of fear upon the colossal ruminant,
exclaimed, —
" We have been near starving in the midst of plenty ! "
Five minutes after this moving spectacle met our eyes,
we were squatting down with our knees almost on a
level with our chins, in a little circle, having Jose in the
middle,, busily engaged in making purchases the while he
replied to our eager interrogations.
" Who are these people ? "
"Ma-yacca."
1 20 West and Central Africa.
" Who governs them ? "
" The Quianvo or Muene Puto Cassongo."
" Where does he live ? "
" Over there ! " pointing northwards.
" Is he powerful ? "
" He is indeed."
These scraps of information, with others obtained in
the same way, we entered in our diary, interrupting that
occupation from time to time to give instructions about
the longed-for meal to Capulca, who, meanwhile, having
recovered his usual loquacity never had his mouth shut
for a moment.
Two delightful hours did we spend over his labours,
taking whatever was ready, and eagerly waiting for
more, washing the whole down with copious draughts of
maluvo ; until having eaten and drunk to repletion we
took a long and welcome siesta.
Having ordered the construction of the encampment
and fed and rested the body, we sought a little distrac-
tion for the mind, so as to dissipate somewhat the dark
clouds which still hung over it, and with this' view we
took a stroll to a neighbouring village.
On our penetrating into the neighbouring wood, we
startled a couple of young women, who, in the costume
of Mother Eve before the fall, fled at our approach,
leaving their baskets behind them. Their head-dresses
amused us mightily, beiug terminated at top with two
high peaks, and as they first started from the grass we
could not help likening them (meaning no disrespect) to
a couple of she-asses.
Having gratified our curiosity by a peep into the
fugitives' baskets, we pursued our way, when Master
Jose suddenly stopped, pointed up to some fruit hanging
from a tree, and clapping his hands to. his abdomen
A Wine Party.
12 1
went through the performance of a person suffering from
colic.
" There it is ! " he exclaimed ; " don't you remember
it?"
After a cursory examination we had no difficulty in
recognizing the fruit, for it was no other than the
medlars of painful memory that had punished us so
severely in the Bondos !
Continuing our path, after this meeting with a former
THE TWO FUGITIVES.
acquaintance, puffing and blowing beneath a sun hot
enough to fry eggs, we at length reached the senzala,
constructed on a piece of cleared ground.
We arrived at a time of high festival, at least we found
the principal inhabitants engaged in a drinking-bout^
seated around enormous ganzas or calabashes. At sight
of us, however, they started up in half alarm, a feeling
which we did our best to allay by inquiring in a friendly
manner what they had in the binclas.
122 West and Central Africa.
" Maluvo, N'gana" (wine, senhor), was the reply.
And as maluvo is not by any means to be treated with
contempt, we determined to do as the rest did, and sat
down to have a share. Seeing a whispering but warm
discussion going on between some of the party we were
curious to learn the cause, which we managed to gather
by the aid of our guide.
It appeared that one of the elders of the group had
been entertaining his hearers with wonderful stories
about the whites, and they were discussing his last asser-
tion that " we were amphibious ; could live just as well
in the water as on dry land ; and that he once had a
friend who had lived near the ( great water ' and used
to see the whites swim over it from their own country."
As it would have been difficult to undeceive them, we
left the care of doing so to our attendants, and turning
the conversation into another channel procured all the
information we could gather concerning the country in
which we were then sojourning, its abundance of food
products and other important particulars.
Whilst so engaged a messenger arrived in hot haste
from our quilombo with the news that an important
Sova had just arrived there for the purpose of paying a
visit to the whites. Hastily, therefore, concluding our
business with our new acquaintance by the barter of
some yards of cloth and some beads for inhame,
eggs, and fowls, we started off to receive our new
visitor.
On our return to camp we found our companions
standing in attitudes of profound respect about a group
of natives, in the centre of whom was the great chief.
"We have no intention to inflict upon our readers another
description of a reception which in no important particu-
lar differed from a score that had preceded it ; but will
Extracts from the Diary. 123
merely mention that our visitor was one of the first
quilolos of the Quianvo, called Quizengamo, residing on
the other bank of the river near the Mussala brook ; that
he was enveloped in a species of mabella mat, had no
very attractive physiognomy, and wore his hair in what
appeared to us a ridiculous fashion for a man, namely
drawn up from the back and sides on to the top of the
head and there secured.
We transcribe from the pages of our diary the results
of our interview, which lasted three hours and a half,
together with some further particulars we gleaned from
other sources :
Portuguese-African Expedition.
May 28th, 1879. Page 603
Left Bank of the River Cuango.
Aneroid 2376 ft. (not cord-) Temperature 000°.
Lat. 7° 20' 57" per. O mer. = 67,75.
Azimuth angles (station in encampment).
2° E. (Senz. 0' 5"— Cuango 0' 8").
52° 5' (lofty mount a 6'0" ?).
91° 0' (mount b 1' 0").
107° 0' (mount c 2' 1").
127° 5' (mount d 2' 1").
165° 0' (azimuth rect. of encampment).
241° 0' ( mount e 1' 6").
River— up, mean 109° 0' ; down 0°
First quilolo of the Quianvo paid us a visit this day.
********
The interpreters assured us that the Ma-yacca were, for the greater
part, slaves of the Lunda established there.
The history of their origin is similar to that of the Ma-quioco, with
this difference, that instead of descending from one woman, they appear
to have descended from two. These histories are of course more or
less fabulous, and must be received with the utmost caution.
The aspect of the Ma-yacca is not so distinct as that of the peoples
further south. Mainly of a pacific disposition, as far at least as could
be judged from those with whom we came into contact, they are ex-
tremely savage and suspicious. Their head-dresses are quaint and
very diversified, some arranging the hair so as to give it the appearance
of a hat or cap, others braiding it in long tresses, which they wind round
the head ; some again drawing it all from the nape of the neck on to
1 24 West and Central Africa.
the top of the head, but no one fashion so predominating as to give it a"
preponderance over the others.
They go nearly naked or scantily clothed in mabella, owing to the
scarcity of any manufactured cotton. Their dwellings, which are geo-
metrically well built of marianga interlaced with grass, have from a
distance, a picturesque appearance.
They give but little attention to agriculture, but a great deal to
fishing, and are poor breeders of cattle or sheep. One good reason for
the latter deficiency may be found in the circumstance that the Ma-yacca
as we were informed by Quizengamo are not permitted to breed cattle
at all, and only on rare occasions goats and sheep. That the sovereign
retains such breeding as a prerogative of his own, and that the man
who dared to infringe such a law would infallibly lose his head, for
with the system of fetichism so prevalent, his act would of a certainty
be discovered and denounced. Our informant assured us we should
find proofs of this in the circumstance that our eyes would not light
upon a single ox on the left bank of the Cuango. This extraordinary
monopoly, the cause of which we vainly endeavoured to fathom, has
not been satisfactorily explained.
The men devote a good deal of attention to the chase, hunting
lialancas, many of which are of enormous size, and whose horns they
showed us, other antelopes and gazelles, all of which are very abundant
in this part of the country.
The territory on both banks of the river Cuango is subdivided into
many districts bearing special names which are apt to puzzle the
traveller.
On the west, for instance, the lands of Quiteca-N'bungo, Macume-
N'jimbo, and Futa, already spoken of, are inhabited by the Ma-sosso,
who bestow various names upon them, according to the special district ;
and this is also the case with the territory of Yacca on the east.
The supreme chief of the Ma-yacca is the Mequianvo, Quianvo, or
Muene Puto Cassongo. His residence is under parallel 6° 30', near a
rivulet called N'ganga, and about four hours' journey from the Cuango,
where he has a port.
The stories told us on the spot respecting the quilolos were so diverse
and contradictory, that we considered them doubtful after a careful
process of sifting. Some asserted that the Quianvo was more powerful
than the Muata of the Luuda, inasmuch as on the death of the Yanvo
the former appointed his successor. Others not only denied this, but
affirmed that the former was but a vassal of the Yanvo. The interpre-
ters on the other hand said that it was all false alike, inasmuch as the
potentates did not even know each other. This last assertion we consi-
dered was going too far, though we could not learn that they had evermet.
Extracts from the Diary
125
The Quiauvo is a man of medhini stature, strongly built. On his
days of reception, he makes his appearance enveloped in a cloth, his
head adorned with a broad fillet embroidered with beads, and fastened
behind, on the upper edge of which are stitched several red parrot's
feathers. His wrists and arms are adorned with bangles.
He imbibes large quantities of maluvo, and feeds on small game,
such as gazelles, &c.
He keeps up commercial relations with the coast (Ambriz) by a direct
path, a prolongation of the river, by the aid of the Ma-sosso, who when
they come in search of india-rubber and ivory cross his territory on
their way to the Muata Compana and Muene Congo Tubiuge.
c/^<?
YACCA HEAD-DRESSES.
This latter Sova appears to be an important personage. He has his
residence on the banks of the Muluia and has a great river as a frontier,
said to be called Baccari. His states border on the vast region occupied
by the Ba-cundi, or Ma-cundi, ferocious cannibals, who occupy, as we
were informed, the north-eastern district, and whom they invariably
spoke of with a shudder.
They possess, finally, a large river, like the Cu-ango, which flows into
the sea.
As we were the first whites who had ever appeared in the dominions
of the Muene Puto Cassongo, Quizengamo was very anxious that we
should go and pay our court to him.
When he had left, a native of Sosso was presented to us, and we
drew from him a few more particulars to add to our previous notes.
126 West and Central Africa.
This man told us that he knew the Congo-Zaire, that he lived on
the road to San Salvador, at N'cusso, a place at no great distance from
the villages of the Mambo Assamba and Malungo Ateca. He finally
offered to act as our guide.
In the chain of mountains of the Zombo lie the sources of the Lu-
quiche, the last affluent of the Cuango, on the left bank. At two days'
journey up the stream from its mouth, numerous rocks obstruct the pas-
sage of the river at a point called Quicunji, and still further up is the
embouchure of the Quilo Quiasosso. He maintained that there was
no possible road along the Cuango, it being all a desert, and he asserted
that the said river " mona-calunga" that is to say, flowed into the
sea.
He also spoke of a meeting of the waters of the Cu-engo and the
Cuango, and further on of those of the Cassai and other rivers of which
he spoke in accents almost of horror, saying that they were enormous
and constantly overflowing.
He recounted that two years before, he was passing through that
very district, at the massango or point of confluence, when he saw a
mun-delle (white man) in an odto-id-puto or European canoe. This, no
doubt, was Stanley.
He certified to the existence of the great lake, and of the famous
dwarfs ; and concluded by stating that it would take six months to reach
the meeting of the waters !
The foregoing having been entered at page 603 and
following ones of the diary, we closed the book, very
tired with the labour of gathering and recording the
notes, so as we were by that time dripping with per-
spiration, we went and sat in our shirt- sleeves under a
rude porch we had constructed to our hut, and with
a calabash of maluvo between us, were soon at our old
work, weaving plans.
In the opinion of the natives it was a matter of neces-
sity that we should cross the river and repair to the
residence of the Quianvo, by the only known track, and
along which we could alone obtain means of subsistence ;
but as this was the old story, we did not seem at all
inclined to seek that monarch's presence. We considered
that our means, in the shape of goods, were already at
The Dawn of Day. 127
quite low enough an ebb without running the risk of
reducing;' them still further.
" What is the use ? " ran the current of our remarks
between ourselves. " It will be only rousing up another
thief. And who knows whether he may not take it into
his head to seize and strip us altogether ? In case too
of the necessity of beating a hasty retreat, how could
we cross the river, without canoes, and pursue our
journey westward ? "
These considerations had such weight with us, and
appeared to be dictated by such plain common sense,
that we determined in our high intelligence to go our own
course, that is to say, continue along the bank of the
river under the guidance of our Sosso man.
" Our aim," we argued, "is to study the Quango and
not to visit rulers. If we clo so, we shall have to set
against a problematical good and the gratification of our
curiosity, a certain delay, and a diminution of our sub-
stance ; whilst the state of our health is not just now of
that robust kind that we can afford to take any liberties
with it."
Thus resolved, we spent the rest of the afternoon in
laying in stores and had a good, sound night's rest.
On the 29th of May, at cock-crow, everything was
ready in the quilombo. Day was ushered in by one of
those delicious mornings of which our poets generally
can have the very faintest notion, seeing their little or
no inclination to undertake a journey to the great
continent.
The dense veil of vapour, as it gradually thinned and
dissipated under the gentlest of south-east breezes, the
herald of approaching day, laden with delicious per-
fumes, gave to view the scattered mounts, some grey
and craggy, others covered with leafy vegetation, and as
128 West and Central Africa.
the first rays of the sun began to tinge their summits, the
effects of colour, light, and shade were simply magical.
The hills, obscure till then, became suddenly clothed in
every variety of green ; the intermediate plains looked,
with the half dispersed mist, like fairy lakes, and the dis-
tant serras seemed to reflect the deepening azure of th£
skies,
All nature smiled ; the earth, the firmament assumed
at each moment an increasing loveliness; the former from
its myriads of flowers, the latter by the presence of the
radiant star of day.
Flecks of gilded cloud gave a fresh charm to the pic-
ture, and whilst the eye gratefully embraced these ex-
quisite creations of the Supreme, the ear drank in with no
less delight the murmuring sound of waters, the whisper
of the breeze among the leaves and grass, and the hymns
of praise of thousands of awakening birds.
A soothing emotion stole over our hearts as we gazed
upon the spectacle, so frequently renewed yet never
tiring ; and the arduous labour we had still to overcome
ere reaching what we could consider our ultimate goal,
appeared easier of accomplishment when resumed under
such auspices.
We did not, it is true, foresee the terrible privations
that were yet in store for us, and with which we were to
struggle for bare existence ; for had it been possible to
peep but a little way into the future, souls far stouter
than our own must have revolted, and refused to make
this final plunge.
Again passing by Cha-cala, the senzala we had visited
with Jose, we directed our march to west-north-west on
account of a great bend in the Cuango, and were followed
for some distance by a few natives. The soil on which we
trod was firm and hard but would evidently be, soft
Decomposition of Provisions. \ 2 9
enough, in the rainy season. Here and there we passed
a thin plantation where the manioc was poor and scarcely
reached the waist. A little further on the river, being
barred by a high rocky bank, again resumed its northerly
course, and the caravan was compelled to climb over a
steep mount, from whose summit we observed the wind-
ings of the stream.
At 11.30 a.m. we were at Mafungo, whereby means of
a small canoe we sounded the depth of the river and dis-
covered eight feet of water. Thence, the stream, again
turning to the westward, overflowed its banks, while
various little sandy aits, more than one adorned with a
group of hippopotami, appeared in the centre of the river
bed.
Another lofty mount barred the way, which it was
necessary for us to scale, but as it was not possible to do
so just then we camped at a senzala called Lobenda, re-
serving the ascent till next day. The heat was suffocating;
and the temperature stood at 88° Fahr., without the
slightest breeze to cool our tired limbs. Dysentery among
other ailments began about this time to appear, with
alarming symptoms, and a permanent fever was burning
our very entrails.
After a little excursion to the river, where we saw a
good many hippopotami, and making the necessary sur-
veys, we returned to the encampment, where another
annoyance awaited us. The evening before we had
purchased a good number of fresh bagres, which we
endeavoured to pickle with a little maluvo vinegar, after
frying them in palm oil, in the hope of preserving them
for some days. What then was our disgust when
Capulca opened the basket in which they were kept and
showed them to us literallv covered with maggots ! In
.j (Do
twenty-four hours the whole had become decomposed ;
vol. n. K
1 30 West and Central Africa.
and not the fish only, but the buffalo beef which had been
distributed among the men, so that we were compelled to
throw it all away ! We were thus deprived of food, and
it was only with difficulty that we could prevail upon the
natives to sell us a lean fowl to add to another, equally
meagre, in our possession.
As evening fell, while looking at the natives dancing
DANCES OP THE MA-YACCA.
in the open, one of us became disabled by fever, and the
other was not long in following suit. We had, therefore,
to retire when the fun was at its loudest ; and as the
stomach refused to retain the lean fowl after we had it
cooked, we got no dinner.
Meanwhile, the dancing and uproar continued a long
time afterwards. The performers had the most ferocious
Ma-yacca Dances. 1 3 1
appearance. The men with feathers and antelope horns
stuck into their hair, and bunches of grass about their
ankles brandished their assagais under the direction of a
leader, a very Hercules of a fellow with a rough beard
and cannibal aspect, and formed a semicircle whereof
the other half was composed of women.
The latter, with their hair tied in a top knot, their
bodies bedaubed with vermilion and wearing a species of
short kilt made of straw, kept clapping their bauds and
twisting their bodies into grotesque and obscene attitudes ;
when the one in the front row came forward and meet-
ing the man opposite her went through a performance
of which the least said the better, and the two then took
up their places in the centre ; they were followed in due
course by another couple, and so on, each pair, not un-
naturally, endeavouring to outvie those who had gone
before, in singularity.
The noise they made was something horrible to men
troubled like ourselves. To the beating of drums and
the clapping of hands, were added the discordant shrieks
of the women and hoarse cries of the men, and ever and
anon the ears were startled by the blast of a long horn
which some strong-winded performer was blowing greatly
to Lis own satisfaction and presumably to that of the
assembled company.
Meanwhile, our dysentery would not stop, and next
day we had to undergo the torture of a forced march,
under a leaden sky.
Our idea, somewhat modified, was to keep along the
Cuango or reach the port of the Quianvo. On our arrival
there, it not being our intention to visit that potentate,
we proposed taking a westward course by the track
leading to the country of our guide. It did not appear,
however, that our plan was to the latter's taste, for when
k 2
132 West and Central Africa.
we were about to make the ascent the rascal gave us the
slip, and hid himself in the dense mn-chito, so that it cost
us no end of trouble to ferret him out of it. Having,
after immense fatigue, got to the top, we took an hour's
rest, while gazing upon the river below, where our glasses
showed the hippopotami sunning themselves on the little
sandy islands that were scattered over the stream.
Resuming our journey with immense difficulty, for the
drain upon us from fever and dysentery made us fear-
fully weak, we observed numerous tracks through the
grass made by herds of buffaloes, and it . behoved us
to be specially careful and on the alert to avoid being
run down .by the ferocious beasts. Little disposed as
we were to make the effort, we felt that we must,- ere the
day was out, reach the river Macolo, on whose bank
there was a small senzala, the only spot where there was
a chance of obtaining provisions.
We reached that place at four in the afternoon in a
state almost as impossible to conceive as it is to describe.
Fever, ulcers, dysentery, all were trying us at once, and
our limbs would scarce support us from actual fatigue.
The heat too, was most oppressive, for at five o'clock
p.m. ths thermomster marked 83° Fahr,, and tli3 p3r-
spiration had wetted us through. Our poor dog seemed
to suffer as much as ourselves, and stretched out at her
full length, her tongue hanging from her mouth, she
looked a picture of utter fatigue and helplessness.
A troop of natives, who surrounded us, made matters
ten times worse with their exactions and beo^inor anc[
it was with infinite difficulty with such interruptions
that we succeeded in purchasing some flour, manioc roots,
beans, a couple of miserable goats, a few fowls, and a
quantity of fish.
Our guide now again gave us trouble. He insisted
A troublesome Guide. 133
upon our crossing the river at that point, and proceeding
to the court of the Quianvo. " There are no people to
the north," he argued, " the road lies the other way, no
track is to be found northwards for many days."
" But there is a track, so let us go to it. Is it not
the same that leads to your country ? "
" Yes ; but what you have paid me is too little ; give
me another piece, otherwise I shall turn back."
Measuring him fixedly with our eyes, jorocellosi oculi,
and from which, judging by our feelings, we are sure
that no particularly friendly rays were darting, we felt
our hands convulsively clutch our staff, the while we were
sorely tempted to give the fellow a good drubbing;
suppressing, however, the temptation under a mental
promise that the punishment was only reserved, we
acceded to his modest demand, and on the 4th of June,
at daybreak, started on our venture, after a fresh alter-
cation with the fellow, who insisted upon receiving his
extra piece in advance.
Making for the high ground, we reached the top in
about half an hour, whence we had an extensive prospect
of the circumjacent country. For many miles round
the aspect of the territory is singularly uniform. The
lofty mounts which throw out spurs in various directions
are all of them bare at the summit, while the valleys at
their feet are full of a dense, leafy vegetation. These
eminences are so extremely numerous that they impart
an extraordinarily rugged aspect to the scene. The bed
of the river owing to this cause is wonderfully tortuous,
in the distance we observed the broad sheet of water
which, receiving the brilliant rays of the sun, meandered
through the plain in a silver streak, its capricious curves
running at one time north-north-west, and a moment
afterwards to the south-east. Further on, the banks
J34
West and Central Africa.
seemed steep and rocky, mount after mount rose ab-
ruptly from its margins, and confined the stream within
a narrow valley.
To the east-north-east the needle gave us successively
the culminating points of azure mountains which we saw
extending in a line from north to south. The undulations
of the ground, on our side of the river running right
across our path, made our march, at times, so slow and
AYOMAN OF THE CONGO.
painful that we got over barely a mile an hour. The
sun, too, had heated the rocky ground to such a degree,
that our men could not press it with their feet after
eleven o'clock in the day.
Our guide pointed out to us the direction of the resi-
dence of the Quianvo, which we marked to the north-
east. More to the north there rose into the air a lofty
and arid mountain, which we were informed was the point
where the Cuilo disembogued into the Cuango in the
A feci rfii I Region . 135
midst of rocks and stones. The sombre-looking region
to the north-west was the country of the Ba-congo.
We were compelled to halt until the great heat had
somewhat subsided. At the bottom of a ravine we
plunged into a dark wood and found, as we hoped, a little
water in the low, marshy ground. We there set up our
camp, but had not done so more than about ten minutes
when we heard an uproar amongst our fellows, oc-
casioned by the desertion of our guide ! A little before,
the rascal seemed quite satisfied and resolved to act
faithfully by us, and then, without alleging the slightest
reason, he shouldered his gun and was off, leaving us in
a position that can only be faintly conceived !
It is useless to tire the reader with the details of
our misery between the 4th and 11th of June, the day
on which we got back to the bank of the Cugho on the
north-west. Suffice it that the narrative would be a
tissue of suffering from hunger, thirst, fever, and struggles
experienced in a region whereof the tracing on the map
will give a faint idea.
That which, however, the map cannot reproduce is
the melancholy aspect of that vast tract of uninhabited
country, shunned by man for more than one reason,
whereof the absolute want of water is the chief. What
frightful solitudes they were ! What sadness, which
sunk into the soul, weighed upon the entire territory !
The silence of the tomb reigned supreme upon those
rocks and hollows, whose gloomy and naked aspect,
made more terrible by the blinding light of the equatorial
sun, seemed to bar all relief to the many ills under which
we were sinking ! No occasional scraps of green, no
clouds to temper the intensity of the sky, offered any
relief in the midst of that awful desert, where the silence
was appalling, the immovability of every blade of burnt
136 West and Central Africa.
grass was insufferable, where the heat was suffocating,
and where the valleys but echoed to the groans and
laments of our exhausted crew !
The further we advanced northwards, the more were
all our evils aggravated. The solitude became if
possible more solemn and more awful. It might have
been the chosen region of grim death himself, but that
the occasional presence of a wild beast showed that
some of nature's creatures at least paid it a passing visit.
It was on the 9th oi June that we attained the ex-
treme point marked upon the map, and which appears
thus recorded in the diary : —
Portuguese-African Expedition.
June 8th, 1879. Page 608.
Leet Bank oe the River Cuotgo.
Aneroid 2394 ft. (not corr.) Temperature 80° Falir.
Desert still continues.
At midday upon a rocky hill. O mer. 60° 15' 29"
To-day's march a fac-simile of the five preceding ones. Not a soul
in sight.
Since sunrise we have drifted literally at the mercy of the ground.
We can go no further. We turn back to-day. Ten men suffering
with dysentery.
No appearance of the guide's track. Little water, and rations at the
lowest ebb. Quianvo (senzala bearing 179° true.)
Cuango visible in the distance. We mark an extraordinary bare
mountain bearing 335° true N.E., and imagine it must be the same
that is near the Cuilo.
Great conflagrations to the N.W.
Heat intense. Fever at night- fall, dysentery permanent.
A cursed territory is this of Yacca !
Turning our faces southwards, partly over the same
ground, our troubles crowded upon us, as the extracts
from the diary will show : —
Portuguese-African Expedition.
June 10th, 1879. P^e 609
Near Yanga Galamo.
Aneroid 2346 ft. (corr.) Temperature 89° Fahr.
What a day has this been ! The longest march we have yet made
in Africa, covering twenty-five miles.
Despondency. 137
Having left the foot of the Hnamo, we came at 10.30 upon several
lakes, lying under colossal mountains.
As we had very little to eat, we resolved to go on.
Unhappy wretches that we were, we only plunged into an immense
desert — savage, awful — through which we trudged west and south.
It was six o'clock in the evening when hy chance we reached a lake.
This part of the country abounds in them, but rivers there are none.
Frightful dysentery. One of us seriously ill.
]No appearance of the Cugho ; it must, of course, be a long way off
yet.
What shall we possibly do here, if our remaining modicum of flour
gives out ? This is Africa with a vengeance ! Lately we have not
seen a head of game.
It is 9.30 p.m., and the heat is still great. Fires in the distance to
the northwards. The Cuango lies behind us, with the remainder unex-
plored. What will they say of us at home ? So near to a solution of
the problem and obliged to give it up ? Patience ! Patience ! It is
all that is left us. So farewell to our hopes ! May those who come
after us be more successful !
Tlie caravan was encamped on the margin of a lake
when the above lines were written. It was ten at night ;
and thousands of stars were twinkling in the firmament ;
But there was no sleep for us ; that dreadful insomnia,
our companion in suffering, forbade forgetfulness.
The gloomiest thoughts had taken possession of our
mind, and stretched at full length, one within, groaning
with fever, the other without, we were each a prey to
them.
At midnight the moon appeared, it seemed to us a
yellow blotch upon a dark ground, like a tinsel ornament
upon a funeral pall. A painful and inexplicable sentiment
pervaded the soul, the heart seemed overflowing, and at
length tears filled our eyes ! Moments like these can
scarce be realized by him who reads of such journeys in
his cosy chair.
Poor explorer ! Moved by the simple interest of
science, he sets aside his ease, his family, his health,
and risks his very life in these distant lands, and yet he
138 West and Central Africa.
alone can appreciate the strange influence exerted upon
the mind by this tropical nature, so beautiful, so grand
and yet so awful. Feeling it all, he for the most part
conceals it within his heart of hearts, apprehensive that
in Europe, the flippant sarcasm of his critics may fall
upon his enthusiasm or upon a too truthful record of his
fears, his labours, and his sufferings !
It was on the 11th of June that we resumed our march,
and the day appeared an age, so full was it of toil and
anxiety. But we were not forsaken by Providence,
although our rebellious spirits seemed inclined to think
so, for as evening was approaching, to our great joy we
discovered, on climbing another weary height, some
human habitations on the banks of a river, and we knew
that that river was the Cugho.
QUI-VUVI, THE SILK SPIDER.
*S9
CHAPTER VII.
The author's experience respecting the importance of the stomach —
Brief sketch of the course of the River Cnango — In the Cugho —
The laud of plenty — Maluvo wine and its collection — Lake Aqui-
londa wiped off the map — The palm and climatologic zones — The
Rivers Sussa and Cauali — Vegetation — Sova Catuma Cangando
aud indiscreet curiosity of bis lady-subjects — A native song —
Strauge ceremony among tbe Ma-bungo — An interment in the
woods — Danje, Luamba, Matamba, and Pacaca Aquibonda —
Caculo-Cabaca — Homicide of a carrier — The value of life among
the negroes — Vunda-'m-JZbo and the last burial — The valleys of
the Lu-calla and a story of a crocodile — A new theory of
Cosmogony — The delights of the table — Passage of the Lu-calla —
List of members of the caravan that reached Duque de Braganca.
Among the facts that are most susceptible of originating
great consolation upon this our little planet, there
figures indubitably one which, although by some placed
only in the second class, should, from our point of view,
be held to hold a hisrh rank in the first.
"We refer to the pleasure experienced by the man
who, having a perfectly empty stomach and who has felt
for long hours the slow torture of hunger, unexpectedly
comes upon the means of filling the cavity.
However sublime and poetical the scenes through
which a mau may be passing, and however intellectually
superior the sensations transmitted to his soul through
the medium of the eyes and ears, they count as nothing
if the digestive organs are left out of calculation. An
empty stomach is of that exacting nature that it will
1 40 West and Central Africa.
admit of no considerations beyond its own exigencies.
So that, though it may be a machine independent of the
spirit and the will, it cannot be said that the converse is
equally correct.
Great ideas do not precisely spring from a full
stomach, but they are formed when it is full ; and if un-
accompanied by that very commonplace circumstance,
the grandest conceptions soon dwindle and perish. We
will not too vigorously adhere to the Latin phrase Fruges
consumer e nati, but without food man does nothing at all.
So it happened that, struggling as we had been for
more than a month with the difficulty of regular suste-
nance, and during the latter days with the actual out-
posts of starvation, a profound change had come over
the chiefs of the expedition, noticeable more particularly
in indifference to assume the initiative. In both alike
the will had become bent, the energy half extinguished,
the ideas scattered and confused, and a huge spectre had
been evoked which was ever present to our weakened
nerves, the spectre of gaunt and griping famine !
We were no longer capable of thinking, that is to say,
in a regular and consecutive manner ; we let matters
simply drift, and saw with perfect indifference things
which at a later period would have evoked our anger,
our compassion, or our active interference.
This being the cost, — what was the gain that could be
set against it ? We had succeeded in acquiring for geo-
graphical science at least this knowledge, namely, that
the Cuango is a river, like many others on this vast
continent, less capable of being turned to account than
was generally supposed, so far as its navigableness is
concerned.
From parallel 11Q 30', approximately, where its sources
are to be found, up to 5° 05' at the Quicunji cascade, the
The course of the Cuango. 141
river lias a sinuous course of 580 geographic miles, and
a total fall, between its extreme points, of about tliree feet
four inches per mile.
Rocks, stones, rapids, and cataracts interrupt the
stream and twelve of the points at which they do so are
known to us, namely, — the first at parallel 10° 17', to the
east of Muene-songo ; the second at 10° 25', near the
Camba rivulet ; the third at 10° 08', Caxita rocks ; the
fourth at 10° 05', the Louisa falls ; the fifth at 10° 05', a
cataract a little above port Muhungo ; the sixth at 9° 20',
Zamba; the seventh at 19° 19', Tuaza ; the eighth at 9°,
cataract Cunga-ria-Cunga ; the ninth at 7° 42', Suco-ia-
Muquita or Suco-ia-n'bundi ; the tenth at 7° 38',
just below the Camba; the eleventh at 7° 35', in the
midst of numerous islands ; and the twelfth at 5° 05',
the Quicunji waterfall, which is only passable after the
heavy rains.
The greatest navigable tract, therefore, is that space
which lies between the cataract at 7° 35' and Quicunji, or
about 190 geographic miles. The river there is of vari-
able width, never less than seventy- six yards and a half,
and from five to twenty feet in depth.
The current loses a little of its speed in the upper
section, where the stream in the summer season has a
fall of about three feet two inches per mile. We think it
well to mention that our longitudes being strictly correct,
as the record, partly chronometric, was compared both on
departure and arrival at the Portugese station of Duque
de Braganca, and the latter again at the terminus on
the coast, it appears to us that the point of afnuence
of the Cuango (or Ibari-N'Kutu) as marked upon the
maps, just above Stanley Pool, is erroneously placed
considerably to the eastward. It is indeed difficult to
conceive such a lay of the land as would allow two
142
West and Central Africa.
water-courses, of the importance of the Cuango and
Congo-Zaire running almost parallel to each other and
in opposite directions ! Any way, we shall shortly have
a solution of this doubt concerning the longitudes, inas-
much as that intelligent explorer, M. de Brazza will, in
due course, bring over to Europe the results of his in-
vestigations.
PROVISIONS LITERALLY SELOWEKED.
Having arrived at the margin of the river which some
time before we had crossed lower down, we entered upon
a new and more smiling period of existence. No
sooner had we pitched our camp than natives nocked
in from all sides, so that in an hour we found ourselves
in a position to restore much of our lost flesh and
animation. Provisions literally showered! Beads and
An Anniversary. 143
pieces of cloth were transmuted into poultry, pigs, sheep,
flour and any number of calabashes of mahtvo. The
cries, chatter, and discussions of human beings, were
mixed up with the hoarse grunting of a dying porker,
the bleating of a sheep, and the remonstrances of fowls
in the hands of their executioners.
Standing in the centre of a group, our redoubted chef by
our side, we presided over successive auctions, disputing
with one, arguing with another, and at length yielding
to not too exorbitant demands. And when the sun of
the 11th of June gave us a parting glance, he left us in
a state of satisfaction to which we had long been
strangers.
We had each eaten and drunk for four, and only when
we were full, considered it necessary to gather up and
store the surplus, to prevent our stomachs being again
subjected to the starving rations of the past. Our men,
on the other hand, like veritable children, forgetful of
the sadness of many previous days, gave themselves up
to pleasure, and extraordinary to relate, kept up their
dance as long as their calabashes of mahtvo retained a
drop of the precious liquid, but ere that moment arrived,
we had dropped off into a profound sleep.
It was the eve of the birthday of one of us. On the
12th of June, he completed his twenty-ninth year, and
he boasted that he was the youngest explorer who had
ventured into African wilds. In honour of the event we
determined to remain in our present site for at least
that day, and amuse ourselves with a visit to the river,
where crocodiles and hippopotami abounded.
The leisure thus obtained will allow us to give some
account of the celebrated mahtvo or palm-wine whereof
mention has, of late, so frequently been made.
The palm-wine, which is found in this part of Africa
144 West and Central Africa.
from parallel 7° northwards, but not south of that point,
saving near the coast and in small quantities, is an agree-
able drink, the flavour of which remotely reminds one of
muscatel, and, when newly obtained from the plant, is
extremely sparkling and aromatic. After about twenty-
four hours ascetic fermentation sets in, and it becomes
very acrid and intoxicating. This is the stage at which
the natives appreciate it most.
It is extracted from two different plants, the Elais
Guineensis and Raphia, of which we have already spoken,
a true dwarf palm. In the first place, the natives climb
the tree, and making an incision near the base of the
branch which sustains the new fruit, they fix a calabash
at the spot, to receive the sap, and replace the receptacle
as it gets full; in the second instance, they effect a
cutting near the nerve of the leaves (which are used
as supports for the coast palanquin), and there insert a
calabash, with a spout, to collect the juice. The liquid
extracted from the latter is relatively more agreeable,
aromatic, and abundant than the former.
Amid the dense mu-chito, with which we had such
terrible struggles, we met with the plants in abundance ;
in fact they might be called perfect vineyards. No native
will dare touch another's calabash when collecting the
sap, and an infringement of this rule would be likely to
lead to serious consequences. A certain regularity is
observed both in making the wine and in preserving
the portion of forest that produces it. The calabashes
used for its collection are placed at sunset and daybreak.
We observed the natives in the early morning engaged at
the work of gathering in the first crop and again in the
evening, so as to have it fresh or at a certain degree of
fermentation, according to the taste of consumers. The
quantity must represent many thousands of quarts per
. A n Apocryphal L ake . 145
senzala, if we could judge by the quantities we saw con-
sumed at the places where we stopped.
The river Cugho describes, from the point where we
were now sojourning, a curve eastwards something like the
letter U. Its bed is excessively tortuous, and the banks
are high. Lakes l in considerable numbers were pointed
out to us in different directions, and amongst them one
to the north-west, in the territory of Macume N'jimbo,
whence, as it was stated, the river derived its source.
We remained long under the impression that the
celebrated Aquilonda, which we had been seeking since
our arrival in Yacca, must be somewhere in this neigh-
bourhood, and we made constant inquiries among the
natives as to its whereabouts, but without success. Un-
like, therefore, almost all the explorers that have lately
been in Africa (and who, if they were not the actual
discoverers of lakes did at least survey and define some
that were but little known, as for instance, Stanley
the Victoria, Cameron the Tanganika, Serpa Pinto
the Carri-Carri), we were forced, to our regret, to strike
oat one which had been bothering us for a very long
time. The natives only stared when we talked about
this great lake Aquilonda, and they looked even more
astonished when the subject of the celebrated river
Barbela was broached, which we described as a drainage
canal of the lake in question.
1 The lakes observed by us in these parallels, as well as those of
which we procured information, do not, as at first sight might be
imagined, constitute large pools in the midst of extensive plains, so as
to lead one to suppose that the ten marked between the basins of the
Cnango and Cugho are the mere remnants of a vast lake partly dried
up. They are, on the contrary, small basins of two, three, and four
miles in extent, confined by lofty mounts, whose surplus waters in the
rainy season escape through little ravines into the lower ground, and
soon get evaporated.
VOL. II. L
146 West and Central Africa.
" Nothing, nothing, senhor; there's no such a thing,"
was their invariable remark.
After mature reflection, therefore, we have come to the
conclusion that this great lake must be a chimera evolved
from the brain of some imaginative missionary (perhaps
a capuchin friar), who, being in the Congo and hearing
some of the natives of the Zombo or Sosso talk about
the Cuango and other great rivers to the eastward, and
dilate upon the existence of similar waters in the direction
of the Lunda, conceived a vague notion about huge lakes,
so without more ado jotted one down upon his parchment
map under the Latin designation of Aquce Lunda vul-
garized as time went on into Aquelunda and Aquilonda.
Ten miles above our camp the Cugho receives an
affluent on its right bank, called Cauali which, rising in
the Danje, runs a course of not less than 100 miles, and
receives the drainage waters of the eastern side of the
Finde plateau.
The Cugho, which forms a perfect barrier to the
desert lands of the north, is dotted all along its right
bank by numerous senzalas of Ma-hungo, of whom we
have already spoken, an extremely superstitious and
ignorant people, whose occupations are fishing and hunt-
ing in the surrounding district. To these tribes belonged
sundry of the hunters we fell in with in the forests.
A fact that is worth recording here is a confirmation
of the special character of climatologic zones with regard
to the flora, the latitude and altitude exerting upon it
their well-known influence. The palm, iike the baobab,
keeps within its own perfectly defined limits ; and thus the
Ra/phici, whence the maluvo is derived, and which is so pro-
fusely met with in the north, disappears as if by enchant-
ment south of parallel 8°. Northwards, the Iloyphia is
everywhere visible, but not a vestige of it appears below
River Courses. 147
the line we have defined. It is just possible that this
arrangement does not penetrate into the heart of the
continent, or into the Lunda, but if so, it will be due to
the lower level of that country.
Having spent the 12th of June in rest, to the alleviation
of the febrile condition from which we were continually
suffering, and having dispensed the necessary medica-
ments, namely, chlorate of potash to two scurvy
patients, diluted nitrate of silver to another with
ophthalmia, quinine, camphor, and adhesive plaster to
fourteen with wounds, and sulphate of magnesia to a
score who did not like to be left out of the good things,
orders were given to pack up and make ready for a fresh
start.
The time had arrived for us to abandon the northern
districts, for neither our strength, nor our resources
would permit us to venture there again. Instead, how-
ever, of making our way directly to Ambriz by the Finde
and Lu-oje, we decided to follow a south- south-west track9
and having examined the basin of the Lu-calla, to pro-
ceed afterwards to the Cuanza, the course of which we
were desirous of surveying.
On the 13th, as soon as daylight appeared in the camp,
the sick and the sound alike turned out, and our carriers,
with their loads of sixty pounds apiece, nerved themselves
for their work in a most praiseworthy manner.
The country at first was level enough but it soon
assumed its broken character. In the distance, to north-
north-west, we distinguished notable masses of darker
vegetation. These were the banks of the Cauali piloting
its waters northwards. To the south-east a dense
barrier also indicated the course of a winding river. This
was the Susso, which, parallel to the former, conveys the
waters of Matambaby the Cugho, into the Cuango. "We
l 2
148 West and Central Africa.
therefore followed the divisorial line of the waters of the
two rivers, steering our course by the compass.
Numerous lakes, in every respect similar in character
to those already described, lay to east and west of
our track, whence we were enabled to draw our supplies
of water.
We were now under the full influence of the south-east
gales. On every high and exposed spot of ground the
impetuous wind buffeted the caravan, and at times
threatened to sweep it away. White fleecy clouds scudded
rapidly along in the direction of the ocean, and the sky
itself wore the appearance of the sea.
From the Sussa affluents, on the elevated plateau, we
passed on to those of the Cauali, descending a. rough
region, and then came upon an infinity of small rivulets,
furrowing the ground in every direction, and which of
themselves made the march a very toilsome one. Small
hamlets hove frequently in sight, whose inhabitants, in
little troops, having nothing else to do, followed us for
hours.
The vegetation wore a characteristic aspect, different
to that observable more to the eastward. Trees with
slender trunks sprang from the bottoms of the valleys in
search of light, and then threw out their upper branches
in the shape of umbrella heads, whose lustrous and
strangely- shaped leaves sheltered from the sun's beams
many a broad patch of ground. Among them was one
of unusual dimensions, elegant in shape, covered with
brilliant red flowers, which at times constitute perfect
zones of the forest, and perfectly resemble the Spathodea
campanulata. The air was full of winged seeds like down,
yielded to the violent wind by colossal Eriodendron, in
such quantities that the ground was literally carpeted
with the soft, satiny wool.
Cat inn a Canzaudo.
149
We found immense quantities of sugar-cane, from
three to three and a half inches in diameter, on the
banks of rivulets near human dwellings. Maize would
appear to grow here all the year round, for we saw some
already in ear, and other plants just springing, so that
we were able to get it fresh and roast it to make bread.
Whole plantations of tobacco and abundance of cotton
were visible in the clearer ground, the latter apparently
being represented by more than one species.
Near the village of Quimana we for the second time
met with the track running from the Holo to the coast,
and which leads to the great pambo or cross-road to the
south-east of Encoge (N'Hoje) ; there, subdividing, one
path runs directly to Ambriz, and the other to Bembe,
along the river M'briche as far as the Ambrizette, where
the latter river disembogues.
After a lapse of four days we encamped at Songanhe
for the purpose of laying in stores and receiving a visit
from the Sova, Catuma Cangando, whose place we had
left behind. He turned out to be a fierce-looking old
fellow, with a rough beard, wrapped in an immense cloth
of striped chintz.
The day we spent in the village was one of confusion
from morning till night, and at least for six hours it
might be said that the white men were " on view."
Nothing would induce the natives to clear out ; and as
for the ladies, their interest was unbounded ! and when
they were tired of staring at us, they would go and look
at the outsides of the goods, then pay a visit to the
kitchen and come back and stare again at us — a per-
formance that went on for hours.
We expected from one moment to another that they
would want us to strip, in order to satisfy themselves
whether our bodies were covered with the same lono- hair
1 50 West and Central Africa.
as our faces. But they obtained their knowledge without
solicitation in this wise : One of us, tired of being made
a show of, had gone into his hut, and drawing the curtain
over the entrance, had got into his india-rubber bath for
a wash and refresher. He had not, however, been
disporting himself there, like another Neptune, for more
than five minutes, when some damsels, moved by curiosity,
drew aside the curtain to peep in. They did so, however,
so clumsily, that down came the curtain in their hands
and there was a tableau ! The bather shouted
out like one possessed, and no wonder under the circum-
stances ; and the spectators, at the apparition of what
may have seemed to them a white monster, ran off
screaming, the women and children expressing as much
alarm as if they had beheld a crocodile. Even the Sova
took the alarm and seemed inclined to join his subjects
in their flight ! The situation was certainly an uncom-
fortable if a comic one, and there was something also in
it to wound the amour-propre of the principal performer
in the comedy ; for however little he might pride himself
upon his personal charms, the fact of his being an object
of terror, from which women and men alike fled in dire
fear was, to say the least of it, sad and humiliating.
Having recovered, however, from this vexation, we
decided upon having our dinner in spite of our company,
and then spent the rest of the afternoon in entertaining
our visitors, exhibiting our arms, firing them off, and
otherwise amusing them till, seeing the men by numerous
signs, such as opening their mouths and putting their
fingers into their throats, and pointing to the pits of
their stomachs, give evidence of the cravings of hun-
ger, we dismissed the untiring dames to their homes
and domestic affairs, of which they had been so lono-
neglectful.
Departure from the Village.
151
Early in the morning of the 17th we were again astir,
and omstarting took a south-south-westerly course. The
little village, as we left it, had already begun to assume
CUKIOSITY PUNISHED.
its wonted melancholy air, the men retired, and the
women, who were the last to go, looked with longing
eyes at all the wealth that they had been permitted to
152 West and Central Africa.
glance at, and which was now slipping away from them
for ever.
" We are off to the calunga" (the sea), was the cry of
our joyous band, and then they struck up an improvised
song, the sense of which is embodied in the following
lines : —
Good-bye, Cuango, woods adieu,
We're going, other scenes to brave ;
The whites are eager now to view
Their odtos 2 floating on the wave.
Eh-Eh-e ! Eh-Eh-e !
Mounting a lofty hill we came upon the territory of
the important Sova Catmna Caimba, and observed in
quick succession a number of hamlets dotted about.
Quitanguca, Cabenda-Candambo, Mucole-Maiale, Funda-
Imbi, Petro, and Quicanga were all so many resting-
places where there was a lot of gossip and many a
calabash of the country ale to be emptied while it was
enacting, and which, as Capulca expressed it, " enabled
them to go on their way with a contented heart ! " — we
presume he meant a contented stomach.
We have referred on a former occasion to the ceremony
attending the expectoration of the Sova, and along this
road we found it assume another shape. When the
great man, after a long speech at his receptions, clears
his throat, one of his subjects rushes forward and kneel-
ing in front of the chief joins his hands and then opens
them like a book to receive the precious contribution.
His Majesty then going through an elaborate prepara-
tory performance, opens his august lips and spits into
the open palms of the. man who may not inappropriately
be called the royal spittoon ; which individual,' after the
operation, rubs his hands over his naked body and then
dries them by wiping them under his arm-pits !
2 Odtos, European boats.
Distribution of Waters. 153
As we were passing near the senzala of another ruler,
N'gana JSTzendo, we met in the wood with a multitude of
men and women who were making a horrible noise by
cries and clapping of hands. On coming nearer we
perceived upon the ground in their midst the corpse of an
old man stretched upon the ground. A tall fellow with
feathers in his hair, seated on a stool, was directing
the chant by beating time with his palms. Hard by,
some men were engaged in digging a grave, whilst
others with small baskets were preparing one of their
usual "remedies," or in other words a last meal for the
defunct. As soon as they caught sight of us, moved
by the more novel excitement, they abandoned their
funeral rites, and came flocking about the caravan ;
but as we had no desire to interrupt their ceremony,
we quickly passed on.
A few miles further, at the senzala of Munda, we de-
scended a steep slope and entered the basin of the river
Cauali, whose sources we shortly after crossed. We
were then in the lands of the Danje. On the west lay
Luamba,3 on the east Matamba and Paoaca Aquibonda.
At no great distance to the north-east were the sources
of the river Sussa, to which we have already referred ; to
the south those of the Lu-ando, and to the west those of
the Lu-calla in the territory of the Oafom^a-Canjimbo, the
limit of the States of the Mutemo Ambuilla (Dembo).
This region, of great interest from a hydrographic
point of view, was explored by us as closely as possible
in order to define the distribution of the waters. From
3 The lands of Luamba constitute a district which at the present time
is almost independent of the Jiuga. They are governed by a powerful
Sova, Vunda-'ia-Yuudu N'gola (meaning the greatest among the Vundas
of N'gola) generally known as Calungo -Luamba, who holds but little
intercourse with the King of the Jinga.
1 54 West and Central Africa.
the highest ground in the neighbourhood we sighted the
mountainous territory of the celebrated Dembos, whose
eastern tribes are known under the name of Caculo-
C abaca.
While passing the Camaxe rivulet, an affluent of the
river Danje, an untoward event occurred which caused us
much regret and sorrow. On descending in a long file
the slope which led down to the rivulet in question, we
heard just ahead of us the report of a gun, followed by a
cry. Turning sharply round, we saw the man who was
nearest to us and just behind suddenly drop his load and
fall to the ground with a heavy thud. We ran up at
once, and on a couple of his companions raising him we
observed blood oozing from a wound in the abdomen.
The poor fellow had been shot by a ball which, missing
us, who were in front of him, found its way into his
body.
It was an accident, but yet a culpable one, as it was
caused by a neglect of express instructions. Over and
over again we had urged upon our crew never to have
their guns loaded with ball upon the march ; they would
do it in spite of us. It happened that on that day Quis-
songo, an old man, either from a desire to kill game or
out of some timidity which urged him to the act, loaded
his gun by the sly, and while passing some trees that im-
peded his way, he turned round to shift his load ; on
stooping, a bough caught the cock, the gun went off, and
as the barrel was pointed our way, the result was what we
have described. A poor woman with her infant at her
back was almost like ourselves in the direct line of fire,
and it was a marvel how she or we escaped.
Fording the rivulet, we hastened to the neighbouring
senzala of the FzmcZa-ia-Buta in order to perform an in-
dispensable operation. The projectile had entered at the
A terrible Misadventure,
155
base of the abdominal region, and passing through the
intestines had lodged in the left buttock, very near the
surface. Our first care was to make an incision, and after
sounding, try and extract the ball. Unhappily it escaped
us and slipped back into the interior. All our efforts to
lay hold of it were useless, and we felt that every hope
of saving the poor fellow was gone. There remained
A TERRIBLE MISHAP.
nothing but to dress the two wounds and wait the
consequences.
The man never uttered a complaint, or seemed to
regard his involuntary assassin with the slightest feeling
of anger. A look of melancholy resignation sat upon his
features ; and, strange to relate, the unhappy fellow had
more than once uttered a presentiment that he should die
156 West and Central Africa.
in the woods. In the Cuango he had been brought to the
brink of the grave by dysentery ; from this he had re-
covered— to fall a victim to an accident when drawing
near the close of his labours ! When the operation was
performed, we despatched Jose to the village to pay our
compliments to the Sova, and present him with apiece of
six yards of gingham.
Half an hour afterwards he returned with the ruler's
reply : — " The Sova is satisfied with his present. He is
very glad to see the whites in his country, and intends
shortly to pay them a visit. Only" . . . and there
Jose stopped.
'•' Only what ? " we inquired, for we were certain that
some imposition remained behind.
" Only," continued Jose, in a hesitating tone, aware
that he was about to communicate something unpleasant ;
Cs only, the Sova added that the whites had committed a
crime in his territory ; they had killed a man, and must
pay ; because, he said, if he were in the whites' country
and killed any one, they would certainly make him pay for
the deed."
This message, delivered aloud, in presence of the poor
wounded man, struck us as so brutally inhuman that our
first thought was to lay a stick about the guide's shoul-
ders to teach him better manners, and not, in the hearing
of a sufferer, talk of him as if he were already defunct.
Calling to mind, however the effect of such a chastisement
on another guide in the Quissongo, we prudently held our
hand, and coldly inquired, —
"What does the Sova ask for the pretended crime?"
" He wants four yards of cloth."
Human life we thought is cheap enough in this part
of the world. Four yards ! why this very chief would
ask more to bury him !
On the March. 157
On the 2 6 tli of June, pursuing a southerly route, we
came upon the course of the Lu-ando, which we deter-
mined, and on the 27th pulled up at the FmaeZfl-ia-Ebo,
the limit of the lands of the F^7?^«-ia-Cassanda, where
our companion breathed his last sigh, and. where we
interred him. This made the sixth of our losses, and
his grave was the fifth we had dug in the interior, as
our first death occurred at Bensmella.
Thanks to Providence the most difficult part of our
task was over, and by the Divine mercy we ourselves
were as yet spared. It is true that the climate as we got
nearer the seaboard did not improve, but after so many
vicissitudes we trusted that we were not to succumb
when we were so near the term of our mission ; and in
reflections of this nature, with the sound of the mattocks
ringing in our ears, the evening of the 27th of June
closed in.
On the 28th, while the inhabitants of the neighbouring
senzalas were still snoring, we turned out of our poor
huts to pursue our journey for the fiftieth time, march-
ing along the basin of the Lu-ando, which we had first
to wade across with the water to our necks. Beyond
extended the verdant valleys intersected by the waters of
the Lucalla, the scene animated by groups of senzalas,
and numerous herds of cattle, through which we pursued
our peaceful way ; admiring the calm beauty of the scene
and contemplating the sort of steak yonder stately ox
would yield.
Coming npon the track which had been made by the
passage of many caravans, we struck into it, and for
half an hour or so had nothing but the tall grass for
prospect. Beside us marched Jose, who chattered about
all sorts of things — he was a famous story-teller — and
amongst others related the history of a crocodile of the
I 58 West and Central Africa.
Cuanza (a 'personal acquaintance) which he asserted, was
so old that he had had time to devour more than a
hundred persons. A small forest grew out of his back,
and when at length he was killed, there were found in
his inside not only such "unconsidered trifles" as
bracelets, hatchets, benches, and what not, but a power-
ful fetish, to which this wonderful crocodile owed the
advantage of selecting his victims !
Capulca, who was listening to the story, here put in
his word, and said that he knew of a special remedy,
viz., that of a certain herb which, on being well chewed
and thrown into the river, was sufficient " to do. the busi-
ness " of every crocodile that ever swam in it, and he
only wondered it was not used; and then flying off at
a tangent, he gave us a dissertation upon a novel
cosmogony, which made the firmament composed of
stone and the stars of mica (or according to his phrase,
of " that stuff that sparkles J'), and much more to the
same effect, when there suddenly came in view on the
south-western horizon a long row of houses.
It was Duque de Braganga, the outpost we had left
some months before.
As we approached it all the incidents that had occurred
in the interim came rushing on our minds with a
fidelity that made them appear as if they were the events
of yesterday. The torrid heats, the desert lands through
which we had so painfully plodded, the agonizing pains
that acute fever had inflicted upon us, the incessant fears
that haunted us, the resolution to give up our further
march northward, the hunger and thirst wherewith we
were alike assailed, all returned in consecutive order to
our memory at sight of the fortress which had witnessed
our departure.
Happier thoughts, however, soon banished these sad
A Railway in Petto. 159
and gloomy ones. We recalled to mind the charming
little dinner of our old friend Silverio, and the recollec-
tion of those delicious fowls and appendages made us
quicken our march and infused fresh vigour into our
limbs.
We are afraid our readers will accuse us of dwelling
far too often and with most undignified unction upon
our victuals ; but really they must bear in mind the
great inconvenience attending bad food in long journeys
in the interior of Africa, an inconvenience only surpassed
by having nothing to eat at all, before they condemn us
too severely ; and as we candidly confess that we are not
as indifferent to these matters as, shall we say an Anglo-
Saxon? we could not help feeling a stir within our
inmost depths at the proximity to a well- served and
civilized table.
But we were still at some distance from the desired
goal, and our impatience made it appear to recede from
us the nearer we approached. How different, we
thought, to this toilsome march, where Jose and his
companions are puffing and perspiring beneath their
loads, may be the approach to the little town within
the course of time, when the voice of a railway porter
on the arrival of a train, shall echo from the neighbouring
rocks, " "Fzmrfa-ia-Cassanda, fifteen minutes for refresh-
ments ! "
The idea amused us, and we even discussed the best
spot for the erection of the station of our imaginary line,
when we at length reached the bank of the Lu-calla.
We had given notice of our approach, and found old
Silverio waiting our arrival with an ancient canoe; it
was good enough not to founder on its way, but to convey
in safety to the opposite shore the whole of our caravan,
composed at that time of the following individuals : —
i6o
West and Central Africa.
Capulca, cook . . .
Catraio, assistant . .
Filippe, servant .
Mupei, servant
Capenda, servant . .
Quissongo . . . .
Master Jose, guide .
Jose (the elder) . .
Son of the Quissongo
Liando
Jose
Otubo
Jimbe
Quimbundo . . .
Capuia
Quimbundo (lad) . .
Ganga . .
Gando
Somma
Fortuna
Muto. . . . . .
N'jila
Jamba . . .
Quissongo . . .
Qu in gando . .
Capolo . '. . . .
N'gila (lad) . . . .
Gumbe
N'jamba (the elder) .
Sabi
Bonga .
Calumbo .
Gando (old) . . .
Quieu
Cassanda . .
Domingos (N'jinji) .
Canguia
Cambuta . . . .
Narciso (old) . . .
BIRTB PLACE.
Benguella.
Mulondo.
Peinde.
Bibe.
Luanda.
Bibe.
Lunda.
>y
Tunda and Cell i.
Cassange.
Back again.
<_>
161
1
NAMES.
BIRTHPLACE.
Tamby ..... t ....... .
Mangumbala (boy) . . • .
Antonio
Cassange.
55
55
5 5
55
55
55
Caconda.
Luanda.
Bihe.
Sambo.
Dombe.
Joaquini
Chico .
Antonio (Undalla)
i Quituniba (old)
13euibe
Leinba
Qnissonfo's wife
Capulca's wife. .... ? ..... .
Catraio's wife
Haying reached the further bank without accident, we
made at once, in high good-humour, for our former en-
campment, whilst Silverio gaye the necessary orders for
the coveted dinner.
COSMETORNIS VEXILLARIUS (QUIMBAMBA).
VOL. II.
M
1 62 West and Central Africa.
CHAPTER VIII.
Duque de Braganca, its importance and fertility — Dinner-time again —
A Sova god-father — African children and some remarks concerning
them — Infants and adnlts— Explanations concerning our route — A
parallel and the cardinal points — An alarm— The encampment in
flames — Anxious moments — Thec papers of the explorers and the
ammunition of the expedition — Carriers and thieves — Things might
have been worse — Otubo and our clumsy assistant — " From sources
small what great events may spring " — The bi-sonde and the last
night of the month of July.
" One, two, three . . . now," cried one of us, while,
drawn up in a vast circle, half the population of the Duque
observed the remarkable proceedings, making their own
comments the while.
One of the chiefs of the expedition was determining
the horary by the height of the sun, having the abba in
position; while the other explorer, squatting down near
a trunk, was counting by the chronometer the seconds
as they ran.
The observer was shortly after heard to exclaim, —
" Thirty-three degrees, forty-three hundredths."
To which came the answer,—
" Three hours, twenty-seven minutes, one second and
no thirds." This was followed on the other side by, —
" Azimuth, three hundred and fifty-nine, and five-
tenths, north by east; day 30th of June, 1879."
Then, gathering up the instruments, the crowd dis-
persed, retiring in groups and explaining what they
Ditque dc Bragangd, 1 6
j
had seen in their own way; one man, whom we over-
heard, saying, —
" They're looking through that tube to see the countries
they're going to."
It was consoling, after so many vicissitudes, to find
ourselves in a peaceful and hospitable country, into
which we seemed to have been whisked by some friendly
enchanter, and where the delights of idleness and the
table of friend Silverio were likely, between them, to
detain us for some time.
Duque de Bragan^a is the most north-easterly of all
the Portuguese strongholds. In a geographical position
determined by the following co-ordinates, viz., latitude
8° 57' 16" S., longitude 16° 10' 00" E. of Greenwich,
height 3478 ft., it presents in the way of declination, incli-
nation, and horizontal component respectively the figures
18° 50', 34° 58', and 6,85.
Seated on a treeless plateau, near the right bank of
the river Lu-calla, the chief place of the district is com-
posed of an ample fortress made of bricks, with loopholes,
parapets, and a fosse in bad order; it is surrounded by
a couple of dozen dwellings, or thereabouts, among which
figures as the most remarkable, the residence of the
chefe, situated on the eastern side.
Its establishment dates from the time that the Govern-
ment despatched an expedition to this part of the
continent for the purpose of repressing the excesses of
the native Jingas, who, in their incursions, threatened the
district of Ambaca. Its commercial dealings are almost
nil. A few sacks of ginguba, some calabashes of oil and
bundles of tacula are exchanged in the course of the year,
but as to any trading-houses of mark, we looked for
them in vain.
It may, however, be suggested that probably with a
m 2
1 64 West and Central Africa.
little effort and with less military preponderance the
territory might be turned into a vast agricultural district,
as we saw growing tobacco, cotton, and ginguba, and
further north, in the Danje, the sugar-cane of a colossal
size and splendid appearance, as well as other products.
The district of the Duque, far from the centre of
Government, with some fifty to sixty outposts, was con-
sidered, when not the seat of active opera tious, as was
recently the case against the Caculo-Cabacas, a mediocre
field of exploitation by certain military officers who,
moved by a spirit of cupidity and utterly oblivious of the
dignity of their cloth, committed the most unheard of
extortions, both in the recovery of the tithes (now
happily abolished) and in their demands on the small
Jinga proprietors. We were informed that not so very
lon^ a^o an unfortunate Sova received an intimation,
through a mere private of mobiles, for the payment of a
certain fine in the shape of cattle. As he refused to
accede to the claim, a detachment, swollen by a little
army of volunteers, was sent off under the command of
a subaltern, who, in a single raid, carried off one hundred
and eighty head of cattle composing the Sova's fortune.
The consequence was the retreat of the despoiled chief
into the Jinga, where he had been preceded by others,
similarly situated, and the whole district became depopu-
lated and ruined.
This digression is, however, apart from our mission,
which has nothing to do with subjects of this nature;
we merely mention the circumstance here because it has
given rise to what we hold to be unjust and painful accu-
sations against the Portuguese central Government,
which was most probably ignorant of the whole affair.
The lands now under review are of great fertility ; the
climate is to a certain extent salubrious, and would be
Dinner-time. . 165
more so but for the too great proximity to the river,
whose banks, that are frequently inundated, constitute
hot-beds of infection ; on the other hand cases of decisive
fever, that are so common on the sea-board, are far less
prevalent here. At the period of our sojourn, a fresh
south-easterly wind drove across the clear blue sky a few
flecks of white cloud, and cooled the temperature during*
the hours of its greatest elevation.
The inhabitants of the district are a mixture of Jingas,
Ambaquistas, and a few natives of the Bondo, who with
the soldiers of Loanda have become leavened into one
mass, and constitute the existing families who devote
their time to the cultivation of small farms, whence they
derive their daily sustenance.
We had jotted down the foregoing remarks on a fresh
page of our diary (for, thank heaven, our paper, at least,
never failed us), when we were interrupted by a message
from the chefe that " Dinner was served."
I It seemed as if it were always dinner-time in this hospi-
table establishment ; indeed, so bent did our kind host
appear upon making us forget the many times we had gone
without such a meal, that we were compelled to take no
end of walking exercise to do justice to the good fare.
The repast was like many joyous ones at which we
have assisted. Each played his part in a very praise-
worthy manner, and the conversation was gay or sober,
grave or joyous as the subject varied, now turning upon
the comparative merits of Yacca and the Duque, now
interrupted by a burst of laughter at some witty or
humorous remark.
" Nothing can well be worse than a life in those
lovely woods ! " exclaimed one, as he inhaled the savoury
steam which issued from a dish of pirao, flanked by an
equally steaming fowl that had just been placed upon
1 66 West and Central Africa.
the table; and then continued in a sententious tone,
" If Adam were as hard set in his paradise as we
frequently were in ours> he must have been rather
glad than otherwise to be driven out of it."
While enjoying ourselves and chatting in this fashion
there walked into the room the strangest of figures, a
tall, boriy African, wrapped in an ample gingham cloth,
wearing on his head so monstrous a military hat that
the one which, adorned the brow of the august Jagga,
Cambollo-Cangonga, wduld have sunk into insignificance
by comparison^
The sight of this apparition made us suspend opera-
tions and sit back in our chairs with surprise, when our
worthy amphytrion gave us the key to the enigma.
" It is my godfather," ] he explained, " whom the
baptism of a daughter has connected with our family."
Continuing our inspection of the visitor with more
interest after this announcement, we ascertained that
within that variegated covering stood a Sova, whose
name, as we also learned, was F^m^-ia-T'chirimbimbi
who, with a most gracious smile, took off his huge hat
and shook us both by the hand.
We could not remove our eyes from him; we had
seen a good many Sovas, but we had never beheld a
Sova godfather before. He sat down with us to table,
and clinked glasses in the most natural manner possible,
so that, after mentally drawing a comparison between
this well-behaved individual and the many savage
specimens of the genus " native " we had met with on
1 I have used the word godfather in order to retain tne authors'
pleasant witticism, although the degree of relationship conferred by
the Portuguese title compadre, and which is equally applicable to the
man who acts as sponsor and the man whose child is held at the bap-
tismal font, is unknown to us. — A. E.
A Sova Godfather.
67
Our travels, one of us could not help exclaiming to our
host, —
" Eureka ! the way to civilize Africa is to turn all the
Sovas into godfathers ! "
Our attention had been so taken up with the new-comer
we did not at first observe that with him had entered at
least a dozen young gamins (whether the offspring of
A SOVA GODFATHER.
T'chirimbimbi or otherwise we did not know) until the
hubbub the urchins made prevented the possibility of our
ignoring them any longer. The visitation reminded us
that we had not hitherto made any special mention of
young Africa, and we therefore took the earliest oppor-
tunity of repairing the omission by entering in our diary
1 68 West and Central Africa.
that very evening the following few particulars concern-
ing them.
African children are, beyond all compare, more
intelligent and more agreeable than African adults.
Little fellows of five years old often do such clever
things and display such an amount of reasoning power as
to cause both wonder and admiration. Gaiety and fun
are inherent to them, and in this particular they are
quite on a par with their European compeers. Quite the
reverse of eastern children, so taciturn and melancholy,
with that yellow skiu which gives them an air of bilious-
ness and suffering; the little nigger, with his. glossy
black hide and dispropOrtioned stomach, runs, jumps,
and exercises his lungs from sunrise to sunset.
Receiving no spiritual training at the hands of an
ascetic, who oftentimes fills the imagination of a child
with stupid, senseless fears* the youth knows neither
fear nor superstition ; even as regards the fetishism
prevalent amongst them, he apprehends little more of it
beyond the tiny horn or rag which the mother hangs
round his neck to preserve him from death.
But in proportion as he passes from the state of
childhood to that of adolescence, these characteristics
become modified ; he loses his candour 3 and becomes sly*
distrustful, covetous, and above all, stupid.
Whether it be that in the later days* having his mind
bent on the mere satisfaction of material necessities, the
negro does not exercise his intelligence and that from
such apathetic state arises a quasi atrophy or brutishness,
or otherwise, we cannot say, but the fact is undoubted,
that the adult is more stupid than the child, and the old
man is stupider still. It is probable that the outrageous
habits of alcohol-drinking and hemp-smoking have much
to do with bringing about this result.
Yo it ng Africa . 169
With the mulatto the above remarks do not so well
apply; the men do not become so brutified, and when
young they more nearly resemble the Orientals. They
are dull as children, less intelligent and expert. They do
not gambol and play like the little black fellows, and if
by chance a mulatto child should appear among a troop
of young niggers, he is always ill at ease, and as if
apprehensive of their companionship.
When the mulatto comes to man's estate, if a superior
education do not dissipate his deep prejudices, he seems
always bent beneath the weight of an incurable disap-
pointment. He looks upon the least ambiguous phrase
as a slur upon his own person, and every joke an insult.
He considers himself, without reasonable cause, to
belong to an inferior race. He takes for granted that he
is despised, and, thrown upon himself, seeks out the
elements of active, intellectual labour, which furnish
perhaps a means to preserve his mental faculties.
But nothing of all this belongs to the negro ; as a
3'oungster he is gay and happy as a bird ; as an adult
he is emphatically what the French call bete. He is not
a bad fellow in the main, and whatever really evil and
vicious tendencies he may have, as a rule, only come out
late in life.
Having thus recorded our judgment upon the blacks,
little and big, a judgment which, as being formulated
during the digestion of our dinner of the 30th, may
perhaps be disputed by those who have greater expe-
rience than ourselves, we began to put things in order
with a view to a speedy departure from Duque de
Braganca.
As it is not impossible that some among our readers,
moved by a not unnatural curiosity, may inquire, " How
is it that these men who have more than once put for-
1 70 West and Central Africa.
ward as a motive for separations, and special marches,
their desire to enlarge the area of their labours, should
have returned to Duque, where they had already been,
instead of selecting another route on their way to the
Ouanza ? "
To which, with all respect for the opinion insinuated in
the question, we beg leave to reply, — ■
When in March, 1879, we arrived at the district of the
Duque we found ourselves lightened of a good part of
our belongings, inasmuch as the calculation we made in
Cassange to reach parallel 5°, travelling directly north-
wards by the east bank of the Cuango, was not applic-
able to our altered circumstances, under which, although
journeying westward, we had still to go over about as
much ground to reach the 5th parallel. It became,
consequently, a matter of moment to make up at least
the void in our expenditure caused by our journey from
the Cuango to the Duque. Having requisitioned the
authorities, we waited and waited, but as no goods
appeared and the season was rapidly advancing, we
determined to go on without them — in order not to
remain for an indefinite period at the station— and use
all possible economy upon the road. But when we
reached the territory of Yacca our apprehensions began
to be confirmed, for though we had obtained a few goods
from Sr. Figueiredo (whose name has been previously
mentioned), the only person in the place who had any
to dispose of, we saw our resources melting away to such
an extent that we had the prospect before us of absolute
penury, joined to the sickness from which ourselves and
followers were suffering. It was this state of things
which prevented our visiting Muene Puto Cassongo,
from the fear that we should be unable to fee him in
proportion to his expectations ; and it also had much to
The 24I/1 July. 171
do with putting a stopper to our further journey north-
wards till we reached the Zonibo track. There was con-
sequently no choice but to return to the Duque de
Braganca, where we knew resources might be had ; and
our itinerary southwards along the Cauali, became there-
fore subordinate to the position in which we stood and
which these explanations, we trust, have made clear.
The month of July found us recovered in health and
spirits, and we were only waiting for the 19th to pass
over, in order to witness on that day a partial eclipse of
the sun, and convey the results of the observations to
Europe.
The goods were received, and those carriers of the
interior, designated in the previous chapter under the
description of Cassange, were paid and discharged as
being no longer required. We then busied ourselves
with packing our merchandise in a convenient form so
as to be enabled to take a fresh departure at the earliest
hour. Events, however, were preparing that were to
add another instance to the many presented by this
changeable world that the best matured plans may from
one moment to another be upset, and that the man who
boasts of affluence at one minute may the next be reduced
almost to beggary.
The 24th of July, a magnificent day, the anniversary
in the capital of our dear country of the advent of liberty,
passed over, and evening came on in all her beauty.
The national flag flying over the fortress, the soldiers in
their best uniforms, gave to the little place an air of
gala, showing that though far from the metropolis, and
distant from the country which has covered with her
glorious standard millions of square miles of the globe,
her children in her remote colonies were participating in
the just gaiety of their brethren in Europe, .
172 West and Central Africa.
We were in our usual place, our legs under the chefe's
table, sipping our coffee, and doing our best to drum
into the thick head of a black psez^o-captain of the
garde-mobile the definition of a parallel, so as to make
him understand that though we had not been to the
mouth of the Zaire we had reached the parallel of the
mouth. The unhappy man was one of those beings who
are incapable of comprehending the axiomatic principle :
the whole is greater than any of its parts, for the simple
reason that there were foxes ivho had tails bigger than
their bodies, and he therefore exclaimed in an angry tone,
as if he thought we were poking fun at him, — .
" It's of no use your telling me that ; how could you
be at the Zaire if you weren't there? It's all* a mis-
take;" and he added by way of argument, "It once
happened to me to have to march south — here he pointed
to the east — and I marched on and on till I found my-
self at last due north ! That must have been, of course,
the way with you, and that was how you made the
mistake."
With most exemplary patience we answered equally of
course that it was not so ; nor indeed was such a thing
at all probable with men like ourselves, who were sailors
to boot, and that if he had only had by him some one
who knew how to box the compass be would have been
enabled to discern that it was owing to his confused
notion of the cardinal points that he made that remark-
able journey.
Any further discussion of the subject was cut short
by loud shouts for help, and an alarm sounded by the
bugles of the detachment, which made us spring to our
feet in hot haste, and rush to the door where the cry of
" Fire ! fire ! " was resounding on all sides.
Confused masses of people were rushing across the
The Camp in Flames. \ /$
little piazza in the direction of our camp, screaming as
if they were possessed. We meanwhile stood irresolute,
looking first at Silverib, then at the captain, as if either
of them could give any explanation of the uproar ; when
we heard several of our carriers shouting our own names.
Rushing out, we were horror-struck after going a few
paces to find that it was our own encampment in flames !
Waves of furious fire, fanned by a strong south-easter
were igniting one after another and eagerly devouring
the dry wooden huts with their grass roofs, till there
appeared a sea of angry, roaring, crackling flame, from
which flew into the darkness of night showers of brilliant
sparks.
Our trouble was extreme ; and as we rushed panting
to the spot, we figured to ourselves the loss of all our
labours, and the destruction of charts, maps, diaries, in-
struments, everything which we held almost as dearly as
our lives. We had but one thought and one cry, and in
a voice broken by exertion and emotion we exclaimed,
" Save the books ! "
Who shall say what we suffered at that supreme mo-
ment ! How can we convey to our readers the terror
and the affliction of two poor men who beheld, as it were,
the annihilation within a few minutes of time of the
hopes and aspirations of twenty-four months of toilsome
effort, and who had often been sustained and saved solely
by the smiling prospect of a distant commendation of
their labours, which was now to be snatched from their
grasp !
In a fit almost of despair we dashed into the burn-
ing enclosure, where the suffocating heat and frightful
vibration of the air made breathing all but impossible.
We made our way to our own huts to find them two
bare skeletons dropping piece by piece beneath the action
1 74 West and Central Afru
rzca,
of the expiring flames ; the others were already heaps of
ashes, and the destructive element had broken through
the outer palisade and was seeking fresh material to
devour.
At a short distance from the scene of ruin lay a con-
fused heap of trunks, cases, bales and parcels, some
partially burnt, others just catching fire, conveyed thither
in haste and thrown pell-mell to save them, if possible,
from destruction.
The peril was intense. From all points loaded arms
went off as they came in contact with the flames ; ex-
plosive balls blew up in our immediate vicinity, and cases
of ammunition flying into splinters threatened the lives
of all around.
Amid the heap of baggage we were each endeavouring
to discover our respective trunks that could not at first
be found, and whereof one was afterwards extracted
from the ashes with some of the books that had been a
prey to the flames.
It was whilst we were thus engaged that we perceived
dodging in and out the smoke and fire various black
figures whose movements struck us as suspicious ; for
when we approached they disappeared into the darkness.
Capulca it was who explained the mystery, and which
was of a nature to confirm the opinion we had formed
from experience of how little trust was to be placed in
the men of the interior. Whilst we, with half a dozen
faithful followers, were striving our very utmost to save
the papers and scientific material of the expedition,
Otubo, instead of keeping watch over the scattered goods,
was abstracting pieces of cloth and everything else he
could lay hands on, and removing them with the aid of a
handful of his Ban-sumbi comrades and a few scamps
of the place to the neighbouring wood !
Anxieties. 175
Enraged beyond measure at this shameful spoliation,
we gave chase after him in order to inflict a severe
thrashing on his black hide, when, to our astonishment,
we came full butt against another marauder, in the shape
of our captain of the cardinal points, who, after appro-
priating a piece of valuable cloth in the south, was
scuttling off with it to the north, when he was stopped
by an equally honest gentleman who disputed possession
of the property. They both took to their heels before
we could lay hands on them, and left us to the pleasant
reflection that we were in a perfect colony of rascals.
Returning to the scene of the disaster, we continued
to order the removal of the remnant of our property to
the residence of the chefe, Captain Silverio, who, suffering
from rheumatism, was unable to give any active assistance.
It was eleven o'clock before the whole of this painful
episode was at an end and darkness fell upon the
scene. We stood alone and sad at heart, on the spot
which a few hours before represented our quilombo. The
place was nothing now but a field of smoking ashes,
from which rose the distorted carcasses of one or two
of the huts, mere black poles exhibiting here and there
a patch of smouldering fire. Scattered about and borne
hither and thither by the wind, were fragments of half-
consumed paper, which we feared might be portions of
maps, drawings, or important data procured, we only
knew, with how much toil ! Daylight alone could tell us
the extent of our loss ; and as soon as it appeared we set
to work to draw up something like a list of our late
possessions.
By one of those accidents, which we are too apt under
such circumstances to describe as providential, we, who
were accustomed after our labours of the day simply to
collect our papers and place them on top of a trunk, so
176 West and Cenfral Africa.
as to have them ready to our hand for night-work, had.
on this particular occasion, replaced the greater part
within the box. Still, a good many, that we wanted for
constant use, were left outside ; such as the register
of meteorological observations (of one of whose leaves
we exhibit in this volume a facsimile) , sketch-books
(in which great ravage was made), a manuscript book of
co-ordinates, and other similar records.
We discovered that of the goods we had recently pur-
chased some of the bales were burnt at the ends and
others had disappeared altogether. Beads and similar
articles were dispersed and lost, guns were carbonized,
our own body-clothing so diminished and despoiled, that
all that was left us were the things which we -actually
had on, and an ancient hat with the crown stove in.
We could not help thinking as we looked at each other in
broad daylight, with our disordered beards, our hands and
faces grimed with ashes, our unkempt hair, part hanging
in elfin locks, the other standing on end beneath our
helmets, that we looked amazingly like those doubtful
cavaliers who, if met by a traveller on the highway,
would cause him involuntarily to seek the handle of his
revolver, to be prepared for all emergencies.
It was only after a day visit to our late camp that we
appreciated to the full the extent of our misfortune.
Catching Otubo, on our arrival, we administered to him
at once a sound thrashing, and succeeded in making him
disclose the places where he had hidden away the stolen
property, which amounted to the trifle of twenty odd
pieces ; besides smaller articles. We then set about
hunting among the ashes and picking up the fragments
of paper, many of which had travelled a mile away from
the scene of the conflagration.
How frightfully destructive an element fire can be
Cause of the Conflagration. 177
was never brought so closely home to us before. Our
meteorological observatory was in ruins ; and as we
raked among the ashes we brought to light the re-
mains of an aneroid ; a watch black and half melted ;
thermometers tubeless ; remnants of gaiters ; heels and
soles of boots, whereof the upper leathers had disap-
peared ; the crowns of helmets twisted out of shape ;
and, sad to tell, a poor eagle that we kept chained in a
crib, in order to convey it to Europe, lying roasted at the
foot of the pole which had held it prisoner !
Having raked about and searched till we were con-
vinced that no more remained to be done, we returned
to the residence in order by the aid of the fragments of
the last diaries to replace as far as possible what had
been lost, and try and discover the cause of the fire.
For this we had not very far to look, and though we
cursed the stupidity to which it was due, it was a remote
consolation to find that no malice dictated it.
Catraio, that most clumsy and ill-starred assistant,
having set up the observatory in the open air, con-
jectured, from a peculiar whispering sound that issued
from one of the huts, and from a bite or two on his own
proper person, that a band of warrior ants was making
an attack on the quilombo in that direction.
Wishing to ascertain the fact, he suddenly bethought
him of the observatory lantern, and taking out the candle
it contained, he lighted it at the kitchen fire, and pro-
ceeded to make his search.
He was quite correct in his premises ; there were the
bi-soncle sure enough, and the first he trod upon bit him
so sharply that he dropped the candle and fled. In fall-
ing the flame caught the dry grass, and the wind fanning
it, set the whole place in a blaze, producing the results
we have above related.
vol. 11. n
178 West and Central Africa.
During the whole of the 25th of the month the ex-
pedition was in course of re-organization. If our resources
were of the meagrest before the fire, it may easily be
judged how scanty they were after it. One result of our
altered circumstances was the abandonment of an idea
we had formed to go back to the Calunga Luamba, pro-
ceed to the sources of the Bengo, in the territory of
Calandula, and thence make our way to Ambaca.
At five in the afternoon we held a council, at which
it was resolved to leave on the 1st of August by the
direct route, and take with us our good friend Silverio,
who, having sent in his resignation of the office of chefe,
was enabled, by the arrival of his substitute, to carry
out a long contemplated plan of shifting his resilience to
the Pedras (rocks) of Pungo N'dongo, where a con-
venient little house was ready to receive him with the
modest retiring allowance of some forty-five dollars.
With the last stroke of midnight, which terminated
the month of July, followed by the alert a I of the sen-
tinels on the fortress, that was echoed and re-echoed in
the stillness from the neighbouring heights, we retired
to rest ; prepared at daybreak to be once more upon the
road.
AFRICAN STLK.
179
CHAPTER IX.
Final departure from Duque de Braganca — One of* Jose's stories —
The Lu-chilo and the patrulhas — The Ptyelus olivaceus — Captain
Silverio's pets — The Cosmetornis vexillarius — Jose has another
uncle — Samba-Cango, the Hango and the Lu-calla — Brief notice
of the river, conformation of the land and vegetation — The Cari-
ombo and Porto Real — Novel rafts and ingenious method of
propulsion — A visit to Pamba, and a few remarks thereon — A
vegetable giant — The road to Pedras JNegras — Jose and the basalts
— Native silk — Pungo N'Dongo, its aspect and constitution —
Remarkable impressions on the rocks — Port Hunga and its orange
trees — Philosophical considerations of the explorers — "In the
country of eyes, the blind are kings "— The Caballo cascade — The
Cuanza, obstacles, fish, cataracts — Brief reflections thereon — Ma-
lange, Calundo, and Pungo N'Dongo.
Before quitting the fortress for good, it became a
matter of necessity to overhaul the whole of the pack-
ages that constitute a traveller's baggage in Africa,
and more especially those relative to the commissariat,
the defective organization of which causes on the road
the most serious inconvenience. Although therefore
the old captain, with the patience of Job and the will of
a giant, was doing his best to get things into trim, we
were just as busy ourselves in removing goods from one
place to another, changing porters, securing trunks, and
abandoning our temporary camp.
Meanwhile all sorts of discussions were Qfoinp-onin the
caravan. Now it was a sheep that no man could be
found willing to carry, at another it was the tij)oia of
n 2
180 West a7td Central Africa.
Sr. Silverio that " stopped the way ;" then the kitchen
utensils could not be persuaded to stow themselves or to
be stowed away in the mu-hamba set apart for them,
because that incorrigible Capulca, wishing to travel light 9
had stuffed into it his cursed jack-boots and a lot of
masquerade rubbish, rejected by a carrier on the ground
that it was no part of his business to convey them ; and
finally the division of an ox's hide to be cut up for sandals
for the men, led to as much noise and confusion as if the
animal to which it belonged had gone mad and was
running a muck amongst them,
When matters had a little calmed down, we gave a
last glance round, and to the order of " raise your packs "
started in front of the caravan.
Passing through the plantations that surrounded the
stronghold, we descended the incline, at bottom of which
ran the Quimbaxe rivulet, and then began to climb the
hill which rose from the opposite bank.
The commencement of the journey presented no inci-
dent worthy of special mention, unless we can rank as im-
portant the infliction of a dozen blows of a stick upon the
broad back of Otubo, who at the last moment was found
drunk, with his load, in a little hut where a couple of his
lady acquaintances were endeavouring to conceal him.
"We were favoured with lovely weather. The glorious
sun was gilding the tops of the trees beneath which we
were passing, their branches so interlaced that they
formed a natural harbour, wherein thousands of birds
had their homes, and fluttered, and chirped, and sung in
notes as varied as their plumage.
Master Jose, who was prattling at our side in his usual
lively fashion, pointed out to us a couple of graves
wherein were interred the victims of a double assassina-
tion committed by an amiable chefe of the fortress who
Captain Silver ids Pets. 181
was accustomed to get rid of people who were distasteful
to him by sending them into the forest to cut wood, and
then ordering them to be quietly shot and buried. By
Jose's description we fancied it must have been the same
gentleman who perpetrated that little pleasantry of the
cattle-lifting to which we have before alluded ! These
are some of the delights of a subaltern military adminis-
tration !
A march of an hour and a half brought us to the river
Lu-chilo, a clear, limpid stream, which furnishes water
to the Duque, and on whose right bank was a jjatrulha1
where the tracks diverged. Steering our course for
Ambaca, we continued in a south-westerly direction,
and set up our first camp at a hamlet called Cas-
sanje.
Whilst we were resting beneath the shade of a sycamore
and getting wetted, almost before we were aware of it,
by the incessant droppings of the Ptyelus Olivaceus, we
were spectators of what we considered to be a great
waste of energy and breath on the part of our travelling
companion, Captain Silverio. The old gentleman, who
was passionately fond of animals, was engaged in catching
a cat and saving a monkey.
Like most persons who possess this mania he was
singularly unfortunate in his pets, and was in constant
trouble either about their health or mourning over their
untimely ends. " I am not quite sure," we have heard
him say, " whether in my wish to be kind I am not
really cruel, for I never catch anything on the road in
order to make a pet of it, but it is sure to die by the
way."
i These patrulhas are military stations scattered about the province,
where two or three mobiles are kept on guard. They serve to protect
the roads and afford a refuge for travellers.
1 8 2 West and Central Africa.
He was quite right in the latter part of his remark on
the present occasion, for the little monkey got a sun-
stroke and fell into the water as we were crossing the
river, and though we dragged it out alive, it succumbed
a short time after, in spite of our best medical skill to
save it.
As to the cat, in a fit of feline ire at being enclosed in a
sack, and bumped against every tree the carrier who
had it on his back came near, he managed to make a
hole at the bottom of his prison while he was en route,
and by the speed of his flight gave no one a chance of
catching him again.
Our excellent friend, afflicted at the loss of his two
fresh acquisitions was, for a time quite inconsolable ; he
shed tears over the loss of the monkey, and got into
such a rage with the carrier who had unwittingly let his
prisoner escape, that, but for his rheumatism, which
stiffened his joints and prevented his moving with any
activity, the delinquent would have been heartily
thrashed. He was, however, on the alert, and kept out
of the way.
After all, the fondness entertained by the old gentle-
man for animals was, after a moment's reflection,
perfectly intelligible. Condemned as he had been for
years to a life in the interior, surrounded by natives
whose habits and inclinations were alike distasteful to
him, he had acquired a love for dumb creatures which
not only returned his affection but often displayed a
nobility of character to which the negroes were utter
strangers.
The evening of that day was spent in endeavouring to
catch a specimen or two of a night-bird which, with the
disappearance of the sun began fluttering about in every
direction and wore a very peculiar appearance owing to
Jose 's Relatives. . 1 8
o
a long featlier at the end of eacli wing. It is known to
naturalists under the name of Cosmetomis vexillarius,
whilst the natives of those parts call it the quimbamba.
It is asserted by some that these feathers, like the tail of
the Viduas paradiseas appear at a certain fixed period,
after which they are no longer seen — but this is denied
by others. The family of the C aprimulgidce has many
representatives here, such as the Huicumbamba, Capri-
mulgos Shelleyi, and others.
As it grew dark, we were obliged to give up our
amusement, which had resulted in nothing, and return
to the patmlha, where we sat round a candle and
passed a couple of hours listening to the captain's
stories, when we separated for the night.
With the first peep of day, refreshed and invigorated
by a sound sleep, we were up and on the march, sniffing
with satisfaction the sweet morning air, redolent of
perfume.
Jose, who was chattering as usual, informed us that in
Ambaca he had another uncle ! The information recalled
vividly to our minds a former occasion when the posses-
sion of such a relative, by our worthy guide, gave him,
in our eyes, so respectable a character. We could not
now refrain from observing that he seemed to have exten-
sive connexions. " Immense," was his answer, and for
a whole hour, as we jogged along, he gave an uninter-
rupted history of his parents and grandparents, his
uncles, aunts, and cousins, about whom, it must be
confessed, we felt so little interest that for the greater
part of the time we heard him talking, but could not
for the life of us have repeated afterwards any of the
information conveyed.
Our second halting-place was at the patrulha of
Samba Cango, where we were edified by the perusal of
184
West and Central Africa,
a notice from the commandant of the division (for by
this high- sonn ding name, we know not why, the subal-
terns of the chefes are styled), affixed to the wall, the
orthography and construction of which document would
have puzzled a philologist.
On leaving this spot we travelled west-south-west into
the heart of the Hango, skirting the sides of the Papa
THE PATRULHA. OF SAMBA CANGO.
Serras. In proportion as we approached Ambaca the Lu-
calla increased in size and volume of water. It was no
longer the rivulet of the territory of Vunda-m-Woo, but
a powerful stream winding in and out the broken ground.
The tortuous course of the river appeared strewed with
rocks and stones, with small rapids and other impedi-
ments which took from it all its value.
Porto Real. 1S5
We afterwards came upon a constant succession of
valleys, some bare, others clothed with verdure, disposed
perpendicularly to the line we were pursuing, and thus
contrasting remarkably with the formations on the
opposite bank where the lofty Serra Yunji rose in sight.
Resting by the wayside for half an hour or so, we
went on again, and covered during the day a good
twelve miles, bivouacking at last in Bulo Jan go. To
the north-west an extensive serra formed the horizon.
Westward we observed blue hills promiscuously dotted
about. Vegetation seemed to be on the wane. The
red sand-stone was prevalent all about us, and not a
senzala was visible.
Bondo-ia-Quilesso was met with further on, and it
was about that spot that we saw many of our old friends
the baobabs, those giants of the vegetable kingdom
known at Angola under the name of imbundeiros, and
whose grotesque shapes have no parallel in the African
flora.
Our march now became trying and uncomfortable.
Steep hills, covered with scrub and stones, crossed our
path, and left us no alternative but to surmount them,
and the difficulty of ascending them was only matched
by the trouble of getting down on the other side.
Further on we had to wade across the river Cariombo,
which at the fording-place divides into three separate
branches, all of which empty their waters into the Lu-
calla, at the point where the latter river turns south-
wards.
On the 8th of August we arrived at Porto Real, which
has nothing grand about it but its name; indeed, its
resources were at so low an ebb, that we had some diffi-
culty at first in procuring a boat. The canoes, or rather
rafts, we subsequently saw amused us mightily, while
1 86 West and Central Africa.
they excited our admiration at the ingenuity displayed
by the natives in overcoming the difficulties by which
they are beset. As there is no timber for the construc-
tion of a decent-sized vessel — seeing that the savannas
of Ambaca are so bare of wood that the people are
obliged to use grass for the cooking of their food — the
aborigines make up bundles of mabu, whence they remove
the flowery top, dry them by long exposure to the
sun, and then fasten them together so that the whole
pile assumes the shape of an isosceles triangle, and
somewhat resembles the m'badji canoes observed by
Schweinfurth among the Bornus.
Launching this structure into the water, they use
neither paddles nor oars to move it, but a young nigger
sprawls on his stomach on each quarter of the vessel
and employs his legs that are dangling in the water to
propel the skiff along. It is a complete system of parallel
screws, and by either working together or separately,
to starboard or port, the desired direction is obtained.
Long practice has, of course, given them such experience
in pilotage that they steer for the point to which they
are bound with a nicety.
After our men and baggage were got over, we stayed
behind for some little time to watch the evolutions of
the mariners in mid- stream, and were delighted at the
dexterity they displayed. What astonished us most was
to learn, that though the river is full of crocodiles, there
was no instance of one of the screws having fallen a
prey to their voracious jaws. This must have been due
(or at least they said so) to the fetishes they carried
about them, consisting generally of a seed or tooth or
horn hung round the neck !
Having" taken careful note of this clever contrivance
as worthy of imitation in the interior, and promising to
Ambaca. 187
make use of it in any future explorations thither, we left
the port for Praca Velha, formerly the residence of the
chefe of the district, and as being far better situated
than the present one was, as a matter of course, set
aside, in order that it might not prove an exception to
the old and invariable Portuguese custom of selecting
the very worst spot for a permanent station. We be-
lieve there is scarce a Lusitanian, if he had to choose
between Cintra and Trafraria to pitch his tent, but
would select the latter, on the ground of its being readier
to hand or more convenient, or any other excuse whereby
to make the worse appear the better reason.
On the following day we recrossed the Lu-calla, having
decided upon paying a visit to Ambaca, the chief seat of
the district, which we had left some five miles to the
westward. Being desirous to make some surveys of the
river ere the sun got too high in the heavens, we started
so early in the morning that the Scops leucotis and Athene
perlata (species of screech owls), had not yeb gone to
rest, but were occasionally making the welkin hideous
with their lugubrious cries the while they sat ensconced
in the hollow of the trees.
None can imagine our disappointment on reaching
our destination to find that it was a miserable village
consisting of a single street with three houses (if they
even deserved that name) and a dozen and a half wig-
wams. Crossing a bare piece of country we entered the
precincts to find a few groups of negroes, who, squatted
on the ground at a place pompously called the market,
exposed to the sun and to a myriad of flies, two quarters
of an ox, a few potatoes, and a little flour.
This tumble-down and most desolate station, seated
on sandstone and amid cracked masses of schistus, from
which it derives something like stability, and having
1 88 West and Central Africa,
about it a singular air of distrust and gloom, boasts on
one side of some little plantations of giuguba and tobacco,
which are dispersed over a slope that inclines north-
wards, and extend to the edge of a narrow valley inter-
sected by the Pamba rivulet. Behind it, like giant
sentinels, a score or so of mounts rise from the
lower ground, their bald granitic heads giving one a
fever only to look at them. A roasting sun blazing in a
cloudless sky, and half a dozen Europeans of cadaverous
aspect, their heads wrapped in linen and their legs full
of ulcers, complete the unattractive picture. Every soul
one meets in Ambaca is in mourning, as though death
were so wide-spread that none can escape the exhibi-
tion of such semblance of woe.
Most persons are aware that Ambaca is the country
of those industrious gentlemen of whom we have before
spoken under the denomination of Ambaquistas. It is
undoubted that in no other part of the province could
one be so easily bamboozled as in that holy city ; and
though we ourselves, owing to our being thoroughly
forewarned, escaped fleecing on the present occasion, we
had been so frequently deceived before that the very
name of Ambaquista made us feel ill at ease.
It is asserted that Ambaca was once upon a time thickly
populated, that it had wealth, occupation, and move-
ment. Judging from present appearances, it is difficult to
believe that it was so ; but we were informed that the
persecutions and grasping of the authorities little by
little drove people away to seek their living under more
secure auspices. That which gives a semblance of truth
to the assertion about the former prosperity of Ambaca
is the incontestable fact that from remote times the dis-
trict was considered one of the most profitable to a
zealous administrator, and that a good deal of competition
The Ambaca Railway. 189
for its possession went on among gentlemen who were
moved by a feeling to be useful.
The aspect of affairs at the present time is simply this,
that Ambaca is worth nothing at all, because all she ever
had has been squeezed out of her, and it would be diffi-
cult indeed for any place to retain importance when her
wealthiest sons have been driven away, and those who
are left are systematically despoiled. And thus it is that
although the soil is well fitted for certain crops the land
lies fallow for want of cultivation. The chief products
of the district are ginguba and tobacco, but the fields are
so few and scattered that it is easy to foresee even they
may be abandoned unless a more favourable tide should
set into the place. It is, however, no part of our mis-
sion to attempt to lay before our readers an economic-
admiuistrative plan for the reorganization of the districts
of the Portuguese "Western Province in Africa ; so
leaving that most arduous task to wiser heads than
ours we will resume our own special narrative.
After remaining in the suburbs a sufficient length of
time to fix three stations of the abba, take the bearings
of the land, and examine the site for the terminus of the
line called the Ambaca railway — existing at present only
in the fervent imagination of African agriculturists and
merchants, and in certain big folios which special
archives conceal from profane eyes — we returned to the
residence of the official who was doing duty in the
absence of the chefe, in order to rest from our fatigues
and restore our exhausted strength by the ordinary pro-
cess of meat and drink. Breakfast over, we took leave,
wishing the inhabitants of Ambaca better health and a
little less heat, and turning our faces eastward we re-
traced our steps to the encampment.
On our road thither we observed one of the extraor-
190 West and Central Africa.
dinary baobabs already referred to, and which was of
such monstrous shape that it seemed as if nature had
produced it in a fit of spleen. The stupendous trunk of
this goliath struck us as so remarkable that we not only
walked round but measured it, and found the circum-
ference to be no less than fifteen fathoms, while its roots
were visible at thirty paces from the stem, making it a
perfect voyage to circumnavigate it completely !
We again crossed the river on one of the novel rafts
and rested on the other bank long enough to make the
sketch we present to our readers, regretting that our
want of skill as draughtsmen has prevented us exhibiting
a more finished picture.
It was the 8th of August that we resumed our -journey
bound for Pedras Negras or the Black Eocks. Scaling
and descending mounts and ravines, and traversing
woods in the fresh morning air under the guidance of
Jose, our whole attention was given to the search for
basalts. It had become a sort of mania with us, since
we had declared that there was a basaltic stratum in the
Serra Hengue, to discover a fragment, no matter where,
so that we might fall back upon volcanic action to ex-
plain the crags of Pun go N'Dongo, which, however, we
are no more capable of doing now than we did then.
Considering our geological investigations fruitless, and
tired of hearing Jose, for the twentieth time, inquire,
" Is it this ? " as he pointed out the most unlikely rocks,
we gave the matter up, and contented ourselves with
admiring Nature, who there unrolls before the delighted
eyes, a majestic panorama that Dr. Livingstone had ad-
mired before ourselves. Nor was music wanting to
lend a charm to the landscape, for the overhanging
boughs were peopled with feathered songsters that kept
up a continual concert.
Being somewhat tired, we thought how delightful it
Travelling at ease. 1 9 1
would be to enjoy all these lovely views while being con-
veyed in the palanquin ; so summoning the bearers we
put our sketch and note-book in our pockets and reclined
ourselves at ease in the tajpoia. It was an unfortunate
mistake as it turned out, for the swinging motion was
so conducive to slumber, that having half closed our
eyes in order to enjoy the illusive feeling that we were
travelling in a dream, they were soon shut up entirely,
and for two good hours we were fast asleep.
When we awoke, so great was the change in the aspect
of things that we might well believe we were still dream-
ing. We were in a bare rocky country, whereon the
sun was blazing, as an African sun is wont to do.
Birds, trees, fresh zephyrs and basaltic piles had all
vanished ! Of the lovely landscape on which we had
closed our eyes only the faintest recollection was left,
and of the topography of the country not a trace.
"Hola! Stop! Stop!"
And jumping out by way of relieving our consciences,
we fell foul of our bearers.
" How the d 1 could you let us sleep like this ?
How many mountains have we crossed, and have we
passed any rivers ? "
And with our note-book on our knees, listening and
scribbling, we paid our devoirs to science by guessing at
the curves and irregularities of the country we had been
carried through.
We were then on the banks of the river Heleji, where
separate the roads to Pungo N'Dongo by the Lungue
and to Malange via Calundo. Striking into the track
on the right, we soon reached a patrulha, where we had
a good night's rest, which enabled us to go on again
with fresh spirit next morning on our journey south-
ward.
We were then just entering the inner limit of the
192 West and Central Africa.
mountainous region. On our right and left, before and
behind us, we beheld nothing but serras, peaks, mounts,
and chains of lofty hills, confusedly mixed up together
and extending as far as the eye could reach in every
direction. The road became more and more solitary —
anything in the shape of a dwelling being a rarity.
Feathered game, however, was not wanting, and from
time to time a wood-pigeon or a partridge would rapidly
cross our line of march without any one attempting to
bring it down, so great a difference does it make when
a man has his bellyful and when he is on the point of
starvation.
For the first time we perceived some singular cocoons,
of the shape of slices cut out of a cheese, having within,
curious to relate, more than one chrysalis, as we easily
conjectured by the rattle when shaking them. The outer
cover, in capital condition, was made of a substance in
every respect analogous to silk, and very probably as
useful ; it is certainly as unknown in Europe as is that
of the qui-vuvi spider we have before alluded to, and
which we met with very abundantly.
The path led us by rapid curves through extensive
woods, at one time leading us across a brook with a
sandy bottom, at another through a torrent with almost
perpendicular sides, hugging the flanks of the serras
Catencla, Cachinje and Quilulo, until it brought us out
into a long and open plain where the most singular
prospect met our eye.
Upon ground of no great elevation, and still here
and there obscured by the morning vapour, rose in
groups, without any order, enormous cliffs of various
shapes, from the column to the sphere, jumbled all up
together, and extending for some leagues eastward till
they were lost in the horizon.
Pungo N^ Dongo.
193
Assuming as they did the strangest shapes, these
rocks, seen at a distance along the track Ave were pur-
suing, looked wonderfully like a huge castle, with
turrets and embrasures, which only giant architects
could have conceived and erected. These were the
famous Pungo N'Dongo rocks (commonly known as the
Black Stones) where the Government of Portugal has
ROCKS OF PUNGO N DONGO-
established the head-quarters of a district. As we
approached them their aspect underwent a change, in-
creasing rapidly with their nearness in grandeur and
sublimity.
Rising majestically as they did in the middle of
the plain to which we have alluded, they appeared
to defend the vast enceinte they enclosed,, both from
vol. 11. o
194 West and Central Africa.
indiscreet eyes and from the vegetation that stopped
at their foot, satisfied with bestowing upon the region
a contribution of fresh water which welled from out
their flanks and went gurgling, in the shape of many
rills, to seek the lower ground.
Having for some time contemplated these gigantic cliffs,
we pursued the track which ]ed up to an entrance on the
north north-west and conducted us by a narrow gully
between their perpendicular sides. From an analysis we
made, we came to the conclusion that the Pungo N'Dongo
rocks are exclusively formed of a hard and tough con-
glomerate, wherein figures clayey schist, mixed with
gneiss, porphyry, a little mica and a species of basalt,
although as regards the latter we speak with -a certain
reserve, owing to the doubt existing in our minds.
Lying precisely under latitude 9° 40', they crop up
again eastward under the name of Guingas, some twenty-
five miles distant ; and further on still, where they bear
the name of the Quitoche stones, near the point where
the River Lombe disembogues into the Ouanza.
The first idea suggested to the mind of him who
ascends any of these rocks (for they are almost all acces-
sible to a good climber), and who, observing their arrange-
ment, tries to explain by the existence, throughout the
conglomerate, of flints perfectly entire, the indubitable
action of water, is, that formerly the bed of the river
Cuanza flowed over these stones, and that a volcanic
convulsion, by upheaving them, drove the course of the
river some miles to the southward. What tended more
especially to confirm this opinion in our minds, was the
discovery, in a rock near the slope of one of the peaks,
of the impressions of human feet mixed with those of
a quadruped, probably a dog, of which we took a sketch
to make the matter clearer. In one of these imprints
Pedras Negras. - 195
we recognized perfectly, by the more decided marks
of the toes, that the person, in walking over damp and
pasty ground, had slipped in planting his foot and there-
by caused an unnaturally long impression. There were
other smaller ones, apparently those of a woman or
youth, all quite distinct, and concerning which no doubt
whatsoever could exist.
" What a pity," we exclaimed, " that we cannot con-
vey this rock to Europe ! What a mine would it not
be to our men of science ! "
Within the shelter of these singular rocks, and in
the vacant spaces left between them, the town has been
erected, exhibiting the most tortuous conceivable streets,
due to the capricious position of the huge stones.
Orange and other fruit-trees spring from every fissure ;
and the inhabitants among other peculiarities have to put
up with a shorter day than people living beyond the
influence of the rocks, as, in consequence of their great
height, the sun rises later and sets much earlier than else-
where. Cold and limpid water, accumulated during the
rains in the cavities of the rock, flows in little runnels
through the place ; we heard it asserted that it was a
fruitful source of scurvy, but we do not guarantee the
truth of the assertion nor do we lend it any credence.
In one of the narrow streets, we found near an en-
closure an enormous baobab, around which clings many
a tradition ; as in former times, beneath its spreading
branches were held the councils of the court of the
Jinga, at the period when ber celebrated queen had her
residence there.
On the western side some ruins were pointed out to
us as marking the former habitation of the Portuguese
Minister, Jose de Seabra da Silva, whom the chances of
political life, in the time of Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e
0 2
196 West and Central Africa.
Mello, drove from his high-backed morocco chair to the
mats and onabellas of an African couch !
We made the ascent of one of the peaks, wandered
all over the town, dined with a party of friends,
where, for the first time, we heard of our late com-
panion, Serpa Pinto's arrival safe and sound in the
beginning of the year at Durban, and having decided
upon dissipating in our native country, the ill-founded
prejudice entertained by our compatriots respecting the
Pedras Negras (to whom we recommend Pungo N'Dongo
as one of the healthiest places in the province), we took
measures, without loss of time, to pursue our labours,
by making a survey of the Cuanza.
On the 27th of August, leaving among the recks and
stones the idleness of many days, we turned our backs
upon our late encampment and steered a course south
by south-east, bound for Port Hunga. Our marches,
however, were no longer the straightforward, business-
like affairs of former times. Regular food, aguardente,
and numerous caravans on their way to the coast, dis-
tracted the men's attention and made them averse to
anything like hard work. The Calling a> the " great-
water," was in their thoughts, and they not only voted
the Cuanza a bore, but feigned to consider it a very
poor specimen of a river.
Master Jose, who had begun to be alarmed at our
insatiable and inconvenient curiosity, pretended to hold
everything of light account, convinced in his own mind
that if he showed us, say one cataract, we should at once
want to see two. He therefore frequently tried to throw
us off any scent, by interminable talk, stopping con-
stantly on the road " to point a moral or adorn a tale."
At four in the afternoon we reached Port Hunga, and
were received at a charming country house, surrounded
Reflections and Regrets. 1 9 7
by an orange plantation, whoso golden fruit shone
temptingly in the warm sun.
Having received a visit from the old Sova who, owing
as he stated, to a powerful fetish, had been suddenly struck
blind; we passed the following day in the depths of a thick
grove, talking and ruminating on a variety of subjects.
Our task wonld soon be at an end. We were day by
day drawing nearer to the civilized world, and the cir-
cumstance, agreeable as it undoubtedly was on many
accounts, did not nevertheless fill ns with entire satis-
faction. In spite of the sadness which belonged to our
old mode of life — notwithstanding its perils and its suf-
ferings, its anxieties and its labours, it had somehow
taken a hold on our affections. There was a charm
about its primitive character, its entire freedqm, its utter
absence of conventionality. The simple hut, the mur-
murings of the wood, the voices of our men engaged upon
their various vocations in the camp — all these things, as
they trooped through our minds, left an impression of
regret when coupled with the thought that we should
see and hear them no more !
Man cannot live for many months together in any
place or form without becoming, to a certain extent,
accustomed to it, and without feeling a certain pang
when his connexion therewith is severed. What he has
to suffer in the interior of the vast continent of Africa
may at times appal him, as our record will have shown,
and yet, perhaps not one beheld his return without a
sigh as he contemplated the vast gulf that lay between
a life replete with action and novelty, and the mono-
tonous routine of existence hanging about the macadam
of Europe.
We had learned, however, sufficient philosophy tq
endure with a shrug what we conld not remedy, so pull-
198 West and Central Africa.
ing down the branch of an orange -tree which was just
within onr reach, we plucked some of its tempting fruit
and quenched our sentimental feelings in its delicious
juice ; then turning to our old friend Silverio who, lying
on his back, and immersed in those deep considerations
which always suggest the idea of the circle that has its
centre everywhere and its circumference nowhere, and
which we call the infinite, we challenged him to a game
known as the " Chinese," and that consists in guessing
whether the sections of the fruit about to be opened are
odd or even. As he always lost he got no orange, as
he was too lazy to rouse up to pick one for himself.
It was on the 29th of the month, at about eleven
o'clock, that the expedition reached a point just below
the great rapids of Mutula, near the residence of the
Sova N'Gola Quituche ; and still continuing along the
bank of the Cuanza, we fell in with another blind ruler,
who gave precisely the same reason for his affliction as
the previous unfortunate, viz., that a fetish first deprived
him of one eye, and then another did the same cruel office
by the remaining optic ! As it appeared that only the
Sovas suffered from blindness in this part of the world, the
old French saying, Dans le pays des aveugles les borgnes
sont rois, came into our minds and made us paraphrase
it into, " In the country of eyes, the blind are kings/'
Resuming our course at a right angle, for the river,
barred by the rocks, ran here directly southwards, we
sat down to a quiet contemplation of the rapids,
" In that oblivion of mundane things,
Which . . . soon was banish'd by the insects' stings."
Unfortunately for us it was so. The place was in-
fested with the young of those small flies we have
once before alluded to as making honey like the bees,
Caballo Cascade. 199
and which, on smelling us out, swooped down in their
thousands, eager for the attack. It would appear
that they had a strong preference for white flesh
(perhaps on account of its being less odoriferous and
more juicy), and on their arrival they settled so thickly
upon Silverio and ourselves that they covered us com-
pletely. We swept them off by dozens at a time, but
these were replaced by hundreds, so that acknowledging
our weakness before the enemy we took to flight.
We tramped along in tolerable disorder after our
defeat, for the space of an hour, when we reached the
senzala Candumbo and found the direct path leading
from Punsro N'dongo to Malano;e. To the east, in a
broad curve, we observed the river suddenly widen, and
then form one of the most remarkable cascades we had
met with in the course of our journey. It bears the
name of Caballo, and has a very formidable aspect.
Parallel lines of rocks, equi-distant from each other,
and each line at a lower level than the one above,
constitute a gigantic staircase, occupying the whole
breadth of the stream ; the water tumbling successively
from one step to the other, and forming sq many small
cascades, which, at a distance, look like one vast sheet
of foam. Above bhe falls there are two islands covered
with trees, and called by the natives qui-colo (Quiangolo)
and qui-colo (Caquilla).
We encamped right in front of them, after clearing
away the dense and lofty grasses, partly beaten down by
the hippopotami, which at night-time invade the low-
lying banks : and after completing a sketch of the
cascade, we proceeded to record in the diary the follow-
ing particulars.
The river Cuanza, as far as we have surveyed it?
does not lose the character of a valueless watercourse,
200
West and Central Africa.
full of obstacles, and difficult to cross from one bank to
the other. Between Port Hunga and the point where we
are now sojourning there are no fewer than six cascades
TELPHUSA ANCHIETAE, RIVER CUANZA.
(Phot, from nature.)
and rapids ; and hence upwards there are many more, and
of a more important character.
TELPHUSA BAYONIANNA, RIVER CUANZA.
,( I 'hut. from nature. )
From an average breadth of forty-four yards, it
widens out westward along the foot of a high mountain
range called Quiambella, which borders it on the south.
Course of the Ctianza.
201
On quitting the plateaux of the Songo, those monotonous
and immense savannas, the river runs almost perpendicu-
EUPREPE8 IVENSI (NEW SPECIES), RIVER CUANZA.
{Phot, from nature.)
larly to the broken ground, and by a succession of leaps,
as it were, makes its way to the sea. Mount Catenha, and
CHROMIS SPAKliAMAKNI (s.MITH), RIVER CUviNZA.
(I'kot. from nature.)
on the north-north-west the Quitoeta, are the two great
barriers which curb the waters of the plateau, and drive
202 West and Central Africa.
them into the Lucalla and Cuanza, the two large channels
by. which the drainage is performed. It is extremely rich
in fish, crustaceans, and reptiles, whereof we exhibit a
few specimens obtained higher up the stream ; among
them figuring the Muntalandonga, Euprepes Ivensi (a
new species) which, though found in the Luando, is
likewise an inhabitant of the Cuanza. We procured
also specimens of a frog, of two or three crabs, whereof
there are many, of some reptiles, and of fish of various
kinds that make their home in the river, as may be seen
by the engravings in this chapter, photographed after
we returned to Europe from the specimens, we had
preserved in spirit.
Enormous bagres are taken out of the Cuanza- and the
marginal lakes, and after being dried or smoked they are
despatched to the Songo and other districts, and consti-
tute a not unimportant native trade. We heard mention
when on the spot of the celebrated mermaid (Manatus
senegalensis) having been seen beyond the rapids. We
never, however, ourselves set eye^> on one at any point
whatsoever ; the natives showed us what they called a skin
of one of these creatures, and told us stories about them,
but little worthy of credit.
Hippopotami may be heard blowing all along the banks
of the river, and numerous crocodiles may be seen
warming themselves in the sun, on the little sandy
islands, and disappearing at the slightest unusual
noise.
Both the ornithological and entomological fauna would
offer a wide field for study ^ which a naturalist fresh to
the work might turn to good account, but which we, in
our position, found it impossible to pursue. And so it
is in many other branches. The explorer at the out-
set is feverishly impatient to see everything, to note
.Cataracts of the Ctianza.. 203
down everything — rushes from geography to meteorology,
and thence to the natural sciences — is in a constant
flutter of excitement, and bewildered with his theodolite,
his scalpel, his presses for plants, and his paper for maps
and plans. Then comes the more sober stage. He first
throws over the insects, then the birds, gives plants the
go-by, and as he nears the end of the journey sticks to
geography alone.
For a couple of days we still continued our course by
the river, halting on the 31st of August at 11.30 a.m. at
Quibinda, where we encamped in order to perform our
necessary labours. About seven miles from that point
up stream there is a cascade called Quitaxe, and eight
miles higher up still the river falls in the shape of an
important cataract, the Condo, well known to our
merchants who are accustomed to make pleasure-parties
from Malange to visit the grand spectacle.
We here deem it opportune to insert a digression,
suggested by our last remark about the little trips of our
countrymen residing at Malange, with a view to put
public opinion right upon a point about which there
appears to be considerable uncertainty. We mean the
discovery of the cataracts of the Cuanza, which is
attributed to every foreign explorer who falls in with
them. Dr. Livingstone, for instance, on crossing from
the Upper Zambese to the Dondo fancied that he dis-
covered there, as by enchantment, the Cabulo cataract,
situated almost within a stone's throw of Cambambe,
but which had been familiar to us from time immemorial ;
and quite recently another traveller who reached the
Condo, announced to Europe that he presented it with
a novelty till then unknown I
Now a simple inspection of the map of Angola, bearing
the name of the Marquis de Sa da Bandeira, will suffice
204
West and Central Africa.
to show the mistakes which the best of geographers
may sometimes commit, where they pin their faith to the
DEMBE (MORMYUUS LHUYST, STEIND), RIVER CUASZA.
(PJtot. from nature.)
ordinarily available maps ; but the last assertion we
allude to is so gross that it requires no comment.
MUACA (HEMICHROM1S ANGOLENSIS, STEIND), RIVER CUANZA.
(Phot, from nature.)
Having thus had our say, we will leave the cataracts
of the Cuanza, ivhich we did not discover, and pursue
our journey.
CHR02IIS MOSS AMBICUS (PETERS)? RIVEK CUAiNZA.
(Phot, from nature.)
With the first blush pf morn of the 1st day of Sep-
tember we were astir, almost as early as the birds, and set
out in a north-north-east direction by the track running
to Malange in order to connect our surveys with those
Mode of Survey.
205
made near the same spot before we started for the
north.
It will be comprehended that such a connexion was
highly important, inasmuch as now, after a lapse of
some months, we were about to return to a point where
the chronometer would determine a longitude, and there-
fore on making a second observation we should obtain
the mean of our marches with the utmost exactness,
and the bearings of the entire region in respect of
HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL FHOG, RIVER CUAXZA.
{Phot, from nature.)
Malange, which would in turn be corrected when we
reached the coast. We must add, to the honour of Mi\
Dent of London, that his chronometer (one of the best
we ever met with) reached that spot with a variation of
only 2.5 miles ! A circumstance upon which we lay-
some stress, and consider of very great advantage, was
the constant attention we paid to our marches, because
from time to time, halting for two, three, and four days, at
elevations on the first and last, we were enabled to record
those marches to a nicety. To tell the truth, we never
2o6 West and Central Africa.
discovered any differences, and the chronometer, which
on entering Benguella showed 4s 30*, indicated after
perfect acclimatization 73 30*, and so continued till we
reached the coast.
It will be readily estimated how invaluable such an
instrument must be in the interior, more especially if we
bear in mind that the largest stream of water surveyed
by us- — the Cuango — ran due north and south, and that
a great part of its projection was made with the chrono-
meter, inasmuch as the plane-table or theodolite could not
possibly be carried with us for 700 miles through forests
and savannas, over mountains, and across streams.
The general process adopted by us for the tracing of
the maps always had for a basis the constant determination
of the geographical co-ordinates, for the greatest possible
number of stations, and then by successive tours d9 horizon
we succeeded, by means of crossings, in embracing a
zone of road of twenty, thirty, and even more miles.
Availing ourselves of the three great resources of navi-
gation— latitude, longitude, and azimuth — we employed
them always as a primary element of all our labours,
and we completed them afterwards either by the theo-
dolite or by the plane-table in the narrower and more
important regions.
The chronometer, therefore, was one of the most
useful instruments, and on that account we used every
care for its preservation ; and we hold it to be abso-
lutely necessary in the interior where it can be combined
with the satellites of Jupiter for great arcs of longitude.
Unfortunate, however, would be the explorer who
should attempt to determine positions consecutively by
the satellites of that planet ! In a very short time errors
on one side or the other would be sure to create confu-
sion that could with difficulty be escaped, and could only
be avoided by putting the watch on one side.
Value of the Chronometer. 207
One chronometer, at least, is an indispensable adjunct,
and the explorer who goes to Africa without one, will
soon hud it simply impossible to do his work, or he
must restrict himself to small portions of ground, of
which he can make precise maps, with correct sections
and level curves, things after all of little benefit to
African geography in the present day.
Passing the rest of the day on the Lombe at Caballo,
receiving visits, making presents, and listening to
long-winded stories, we closed the diary without record-
ing in ifc anything of note, and slept such a sleep as had
rarely been granted us — full nine hours off the reel.
On the 2nd of September we were near Malange at
the Lombe do Motta, having half resolved to make a
trip to Cacol-Calombo to see some grottoes, but an
attack of fever upset the plan, and on the following day
we started for Pungo N'Dongo by the Calundo track,
anxious to bring our journey to an end, inasmuch as
our people were much reduced in strength and showed
less and less inclination to obey orders.
Many caravans crossed us on the road, and were the
means of still further retarding our progress, but finally,
on the 8th of the month, we once more arrived in camp,
having terminated our journey without any incident of
moment.
U1VKR (JUAN Z A CKAO.
2o8 West and Central Africa.
CHAPTER X.
Return to camp — The pulex penetrans and a noteworthy entozoario —
Variableness of the winds at Pungo N'Dongo — The explorer's
staff and the writer's pen — We take leave of Silverio — Cabeto and
Cuanza flies — Native lightning-conductors — Capanda and the
western vegetation — Brief notice of its ornithology — Sengue and
Nhangue-ia-Pepe — Cataracts of the Cuanza — The Sova Dumba —
Cassoque — Von Mechow — The Bango and climatological varia-
tions— The Cuanza and the Cabulo cataract — Last glance at the
interior — The Dondo — Reception of the explorers at that place —
A trip on the river — Loanda — Mossamedes — The voyage home.
On our return to Pungo N'Dongo we again took up our
quarters in our former camp in order to give the caravan
the few days' rest required before pursuing our survey
of the river and then marching in the direction of the
coast.
Among the most important districts of the interior, we
had already visited Malange, Duque de Braganca,
Ambaca, and Pungo N'Dongo ; we had yet, therefore, to
see Cazengo, Golungo, Icollo or Zenza, and Dondo. As,
however, the last mentioned was upon the bank of the
river, we decided to proceed to it at once, and subse-
quently visit the others if our strength or circumstances
should allow.
We therefore spent some days in perfect repose ;
feeding, talking, some strolling about, others paying
visits ; a few tryiug to avoid the clutches of Satan by
placing themselves, through the medium of baptism,
The Brazilian Flea, 209
under the safeguard of Holy Mother Church (this was
more especially the case among the girls) ; and finally
many in seeking to cure maladies from which they were
still suffering, or that had appeared with a change in
their mode of existence.
Since our departure from Duque de Braganca we had
been attacked by a new scourge, and a pertinacious,
villanous one it was, unknown to us in the interior, and
which we suppose afflicted us now so that we might
conclude, with a perfect connaissance de cause, the history
of those miseries which the climate, ants, flies and mos-
quitoes had so brilliantly begun.
This was the infernal Brazilian flea (Pulex penetrans),
wherewith the whole of this part of the country is thickly
peopled, and which, penetrating into any wounds or
sores, particularly about the toes or fingers, produce
an inflammation that has to be very promptly attended
to (more especially where a negro is concerned) if it
be desired to avoid the loss of a limb !
Cases of amputated legs are common among the blacks,
who have allowed themselves to become a prey to these
vile insects, and with whom at last, any treatment short
of amputation is impossible, through the affected part
being literally swarmed with the vermin.
When attacked about the feet — the toes are usually
first affected — the poor fellows would go hobbling about
the quilombo, a misery to themselves and a danger to all
about them, so that we were forced to look sharply after
the sufferers in order to effect a speedy cure, ere they
became disabled altogether.
Another disgusting insect (a sort of entozoarto) likewise
made its appearance at this time, and was no less per-
nicious than the former although somewhat more rare.
Burrowing into the muscles of the legs (as in the
vol. ir. p
2 io West and Central Africa.
instance we witnessed) it there deposits its eggs,
whence issue short, round maggots, for all the world
like those observed in certain fruit, and which, in
obedience to their instincts, commit the most frightful
ravages. Multiplying with extraordinary facility, as is
always the case with the lowest forms of the animal
kingdom, it may readily be supposed that in a longer or
shorter space of time the limb so attacked would, if no
remedy were us'ed to check the evil, be in the very
gravest peril.
We do not remember any instances of quadrupeds
suffering from this last-mentioned insect ; but the flea
attacks pigs and dogs very severely; our own faithful
hound being one of the sufferers and requiring' constant
care and attention dn account of the deplorable state to
which her paws were reduced by the visitation. It seems
that goats are the only small quadrupeds that are free
from these disgusting vermin, all our informants agreeing
in the assurance that there was no instance of one of
these animals being attacked.
The temperature during the last few days had sensibly
risen, more especially during the frequent intervals of
calm that are prevalent in Pungo N'Dongo. The cliffs are
situated in a zone where the winds are liable to constant
variation. The regularity of the breezes of the interior,
blowing from the south-east or north-west, according to
the period of the year, is unknown here, and it is too dis-
tant from the coast to be influenced by the sea-breezes.
The wind, therefore, constantly shifting from south-east
to south-west, and at times to north-west, causes in the
interim besides the calm, an insufferable heat, that is
enough to knock over any one exposed to its action.
On the afternoon of the 13th of September we were
seated at the entrance of our little tembe, with Master
The Staff and the Pen . 211
Jose on our right, busy with, his needle, the lads in
front, engaged in arranging their respective packs, and
on our left Capulca, in the act of giving the last culinary
touches to a roast leg of mutton, the scent from which
we were sniffing preparatory to making its nearer
acquaintance. One more step, as it were, and we should
be at the ocean, our element, whereon as boys we had
spent some of our happiest hours. A few more miles and
this helmet and these gaiters would cease to have a
raison d'etre. The long staff, which was seldom out of
our hands, would have to be thrown aside for the insig-
nificantly small steel pen ; we should have to exchange
for the prattle of Jose a lot of scribbling on our own
account whereby to transmit to the public the impressions
of our journey ; and at the thought we both turned pale !
It had never been our ambition to lay before the
reading world our sayings or our doings ; if we had ever
pondered on the subject at all, it appeared to us a task
above our strength to put our remarks into an intelligible
shape, fit for the perusal of men of science — and we feared
that our attempts to do so must fail. Even now we feel
very great diffidence as to whether what we offer will be
acceptable in their sight, but we have plunged in too
deeply to recede, and we must accept the fiat of our
critics, whatever it may be.
To the bustle of evening succeeded the calm ease of
night, which in turn gave place to the renewed activity of
morning. To the west of Pedras Negras the track runs
directly towards the sea, taking Capanda by the way.
But as we deemed it of moment to connect our present
surveys with those already made on the Cuanza, we de-
cided upon travelling anew to the southward, that we
might reach the river.
It was on the 14th of September, at daybreak, with
p 2
212 West and Central Africa.
all preparations made that we bade adieu to our good
friend and cdmpanion Captain Silverio, to whom the
familiar intercourse of several months had strongly
attached us.
" Farewell," he said* in a faltering tone; " Europe is
waiting for you, and will know how to recompense your
sufferings and appreciate your services. You have richly
earned your rest, and may you enjoy it to the full. As to
me, I am an old fellow, and can never hope to see you
again ; the only rest that I am likely to find is in the
grave, to which I am hastening."
Dear, kind bid man ! Please God, your gloomy pre-
sentiments will not be speedily verified, but in the com-
pany of your wife and child you too will find a graceful
repose^ most truly deserved after your laborious life !
According to Jose's assurance we were not likely to be
much harassed On the road. We might study and survey
the river at our ease, and yet, under his guidance, reach
Dondo by the 23rd or 24th of September.
Encouraged by the promise, we moved off in single file
to the left of the stones, passing an hour at Caughi, a
sort of fortified villa, the property of an old gentleman,
who possessed considerable influence in the neighbour-
hood. We found it abandoned, owing to dissensions
among his sons, and pretty well reduced to a mass of
ruins.
Following the track that continued to wind through
gloomy forests, we camped at noon on the bank of the
Cuanza opposite a place called Cabeto, and near a little
waterfall. But we had scarcely sat down when we were
besieged in due form ; and we say it advisedly, never
did we suffer so much from the attacks of our old
enemies, the flies, before. It was impossible to rest, to
write, to do anything in fact but use strong language !
Lightning Conductors. 213
Strong measures were not a bit of use, and although with
a towel round our head and another in our hand, we
sacrificed myriads to our fury, myriads more filled up the
gaps and renewed the fight with increased energy. Smoke
had no sort of effect upon the wretches, and it was only
with the appearance of night that the combat subsided,
and we could get a few hours of absolutely necessary
rest.
We would not give the creatures a chance to re-com-
mence hostilities next morning, for we abandoned the
field before they were up, and pursued our way, re-
marking how the mountains drew away from the river,
while the stream, widening at this point, gave to view a
portion of its course, and then soon after became
involved among the rocks and shoals of a most broken
and irregular bed.
Sanza Manda stood upon our path, where enormous
crumbling barges indicated the spot at which in former
times the gangs of slaves brought from beyond the
river were received, to be subsequently transhipped
according to instructions.
We here noticed for the first time stuck into the roofs
of the huts branches of the n'dui, known to science by
the name of Decamera tonantis, and that the natives place
there to serve as lightning conductors. It is not impos-
sible that the wood, which is very hard and a good
conductor, might be of service if properly arranged ; but
stuck up as we saw it, often in the shape of a fork,
unpointed and ineffectually connected with the cupola of
the building, it required a large amount of faith to attach
any importance to the contrivance. We fancy, indeed,
that it derived its value in the eyes of the natives much
more from fetishism than from science, and that like the
bottles thrust into the thatch, which attracted our notice
214 West and Central Africa.
on former occasions, it was used for the purpose of
scaring away evil influences.
Returning to Capanda, as we observed that it was
almost impracticable to continue further along the bank
of the river in that direction, we crossed that splendid
chain of granite mountains, among which it is averred
there exist trachytes or volcanic rocks that would, if
visible, be of the utmost interest to geologists.
The land then gradually subsided, vegetation became
less dense, grass more abundant, and from the midst of
it sprang samples of the baobab (that reminded one of
giant bottles of champagne), exotic palms, and colossal
Eriodendron, with a straight trunk, partly covered by the
branches of the n'burututo (Gochlospermum cmgolensis)
displaying their yellow flowers, Erithrinas with red
berries, and other plants, peopled with birds, some of
which had adorned the branches with rows of pendent
nests, whereof one bough, as we counted, had no fewer
than forty-seven !
Among the feathered tribe most worthy of mention
figures the n'gunguachito, a sort of toucan, known as the
Bucorax coffer (Boa), or the wood-turkey, more bulky
than its compeer in Europe, with a long beak, crimson
feathers on the fore part of the neck, and a long tail.
The more lofty trees were full of these birds, each
perching, or flying with its mate, like the turtle-doves.
They are difficult to shoot, owing to the height at which
they perch and their having a sentinel always on the
look-out, wrho gives a warning co cd, at the first glimpse
of danger, as a signal for them to clear out.
There is another bird, a very interesting one, some-
what similar to the European cuckoo, called the Scopus
umbretta (Gmelin) and nick-named the kidnapper. We
were informed that it never made a nest for itself, but
E mp a cace iros . 215
when it required one, pried about till it found a residence
to its mind, which was then and there appropriated.
Finally, we met with the Buphaga erythrorrhyncha
(Stanley) or Tanagra erytUvorvliyncJia, which feeds on the
vermin engendered on the hide of cows and oxen, where
it may be seen busily engaged, and subsequently
abstracting for the service rendered the hair it requires
for the formation of its nest.
Many other birds known by the names of bigodes,
freiras, and viuvas (moustaches, nuns, and widows) are
seen flying in abundance, and the catching and conveying
them to the coast for sale constitute an important trade.
The number of caravans we saw upon our track, both
coming and going, was very remarkable. Scarcely an
hour ever intervened without our meeting with, or being
passed by, dozens of negroes well laden. Oil seemed to
be the staple article they carried ; but there was a good
deal of india-rubber, some ivory, and a lot of ginguba
done up in sacks.
The long marches made by some of these negroes in
the interior, more especially by those engaged in the
post-office service, are really worthy of note. With a
gun over the shoulder, and a mu-canda on a stick, they
bowl aloug at a swinging pace, and cover their forty
miles a day. A porter, a sort of empacaceiro, assured
us that he had gone on one special occasion from Pun go
N'Dongo to Loanda, in the space of three days, and had
returned to his point of departure within the same
time !
While we are on the subject of empacaceiros, we beg to
present to our readers the portrait of one from Quissama,
and add a few words by way of dissipating the strange
idea that has been formed of these men in the old
country. People there have conceived the notion, and
2l6
West and Central Africa.
some have set it down in writing, that the empacaceiros
constituted in former days a sort of secret association,
organized to put an end to cannibalism. We could learn
nothing at Angola, in answer to our inquiries, that cor-
roborated this in any way. As to themselves they have
no conception of such a thing. From the outset they
'JM
EMPACACE1RO OP QUISSAMA.
appear to have been hunters of the m'pacafa or buffalo,
whence they derive their name, and from their bold
habits of life were of powerful assistance in all journeys
into the interior. On this account they were employed
in the post-office service, and as guides to caravans,
until, little by little, a quantity of them became enrolled
A Ban-gala Caravan. 217
by the Portuguese Government into a corps, employed
in the services above alluded to.
Of late years they have become dispersed, and curious
to relate it is in the Quissama, where cannibalism is far
from unknown at the present day, that empacaceiros are
still to be found. The long lazzarina gun shows by the
skin rings which adorn its barrel the number of animals
it has laid low. Wrapped in a wretched cloth, they carry
about them all articles that are required in the wood, and
ornament their heads either with a bunch of feathers or
two or three horns, which give them a devil-may-care
appearance. And in this guise, or merely armed with an
assagai, the empacaceiro will wander alone through
forests and savannas, feeding on roots, sleeping in the
trees, doing battle with beasts of prey, and not unfre-
quently a prisoner for days together on the summit of
some tall baobab, where he has sought a refuge from
inundations or the incursions of buffaloes.
Among the caravans to which we have alluded was
one composed of Ban-gala men, at the hands of whose
connexions we had experienced that peculiar reception
alluded to in the first volume when we attempted to
cross the Cuango, and of whom, in consequence, we had
retained so vivid a recollection.
Being encamped near us, we took the opportunity of
renewing our acquaintance, for we found them as quiet as
lambs under present circumstances and that they had, or
pretended to have, no knowledge of what had occurred
on that occasion. They had come, they said, from the
Lubuco or Luba territory, about which we made sundry
inquiries. We were disappointed, however, in getting
anything out of them. They were either mute as fishes
or dealt only in monosyllables. What we particularly
wanted to learn was information respecting the great
2 1 8 West and Central Afrit
ica.
lake of Quifanjimbo, whether it had any canoes and
whether the tribes that resided on its borders were
dwarfs. To all our inquiries they answered yes, although
we made a sketch of one so as to make our meaning more
intelligible. Like most negroes, however, they had no
comprehension whatever of drawing, and as to perspective,
it was of course an unknown art. They were so little
able to recognize a figure when put before them in black
and white, that they turned the paper about in every
direction, and seemed to understand it just as well upside
down as in any other position. Where a mere bust was
concerned they did not seem to recognize that it belonged
to a human figure at all, and we had not paper enough
to make a cartoon of life-size, to see whether that would
have been more intelligible to their understanding.
This circumstance convinced us of the impossibility of
untutored men seizing an idea for which their minds had
not been previously prepared. And yet they themselves
executed a few rude works of art that must of necessity
have required a certain study and reflection. They
carved on their weapons and on many of their instruments
fio*ures of animals and of men, and in the latter case
marked with precision the characteristics of the black
race ; so that one was at a loss to comprehend how it was
that they could make a doll to serve as a fetish and yet
could not recognize a delineation of that same doll exe-
cuted by more skilful hands and approximating much
nearer to the human form.
These caravans, when upon the march, offer to the
eyes of the curious traveller an infinity of strange
articles that are well worthy his attention, and more
especially those referable to personal adornment. All
negroes, with very few exceptions, are fond of ornament,
and the head receives a great deal of attention at their
Personal Adornment. 2 1 9
hands. The Ban -gala push this mania to an excess.
The long tresses of their hair are intertwined with beads,
shells, and bands or plates of metal, and are otherwise
converted into structures that occupy entire weeks in
their fabrication. On the other hand, when once done,
they remain untouched for months, being merely anointed
in the interval with abundance of palm oil !
Feathers and skins are indispensable articles of their
attire, although the material they use to set oil" their
charms appears to be matter of little moment. Stones,
shells, brass and iron equally serve their turn, and
copper wire, or a human tooth is alike turned to account.
The rage for adornment does not spare their flesh.
Some pierce their ears, others the membrane of the
nose ; while another will drive a red-hot iron through
the cartilage in order to introduce a piece of carved
wood into the orifice, which seems to produce no other
effect than to interfere with natural cleanliness and make
the breathing difficult. Tattooing or branding the body
is also coming into use amongst them, the process being
borrowed from the Luba and even further to the north-
east, where the practice appears to be common.
At the close of our interview with these people, from
whom we had derived so little satisfactory information,
they retired to a neighbouring thicket, where they had
established their quilombo, and spent the remainder of
the evening and great part of the night round their
fires smoking their eternal pipes. As to eating, that was
an operation we did not see one of them perform.
It is remarkable how these men can, during journeys
of such duration, bear up against the fatigue of long
marches, under heavy loads, with little or no food !
They will go dozens of leagues with the utmost indifference,
with a manioc root in their girdle, and sometimes not
220 West and Central Africa.
even that, getting a drink here, a smoke there, and
occasionally a handful of flour. It is difficult to ex-
aggerate the miserable existence of many of the natives
on these perilous journeys, where, in case of illness or
accident, they are liable to be abandoned to their fate.
In the very caravan to which we have alluded there was
a sad confirmation of this remark. Two brothers had
started with it together for the Luba ; but one of them,
suffering from ulcers and dysentery, was compelled to
give up the journey, so the brother and his companions
divided his load among them, and left the unfortunate on
the road-side, either to perish or be made a slave by the
first party who fell in with him.
On the 1 5th we halted at the Sengue, where the Cuanza
has two cascades, Quissaquina Caboco and mv/pa Palanca,
in the midst of arid land, whose very aspect made one
hot; on the 16th we were at Muta, and next day arrived
after many a stiff climb over rocky hills at Nhangue-ia-
Pepe, where we camped near a senzala surrounded by
masses of euphorbias, intending on the 18th to visit the
cataract in the neighbourhood.
On our way thither we found a perfect forest of
mahogany trees, and the appearance of the falls, when
we reached them, struck us as very fine. The narrow
defile through which the Cuanza rushes, widens at that
spot, as if to allow the escape of the river, which may be
there about a hundred feet across. The water, falling to
a depth of twenty-five to thirty feet, dashes wildly over
the stones that intercept its passage, in a westerly
direction, though the stream is shortly turned aside by
the projecting foot of a mount, from which escaping it
enters a gorge formed by the Serra Cassasio in the
district of the N'hongos. We contemplated the cataract
from the precipitous bank on the right of the river,
Formidable Obstructions. 221
wliich was so lofty that it was with difficulty we could
distinguish a man engaged in fishing on the brink.
It is scarcely necessary to add, after the foregoing
description, that the river is not navigable, and that
from this spot to the Dondo it could not be under any
circumstances on account of the formidable obstacles
presented by its bed.
Having taken the bearings and made the other
necessary surveys, we returned to our camp, more dead
than alive from fever. The state of bodily weakness to
which we were both reduced was becoming grave.
During the last few days we could eat little or nothing,
and as a general rule, fever intervened almost immediately
after our principal meal at three o'clock, which prevented
the food remaining on the stomach. The consequence was,
we became weaker and weaker, and it was evident that
the moment had arrived to terminate an undertaking
that our strength would no longer enable us to carry on.
Pursuing our journey, we met with a most serious
obstacle between the stations of Pungo N'Dongo and
Dondo, and which will, as we fancy, give the engineers of
the railroad it is proposed to construct no end of trouble.
It takes the shape of certain lofty serras standing at
right angles to the track and completely barring it from
north to south. Even the black engineer (if we may so
call him), who is wonderfully acute in avoiding difficulties
in the formation of his paths, had no alternative here
but to cross the mountains in a direct line, so as to gain
the western side.
On reaching Danje-ia-Menha, we again camped, for
we were suffering so badly from fever that we could go
no further. But this was not the worst of our com-
plaints. Our scorbutic sores had increased to such a
pitch that it was perfect torture to walk at all. Our
222 West and Central Africa,
gums, which were highly inflamed and spongy, bled
freely at intervals ; a painful feeling of utter fatigue had
taken possession of us, and our legs would scarce support
our bodies though they were many pounds lighter than
when in a state of health. Nor could we conceal from
ourselves that our mental faculties were weakening with
the weakness of the body, so that the calculation of the
simplest latitude caused us hoars of depression. It
was, in fact, the advent of anaemia with that infinity of
symptoms nowadays more or less known, and which are
the reverse of pleasant to experience.
Having devoted the remainder of the day to treating
our complicated maladies, we lay down to rest, though
we rose again with Phoebus on the 20th September, and
with the aid of our staves hobbled forth once more upon
the road.
We had just crossed one or two little rivulets and left
behind us a group of huts called Cassoque, when we
sighted, coming towards us, a numerous caravan, which
we judged from such loads as sealed cases, new trunks,
and articles of a similar character, to be headed by an
European. The vanguard, on being questioned, con-
firmed our suspicion, and in a few minutes, on turning a
corner, we came in sight of a couple of white men, one of
whom appeared to be the chief.
He was a man of medium stature, strongly built, of a
florid complexion, with a fair beard, wearing a light coat
and a broad-brimmed hat.
His manner was so frank that, although we suspected
he might be one of those proud and taciturn sons of
Great Britain, we ventured to break the silence as we
met, and therefore saluted him with the customary
" good morning."
Von Mechow. 223
From his reply we soon discovered that our language
was not very familiar to him ; still, by dint of patience
and pauses in between we managed to comprehend each
other.
We then learned that it was Yon Mechow, the Ger-
man explorer, coming from Loanda and proceeding to
Malange, where he intended organizing a caravan, and,
by the aid of a boat he had with him, descending the
Cuango to its embouchure in the Zaire, and making a
complete survey of the river. The conveyance of his
baggage and boat had given the illustrious traveller no
little trouble owing to the want of capable carriers and
men who were willing to render him any assistance. His
own determination had, however, carried him through,
and in the best possible spirits he was disposed to seek
Fortune's favours.
Having in few words narrated to him some of the
difficulties we had encountered, and which Von Mechow
did not appear to appreciate to their full extent, and
referred to the Jinga, its inhabitants, our sufferings in the
interior from fever, thirst, and what not, we gave each
other a hearty shake by tbe hand and parted — he, fresh
for the fray; we retiring, full of wounds, but not
entirely defeated, from the field.
We next camped at Bungo and had another night of
fever. We found our elevation to be 915 feet, so that
we should very shortly reach the sea-level.
How great was the difference in the temperature, in
the pressure, and in the air we breathed ! The fresh
south-easter of the high table-land, which made the
vault of heaven clear as a bell, seemed to cut us through.
Now, there was a heavy, murky atmosphere announcing
the proximity of the ocean, by the accumulation of vapour
24
West and Central Africa.
along
the extensive
which the sea-breeze gathered
territory of the littoral.
Night fell, the mountains that surrounded us, and
that had passed through a variety of tints with declining
day, now wore another aspect beneath a moon in her
first quarter. We were ill at ease ; compelled to abstain
almost entirely from food owing to the state of the stomach
THE TIPOIA OF ANGOLA.
and mouth, whilst the fever was rampant in us. It was
the last time that, wrapped in our leopards' skins, we
slept after the manner of the woods and wilds ; for we
were on the threshold of civilization.
With the dawn of day we resumed our journey, but
this time we were compelled to have recourse to the
tqjola. Our track hugged the southern slope of the
In Sight of Dondo. 225
serra Luena, and ran over very broken ground, inter-
rupted by ravines ; small streams ran murmuring through
them on their tortuous way to the Cuanza, which in a
mountainous region tumbles near Cambambe in the shape
of the Cabulo cataract, the last obstacle it meets with in
its long and boisterous course ere reaching the ocean.
Resting for some minutes under the shade of one of
the baobabs, we cast a glance back upon those eastern
lands we were now leaving, and then once more took to
the road.
On quitting the wood we observed with some emotion
first one, then two, and subsequently many telegraphic
poles, the symbols of progress, whereby we were again
to be brought within the pale of civilization.
Passing the Pambos, a point where many roads meet,
and where a considerable number of natives were met
together in a permanent quitanda or fair, we sighted, at
half-past eleven, the silver line of the Cuanza, which
meandered through the extensive plateau and glistened
in the sun. It was the same river we had met with so
near its place of birth, at that time, narrow, compara-
tively sluggish, with sandy banks, and which, gradually
absorbing a host of minor streams as it ran on, now
appeared before us, so broad and so majestic.
Through the openings of the broken ground we caught
sight of the dull old town of Dondo, set in a thicket of
palms and cocoa-trees, and then we knew our mission
was at an end.
Finally, at mid -day, on the slope of a hill, we came to
a halt to receive and salute the European gentleman who
had there come out to meet us. It was Duarte Silva, an
officer of the Portuguese army, one of the distinguished
and indefatigable members of the important commission
sent by the Government to Africa, to carry out certain
Vi)L,. II. Q
226 West and Central Africa.
special public works, who had perceived us from his
villa, and hastened to bid us welcome.
The news of our arrival soon spread, and many other
friends and acquaintances were shortly about us, eager
with congratulations, invitations, and offers of service,
and with whom we subsequently passed many agreeable
hours.
Within a day or two of our settling down, the com-
mercial corporation of Dondo gave us a banquet, where
we had the pleasure to be presented to each individual
member of that body, who with great courtesy and kind-
ness showered us with favours and praise.
"We would fain, ere our return, have abandoned the
course of the Cuanza, and travelled northwards to the
valley of the Bengo, continuing our route subsequently
by land to the capital of the province. But, by the
advice of our friend, we gave up the project, seeing that
the state of our health was not such as to make it
prudent to attempt any fresh adventures — and deter-
mined to make the best of our way to the sea.1
1 During our voyage we made all the observations in our power
respecting the river.
The basin of the Cuanza is an immense plain of loose and muddy
soil, formed by the action of the waters, of extreme fertility, whose
power of producing sugar-cane, owing to that cause and to the amount of
disposable labour, would be almost unlimitable if the difficulty of the
pestilent climate could only be got over.
The whole of the region is intersected by watercourses, and abounds
with lakes, which, from their position, do not allow any effective drain-
age, and therefore help to form permanent marshes.
The traveller therefore who traverses the river's banks, finds that
after the efforts of years but one plantation, at the spot known as Bom
Jesus, and a couple of dozen paltry senzalas, where the natives are con-
stantly struggling against the influence of the climate, have survived the
ordeal.
The Cuanza is so important a highway into the interior that it
ought under no circumstances to be disregarded, as we are under the
Embarked. 227
On the 11th of October, therefore, we embarked on
board the steamer Silua Americano, on the route to
Cunga, and we take this opportunity of thanking her
commander, Antonio de Sousa, for the consideration and
kindness he showed us on the voyage.
From Cunga, a larger steamer conveyed us to Loanda,2
at which port we arrived on the 13th of October, 1879,
and where we met, at the hands of H.E. Counsellor
Vasco Guedes de Carvalho eMenezes, the then Governor-
General, the most friendly reception and the most
delicate attentions.
impression that with very modest resources and by means of a careful
survey of its waters, it might at all seasons be made perfectly naviga-
ble by steamers of the draught and tonnage of the Silva Americano.
At four or five points it is at the present time more or less impeded ;
but if these places can be got over by the natives by floating their
canoes through side channels, it is clear that the work of drainage must
be of the simplest kind, since a man with a shovel is capable alone of
removing in great part the obstacles presented.
The bar ought certainly to be made the subject of a speedy and
special survey, for should it be much longer delayed, the difficulty
that may now be surmounted, may become in future all but impossible
to vanquish.
2 The city of St. Paul da Assumpcao de Loanda, built on the northern
slope of the high land which terminates at the sea by Mount St.
Miguel, is composed of one high and another lower portion, bearing
respectively the names of upper and lower town.
The native quarters are at the back of the city, as for instance the
Sanga-n'dombe and N'gombota, and there are numerous farms which
are styled musseques.
The internal population does not exceed 9000 souls, divided into
3500 male adults and 3000 women; of children there are 1200 males
aud 1300 females.
The European population represents at most 1100, whereof two-
thirds are convicts.
The musseques contain 2000 inhabitants, and the suburbs and
island 2350 ; so that the gross population amounts to some 13,350,
all told.
Q 2
2& West and Central Africa.
Our journey, therefore, from the capital until our
return to the coast, had lasted exactly 729 days !
At Loanda we were received, with the whole of our
caravan, in the house of Sr. Manuel Raphael Gorjao?
In spec tor- General of the public w^orks of Angola, of
whose noble hospitality we cannot say too much. To
the efforts and activity of that gentleman are due all the
improvements that the province at this time enjoys,
improvements which reveal the broad intelligence of that
able official, who, estimating with a just sense the neces-
sities of the country, has succeeded, by dint of hard
labour, in securing to the province, within the short
space of three years, an extensive telegraphic line, an
ample establishment admirably mounted, a hospital,
meteorological stations, and a technical school; has
definitely surveyed a line of railway over a space of 156
miles, and opened into the interior a considerable
number of roads, among which we may mention that of
Cacuaco, another from Dondo to Caculo, a surprising
piece of engineering, and another again to Biballa.
Many pleasant days were passed in his residence,
marked by a genial conviviality that we shall not readily
forget.
A banquet was also given to us by the Trade Asso-
ciation of Loanda, at which H.E. the Governor and the
entire commercial body were present, and where we
were flattered by further commendations of our toils and
fatigues.
We must not forget in the enumeration of persons
from whom we received untiring attention, our excellent
friends, Jose Bernardino, the then Secretary-General
Joaquim Salles Ferreira, Francisco Salles Ferreira,
Guilherme Gomes Coelho, Miguel Tobin, the worthy
representative of the Banco Ultramarine, Jose Maria do
Friendly Meetings. 229
Prado, J. Newton, Dr. OKveira, Dr. Lopes, Miranda
Henriques, Urbano de Castro, and many others.
Having deeided upon making a trip to Mossamedes,
where a more genial climate would assist us in the task
of arranging our notes and re-establishing our health,
we started with the least possible delay on board the
steamer Zaire, commanded by Pedro de Almeida Tito,
who received us with the same kindness as heretofore.
On the very eve of our departure, we were delighted
at the appearance of our old friend Avelino Fernandes,
with whom Stanley, Serpa Pinto, and ourselves, passed
such a pleasant time prior to setting out upon our journey.
He was a charming young fellow, full of life, intelligence,
and high spirits, and greatly inclined to works of explor-
ation. He had been, it appears, most active on our
behalf, and learning that we were beset with difficulties
in the interior, he had actually formed a plan of starting
to our assistance, and was only deterred on more favour-
able news coming to hand. He had that moment
arrived from Vivi, where he had been with Stanley,
admiring the herculean work undertaken by that man of
iron temperament, and had started off at once to see us
on hearing of our return.
We spent a couple of months at Mossamedes in
company of the intelligent band of young men who were
at that time fulfilling important offices in connexion with
the public works, and from whom we received so many
proofs of friendship that it would be impossible to find
words wherewith to thank them.
A\re now began to breathe more freely. The splendid
climate of Mossamedes, the succulent food, prepared in
the European fashion, soon restored our exhausted
frame, which regular and moderate work considerably
assisted.
23°
West and Central Africa.
It was now time, we thought, to turn our steps home-
wards, and towards the end of January, having taken
our last farewells, we repaired on board the steamer
Benguella, under the command of our esteemed friend,
Captain Jose Roberto Franco.
We have thus laid before our readers the particulars
of the two years' campaign in Africa we had the
honour to direct, and we trust they will pardon our
boldness in having done so under the exaggerated form
of two volumes in octavo. We ought perhaps here, pro-
perly, to bring our long story to a close, but loth to part
company with those whose indulgence has led them
thus far, we venture to add a few more words in the
shape of a conclusion.
THE VOYAGE HOME.
CONCLUSION.
We deem it advisable, by way of conclusion to the
present work, to exhibit in the shape of a summary the
most important particulars of our surveys and experience,
believing that they will be more useful in that form to
persons whom they interest than if found scattered
through the volumes. As, however, the limits imposed
to the work and a just apprehension of becoming tedious
will not permit of too great prolixity, we will touch as
lightly upon the chief topics as a clear intelligence of
facts will allow.
Beginning with the subject of geology we may remark
that the physical configuration of the African continent,
and more especially of the portion south of the equator, is
nowadays too well known to require minute description.
]t may be summed up in these few words: a depressed
central basin surrounded by a vast circle of high land,
gradually descending to the sea, and rent by deep
ravines, through wdiich rush huge watercourses, en-
gendered in the interior, till they overflow and seek the
lower level fronting the ocean.
From a very general geological point of view we may
define the regions running from the littoral to the interior
in the following order, viz., lime-stone, sand-stone, and
granite. But on going more minutely into the subject,
wTe shall find that these distinctions are not very exact ; in-
asmuch as the component parts frequently run into each
232 West and Central Africa.
other and change places, while precise lines of demarca-
tion are wanting.
The geological formation on the western coast at the
points observed by ns between Loanda and Mossamedes,
and even fnrther to the north, exhibits generally near
the sea a belt of tertiary deposits, with abundant masses
of sulphate of lime and sand- stone, from which they are
separated by beds of white chalk alternating with primary
rocks, for the most part gneiss, abounding in quartz,
mica, hornblende, granite, and granulated porphyry.
Towards the south, large tracts of feldspar become
visible.
At Mossamedes, whole mountains are composed of
sulphate of lime ; while carbonate of lime, accumulated
in shells, is very frequent. Both rock salt and nitrate
of potash are found in stratification.
Along the Mocambe chain, we were informed, there
exists a basaltic line of great length. From that point
the shifting soil may be said to commence, extremely
abundant in sand, constituting true saharas, as in the
parallel of Tiger Bay.
In the transition from the lower zone towards the
interior, for instance at Dondo, vast tracts of schist
rock, in perfect laminae, compose the soil; and sand-
stone, reddened by oxyde of iron, is visible in every
direction. Proceeding further into the interior we find,
in a perfectly mountainous region, the ground to be com-
posed of granite-quartzy rock, extremely hard and
compact ; this is the case throughout the belt crossed
on the way and up to Pungo N'Dongo, the surface
soil being formed by the disintegration of the granite
itself.
These geological characteristics will naturally be
repeated to the south and north in identical parallel
Conclusion. 233
regions, with variations in the high table-land, where
we meet occasionally with hard and tough red sand-
tone, and rocks of feldspar, as in the basin of the
Lucalla.
Our information respecting mines is of a varied
character. In the earlier portion of our work we made
reference to them in connexion with the Dombe.
Southwards, at Mossamedes, we found carbonate and
sulphate of copper in small quantity in the layers of
chalk, to which they impart a green colour. We have
reason to believe from what was told us that asphalt also
exists there, and that coal is obtainable in the Dondo,
and at Oeiras in the north ; still, as some kind of bitu-
men might have been mistaken for the genuine article,
we will not guarantee the correctness of the assertion.
Little can be said on the score of the precious metals.
Mica appears in the interior to have deluded many into
the belief that they possessed the secret of a silver-mine.
Thus, for instance, the natives referred to one existing on
the left bank of the Lucalla, near the Banza Dalango,
which people from Malange had endeavoured to visit.
In the Jinga silver appears to be abundant. It has
been stated also that indications of this metal have been
observed near Cambambe ; but to none of these reports
could we apply the test of proof.
We can, however, say with absolute certainty that
iron and copper are to be found all over the continent ;
the first of good quality, and the latter not inferior to
the American. This the natives make use of, and speak
of the mines at Catanga and Garanganja in high terms
of praise.
The three zones or belts to which we are now referring,
are very unequally provided with trees, and may be
classified as follows : the mangrove, the baobab, and the
234 West and Central Africa.
acacia ; the last belonging to the interior, is gene-
rally considered the most salubrious, and where it
grows the marshy influence is less sensibly felt, and the
European consequently beneath its shade finds greater
security.
Almost all travellers speak with favour of the superi-
ority of the mountainous zone. The great watercourses
which furrow it, flowing rapidly from their spring-heads
to precipitate themselves into the region below, do not
anywhere stagnate or spread over the neighbouring lands,
so that, except in rare instances, marshes are unknown.
In this vast tract of country the ground rises to a con-
siderable height, under parallel 11°, and thence gradually
descends either to the north or south. It is a true rib
which crosses the continent from east to west, and con-
stitutes the divisional line of the waters of the two great
rivers, the Zambese, and the Congo-Zaire ; and it is in
our opinion the most fitting place of residence for Euro-
peans south of the equator, that is to say between it and
the tropic ; which is proved not only by the distribution
of plants but by the people who inhabit it.
A fact worthy of special note on this subject is, that
whether we regard them from a physical or intellectual
point of view, the tribes appear distributed in a gradually
descending scale north, south, and west, towards the
coast. If, for instance, we take the G-anguellas and the
Ma-quioco as the starting-point for this simile, we shall
find that the peoples as they approximate to the sea,
such as the Ba-cuisso and Ba-cuando, are relatively
inferior to those of the higher regions. If, on the other
hand, we travel northwards, we shall observe in the
Jinga, the Ma-hungo and the Ma-yacca the same
sensible difference. And an identical rule holds good if
we turn our steps southwards, inasmuch as the Hotten-
Conclusion. 235
tots and Bet j nans are held to be the very lowest types
of the negro race.
It does not appear to us easy to find an explanation
of this phenomenon. The altitude and nature of the
soil have, of course, much to do with it, but we fancy
that the special influence lies in their distance from the
commercial centres, which compels them to become
travellers. The tribes that at the present clay occupy
the countries of the great continent we traversed, appear
for the most part to have derived their origin from re-
mote quarters and different sources, the types becoming
accentuated, later on, through purely local circumstances.
If, for the time being, we set aside the peoples of the
sea-coast, we shall observe in the men of the interior,
Biheno, Ganguella, Quioco, &c, certain general features
which may be roughly delineated as follows : a well-
developed frame, prominent bones, powerful muscles,
more especially in the upper part of the body, a pro-
nounced curvature of the vertebral column, imme-
diately above the pelvis, dolichocephalus skull, flat at
the sides, forehead arched, teeth oblique, more in the
upper jaw, the colour of the skin varying from black to
dark bronze.
In the north the type appeared to us to differ consider-
ably from that above defined, generally of a jet black
colour, the natives of those regions and the Jingas more
especially have not the same physical development as the
eastern tribes ; tliej are more slender, and there is a less
pronounced obtrusion of the upper jaw, bringing the
facial angle nearer to 75°.
With little activity and love of investigation, the
Jingas, through having lived near the sea, and finding
great part of their necessities F.upplied without labour,
appear to have acquired a nature in harmony with their
236 West and Central Africa,
position, and show no inclination for long journeys or
large operations.
Bearing in mind the foregoing circumstances and the
fact of the people in the south-east, principally, referring
in their legends to a migration from the north, we are com-
pelled to admit that at remote periods Central Africa was
the field of a great evolution, wherein the countries under
review were invaded. As, however (to repeat what we have
before hinted), on the arrival of the Cassange tribes, the
Jingas were established on the littoral, it must at once be
inferred that the latter (Muco-N'gola or Mona-N'gola)
invaded Angola, establishing the seat of their govern-
ment at Loanda,1 long before the time that the Tembos
dreamed of directing their steps thither.
To this fact must be added another very remarkable
one. The Jingas assert that they subjugated the Congo
when 'they settled down in the country. If this be the
case a kingdom of the Congo must have been already in
existence.2
1 Loanda or Lu-anda signifies no doubt "a lower part," this desig-
nation having been adopted because at the outset the Court of Angola
(N'gola) was at Quiassamba on the sandy island which lies opposite the
higher land where, at the present day, exists the city of St. Paulo.
Its long shape might perhaps have given rise to the name of Dong 0
(a native boat), which the monarch s of N'gola subsequently retained
for the district wherein they almost always reside.
In Pedras Negras this term is met with as designating the royal
dwellings, and at the present time in the Jinga the site occupied by the
king is still the district of the Dongo.
2 Bastian informs us that " prior to the formation of the kingdom of
the Congo the banks of the Zaire were peopled by independent tribes of
the Ba-t'cheno (?) or Ma-tfcheno (?) conquered and united by a chief
named Nimia Lit co-em (?) the first king of that country, 'who erected
the Banza-\Sb-C ongo " (Ainbassi), but this is an incorrect designation, as
is properly observed by the estimable secretary of the Geographical
Society, and eminent publicist Sr. Luciano Cordeiro, in his " Hydro-
graphy of Africa ," as it comes from M'baje-ia-mucanu.
Conclusion* 237
We thus obtain three distinct invasions, which may be
styled that of the Congos, that of the Bondos (compris-
ing all those who speak the Biinda language), issuing
probably from the Yacca or more to the eastward, and
that of the Tembos, comprising the Ban-gala, Ma-quioco,
Ma-songo, perhaps the bin-bundo, drawn from the region
of the lakes, designated" Nano," on the coast. We may
assign as the date of this last invasion the 16th century;
the others being of an earlier period.
The Bondos being established as we have described,
it is natural that from their position on the ocean, where
they were engaged in fishing, they should have extended
further down the coast, in the direction of Benguella and
Mossamedes, with a view to enlarging the area of their
piscatory excursions.
But among the tribes that are now collected there,
fresh variations appear, which plunge the observer into
serious difficulties. The Ba-cuisso, Ba-cuando and
Are the Ma-fcheno then the aborigines of that part ? That is the
question.
The word Luco-em is likewise a strange one ; when analyzed we find
the first part almost always bestowed npm special individuals, such as
in the Lunda, the celebrated woman of whom we have made mention
as Luco-quessa, and the Maskers of the woods, Luco-iche which we have
written Muquiche and others.
A constant comparison of these peculiar terms is extremely advisable,
in order if possible to obtain the thread which can guide us through
our labyrinth.
In the case above alluded to Luco-em must have been the first
who was entitled Muene Congo, which, through corruption, became
at a later period, Mani-Congo.
And if Congo in the language of Angola signifies debtor or tributary,
and iche or xi expresses property, we shall obtain a confirmation of the
fact that the congos were tributaries of Angola, and therefore even at the
present day the monarch of the last-mentioned territory is designated
Muen-iche or owner of the land.
J
8 West and Central Africa.
Ba-ximba,have a perfectly different aspect, approximating
in character to that of the Hottentot. The trapezoidal
conformation of face, the prominence of the zygomatic
brow, and the angularity of form, all point to the influence
of the southern people on the inhabitants of this territory,
so as to induce the belief that they are a mixture of
Bondos and the southern tribes.
To sum up, therefore, we shall have, for the numerous
tribes now coming under the denomination (not a very
correct one) of negroes, between Senegal and the south,
the following divisions, —
In the north the tribes of the Ogowai basin, the Ba-
congo, of whose settlement we can say but little, and
who probably are connected with the peoples belonging
to the basin of the Niger.
Then come the Ban-bondo who occupy the kingdom
of Angola, and who have migrated from the north-north-
east, possibly from the Upper Zaire, where, at the pre-
sent day, we meet with the Ma-yacca, Ma-cundi, &c.3
3 It does not appear to us that the Ma-yacca were totally unknown in
Europe.
In the Annual Report of the Jesuits (Guinea) of 1602-1605, we read,
" The invaders who, during the first half of the sixteenth century in-
fested the territory of the west, styled themselves Yaccas in the Congo,
Jingas in Angola., Gallas in Ethiopia, and Sumbas in Guinea."
We must, therefore, infer from this that there was already a notion of
the inhabitants of Yacca, and consequently our idea of supposing
them to be the ancestors of the Bondos or Bundas, that is to say from
their using the Bunda, Qui-n'bunda or Lu-rfbunda language, a designa-
tion whereby we must after all distinguish the whole of the dialects of
the territory of Angola and in a certain way connecting them with the
Accas, has some show of reason on its side. By attentively following
the studies of Schweinfurt (a veritable master upon such subjects) we
have been induced to assimilate the Ban-bondo to the Niam-niam. in
physical conformation and disposition, colour, &c , so that we have be-
come all but convinced of the relationship existing between these
peoples, otherwise so distinct.
Conclusion. 239
These again are followed by the tribes of the Ma-
quioco, Ban-gala, Ma-songo, and perhaps the Ganguella,
whom we will comprise under the name of Ba-lunda,
since they themselves claim such origin (known, as we
have mentioned, as Ba-nano), and who reside in the
countries we have already indicated.
Finally, on the south- south-west, and part of the sea-
coast, all those tribes whom we include under the desig-
nation of N'hembas, Ban-cumbi, Ban-ximba, Ba-cuisso,
Ba-cuando, &c.4
The foregoing is our opinion upon the subject, which
has no pretension to be a profound study of the ethno-
logical connexion of the tribes of Central and West
Africa ; it is a theory submitted with all due deference,
and which can be set aside or modified by those who
bring more knowledge and experience to bear upon the
subject than we can lay claim to.
Having thus described the tribes of this part of Africa
in a general and cursory review, we will now enter a
little more into detail, so as to bring them as closely as
possible within the knowledge of our readers. And to
begin, we will remark that the life of the African is
simple and primitive, and his social condition, very
gross.
Of a thousand senzalas, or thereabouts, we visited,
we found almost the same identical features in the con-
4 The Ba-nhaneca and the Ban-cumbi occupy approximately the re-
gion comprised between the river Cuneneand the slopes of the plateau to
the west.
On the south they are bounded by the Ban-ximba ; on the east by the
Ban-cutuba (N'hembas people) on the west by the Ba-cuisso (nomads)
and the Ba-cubale ; and on the north by the whole of the tribes which
we indicate by the name of Ba-nano.
Catuba appears to refer to the special arrangement of the waist-
cloths pendent from the girdle.
240 West and Central Africa.
struction of the- dwellings : the same mode of roofing,
covering, and arranging them. Either stakes or canes
driven firmly into the gronnd, the interstices filled in with
grass or clay — sometimes both — a thatched roof, with
two or three inner divisions, presenting, as a whole, some
a conical shape, others a regular square pyramid, and
others again a long ellipsis.
The house is, for the most part, the property of one
only. The chief almost always relegates the huts of all
the inhabitants of the village to a station behind his
own dwelling, and surrounds the whole with a palisade,
or occasionally leaves it completely open. Within a
short distance, the villagers have their fields and planta-
tions, whence they derive their daily bread, and fre-
quently about the palisade such plants as bananas,
stramonium, and others, are encouraged to grow.
Their laws and the organization of their states always
present a difficult problem, upon which we shall only
lightly touch.
Emigration, conflicts, and instability of living being
constant, social order varies according to circumstances ;
the connexions of to-day are altered to-morrow, the
chief of yesterday yields to the conqueror of to-day,
so that we fancied we frequently discovered in one and
the same people different organic principles.
As to the rest, the elements of their legislation (if we
may use such a term) do not appear to have been based
on the organic principle of the family, or if they were
we believe that they were not adapted, properly speak-
ing, to an isolated family but to a group of many. It
was not the Patriarch who, laying down rules for
his children, created the first element of law, but the
chief who, taking measures for defence, or conquering in
turn, established certain precedents which he inrposed
Conclusion. 241
upon those he deemed his vassals. For this reason, in
the states of West Africa, the will of the chief rules
supreme, he being the principal creator of the law which
is, in consequence, as variable as that will.
It will be inferred from this that personal liberty is
purely problematical in that part of the world ; none is
less free than the savage whose daily life is regulated by
the strangest dispositions and privileges which the chief
dictates and imposes, but never allows to be called in
question. Absolute and supreme law dwells in the ruler
or chief of his village ; and to him therefore belongs the
judicial and administrative power which he alters at his
good pleasure, listening at most to the opinion of certain
of his principal vassals (macotas), who generally seek to
learn the tendencies of the monarch in order to support
them. And thus, the settlement of all disputes con-
cerning the division of land (the source of the primitive
legislation of Europe for the security of property) apper-
tains to him only, so that jurisprudence is reduced to
this — the chief's word and passive obedience.
Social order and the observance of determined precepts
depend so much upon the will of the chief, that disorgan-
ization almost inevitably ensues at his death. Directly a
district loses its head, the people, left to themselves, at
once step over the barriers by which they were confined.
Confusion, controversy, and tumult, are the result of
such a position, which the consciousness of unexpected
liberty increases even more. The strong oppress the
weak, commit extortions, attack property, pilfer right
and left, till complete anarchy ensues — a state of things
which many do their best to prolong ; and it is only
through the predominance of some strong will — some
bolder and more ambitious spirit among them — that they
are prevailed once again to assume a semblance of order.
vol. 11. 11
242 West and Centra I Africa .
We never met with one single law touching upon
political prerogatives, or the most elementary notion of
an assembly ; not even the elective right (put in force
on the occasion of a ruler's death) is perfectly regulated,
but is subject to circumstances such as we have de-
scribed when speaking of the Ban-gala, among whom
at the present time a Jagg a cannot be elected because
one of the pretenders to the dignity has abstracted the
case containing the insignia of command.
Certain rules and usages are observed, it is true, but
what is a remarkable fact, instead of respecting the
private interest of each individual, or the common good,
they turn, for the most part, upon matters of pure cere-
monial, and to follies of this kind the officials devote
themselves with an amount of seriousness that it is
difficult to conceive. Salutations, the formalities at-
tending receptions, visits to the chief, and such puerilities,
appear exclusively to occupy their minds, and for the
regulations of which special rules are drawn up and
adopted. On the other hand, the inheritance of a son,
the right to bequeath property, the possession of a wife,
are matters that are left to govern themselves, and
remain, of course, at the mercy of the purest accident.
Even their relations with strangers are dictated by
circumstances, and it is only in extraordinary cases that
one can suspect that such a thing as a law exists (and
what a law it is when discovered !). For instance : should
a white man come into a place, take food and not pay
for it, or pay what is deemed too little, the first passer-
by, however innocent, will have to pay for him !
As the customs among Africans 5 are regulated by
precedent (to which time gives all its force), it is natural
to suppose that some rudiments of law must have been
5 We, of course, refer to those with whom we had dealings.
Conclusion. 243
engendered, but it is an unquestionable fact that the
progress of the natives has been simply nil, influenced
doubtless by the imperfect or unknown organization of
the family.
With respect to religious matters we have, on a former
occasion, viz., in Chapter IV., of the first volume, made
mention of what we deemed to be the views of the
savages on the great continent, restricted to fetishes
involving terror, and false or no notions concerning the
Divinity. We will therefore merely add the following : —
Not considering fetishism as a form of religion, and
in the absence of such worship as is bestowed upon
material substances, we persist in maintaining that the
negro possesses none. It must not, however, be as-
sumed that we dispute the existence of religion among
the African natives, merely from the simple fact of our
not assimilating that which we saw there to what we
ourselves know upon the subject ; but because not a
single evidence or act hinted to us in any manner what-
soever a tendency that way.
If, however, to constitute a theogony it is sufficient to
have the simplest sentiment of fear (thus implicating in
a certain indirect way the consciousness that man enter-
tains of something superior to himself), then we believe
all humanity has a religion. This, however, is not the
fact, as Sir John Lubbock very justly observes, for " we
cannot admit as proof of the existence of religion the
fear of a child in the dark," to which we will add, or the
terror of a man who, in the obscurity of night ap-
proaches the graves of his fellows.
By the acquisition of a fetish, the negro supposes that
he possesses a resource, but to which he attaches no
particular notion, and from which, at most, he derives
the satisfaction of possessing an object having a pre-
e 2
244 West and Central Africa.
servative influence against some unforeseen evil. The
said object, in fact, does not imply the idea of any con-
nexion with a superior Being, whose good graces the
fetish might have the power to attain, but a mere mate-
rial means, invested with formula more or less magical,
to counterbalance actions in struggling with Avhich he
might, if unaided, prove impotent. It is concentrated
magic, the complete reverse of religion.
And not only does religion not exist, but we have
arrived at the conviction that the sentiments which its
influence awakens and fortifies, are extremely rare. For
is not religion — apart from the fact of putting man in re-
lation with the Divinity — the true moral law, the cardinal
point whereby conscience begins to steer ii>s course
along the tracks of good and of evil, a perfect scale
whereon are marked the sentiments, as they grow in the
just measure of man's progress therein ?
Be tins as it may, we feel perfectly satisfied that
those idyllic tales of certain travellers who conceived
natives possessed of refined sentiments, and who have
put on record how a mu-rotze or young girl refused in
marriage a man whom she did not love, had no founda-
tion out of their own lively, creative fancy.
Let us consider for a moment whether the negress
does or can love in the lofty sense of that word. If
she loved — if she had the consciousness of that sublime
sentiment which opens to us on earth the gates of
heaven-— she would manifest it in her actions, and by its
aid attain to some belief, some religious faith, inasmuch
as her very felicity would help her to comprehend that
there must be something better and purer above this
material mundane life. But who is capable of inspiring
her with such a feeling in the brutalized state of slavery
in which she lives ? Her husband ! Most certainly
not. He simply encircles her with an iron girdle of obli-
Conclusion. 245
gations and despicable labour, compels her to live in the
dirt, like his dog, and toil and travail for his pleasure : she,
on her part, dares not touch or even look at him without
permission ; she may not eat at the same table, far less
from the same dish as he, and must not accept liquor from
his hand. In a word, the wretched wife is compelled to
absent herself from the conjugal roof at determinate
periods of each month ; and at the sublimest moments
of her existence, that is to say, when she is about to
become a mother, she must remove far away, and give
birth to her offspring as remote as possible from the
man out of whom some of these self-same travellers
have tried to make a tender and feeling husband after
the fashion of Europe. Triply bound down, therefore,
as she is, to materialism, how is it to be supposed
that she can soar to the transcendental regions of
ideality ?
On these and other grounds, therefore, we retain our
conviction, that every attempt to attribute to the negro
a notion concerning the Creator, modelled after the
manner of our own conceptions on the subject, is illu-
sory; for the negro has no such notion. The very
puppets he makes, wherein many persons pretend to
discover an idol which, modified and developed, might
signify the idea of the Supreme, never go beyond fetishes
— things not to be confounded with the idol — inasmuch
as the idol is adored, it personifies, so to speak, a principle,
and has — if we may venture to say so — a direct action
which is implored ; whilst the fetish, on the contrary,
possesses nothing of the sort, or at least must be con-
sidered perfectly passive.
Many authors, nevertheless, maintain that it is so,
and among them our illustrious compatriot, Sr. A. F.
Nogueira, who in his fine work entitled A raga negro,
" The Negro Race," observes that the Ba-nhaneca
246 West and Central Africa.
and Ban-cumbi designate by the name of Huco or Suco,
according to the dialects, an invisible God, who sees,
hears, and knows, what they think and say.
With all respect for the authoritative opinion of that
gentleman, we venture to submit that such an idea is
due simply to the contact of civilization, and which, to a
certain extent, he demonstrates in the following period :
" They yield to him no worship or adoration whatso-
ever, but "
If we admit with Sir John Lubbock that fetishism
allows of no temples or idols — and in our humble opinion
no worship either — let us examine the first step taken
on the road to religion and we shall see in totemism the
commencement of adoration, which shamanism developes
by ecstasies, and idolatry completes by a worship. Hence-
forth, all religious progresses up to the superior formulas
have these manifestations inherent in them. How is it
possible then that the Ban-cumbi, who have so transcendent
an idea of the Supreme Being, to all appearance, indeed,
absolutely formulated on our own, should omit to wor-
ship him, when they have attained to so high a degree of
perfectibility touching the idea of the supernatural ? For
a very simple reason; that such an idea does not belong
to them, but has been plagiarized and ingrafted on an
ill-prepared stock, and is consequently worthless. They
have heard speak of something which they had a difficulty
in comprehending, and gave to it a name, just as they
have bestowed upon the sea the title of calunga or lung a,
(long) of whose length they had no notion, and precisely
as the Ma-quioco had their N'gana N'zambi,6 of which
they knew just as little.
6 It must always be borne in mind that N'zambi or N'zamba in Lun'-
bundo signifies an elephant, and therefore the object of such a designa-
tion would appear to be to impart an idea* of greatness, a quality im-
Conclusion. 247
The negro is very far removed from this superior
state, and it will be a difficult task to detach him from
the brutal superstitions which generally torment him
and any circumstance aggravates — such as night, for
example, when the imagination, more accessible to ter-
rors, magnifies the ideas of the day. As to the creation
and prayers he is a total stranger, even the principle of
good and evil requires among many tribes attentive
study ere we can definitely establish it. Nor should
the assertion excite surprise, inasmuch as an acquaintance
therewith involves the notions of justice and injustice,
and therefore of conscience.
With respect to the latter we agree, if not entirely, at
least very nearly, with Captain Burton who, speaking of
East Africa, says, —
" Conscience does not exist .... and repentance
expresses regret for missed opportunities of mortal
crime. Robbery constitutes an honourable man : mur-
der— the more atrocious the midnight crime the better
— makes the hero."
On the West Coast this is far from being strictly
true, nor do we wish to insinuate that the African
has a decided propensity for crime, as we have men-
tioned in the early pages of this volume, but after com-
mitting it he does not feel what we call repentance
because, as it would appear, he is ignorant of the iniquity
of his act.
The moral sentiment among the natives is at present
in embryo, which may be gathered from the facility
whereby crime is commuted by a money payment.
Among; almost all the tribes with which we came into
contact, the assassin who had property might condone his
pressed upon them, and which they have expressed by the term appro-
priated to that animal, the largest that they knew.
248 West and Central Africa.
crime by indemnifying the family of his victim with a
certain sum, and would thenceforth be free to repeat the
offence.
Another circumstance which proves the unconscious-
ness of evil-doing, is the unconcern wherewith a native
in obedience to orders will commit a wicked act. Thus
we have seen a negro, when commanded by his chief,
perpetrate one, two, or three murders (as for instance
the Muene Gutapa in the Lunda) with the utmost in-
difference and without any evidence of remorse. It is a
mere question of education.
We shall not feel surprised if these lines should fall
like a bombshell upon the conviction of many notable
thinkers upon this subject. We grieve as we set down
the fact, but although we respect the opinions of others,
we think it only right, and in accordance with our duty,
to give the results of our own observation, which, after
all, many may perhaps repute to be false. And we
deem it advisable again to mention, that our remarks
refer to the peoples of the interior who are far removed
from European contact, such as the Ma-coco, Ma-yacca,
and Ma-hungo; and not to the tribes on the littoral,
whence, we fancy, travellers have taken back to Europe
particulars of not too veracious a character.
Turning now to the question of language we must
admit at the very outset that it is so vague and obscure
that we hardly know how to tackle it. Both the ethno-
logy and language of Africa constitute studies, that are,
so to speak, unknown, and the pronouncing any opinion
upon them entails the risk of setting out with a blunder.
Confining ourselves, therefore, to a rough sketch, and in
order to give our readers a just idea of the alarm which
an incursion into such a dominion may reasonably inspire,
we append a list of a few of the tongues spoken on the
Conclusion. 249
great continent to the south of the Equator, beginning
to the north of the Zaire.
We there find the Ashantee, Dahomey, Joruba, Benga,
Ueta, Onfue, Onglo, Fanti, Insubu, Dualla, Diquele, Nupe,
Ibo, Efique, Maxi, Eve, Otji, Acra, Baza, Cru, Crebo,
Yei, Susu, and Maude of the Ma-n'dinga, Timne, &c, &c.
In the Gaboon territory, there are the M'pongue aud
the Ocancle, together with the Fiote to the south in the
Luano-o and Cacono'o.
On the banks of the Zaire we come upon the Lu-congo,
and in the south the Lu-n'bundo or Qui-n'bundo, the Lu-
herero, the Qui-cobale, Lu-camba, Lun-cumbi, Lu-
nhaneca, and the Lun-gambue, spoken on the banks of
the Cunene, Ovampo, &c. Then on the west coast, down-
wards, we have the Nama and Cora (Hottentot dialects),
the language of the Bosjemans, which towards the east be-
comes transformed into the Osu, Tonga, Zulu, Tebele,
Batosleta, Sechuana, with their dialects the Serolong,
Sesuto, and Sechlapi, which further on give place to the
Tequezo and Kaffir between Zululand and the Zambese,
and finally, the Ma-cua and the idioms of Tete and
Senna.
North of the Nyassa appear the well-known Qui-suaheli,
Qui-niamezi, Qui-nica, together with the Qui-camba,
Qui-iao, Qui-cuio, and many others.
This startling list shows how hard a nut the subject
is to crack ; and we, with our limited knowledge, know not
too well how to go about it. Nevertheless, we venture
to put forward a few considerations.
The circumstance which most tends to engender the
variableness of a language is no doubt that of its not
being a written tongue. The least modulation or change
in tone may effect great modifications of words, and as a
consequence favour their corruption. An alteration in the
250 West and Central Africa.
habits of a tribe will suffice, in our opinion, to introduce
a change. A migration from a flat to a mountainous
country, for instance, would induce individuals who, up
to that time, through living in the valley, took no note
of distance and had no occasion to raise the voice, to
lengthen the sound of certain syllables, singing their
phrases, so to speak, in order to be heard from one
height to another, without the labour of drawing nearer.
Again, the dwelling near great watercourses, cataracts,
&c, would produce similar results, so that a language
that abounded in certain regions, in soft and flowing
terminations might, in another, end in hard finals. This
is the case with the languages of equatorial Africa; and
hence we believe we have the origin of that infinity of
dialects spoken by the southern tribes.
According to the able opinion of R. Hartmann there
exists incontestably an intimate connexion among all the
African tongues. Under shelter of the dictum of that
illustrious philologist, we likewise are free to declare that
with respect to those that are known to ourselves, a
similar relation exists, and that the Lu-lundo, Lun-
n'bundo, Lun-cumbi, Lu-nhaneca, Tebele, and Kaffir,
represent dialects of one and the same mother-tongue,
as may readily be ascertained by an examination of their
vocabularies. A simple examination of the numerals
among the different peoples of Southern Africa will
suffice to confirm this assertion, and if the reader will
only compare the lists of words we append to this work
with those supplied by Serpa Pinto and Cameron, he
will admit the truth of the remark.
If, for example, we take the particulars furnished by
the latter traveller we shall see that the Rua 7 dialect,
7 Styled Qui-rua, the syllable qui prefixed to the name of the district
referring to the language there spoken.
Conclusion. 251
although at first sight very different, expresses the
figure 4 by the term tudna; this, the Ban-cumbi make
cudna ; the Bin-bundo nana ; the Bau-bondo bicudna ;
the figure 5, styled by the first, tutaiio, becomes respec-
tively tdno and uitdno. The numeral 10 exhibits an
extraordinary similitude, the Qui-rua calling it di-cumi,
the Lun-cumbi designating it ecumi, the Quin-bundo Ji-
cumi, and the Lun-bundo cumi
This rapid analysis will suffice to make good the truth
of our assertion, which a comparison of the terms will
render more evident.
The African languages are generally poor, imperfect,
complicated by most varied signs, which of themselves
complete a phrase through the non-existence of correla-
tive ideas. Thus it happens that a speaker not to the
manner born, finds a want of many generic terms ; for
trees he discovers no other word than woods, and has
no equivalent whatsoever whereby to express certain
qualities. We have given one example of this in the
present volume, where the interpreter, halting upon a
corresponding word for loyal, substituted fat ! Words
representing abstract ideas are rare, and are generalized
by means of the infinitives, to have, to see, to run, &c.
Where sex is concerned they add to the designation the
word man or woman ; thus a cock and a hen in Quin-
bundo are respectively expressed by ossanja-olume and
ossanja-oecai, meaning a man-fowl and a woman-fowl.
From this peculiarity sprang those long-winded speeches
which tried our patience so severely, and the uncon-
scionable delay in replying to the simplest question.
One curious fact is worth noticing, namely that the
savages show little or no tendency to contradiction. We
do not say that among themselves, on their own ground,
they do not contradict each other, but thev never dis-
252 West and Central Africa.
played such, inclination towards ourselves. With us, it
was yes to everything, and it at last became so annoying
that we restricted as much as possible our inquiries ; for
it must be allowed that it is a little trying after building
up a fabric with an hour's careful labour to find the
whole edifice toppled over through your informants
answering affirmatively to questions of an exactly opposite
character to those whereby the building was in the first
instance constructed. We suppose that as the inquiries
in no way interested them they got bored, and answered
by that monosyllable, unless it were done out of a desire
to please or to mislead us.
All ideas respecting time, distance, number, and
quantity, are very confused in their minds, and occa-
sionally they take a form very puzzling to a European.
For instance, we once asked, —
" How long will it take to go from here to the point
where the Cuaugo enters the Zaire ? "
And the question, after an extensive preamble, brought
this reply, —
" You will have to wear out two pairs of sandals ? "
The same confusion was observable in many of our
transactions. On one occasion we purchased an ox for
fifty-four yards of cloth, and wanted to pay for it in
pieces of stuff in this way, —
1 entire 18 yards.
1 broken 15 „
1 broken 16 „
An additional 5 yards . . 5 „
Total 54 yards.
This arrangement, however, would not suit them at
all; they insisted that the whole lot should consist of
cuttings of nine yards each (half -pieces) the sum there-
fore made up as follows, —
Conclusion. 2^x
Complete . .9 + 0
Broken . . . 9 + G + 3
Broken . . . 9 + 7 + 2
27 + 22 + 5 = 54
We have already pointed out that in the dialects that
were known to us, the singular and plural were formed
by proper prefixes, that for the human race they were
put before the name of the territory, viz., mu or mun in
the singular ; ba, bin or ban in the plural ; and for inani-
mate objects, qui or Vchi in the singular, and ma or man
in the plural.
The prefix t'chi may also be used; and it forms its
plural in bi, if applied to appellatives, thus, we should
say-
leaf, t'chi-sa/pa — leaves, bi-safa.
white-man, tf chin-delle — white-men bin-delle.
In the Lund a language many appellatives form their
singular in run and their plural in a, as for instance, —
woman, mu-caje — women, a-caje ;
and even in the Lu-lunda we find the respective forma-
tions of e and mu ; for example, —
friend, e-camha — friends, mu-camba.
There are many substantives among the Lu-nano dia-
lects which have another form of plural, for instance, —
wolf, iibungo — wolves, djin-bungo.
crocodile, n* 'gando — crocodiles, djin-gando.
pig, n'gulo — pigs, djin-gido.
bee, nmique — bees, dji-n'hique.
Then there is the particle no, forming the radical of
people, with ba as designative ; lu expresses tongue, and
tu meat.
The prefix ca, frequently met with, appears to be used
in the sense of diminishing or making lower; and there-
254 West and Central Africa.
fore the Ban-gala, wishing to cast a slur on us, said in
lieu of Muene-puto, Oa-puto ; and the Muata-Yanvo, when
speaking of a Lunda tribe he has subjected, will style
them Ga-lunda.
We cannot within the limits of this work dilate at
greater length upon the subject of language, the study
of which, as yet exceedingly backward, requires very per-
sistent labour ; the hints we have thrown out may,
however, be of some service to those who have resolved
to make a plunge into the difficult labyrinth.
Having thus given a rapid sketch of the African tribes,
of their distribution over the territory we visited, of their
laws, religious belief or unbelief, and finally of their
idioms, we will now add a few words concerning their
nutriment.
It may be absolutely affirmed that the staple of their
food or the base of it in the countries referred to, is re-
presented by the four following articles, which vary
according to the different regions : viz, Manioc (Manlhot
aip)i), better known as Jatropha manihot ; Massambala,
varieties of the Sorghum ; Massango, scientifically called
Penisetum typhoideum (now belonging to the genus
Penicillaria) whereof there exist two varieties, the
smooth and the barbed, due probably to culture ; and
Maize or Indian Corn (Zea Mais), which is found there
also in abundance. All these articles form bread after
being reduced to flour.
Unfortunately for the native he has no mill, so that he
is obliged to resort to the simple process of the pestle
and mortar, the only one he knows to produce the result
he requires. This method, however, almost always in-
volves the infusion of the root or tubercle to be pulverized
for a longer or shorter time, and exposure to the sun.
As a natural consequence fermentation ensues, and with
Conclusion. 255
it the necessary variations, so that all the African flours
are heavy, indigestible, very disagreeable at the outset to
the European palate, and never swelling sufficiently to
make a tolerable bread. To this the native adds what-
ever else is attainable by way of relish in the shape of
meat, fish, and vegetables ; a very small quantity of the
latter being sufficient to provoke the consumption of some
pounds of the bread.
Ginguba is likewise of great service to them, and whole
tribes support themselves upon it. The Jinga, the Ma-
hungo and the Ma-yacca consume extraordinary quan-
tities, without even the appliance of fire, and just as they
pull it out of the earth. Besides this, there are indigenous
and exotic fruits, too many to enumerate, from the Vitis
heracli [folia to the banana, as also the varieties of inliame
(a species of yam) tubercles of the helmia, potatoes, and
other less known roots which they devour greedily. And
finally a bit of sugar-cane and a calabash of sour milk or
mead complete the list of articles consumed.
A vegetable diet is almost exclusively the rule through-
out the continent. It is only under extraordinary
circumstances that an ox or sheep is killed for consump-
tion, and then the native, very like a child, dances about
the victim and gives loose to transports of joy at the
unusual treat. We have frequently seen our men in
camp, upon the slaughter of an ox eagerly hack it to
pieces, screeching with delight the while, and not leave
even the contents of its intestines unconsumed ! On such
occasions the scenes which took place about the smoking
pipkins were really extraordinary, ending in a general
batuque or dance, such as we have elsewhere described.
Bearing the deprivation of food for an incredibly long
time, the native will content himself with a few grains
of Arachis ; but when the time comes to satisfy his appe-
256 West and Central Africa.
tite, lie is with difficulty satiated. He will take in
pound after pound of flour, until his belly shines with
its distension aud appears ready to burst. This is most
particularly the case with the aged ; and with them,
as emptiness in turn supervenes, the abdominal skin,
through want of elasticity, forms into huge wrinkles,
imparting to the body a very unpleasant and, indeed,
repulsive appearance.
The African generally, we are sorry to say it, has a
decided propensity to drunkenness. Whether it be that
we are to look for the cause of this vice in the scarcity
of strong liquors, and the impossibility of resisting them
when they come to hand, or that by their abuse the
negro finds a distraction from his monotonous and
miserable existence, we cannot say, but it is incontest-
able that when he gets hold of the liquor he drinks him-
self blind drunk.
Although the potions they brew are sufficiently
inebriating — of course taken in large quantities — the
natives prefer European spirit for such a purpose, as
they find in its effects a difference that we will try to
explain.
At first sight we might imagine that the preference
for the latter was based on the fact of its being so much
more powerful and producing its effects with less
labour ; but this is not the reason ; the cause of the
preference, as they explain it, is that they get lively
drunk upon aguardente, but sadly drunk upon mead !
We were enabled when in Quioco, to confirm this
opinion out of our own experience, as regards the mead.
We happened to pay a morning visit to a certain Sova
before we had broken our fast, and were in a manner
compelled to drink a great deal more of the stuff than
was good for us ; and on our return to the quilombo, we
Conclusion. 257
found that we were partially intoxicated, and that the
visitation took a different form to what it does through
alcohol in Europe. Not only could we not stand
properly on our legs, but there was a sensation in the
brain of utter wretchedness, a constant beating of the
temples, a violent headache, and vomiting — -in fact, all
the sensations belonging rather to the poisoning by
tobacco, than the cerebral disturbance produced by
alcohol. This being the case it is not suprising if a
special distinction should be drawn by the natives
between their own drink and that of the Europeans, as the
latter produces in them sensations so different to those
they can obtain from hydromel or other home-made
liquor.
Referring again to their food, we would remark that
the Africans do not seem to eat so much for the pleasure
of eating as for actual support. All their dishes are
flavourless, and are proper only for the simplest palates,
being very far removed indeed from what we consider
palatable. They are not averse to putrefaction. On the
other hand our condiments, scents, and aromas, affect
their nervous system with most disagreeable sensations,
if we may judge by the wry faces they make over them.
A fruit of any kind that is very sweet and has anything
like a turpentine taste about it pleases them infinitely
more than another which, from its delicate flavour, com-
mends itself to our fancy. There are certain fruits
that are highly esteemed among them, and which to us
are just as repugnant, such for instance as a variety of
the Carica papaya, the scent of which resembles nothing
closer than that arising from the fecal residues of the
canine race ! Others again are insipid and odourless,
and are devoured with as much gusto as some of us would
display on consuming a charlotte russe.
vol. 11. s
258 West and Central Africa.
The African native having been thus sketched from a
material point of view, let us now consider him from a
more general and philosophical one.
What has the black done and what is he good for ?
His history is as ancient as that of the white man.
Wheresoever the latter has had to struggle with the
rigours of an elevated temperature and a burning sun
we have seen the former by his side, devoted to the
most arduous labour, living in the midst of misery, and
constituting an individuality which, being the product of
far different circumstances, appears as variable as they,
and as difficult to emphasize. His physical and moral
value depends upon the direction given by those in
authority over him ; and to them belongs the duty of
placing him on a relative scale of vice or virtue, and
modifying the propensities inherent to his nature.
As, however, the object has always been to make
capital out of him, the negro, at the mercy of the
master (who had no other object in view), without an
opinion, without a standard, without a family or a house-
hold god, gave himself up, as an infallible consequence,
to all those ignoble passions to which a low and unaided
nature is susceptible. From his tenderest years he
began to nourish a hatred for those who had enslaved
him — to long for things beyond his reach — to brood over
some scheme of vengeance ; and under such circumstances
he became converted into what we have seen and heard
tell of, an anomalous creature, without any defined, and
much less any properly ordered sentiments and qualities.
It is not he, certainly, who should bear the blame, but
those who brought him to that pass. • Merchants,
traders, middle-men and agents alike, turned the poor
wretch to account, without ever dreaming of granting
him any recompense ; and from the very first day they
Conclusion. 259
found the negro incapable of wrestling with them intel-
lectually, they ostracised him from the community, and on
the score of his inferiority, excused themselves from con-
sidering him as a brother. We do not hesitate to proclaim
aloud, based upon our present knowledge of the negro,
that to slavery, but above all to the contempt entertained
by civilized man for the black race, is due the unfortunate
creature's precarious moral position. To this unhappy,
this fatal hatred of race we owe it that Portuguese,
English, French, Dutch, and subjects of other nation-
alities, have, at the mere contact of the negro, completely
changed all their preconceived sentiments of pity,
devotion, and love; and, strange to say, the more
northerly the European race, the greater and more un-
yielding the hatred.
Speke, in his " Sources of the Nile," exclaims, " I do
not deem the negro in Africa capable of raising himself
from the inferiority in which he lives."
But what reasons can be adduced in favour of such
an assertion ? Is it the fact of such relative social inferi-
ority ? But how is the native ever to rise out of it while
he is persecuted on all sides by the white man ?
From time immemorial Egypt has been the point
whence issued all the misery that found its way into
the interior. The blacks, fleeing in terror, became
gradually surrounded, till scarce a resource was left
them ; and who shall say whether those vast invasions,
much spoken of in the interior, all proceeding from the
north, Jaggas, Bondos, and Tembos, were not the
natural consequence of such persecution ; and whether
the immense tribes, seeing themselves beaten in that
direction, did not migrate towards the south? In their
flight the negroes plunged into the wild and desert
country, where their whole attention was taken up with
s 2
260 West and Central Africa.
a struggle against the asperities of nature, and yet, in
the midst of these difficulties they succeeded in doing not
a little.
But even here they were not relieved from slavery ;
and the devastations, murders, and scenes of refined
cruelty to which the traffic gave rise, constitute in our
mind an efficient reason to prevent any tendency towards
progress.
But we have arrived at a period when things are
taking a different turn, and have yet to see the result
when the incubus is entirely removed. The traffic is
officially proscribed by all civilized nations, and as a
consequence the African is on the road to a complete
transformation. It is true that in the centre and north-
eastern disticts of the great continent slavery still exists,
and travellers can point to thousands of victims to the
practice in those unhappy lands. The origin lies, how-
ever, in the baneful influence of the Arab race, the true
pest of Africa, against which we in Europe should unite
in a permanent crusade.
The state of the negro in the Portuguese colonies (those
with which we are best acquainted in Africa) after the
great and generous act of the emancipation of the slaves —
which greatly modified the mode of being of social life —
and the conditions of labour, have undergone a vast
change. Morality has made an immense gain; justice
and equity, being able to act untrammeled, have curbed
the maleficent instincts of perverse natures, and inter-
posed a shield between them and the oppressed; and
where in former days the poor, untutored negro worked
beneath the lash of an ignorant colonist, he now finds a
man who knows how to appreciate the value of free
labour and to draw from it advantages superior to those
previously obtained. Ideas, more in consonance with
Conclusion. 261
the true principles of honesty, are spreading far and wide,
and a happier future is visible to every unprejudiced
eye.
The African cannot be supposed as yet to thoroughly
comprehend the infallible transformation that is being
wrought on his behalf, inasmuch as from time immemorial
the black has been a slave without the opportunity of
proving that he was susceptible of becoming a free man,
the head of a family, and an honest worker ; but we shall
shortly see him under just and well-pondered incentives
pursuing (perhaps more speedily than any of us suppose)
the track that leads to perfectibility.
It is necessary, however, as Cameron observes, not to
forget that our state of advancement is the fruit of ages
of labour, and to expect the African to attain to it in a
couple of decades, implies an absurdity. The education
of the native must be effected by successive gradations,
and it would be a grave error to impose upon him our
customs of to-day, without giving him any previous pre-
paration. To presume that a negro is the equal of a
white man, or to insinuate to him that he is so, is a
crime; as Serpa Pinto very justly remarks in the para-
graphs from his recent work, which we transcribe : —
" Some of these missionaries," he says (vol. ii. p. 802),
" with little knowledge and narrow intellect, commence
by instilling into the natives, hour by hour, from the
sacred pulpit, whence should only be heard the accents
of truth, that they are the equals of the white man, that
they are on a level with the civilized ; wrhen they ought
rather to say to them, in the tones of persuasion and
authority, * Between you and the European there is a
wide gulf which I have come to teach you to bridge over.
Regenerate yourselves ; quit your habits of brutish
sloth; labour and pray; abandon crime and practise the
262 West and Central Africa.
virtue which I will show you ; cast off your ignorance
and learn ; — and then, but not till then, can you stand on
the same level as the white man : then, and then only,
will you be his equal.' "
& & % # ■ - # *
" To tell the ignorant savage that he is the equal of
the civilized man is a falsehood — it is a crime. It is to
be wanting in all those duties which were imposed upon
the teacher when he set out for Africa. It is to be a
traitor to his sacred mission."
We may further add, to compel the black man to con-
form to the habits and mode of life of the European, and
force him to such conversion on the spot, appears to us
most certainly an error. It is, however, lamentable that
the growing industry of many nations will not admit
that it is so ; moved simply by its own interests, it does
not or will not see that the forcing itself into Africa
under pretext of acting for the good of the native tends
to no other object than the gain of the individual trader,
and the discovery of markets where he can dispose of his
products, though it involves the compelling a man who
yesterday was covered with a cloth and stuck feathers
in his hair to mount a chimney-pot hat and imprison his
arms in a ridiculous frock coat !
In religious matters the utmost care that is used would
be but little; special interests already begin to show
themselves in the religious fervour with which the missions
are invading Africa. We can foresee, and we venture to
point out to the Governments concerned, that the pro-
gress of the African native towards civilization is likely
to receive a severe check from this cause. The nations
of Europe are despatching missions from all quarters
with a view to make converts. On the other hand the
Arabs, armed with the Koran, are bent upon the same
Conclusion. 263
errand and making no inconsiderable progress. What
with these numerous sects and forms, each claiming to
be the expositor of the only true faith, to the exclusion
of all others, the poor negro, already oppressed by his
chief; dazed with the recollections of the fetishism of his
fathers, harassed by the missionaries who overwhelm
him with Bibles and Korans, will shortly not know which
way to turn for comfort or repose. If, from free America,
the Mormons should take it into their heads to come
over to Africa, with a like object of proselytism, the con-
fusion will be such that only its equal could be found
beneath the growing walls of Babel of old !
It therefore strikes us, that the only way out of the
difficulty is the establishment of an international Catholic
association, which would, by means of a general plan
having identical bases, administer spiritual bread to the
natives of the dark continent. We are fully aware of the
obstacles that would have to be overcome in procuring
anything like concerted action among nations whose forms
of faith are so widely apart, but that problem, which we
do not ourselves attempt to solve, should prove the primary
care of the spiritual association. A movement of this
nature, once recognized by all the nations who have
undertaken in Africa so noble a task, would enjoy such
aid and protection as would bear down any mere
sectarian attempts and mainly frustrate the efforts of the
representatives of Yatreb's famous prophet.
One of the first duties devolving upon the society would
be a study of the native dialects and the translation of
the Bible and prayer-books into those idioms. To begin
the conversion of the negro by first teaching him Dutch
or German appears to us so extraordinary that we must
perforce consider the method a useless waste of time.
Nothing is so painful to a people as to be ;compelled to
264 West and Central Africa.
abandon the language of their fathers, and now that
Arabic has a tendency to spread over the continent, such
a system as the one we suggest would deal it a heavy
blow. This should be followed by a general plan of
social organization, having the family for a basis, mutual
aid and remunerative labour.
The native should then be taught to fashion and use
a plough, to extract iron from the earth by the most pro-
fitable means and to combine it with carbon in order to
produce steel. Care should be taken to give him the
first notions of a mill, to reveal to him the mode of
turning to account the immense water-power at his dis-
posal, to point out to him the advantages of cultivating
the ground — these, and such as these, should be the objects
of missions in those benighted lands.
From the very first day that the negro sets eyes upon
the missionary, he should behold in him, not the n'gavga
or fetishman, dressed in a black gown — which may very
well be dispensed with — and dealing in more or less
mysterious formula, but a superior guide, a kindly man,
an upright judge, from whose actions only good and
happiness should flow on his behalf. For such a post
we ought infallibly to seek a master — not one who would
attempt by overstrained mysticism to teach the native
the road to heaven — but one who could place him in a
position to overcome the difficulties of some primary in-
dustry on earth. The missionaries should therefore be
themselves educated in the practical and utilitarian
methods of the applied arts, to the exclusion of a like
proportion of apocalyptical and wearisome theological
study. Commerce would become gradually developed,
in proportion as necessities arose; labour grown into a
habit, would exercise its moralizing iufluence ; from the
sacrifices made thereto would spring a knowledge of value
Conclusion, 265
and of economy, together with the conviction that by its
influence a well-being was acquired which further perse-
verance would make greater. Other natural results
would follow, such as the desire to possess, and the
wish to leave those possessions to natural successors,
and thereby secure the comfort of those whom a purer
life had taught the negro to hold in affection. By such
a course of education what would a negro become ? We
answer, a being like ourselves ; and we believe that most
experienced persons, who have devoted their attention to
the subject, will give the same reply.
The future of the great continent will depend upon
many kinds of exploration, among which mining will
doubtless take the lead ; and this will be followed, as a
natural consequence, by agriculture. The rich and
varied native productions of the vegetable kingdom,
and the facility of acclimatizing exotics, will un-
doubtedly soon induce the colonizer to devote attention
to a soil whence can be drawn such inexhaustible trea-
sures.
It is in fact marvellous to note the accumulation and
variety of articles, chiefly vegetable, of those fertile lands.
The imagination is bewildered with the sight of the mul-
titude of gigantic trees, shrubs, and plants, that are little
if at all known. It would occupy many pages to enu-
merate with anything like minuteness the wealth of the
productive soil.
Setting aside for the present the trade in ivory — which,
to a certain extent, is on the decline, although perhaps
the richest of the whole and which, as regards the
Portuguese colony, is specially carried on by the roads
connecting Cassange with the Lunda, the Bihe with the
Catanga and Lua, and along the Cubango to Bucusso —
our narrative will show the interest that should attach
266 West and Central Africa.
to a methodical exploration of the vast territories in the
interior of the continent.
On leaving the littoral, we find in the vegetable
kingdom the sugar-cane, which grows in the valleys of
the great rivers, such as the Cuanza, the Cu-vo, the
Lu-oje, &c, and even in more elevated positions, where
water is abundant, for instance in the Dombe and else-
where. Even at the present day it produces aguardente
in sufficient quantity to supply the necessities of the
native, and might, by great development, furnish all the
markets of Europe with sugar. The broca, and more
recently another worm not less destructive, have, it is
true, attacked the plantations and destroyed great
part of the cane. Careful study would, however, as a
natural consequence, discover some process of a kind to
prevent the destructiveness of these insects.
Alongside the cane we have those noteworthy palms
such as the Ela'is guinensis, the pulp of whose fruit yields,
after lengthened steeping, a thick, red oil, of tolerable
flavour before it gets rancid, called palm-oil, and the stone
of which produces an empyreumatic oil that finds a ready
sale in Europe.
Moreover, we find the hyjphame and borassus with
leaves that are employed in the manufacture of hats and
other articles. The Adansonias, whose inner shell fibres
form the licomte, greatly used at the present day in the
making of cloth and paper. The palmachristi, adapted
for medicinal purposes. The aloe, which grows profusely.
Tobacco, found everywhere, that of Ambaca having a fine
aroma. Hemjo is not less frequent. Cotton in abundance,
and of various qualities, grows throughout the Province.
Then we have coffee, already appreciated in our markets,
and covering the whole of the mountainous region ; the
best being obtainable at Cazengo. Givguba, yielding much
Conclusion. 267
oil, and whereof the stores on the high table-land of
Ambaca and in the eastern territories appear inexhaus-
tible. Pepper is met with everywhere. Bice, from the
quantities we observed in the Bihe growing on the high
land, must be cultivated on a large scale. Maize grows
very freely, whether in Callengues, Caconda, or Duque de
Braganca. Sorgho is widely spread in the interior, and
constitutes generally in those parts the food of the native.
Nor is the massango, upon which the Ganguellas and
Maquioco are mainly supported, less abundant.
Among other products we have the Elemi balsam, in
extraordinary quantities ; Copal gum, the trees producing
which are found both upon the coast and in the interior
in extensive woods ; india-rubber, produced from colossal
climbers ruthlessly cut down by the natives to extract
the sap ; dragon's blood, the working of which has already
been attempted ; taenia, that is permanently collected in
the Jinga ; and many others too numerous for our work.
In the animal kingdom we must mention ivory, alluded
to elsewhere, as represented by the tusks of the elephant
and sea-horse, eagerly sought for throughout the con-
tinent, and rhinoceros horns.
There is abundance of bees' icax, obtained mainly from
the Ganguellas ; of silk both of the spider and the hang-
ing cocoons already referred to in this volume ; and of
marabout and ostrich feathers which find their way into
most markets. There are ox-hides in plenty : and the
skins of such wild animals as lions, panthers, leopards,
and other smaller creatures are pretty readily obtainable.
Of minerals, whereof mention has more than once been
made, we discover iron in the specular or hematite form.
Sulphur in the chalks; copper in all the mountainous
regions and in the interior, appearing to be run in the
form of a cross; coal, discoverable in one or two places;
268 West and Central Africa.
gold in the Lombije and other parts ; silver in the Jinga
(Dallango), Cambambe, &c. ; and rock salt in many terri-
tories of the continent.
These simple data will suffice to give a rough idea of the
wealth of this vast continent, which, under European
guidance, should show a prosperity in the future that
will not yield the palm even to America.
Its colonization, however, is a great problem, and Tvill
require very serious study. The life of the European in
tropical Africa, if not at the present time impossible, is,
to say the least of it, full of perils and difficulties. The
main object, therefore, at the outset must be to endeavour
to modify the circumstances which now beset him; to
establish populous centres ; to create the necessary means
for his existence ; and in a word to render the African
territory salubrious.
The immediate measures which present themselves for
such a purpose are two, viz., to connect by roads, con-
veniently disposed, certain points of the interior with the
coast ; and to direct the waters of the great rivers, so as
to drain the marshes and the low-lying grounds, and
thereby modify that vegetative force — which is the origin
of all the unhealthiness — to the advantage of the loftier
regions, whose vegetation would, in such case, become
more highly developed.
The numerous cataracts of the African rivers though
causing in many places an obstacle to navigation, never-
theless facilitate the distribution of the waters. To
conduct those waters from the river-heads, by a combined
system of irrigation, to properly selected and salubrious
sites ; to use them as an element of life to the vegetable
kingdom and as a potent motive power for thousands of
mills and factories ; to drain them wheresoever necessary,
and never allow them to stagnate ; in fine, to control and
Conclusion. 269
direct the waters of the continent should be the civilizer's
first care on behalf of those most fertile lands in the more
elevated regions.
It may be objected that so vast a problem can only be
solved in the course of thousands of years, and that the
best course to pursue is to be satisfied with things as they
are. But to this we will reply, that, though the hints we
have thrown out never contemplated a speedy solution,
they represent ideas which might be at once initiated, by
way of showing the direction that the herculean labour
should take, more especially in regard to roads and the
establishment of colonies.
It will have been gathered from several passages in
these volumes that a residence on the high ground is best
adapted for the preservation of health, and we will add
here, that if a European has a chance of living at a height
of 3000 feet, he ought not to pitch his tent at 300. It
is true that the more lofty territory is at the present time
relatively more bare ; but inasmuch as all the great rivers
take their rise in the elevated ground, with such a soil,
under the influence of sun and water, all apprehensions
as to the risk of labour and capital being expended un-
profitably may be cast to the winds.
On account of its special orographic character and
peculiar climatic circumstances, Africa offers a great con-
trast to the continents in the northern hemisphere. Her
great cities, her vast marts, her commercial emporiums,
will infallibly have to be established in the interior, and
the more so where approaching the equatorial region.
It is on the lofty savannas of the Quioco, on the moun-
tains of Quillengues, on the plateau of the Huilla, noted
for their salubrity, that we shall see successively planted
the earliest colonies, if it be desired to live and progress
under the influence of the climate of the great continent.
2 yo West and Central Africa.
On the coast the miserable little Qomptoir must still exist,
isolated in the midst of arid lands, under the direction
of some native or sickly European, but for the mere
purpose of attending to the transit, depositing merchan-
dise and produce, and superintending their landing and
shipment. No earthly good can ever come of a residence
on that sterile threshold, where the stoutest labourer,
with the best of wills, must sicken and die, yielding to the
earth his own spoils in lieu of himself reaping any per-
manent advantage. No ; the road lies inwards and
upwards. On the high table-land where the fresh
breezes blow; where the European can breathe freely,
and where he will live for months together in a tempera-
ture containing so little variation that were it not from
constant watching of the thermometer the figures would
appear incredible, as the following tables will show : —
Conclusion.
271
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On the journey.
272
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Conclusion.
273
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1 On the
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2 On th
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3 Mok
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VOL. II
274
West and Central Africa.
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Catuchi. 5 Muene T'chiquilla.
Conclusion. 275
Great and rapid means of communication become there-
fore inevitable. None more than the African colonist
will need the railway because none more than he will
dread the littoral. From the sea-board, we repeat, he
must fly, for if he attempt to settle there, he will fail to
a dead certainty, and by that fact will help to condemn
the great continent to the immobility in which we behold it
to-day. Emigration, therefore, from the civilized nations
of Europe should only be set on foot with a view to the
colonization of Africa when the latter is in a position to
offer the chief of guarantees — the means of transport to a
healthy region.
Every attempt in this direction will foster such coloni-
zation ; but simply to convey the colonist to the low-lying
region, and compel him to set to work in the valleys
where enormous rivers are ever flowing, and where marshy
ground is permanent, is to consign him to destruction.
The object should be to gain the interior with the least
possible loss of time; to establish the European with the
utmost amount of conveniences about him ; to destroy,
by means of a well-directed administration, the relative
repugnance of the negro to anything in the shape of labour,
by making such labour obligatory and rewarding him for
the work done; to create vast centres of population,
connected with each other by the regular navigation of
the extensive watercourses of the interior, or properly
arranged roads ; to shun the fatal influence of the marshy
ground by smothering it — in other words, by guiding on
to it the nearest watercourses ; for by means such as
these, the great problem, of so much interest to Europe,
will be finally solved.
Let such rivers as are navigable in the interior be
turned to account ; and from the extreme points of their
navigableness let railways connect them with the coast
t 2
276 West and Central Africa.
so as to provide an economic and rapid means of
transport.
To the railway, especially, that most precious resource
of modern civilization — that powerful instrument of all
progress — we must look as the greatest auxiliary in the
gigantic work we contemplate.
The locomotive, whistling as it flies through the vast
African forests, will doubtless produce the same magical
effects as have hitherto accompanied its course. Travers-
ing great distances with the velocity which is part of its
nature, it will carry resources, life and labour, into places
where, till that time, nature in her wildness alone reigned,
transform desert tracts into habitable land, convert
marshes into parks and gardens ; in a word, it will raise
Africa to the height occupied by the other continents of
the world, and relieve humanity of one of her greatest
stains, namely, the leaving so large a portion of her
family still grovelling in a state of savagery.
Having thus put forward our facts and ventilated our
opinions, we have only to exclaim with the fabulist : —
Nisi utile est quodfacimus, stulta est gloria.
TABLE
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GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES.
January
February 11
April
Way
Loanda ' .
Benguella .'
Dombe . .
Dombe .
Dombe .
Dombe 2
Quillengues
QuilleDgues
N'Gola . .
Caconda 3 . .
Lagoa T'chicor.d
Cu-nene
Caconda
Caconda
Colo'Ja '.
Cu-nene
Cu-nene
Otoari .
Cubango
Cu-baiigo
Behnonte
Bolmonte
l,Miilninlio
Bihe* .
'Ojlileque
(.hiileipic
Nutria"
Calongo
Cahuv^o
alt. mer. _f£.
nier..Q.
mer. £_
mer. _Q
ioo.k.-,
98,40
102,111
100,15
100,01
■iO.17. 16
91,10
91,99
116,91
61,99
7.07.22.0H
7.22.15.00
3.26.17.00
l.oi.:; i.oo
o.os.os.no
7.08.11,30
1,41.00.00
20.50.21.00
2.00.59.00
7.32.12.30
8.00.2
6.03.08.00
5.16.36.00
10.59.57.30
57.41.30
22.30.20 30
31.02.00
20.32.19.00
3.31.58.00
8.06.06.30
6.19.14.30
0.19.59.00
N.OS 15.01)
3.21,15.30
3.25.03.30
3.25.12.30
0.08.54.30
0.09.36.30
0.09.47.30
0.09.58.30
0.10.14,54
0.10.29.51
0.10.31.54
0.10.35.00
0.11.31.00
0.13.08.30
0.13.32.00
0.16.33.08
0.18.21,00
0.18.06.09
0.1S.16.00
0.18.22.00
Sub. 0.18.55.40
0.18.55.40
O.IK. u.s. (HI
0.
alt. .(£
a.m.
ialt._0_
£L
£L
117 20
1 17,20
117.84
55,27
51.57.34
92.03.40
59.36.50
13,58
79,71
92,62
101.15 20
76.17.24
17.57.10,
li;.3(i.5(
19:
38,47
186,21
86,52
38.37
:is,(;7
2S0.50
276,5
Latitude- Longitude
8.17.57
12.31.17
12.55.11
12.55.30
13.11.00
13.44.00
13.41.30
13.2N.30
13.20.41
13.00.00
12.57.10
12.57.10
12.21,19
12.21.49
13.22.30
13.(17,11
13.07,14
13.07.50
13.07.30
14,05.03
15.32.30
15.30.30
15.03.50
15.00.11
1519.10
15.30.30
15.43.40
16.01.30
16.13.20
16.13.
16.12.30
10.12.30
10.10.37
12.08.30 | 17.16.10
'.06.10 |
.51,50 | 17.31,30 I
17.34.30 |
17.3-l.3ll ,
Bandua . . .
Cba-Calumbo .
Cha-Calumbo .
Mongda . . .
Mongoa 6 . .
Mongoa . . .
Mongoa . . .
Mongoa . . .
Mongoa . . .
Cba-N'ganji .
Cha-N'ganji .
Cba-N'ganji .
Cha-N'ganji .
Cha-N'ganji .
Cha-N'ganji 6 .
Matari . . .
Cba-Cassingo 7
Cangombe . .
Muene Quibau
Cangombe . .
Muene C' je 8 .
Chaufana . .
Jluene C'hicanj
N'Dumba Mughande
Cha-Calumb(
Cu-ango
Cu-ango
Cat-Louis
Cu-ango
-
~
mer. £1
61,37
mer. JJ.
104,81
mer. Q
60,925
2 alt. £i
109.38.00
mer. _0_
60,88
mer. .©_
60,89
^
mer. P>
55.2657
mer. "5)
100,7
mer. 0
62,536
"
56.55 53
mer. 0
59.05.09
60 22.35
61.25.15
alt. mer. 0
60.52.30
rner.£L
61.15.13
62.03.40
62.45.30
63 07.24
64.05.35
61.44,22
1.41.00
!.02.00
J.20.30
.21.30
i.11.30
1.3 130
57.00
30.30
25.30
Sub. 0.19.17
0.19.23
0. 19.28,11
0.19.53.00
0.19.16.00
0.20.03.19
0.20.20.30
0.20.23.00
0.20.27.00
0.20,10.30
0.20.51.30
0.20.57.00
0.21.02.30
0.21.25.30
0.21.34.30
0.21.13.00
0.21.48.00
0.21.57.00
0.22.15.00
17.31.30
17.34,30
39,63
36.10.10
33,51
45,19
30,84
76 2
61,5
71,5
77,0
81,0
87,7
11.34.05
18.00.30 1
— 18.08.30 1
11.34.02 18.08.30 1
— 18.09.00 1
— 18.09.00
— 18.09.00
—
18.09.00
11.32.43
. —
—
18.23.00
—
18.23.00
—
18.23.00
—
18.23.00
11.30.12
18.20.16
11.23.30
18.38.10
11.20.51
18.50.00
11.27.00
19.11.30
—
18.50.00
—
18.50.00
11.00.40
18.55.30
10.52.04
18.39.59
10.34.23
18.37.05
11.07.02
18.56.30
10.30.00
18.39.51
10.27.22
18.38.38
10.18.03
18.32.38
10.12.50
18.34,05
10.06.14
18.43.30
10.03.05
18.43.05
1 The error of the ul,!„, mis then 2 2 :
..(id fnicti.ms rcpie--ent (he de-rces i„
divide'] ; (he uthtrs are decrees, minute;
the former insminieiit rihcaily reduced.
b. The iiHitudes expressed in decin
which Mr. d'Abbudie's instrumen
seconds, and thirds of the sextant, c
; error of the abba was 0,00 sub., reluced thereafter to zero.
•' The error of the sextant was 2'.
u Passage of Mei cury over the face of the sun.
<• Satellite of Jupiter.
' Error of abba 0,1 do snb.
» The elements of calculation from 25th July to 18th November, mamly longi-
tudes, were lust in the fire at the Duque de Bragauca.
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25
27
iber 9
28
1879.
February 18
N'DumbaTYhiquill.
Cassanje . .
Oassanjo . .
Cassanje . .
Bauza e Lunda
Meridian All ituilcs.
O5.oo,n
(5.3. IS. 21
Gil 31.50
Cnsi-aiijo . . .
Bio Lu-i . . .
N'Guii ....
X'Hala Samba .
N'l >ala Samba .
,1.1m:
llue
i Tango .
. Qniluunje
Dnque de Kraganfa
Duque de Braganca
Dumba-ia-Fumauesso,
Canda-ia-Mass'ango
Quimbaxe - . » .. ,
Qnimbaxe .' .'.'..
N'Bondo N'Gunza .' .
N'Bondo N'Gunza ' . ,
Cnlunga-N'Ganga . ,
Cafuchila .' .' .' .' ,
Q.uipanzo
N'Guijo ,
Cu-ango .' .' . .'
99,42
•2.15.57
'3.48.54
93,35
91,95
12.08.3 t
87.60
81.82
84 30
8,00
72,2.->
127,75$
72,00
01.27.10.(K1
02.18.39.00
02.40 30.30
02.18.12.30
21.26.13.00
01.39.44.00
01.57.12.00
23.02.50.30
01.29.50.30
21.44,59.00
1.19.31.00
2.11.27.30
21.01.40.00
-
0.51.11.10
0.53.54.39
0.51,18.45
O.55.I9.20
0.56.11.15
0.50.23.00
O.50.09.45
0.56.32.15
0.57.09. 15
0.57.47.15
57.51,13
£1
_0_ a.m.
JSp.m
£>a.m.
_0_p.m.
Si a.m.
.Qp.m.
IS. P.m.
£>p.m.
00, S3
50,02
45,12
52,29
59.39
09.00
01,50
81,12
87,00
61,67
53,07
40,00
32,81
63,03
60,66
49,65
45,07
53,31
24,17
291,5
73,3
348,3
352,2
349,1
l.lC
.51.30
'.01,30
'.04.00
.50.30
.50. 30
'.50.00
.56.00
.50.00
,17.00
17.10.30
17.12.30
16.50.C
10.50.30
10.22.50
10.23.00
16.07.30
16.00.40
16.00.40
16.10.00
10.10.00
;.27.oo
■ '■■ il I 16.28.00 ,
16.28.42
,13.00 I 10.32.42
09.35.20
09.35.20
09.35.20
09.30.30
M9.22.19
OS.59.00
09.27.3 1
09.27.34
09.27.13
09.25.30
09.22.30
!.00
376,4 I 8.04.00 I 16.48.19 |
'.53.14 16.50.28 |
(.32 16.55.(
7.27.18 I 17.11.08 I
July
August
September
ganca
agane.a
Deserted Senzala
Cu-gho ....
Mupanga . . .
S:,(iLr:.nlie . . .
Lu-embe . . .
Lucalla . . .
Vunda-ia-Ebo .
Duque d
] tuque il
Daque d
Samba Cang,
Bondo-ia-(,>uiless,>
Praca Velba . .
Ambaca . . .
EioCatombe3 .
Pungo N'Dongo .
l'uimo N'Dongo .
Porto Xunga 4 .
N'Gola Quituebe
Caquili ....
Liiiulie do Pires .
Quibinda . .
Lombe . . .
Lombe do Motta
Pungo N'Dongo ,
Pungo N'Dongo5
Pungo N'Dongo .
Cu-i
Cachongua
Nbangue .
Dondo a E.«
Dondo . . .
Loanda arrival
Loanda arrival '■
77.59
78,02
78,44
78,87
5 79.20?
il20,79S
79,81
SO 33
21.53.28.30
22.30.0
1.50.29.00
2.01.30.30
•1.50.28.00
3.27.01.00
.3.14,25.00
2.01.42.00
2.28.07.00
2.04,50.00
2.33.29.00
22.14.10.00
2.25.58.30
1.38.50.30
20.50.04,00
4.26.02.00
22.31.15.00
2.45.50.00
2.30.41,30
2.32.01,30
0.59.47.15
1.00.09.15
1.01.39.45
1.01.17.15
1.01.47.15
1.02.09. 15
1.07.15.10
1.07.40.00
1.09.08.48
1.09.23.36
1.09.38.24
1.12 50.31
1.15.00.10
1.15.14,00
1.15.21.00
j2.p.m.
£Lp.m.
_0_a.m
,0_p.m
Q_a..m,
0 a.m
£l p.m.
52,11
55,65
52,97
58,01
53,34
51,21
49,82
33,43
03 09
50,20
59,12
56,91
60,45
45.20
20,36
55,13
60,70
60,33
371,5
265,7
359,5
24 1 9
78,7
350,1
91,4
350,2
106,4
331,8
96,4
32 1,6
319,75
319,8
7.12.40
7. Oil. 10
0.35.O0
7.21.19
8.02.00
8.10.40
8.29,09
8.55.16
9.12.51
9.16.14
9.15.35
9.30.30
9.39.52
9.39.52
9.50.01
9.47.55
9.40.29
9.44.40
9.43.16
9.35.19
9.28.58
9.40.30
9.40.30
9.40.30
9.40.35
9. 10 00
9,10.21
I 17.
15.19. IS
15.32.30
15.42.16
15.42.16
15.46.1
15.57.20
10.10.30
10.12.58
15.42.16
vement of the chronometer from 25th April to 30th June, 7,5.
■or of abliu 0,'u03.
Satellite of Jupiter.
282
HEIGHTS ABOVE THE SEA-LEVEL
OF THE MOST IMPOBTANT POSITIONS,
CALCULATED AT THE INFANTE D. LU1Z OBSERVATORY.
The measurements are given in metres. The boiling-point and temperature are
expressed in degrees of the centigrade thermometers.
Places.
Quillengues . .
Caconda ....
T'chimbuioca . . .
Bihe <
Mongoa
Cba N'ganji . . .
N'Dumba Mughande
Catuchi
T'chiquilla ....
Cassanje • . .
Quesso
Duque de Braganca . ->
N'guna Vunda . .
Rio Cugho ....
Pungo N'Dongo . .
Nhangue ....
Dondo
Mossamedes . . .
Boiling Points.
Baudin's Hypsometers.
sfo.108.
N°. 109.
No. 110
97,12
97,14
97,13
94,73
94,75
94,73
94,83
94.86
94,83
94,70
94,78
94,75
94:68
94,70
94,65
94,85
94,88
94,86
94,79
94,84
91,81
94,94
94,97
94,94
96,50
96,54
96,51
96,27
96,30
96,28
95,81
95,86
95,82
96,17
96,23
96,20
96,25
96,31
96,28
96,89
96,91
96,89
96,90
96,95
96,92
97,00
97,03
97,00
96,57
—
26,55
96,55
96,60
96,54
96,55
96,60
96,55
98,31
98,35
98,12
98,39
98,53
98,39
96,70
96,71
96,74
97,75
97,77
97,80
99,69
99,70
99,72
99,95
99,97
99,97
97,17
91,77
94,88
94,83
94,73
94,93
94,88
95.01
96,55
96,35
95,88
96,26
96,35
96,97
97,07
96,64
96,65
96,62
98,65
98,42
96,80
97,85
99,72
99,97
3
Mean.
ID
ft
s
97,140
25,0
94,745
25,0
94,850
24,5
94,729
24,0
94,690
18,0
94,880
20,5
94,830
24,0
94,965
16,0
96,525
26,0
96,300
27,5
95,842
27,2
96,215
29,0
96,297
29,0
96,896
26,0
96,935
24,0
97,100
23,0
96,586
25,0
96,585
25,0
96,580
23,0
98,375
28,0
98,430
3L0
96,74
26,0
97,79
22,0
99,707
24,5
99,965
27,0
■869,1
1642,5
1697,3
1572,7
1112,3
1188,7
1340,1
1226,2
1180,3
. 945,3
1040,6
1C60,1
499,0
497,5
1020,5
691,1
93,7
8m
CORRECTIONS IN THE INFANTE D. LUIZ OBSERVATORY.
Before setting out
After arrival
Hypsometers.
No. 108. N°. 109.
No. 110.
+ 0,34
+ 0,35
+ 0,34
+ 0,31
+ 0,31
+ 0,27
N". 112.
0,34
0,32
ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA
CENTEAL AND WEST AFRICA,
FAUNA.
FROM BEXGUELLA TO TUE BIHE— FROM THE BIHE TO CASSANGE.'
MAMMIFERI.
1. SOREX, Sp. (?)
Obtained in the proximity of the River Cu-bango. Common name
Onhunga.
2. Heliophobitjs argenteo-cinereus, Peters.
Two specimens, one from Caconda, the other from the Bihe. The
natives of the former call it Oneta, and those of the latter Oguim. It
lives under ground, where it feeds on the roots of trees ; it is eaten by
the natives.
3. Galago Moxteiri, Bartlett; Proc. Z. S., London, 1868, p. 231,
pi. 28.
In the collection forwarded by our explorers, Capello and Ivens, we find
a specimen of this species, which was already represented in the Museum
at Lisbon by various specimens obtained from other parts of the interior
of Angola. They do not all exactly agree in colour with the model exem-
plar sent by Mr. Monteiro alive to London in 1863, and there described
by Mr. Bartlett ; two Caconda specimens, which we owe to Mr. Anchieta,
have hair of the purest ash colour ; the others are more yellow in tint,
especially at the extremities of the hair. The Caconda natives give to
this species the name of JBobo, as we learn from Mr. Anchieta ; on the
label of the sample sent by Messrs. Capello and Ivens appeal's the native
name of Tchicafo.
1 Extract of the Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas, Physieas e Naturaes, No. XXVI.,
Lisbon, 1879. The zoological products here described were classified by Dr. Barbosa
du Bocage, the illustrious Director of the Museum of Lisbon. Tbe first lot was collected
on the way to the Bihe ; and the second between the Bihe and Cassange.
284 West and Central Africa.
4. Galago Senegalensis, Geoff. Saint-Hillaire.
A male specimen. The native name is Catoto.
This and the preceding are the only Lemurideos we have hitherto
received from Angola. The other specimens in our possession of G.
Senegalensis are all from Caconda, where they bestow on it the name
of Nono.
5. Vesperus minutus, Temm. (?)
A specimen in spirit, and in a bad state of preservation.
6. Kerivoula argentata, Tomes; Proc. Z. S., London, 1S61, p. 3:2.
A female, whose characteristics appear to agree with those which Mr.
Tomes attributes to this species, saving in the dimensions, which are
smaller than those mentioned by that gentleman. In his excellent
Catalogue of the Chiroptera of the British Museum, Mr. Dobson inclines
to the opinion that the K. argentata may be simply an adult individual
or a local race of larger size than the K. lanosa, living on the S.E. coast
of Africa, from the Zambesi to the Cape. Its native name in the interior
of Angola is Cafuenfuco.
7. Herpestes melanurus, Fraser. (?)
H. fulvescente-rufus nigro punctulatus, capite supra, dorso media
caudaquc rubiginbsis, abdomine et artuhus unicoloribus ochraceo-rufis ;
cauda fere corporis longitudinem cequante, apice late nigro. L. t.
530 m.; corporis cum capite 2S0 m.; cau dee 250 m.
It assimilates in general conformation, and somewhat in the colours, to
the Cynictis melanura, Martin, represented in plate 9 of the Zoologia
typica of Fraser, which is now considered as a true Herpestes with five
toes to the fore and hind feet; but as we have no authentic exemplar of
this species wherewith to compare our own, we cannot affirm that it is
identical. In the latter, the upper part of the head, the back, and tail,
more especially from the middle to the extreme end (which is black), are
of a bright red, which I do not see indicated in the descriptions I was able
to consult of the H. melanurus, and whereof the said plate of Fraser does
not give the slightest idea. Some years ago Mr. Anchieta sent us from
the river Ckimba, in the territory of Mossamedes, another specimen of
Herpestes, and which also, to our mind, approximates to the H. melanurus
and the present specimen ; but it differs from both in that the tail is
sensibly much longer than the body (trunk and head together), and by
the much greater extension of the black colour at the end of the tail ;
besides this, its colour is of a much duller red, and in this particular
agrees better with the figure published by Fraser of the H. melanurus.
8. Myoxus (graphiurus) MUitiNUS, Desm.
A single specimen, identical with others already in our possession from
Fauna. 285
Duque de Braganea and Caconda, determined by Professor Peters, of
Berlin. V. Jorn. Acad. Sc, Lisbon, No. x., 1870,;p. 126.
We are informed by Messrs. Capello and Ivens that this species is found
in the cavities of old trees, and is known to the natives by the name of
Cafuenlio.
BIRDS.
1. Scops capensis, Smith.
" Native name Caculo. Yellow eyes. Eats rats and other small
animals."
Accords perfectly in its characteristics with the specimens we have from
other parts of Angola. V. Orn. de Angola, p. 60.
2. PlONlAS FUSCICOLLIS, Kulll.
" Native name T'ckicangue. Yellow eyes. Feeds on seeds."
Of this species, met with b}r Auderson to the north of the Damaras
territory, we have specimens obtained by Mr. Anchieta in Quillengues
and in the Humbe.
3. Pionias Meyerii, Riipp.
" Native name Cuique."
Of the two exemplars we received, one came marked as from Cassange.
It appears that this spot of West Africa is the nearest to the Equator
where, up to the present, this species has been observed.
4. Dendrobates namaquus, Licht.
" Native name Mangula. Eed eyes."
The specimens of this species, which Mr. Anchieta has sent us from
other parts of the Angola interior, bear on the labels a native name some-
what differing from the above, i.e. Bangula instead of Mangiday which
is indistinctly applied to other species of woodpeckers.
5. Merops hirundinaceus, Vieill.
" Native name Mutico. Eed eyes. Lives near rivers, and feeds on
insects and other smaller animals."
This species, which Monteiro encountered in Benguella, was observed
in the Humbe by Mr. Anchieta.
6. Centropus monachus, Riipp.
"Native name Mucouco."
7. Caprimulgus Shelleyi, Bocage.
"Native name Huieumbamha. Black eyes. Feeds on insects."
The collection of Messrs. Capello and Ivens contains but one specimen
of this interesting species. Although its state of preservation leaves much
to be desired, we have not the slightest doubt concerning its identity with
the exemplars of Caconda, which we consider to be the representatives of
an inedited species. V. Jorn. Acad. Sc, Lisbon, No. xxiv., 1878, p. 266.
286 West and Central Africa.
8. Bradyornys murinus, Hartl.
"Native name Cesso. Black eves."
9. Bradyornis diabolicus, Sharpe.
" Native name Mungange."
10. DlCRURUS DIVARICATUS.
"Native name Mungange. Light brown eyes."
11. Fjscus Capelli, new. sp.
F. collari simillimus, vix minor, spatio ante-oculari albo. L. t.
220 m.; alee 92 m. ; caudce 118 m.; rostri 16 m.; tarsi 25 m.
Only two exemplars of this species came over, one full-grown with the
tail incomplete, being reduced to the two intermediate feathers," and the
other complete without indication of sex like the former one, with young
plumage. In this, in lieu of the white mesh between the base of the
beak and the eye, on each side of the head there is apparent a very distinct
mesh of a yellowish grey.
We dedicate this species to one of the intrepid explorers to whom we
owe this valuable consignment, Mr. Hermenegildo Capello.
These two specimens were obtained in Cassange, and bear different
names, the young one Quiguecuria, the adult Quimbimbe.
12. Prionops Retzti, Wahlb.
Native name Ceella. Eyes canary colour."
13. Meristes olivaceuSj Vieill.
" Native name Muango. Yellow eyes."
14. Picnonotus tricolor, Hartl.
*' Native name Tumba-cambungo."
15. Crateropus Hartl aubi, Bocage.
" Native name Ceque. Red eyes."
16. Turdus strepitans, Smith. (?)
" Native name Quissocola-loa. Eyes chestnut. Feeds on insects."
An adult specimen. Compared with other ensamples of the T. strepi-
tans, from various places, we noted the following divergencies : — It is
sensibly smaller ; the lower portion is pure white, without the slightest
tinge of red or buff; the meshes which cover the neck, breast, and part of
the abdomen are larger than those of the T. strepitans, more confluent,
and extend more to the lower part of the abdomen.
17. Turdus lybonianus, Smith.
" Native name Quissomda. Black eyes."
Fauna. 287
18. Monticola brevipes, Waterh.
"Native name Tchicamha. Chestnut e}rcs. Feeds on fruit and
insects."
19. Myrmecocichla nigra, Vieill.
Two specimens, male and female ; the latter coffee colour and without
white epaulets.
''Native name Munhamba."
20. Pholidauoes Yerreauxi, Bocage.
"Native name Quice."
21. Lamprocolius acuticaudus, Bocage.
"Native name Gonve. Red eyes. Feeds on fruit."
22. Passer diffusus, Smith.
" Native name Mitssuesso."
23. Trerox calva, Temm.
" Native name JBnnzo. Grey eyes. Feeds on fruit."
21. Feancolinus Schlegeli, Heugl.
"Native name Cambango. Eyes chestnut. Lives in the woods."
It is the first time we have received this species, which is at this date
rare among European collections ; it is also the first instance of its capture
so near the western coast. It was hitherto considered as confined to a
rather restricted region of Central Africa, where it was discovered by the
celebrated naturalist Von Heuglin. The first description of it was pub-
lished by that gentleman in 1863 in the Jo'rnal de Cabanis. (V. Jornal
f. Ornith., 1863, p. 275; and Heugl., Orn. JST. 0. Afr., p. 898,
plate xxx.)
25. Ardea rufiventris, Sundev.
" Native name JBovda. Iris with two concentric circles, one internal
yellow, another external red. It lives on rivers, and feeds on fish."
26. Ardeola mikuta.
" Native name Cassoucua. Iris canary colour."
27. EOBIYANELLUS LATERALIS, Smith.
"Native name Metro. Iris light yellow, eyelids canary colour, the
membrane in front of the eyes, upper third red and the rest yellow.
Found in marshy places, where it feeds on the animals proper to such
soil."
288 West and Central Africa.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIOUS CREATURES.
1. Chameleo dilepis, Hall.
A sample from Caconda, where it is common.
2. Agama aumata, Peters.
Two specimens also from Caconda.
3. Agama pianioeps, Peters.
An exemplar from the vicinity of the river Calae.
4. Eumeces RETicuLATUS, Peters.
A specimen without indication of origin.
5. Euprepes BitfOTATus, Boca^e.
An exemplar of large dimensions from Caconda.
6. Boedon quadrilineatum, Dum. and Ribr.
Caught in the Bihe.
7. Naja Anchiet^:, nov. sp>
? Naja haje, L. v viridis, Poters, Monatsh. 1c. Ahad., Berlin, Mai,
1873, p. 411, tab. i. fig. 1.
Tete courte ; rostrale triangulaire fortement rabattue sur le devant du
museau et separant presque entierement les naso-frontales ; un cercle
complet autour de l'ceil forme par une sus-orbitaire, une pre-orbitaire,
deux post-orbitaires et trois ou quatre sous-orbitaires ; sept labiales supe-
rieures, dont la troisieme s'articule par son bord superieur a la pre-
orbitaire ; !temporales 1 + 2. Dix-sept rangees d'ecailles lisses sur le
milieu du tronc. Plaques abdominales cent quatre-vingt-onze ; anale
simple ; cinquante-quatre paires de souscaudales.
Dimensions. — Longueur totale 80 centimetres ; queue 14 centimetres.
Coloration. — En dessus d'une teinte brun-olivatre, plus foncee sur les
bords des ecailles ; en dessous jaunatre, varie de taches brunes. Un large
collier noir ou brun-fonce sur le cou a une petite distance de la tete.
M. Anchieta nous envoya de Caconda, il y a quelque temps, deux
individus de cette curieuse espece, qui nous semble bien distincte de la
Naja haje d'apres Tecaillure de la tete. Les indigenes de Caconda
l'appellent Turulangila.
8. Echidna auietans, Merr.
Two specimens, one from the River Calae, the other caught on an
island of the River Cabindango. The natives call it Buta.
9. Monitor saurus, Laurenti.
"Native name Sanqo, River Lu-ando."
Fauna. 289
10. Stellio atricollis, Smith.
" Native name T'chico. Lives in the trees. Feeds on insects."
11. Euprepes iVENSi. new sp.
Corps a forme cyclotetragone, allonge ; membres relativement courts ;
queue tres longue. Tete petite, a museau court et conique. Nasales en
contact, triangulaires, la narine s'ouvrant presde Tangle superieur; supero-
nasales etroites, egalement en contact et s'articulant par Textremite
opposee a une freno-nasale, qui vient s'appuyer sur la premiere labiale ;
deux fre'nales, Tanterieure carree, la posterieure pentagonale et plus
grande ; internasale triangulaire a, bord anterieur arrondi, en contact par
ses bords posterieurs avec les freno-nasales ; celles-ci de forme pentagonale
et s'articulant a la frontale, qui est de forme hexagonale et bien deve-
loppee; deux fronto-parietales distinctes, a peu pres de la forme et de la
grandeur des fronto-nasales ; inter-parietale en forme de fer de lance,
separant completement les deux parietales. Eostrale emboitant l'ex-
tremite du museau et presentant en dessus deux bords concaves qui re-
coivent les nasales ; sept eabiales superieures, les quatre premieres quad-
rangulaires, la cinquieme situee au dessous de l'ceil, plus haute et plus
allongee que les precedentes et superposee a. la quatrieme par un court
prolongement de son bord anterieur, les sixieme et septieme de forme plus
irreguliere. Ouverture auriculaire garnie a son bord anterieur de trois
lobules pointus. Paupiere inferieure ecailleuse, presentant au centre un
peUt disque transparent. Scutelles digitales carenees, les ecailles des
paumes et des plantes des pieds legerement tuberculeuses. Trente-deux
rangs d'ecailles sur le tronc ; celles du dos a trois carenes ties distinctes
et rapprochees, celles des flancs lisses.
Dimensions. — Le plus grand de nos individus porte une queue de
nouvelle formation assez court ; deux autres plus jeunes I'ont, au coutraire,
as«ez longue. Voici les dimensions d'un de ces individus :
Longueur totale 290 millim. ; queue 200 m. ; tete 15 m. ; memb. ant.
21 m. ; memb. post. 30 m.
Coloration. — En dessus et sur les cotes d'un noir-olivatre, marque de
cinq raies longitudinales jaunes; l'une plus large, occupant le milieu du
dos, de la nuque a la base de la queue, et deux de chaque cote, dont la
superieure suit la ligne qui separe le dos des flancs, et l'inferieure s'etend
de l'ouverture auriculaire au tiers posterieur de la queue. En dessous
d'un bleu clair uniforme.
Habitat. — Nos trois individus nous ont ete envoj'es du Bie, dans
l'interieur de Benguella par MM. Capello et Ivens pendant le cours de
leur voyage d'exploration du Cu-ango. D'apres nos hardis voyageurs,
l'espece y est connue sous le nom de Muntambanclonga.
12. Efprepes Bayonii, Bocage.
" District of Cassange."
VOL. IT. U
2 90 West and Central Africa.
13. Onychocephalus Angolensis, Bocage.
'; Native name Chico-chico. District of Cassange. Lives on the
ground."
14. Limnophis bicolor, Giinther.
"Native name Muzitzo. River Lu-ando."
15. Leftodira hufescenS; Giinther.
"Native name Quintadaglla. District of Cassange."
1G. Riiagerrhis trit^ntatus, Giinther.
"Native name Calombolo. Said to be venomous."
17. PfllLOTHAMNUS HETEROLEPIDOTA, Giinther.
'■ Native name Caliuriberemhe"
18. Bucephalus typus, Smith. Var. D. Smith, II. S. Af. Zool.,
Reptiles, tab. xi.
*• Native name Quilengo-Iengo. Held to be venomous."
19. Causus rhombeatus, Dam. and Ribr.
" Native name Quibolo-bolo. Venomous."
«
20. Dactylethra Mulljeri, Peters.
"Native name T'chiwla?
21. Dactylethra Mulleri, Peters.
A specimen of the Dombe. Native name Chimhoto.
22. Rana ornatissima, Bc-cage, new sp.
De la grandeur a peu-pres de notre R. temporaria d'Europe. Tele
aussi longue que large, a museau legerement prominent; langue large,
echancree en arriere ; deux groups de dents vomcriennes situcs a Tangle
interne des ouvertures posterieures des narines et separes par un inter-
valle ; narines a c^rale distance de l'extremite du museau et de l'ceil ;
tyinpan distinct, inferieur en diametre a l'ouverture oculaire ; pas de
parotides ni de plis glanduleux sur le dos; peau finement granuleuse en
dessus et en dessous ; membres posterieurs et orteils moderement longs,
ceux-ci reunis a la base par une petite palmure ; le quatrieme orteil
beaucoup plus long que le troisieme et le cinquiome, qui sont egaux ; un
tubercule saillant et aplati au bord interne du metatarse.
Dimensions. — Longueur de la tete 23 millim. ; du tronc 45 m. ; du
rnemb. ant. 33 m. ; du memb. post. 98 m.
Coloration. — II est difficile de bien fa ire saisir, autrement que par une
Fauna. 291
figure, le systeme de coloration, assez complique, de cette belle espece.
Sur la tete, le dos, la partie moyenne des flancs et la face superieure des
jambes regno une teinte d'un vert-clair que le sejour dans l'alcool tend a
changer en gris de plomb ; les flancs, une partie de la face latcrale de la
tete et le bord externe des extremites sont d'un rose-lilas ; les regions
inferieures sont d'un jaune-verdatre, qui prend sur l'anus, la face pos-
terieure des cuisses et la face interne des jambes un ton plus vif et ocrace.
Des taches nombreuses, varices et symetriques, d'un noir profond se
montrent sur le dos et les flancs, a la face dorsale des membres et sur la
gorge ; telles sont : une large bande partant de Pextremite du museau,
traversant l'ceil et terminant sur Tangle de la machoire apres avoir con-
tourne le tympan, qui est aussi noir: deux taches allongees formant
chevron sur le milieu du dos derriere la tete, suivies plus en arriered'une
autre paire de taches allonguees ; des taches variees sur les flancs; des
taches et des bandes transversales sur les membres ; enfin sur la gorge une
tache allongee, au centre, et deux de chaque cote forment un dessin tres
caracteristique. Les paumes et les plantes des pieds noiratres.
Habitat. — L'individu unique que nous possedons de cette espece a ete
recueilli au Hie par MM. Capello et Ivens.
23. Pheyxobatrachus Natalexsis, Smith.
Two specimens from the Bihe.
24. Hypeuolius cithinus, Giinther.
From the Bihe.
25. Hypeuolius Huillexsis,, Boeage.
From the Bihe.
26. Bufo Glixeexsis; Schleg*. (?)
A new specimen from the Bihe.
FISH.2
Fam. LABYRINTH ICI— Genus Ctenopoma, Peters.
1. Ctexopoma iiuLTispixis, Peters ; Gthr., Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus.,
vol. hi. p. 373; Peters, Mossamb. Flnssjische, p. 16; Gthr.,
Ann. E. Mag. Nat. Ilisf., vol. xx. p. 110.
Two specimens : a. Total length 100 milliin. ; /;. Total length 78
millim.
2 Extract of the J or not de Sclencins Mathematical, Physicas e Naturaes,lso. xxx,,
Lisbon, 1881. They were classified in the Museum of Lisbon by Sr. Autonio Roberto
Pereira Guimaraes, Assistant Naturalist.
u 2
292 West and Central Africa.
Fam. CHROMID.E— Genus Chromis, Cuv.
2. Cromis Mossambicus, Peters ; Gthr., Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus.,
vol. iv. p. 268.
Two specimens : a. Total length 80 millim ; b. Total length 88 milliin.
3. Chromis Sparrmanni, Smith; Gthr., Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus.,
vol. iv. p. 269.
Complete accordance with the description of Dr. Giinther, saving in
the number of dorsal fins, which in this specimen is 15 instead of 13 or
14.
One specimen, total length 88 millim.
Genus Hemichromis, Peters.
4. Hemicromis robtjstus, Gthr. ; Proc. Z. S.s London, 1S64, p. 312.
One specimen, total length 82 millim.
5. Hemicromis Angolensis, Steind., Mem. Ac. Sc.} Lisbon, 1865.
One specimen, total length 90 millim.
Habitat. — River'Cu-anza. Common name, Moaca.
Fam. SILURID^— Genus Clarias, Gronov.
6. Claria angujllaiiis, Linn. ; Gthr.,, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., vol.
v. p. 14.
Two specimens : a. Total length 20 cent. ; b. Total length 12'5 cent.
Habitat. — River Cuito. Common name llbande.
Fam. MOmiYHID2E-3formyrus, Gthr.
7. Mormyrus Lhuysi, Steind. ; Steindachner, SB. Ah. Wien, 1870,
lxi. p. 553, tab. 2, fig. 3, Senegal.
The only specimen we have before us greatly resembles the Mormyrus
Lhuysi, Steind., not only in the general shape of the body and its relative
dimensions, but likewise in the system of colouring; it differs, however,
in the number of fins and scales.
Thus, Dr. Steindachner, in a Senegal specimen, found the following
numbers : —
P— 14, D— 20, A— 28, L. lat. 48 ;
whilst the formula of the specimen deposited in the Lisbon Museum is —
P— 10, D— 25, A— 33, L. lat. 53.
One specimen, total length 85 millim.
Habitat. — River Lu-ando. Common name Dembe.
Fa
una. 293
Fam. CYPEIND.E— Genus Barbus, Gthr.
8. Barbus Kessleri, Steind. ; Gthrv Cat. Fishes Brit. 3Ius., vol.
vii. p. 107.
One specimen, total length to root of tail 97 millim.
We have still remaining four specimens to describe, one of the genus Cteno-
poma, and three of the genus Barbus, but the elements of comparison for their
sf.udy are wanting.
INSECTS.3
HYHENOPTERA.
A.VTDM.
1. Apis Adansonii, Latr.
Apis Adansonii, Latr., Ann. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat., v. p. 172, No.
Apis scutellata, Lep., Hist. Nat. d. Hym., 1. p. 404
Apis mellifica, var. Gerst., Inseht. v. Mossamb., p. 439.
%. Anthophora flavicollis, Gerst.
Anthophora flavicollis, Gerst., Insekt. v. Mossamb., p. 445, pi. xxix,
fig. 5.
a. $ long. corp. 15 millim.
3. Anthophora atrocincta, Lep.
Anthophora atrocincta, Lep., Hist. Nat. d. Hym., 11. p. 35.
a.
4. Xylocopa nigrita, Fab.
Xylocopa nigrita, Lep., Hist. Nat. d. Hym., 11. p. 179; ( $ ) Gerst.,
Reis. in Ost-Afr., p. 314.
a.-?
5. Xylocopa combusta, Smith.
Xylocopa combusta, Smith, Nat. Hym. Ins., p. 350.
a.
G. Xylocopa inconstans, Smith.
We refer to this species a specimen collected by Messrs. Capello and
Ivens, because, besides not knowing the distinction, we compared it with
3 We are indebted for the study we present upon insects to Sr. Alberto Guard'
Assistant Naturalist at the Lisbon Museum.
294 West and Central Africa.
another, sent to the Lisbon Museum \>y Mr. Anchieta, and classified under
this name, and observed that it differed solely in having yellow bristles
on the back part and sides of the thorax, as also in the first abdominal
segment ; whilst in Mr. Anchieta's specimen those bristles are white,
a. — $ long. corp. 33 millim.
7. Xylocopa calens, Lep.
Xyloco'pa calens, Lep., Hist. Nat. d. Hym., n. p. 196, $ .
vesfid^:.
8. ElJMENES TINCTOE, Christ.
JEumenes Savignyi, Guerin, Icon. Reg. Anim. Ins., pi. 72, fig. 4.
Humenes tinctor, Gerst., Reis. in OsUAfr., p. 321.
a.
9. Belonogastee, sp. (?)
a.
CBABRONID^;.
10. HexAiipepsis vindex, Smith.
Mignimia vindex, Smith, Cat. Hym. Ins., in. p. 186 (•£ )•
Hemipepsis vindex, Gerst., Reis. in. Ost-Afr., p. 327.
a.— $ long, corps. 37 millim.
11. Peiocnemis, sp. (?)
a.-?
12. Ammophila eeeeugeneipes, Lep.
Ammophila ferrugineipes, Lep., Hist. Wat. d. Hym., in. p. 383 ( $ ).
a.($)
13. SCOLTA CYANEA, Lep.
Scolia cyanea, Lep., Hist. Nat. d. Hym., in. p. 525 (cf); Gerst.,
Insekt. v. Mossamb., p. 494.
a.-?
FORMICID^E.
14. Paltothyeeus pestilentia, Smith.
a.
15. PONEEA, Sp. (?)
a.
16. Foemica maculata, Fabr.
Formica maculata1 Lep., Hint. Nat. d. Hym., I. p. 2,15 ; Gerst., Insekt.
v. Mossamb., p. 509.
a. ........
Fauna. 295
CHEYSIDID.ffi.
17. Stilbum splendidum, Fab.
Slilbum splendidum, Lcp., Hist. Nat. d. llym., iv. p. 15 ; Gerst.,
Insekt. v. Mbssamb., p. 519.
a. — 5 . Long, corp. 11 millim.
DIPTEEA.
TABAXIDJ3.
1. TABANUS EXCLAMAT10N1S, new sp.
Approximates closely to the Tabanus longitudinal-is, Lew. [Insekt. v.
Mbssamb., p. 2). Head white, eyes bronzed, with very small facets,
interval between them wide, with two red callosities arranged en face,
furnished with white hairs beneath, trunk of dark grey, feelers white,
antennae pink, first and second article furnished with white hairs, and
elongating upwards to a black point (the third is wanting in all the speci-
mens) ; thorax pinky above, being four black stripes close together, which
almost conceal the blue colour below; abdomen conical, beginning to
narrow in the third segment, as long as the head and thorax together,
yellow, without hair, having a brown dorsal line, occupying one-third of
the breadth, having in the middle and at each segment a white triangular
mark, with an angle turned to the base, furnished with black in the second
segment, and not in the first and last, and (the abdomen) having also a
narrow lateral stripe of the same colour as the dorsal, beginning at the
second or third segment. It must be noted that as regards the colour
of the ground, it is lighter towards the extremity of the abdomen, which
the stripes darken, so that the last segment is almost black ; belly yellow,
with the lateral margins whitened, middle of the last two segments black;
thighs grey, with some white hairs, abundant at the base; tibia red;
tarsus black above, red below ; wings transparent ; costal frame black, the
others chestnut.
Long. corp. 16 to 17 millim. Exp. al. 34 millim.
a.— c. $
We imagined at first that our specimens referred to the T. longitudi-
nalis, Loew; but on attentively reading the description, it appears to us,
if we understand it properly, that the drawing of the thorax and abdomen
is completely different, as well as the general colour, which we collider
sufficient to separate the two species.
The Lepidoptera are represented by some " foureaure " of Leyortas, of
the Psychidce family. They are formed by a collection of dry and thin
branches, disposed longitudinally, and which cover and protect a s-ilk
cocoon wherein the worm is found. 3Ionteiro, in his work upon Angola,
gives an exact representation of these cocoons. (V. Angola and the
River Congo, by J. J. Monteiro, London, 1875, vol. II. p. 295. pi. xvi.).
296 West and Central Africa.
NEUROPTERA.
MYEME LEONIDS.
1. Palp ares caefer (?); Burm.
One sole exemplar spoiled.
ORTHOPTERA.
Dr. Ignacio Bolivar published, a short time ago, a remarkable study
upon the Orthoptera of Angola existing in the Lisbon Museum, and at
the same time studied the specimens of Messrs. Capello and Ivens.
It is this study which we transcribe here, and to which, as will be seen,
we contribute no part.4
1. Camoensia insights, Bolivar. , new sp.
Jorn. So. Math. Phys. Wat., No. xxx., p. 3, No. 18.
Cu-ango (Capello and Ivens).
2. ACRIDIUM TARTARICUM, Lin.
Acridium tartaricum, Bolivar, loc. cit., p. 112, No. 22.
HEMIPTERA.
HETEEOPTEBA.
1. Sph^rocoris p^ecilus, Dallas.
Sjj/icerocoris pacilus, Dallas, List of Semi p. Insect, in the Coll. of
tlie Brit. Mus., 1. p. 9.
a. b.
2. Ccenomorpha nervosa, Dallas.
Coenomorpha nervosa, Dallas, loc. cit., I. p. 192.
a. d.
3. Phillocephala plicata, Reich e et Fairm.
Phillocephala plicata, Reiche et Fairm., Toy. en Abyss., ill. p. 447 ;
At. Zool., pi. 29, fig. 2.
a.-?
4. Petascelis, sp. (?)
4 See Jorn a I das Scicneias Mathematicas, Physicas e Naluraes, No. xxx. p. 107.
Fauna. 297
5. Mictis heteropus, Latr.
Midi's heteropus, Schaum., Insekt. v. Mossamb., p. 41.
a— S
b.-$
6. Platimeris cuttatipennis, Stal.
Platimeris guttatipennis, Stal., Ofvers. VelensJc Akad. Fiirrhanell,
xvi. p. 188.
a.
7. ACANTASPIS, Sp. (?)
a.
8. Appasus, sp. (?)
a.
9. Laccotrephes grossus, Fab.
Nepa grossa, Ainyot. et Serv., Hist. Nat. d. Hem., p. 440.
a.
10. Laccotrephes brachialis, Gerst.
Laccotrephes brachialis, Gerst., Reis. in Ost-Afr., p. 422.
a. — c.
11. Belostoma Algeriense, Duf.
JBelostoma Algeriense, Duf., Mem. Soc. Roy. d. Sc. de Liege, v. p. 186,
pi. 1.
Hydrocyrius herculeus, Gerst., JReis. in Ost-Afi'., p. 423.
a. — c. Long, total. 65 millim. Larg. 27 rnillim.
HOMOPTEEA.
1. Platypleura Capensis, Lin.
Platypleura Capensis, Amyot. et Serv., Hist. Nat. d. Hem., p. 466,
No. 2; "Walker, List of Homopt. Ins. Brit. Mus., i. p. 3.
a.— <$
b.-?
2. Platypleura, sp. (?)
a.— c. #
a.-?
299
FLORA.
Messrs. Capello andIvens collected on their journey a certain number
of plants, which, having been forwarded to the botanical section of the
National Museum, were incorporated in the herbaria. The whole of
these plants, saving a small number gathered in the low lands of the
Dombe, were taken from the elevated region of the high table-land of
South Africa, from Caconda, the Bihe, and the country lying between
those two points.
Dr. Welwitsch had already penetrated into that region, and explored
a part of the high ground of the Huilla, and from his mature inves-
tigation, made from an exclusively botanical point of view, resulted a
magnificent collection of specimens, which are at the present date for
the most part studied and determined. The two recent explorers could
not devote their entire attention to botany ; occupied as they were
with many and important matters, it was only incidentally that they
gathered a few plants. Nevertheless the collection they formed is very
interesting. Penetrating into the lofty central region, more to the
north and much more deeply than Welwitsch had done, they had an
opportunity of visiting lands whose flora was till then absolutely un-
known.
If to this collection we unite the important parcels sent over from
Caconda by Mr. Anchieta (who, already known as an admirable zoo-
logical collector, has proved himself to be a no less zealous and in-
telligent collector of botanical specimens), and a i'ew exemplars
furnished by Major Serpa Pinto on the banks of the river Nindu, we
must admit that the recent journeys made by the Portuguese, important
as they are from other points of view, have furnished a valuable con-
tingent towards a knowledge of African vegetation.
The whole of these plants will be successively studied and described
in special reports, I having had great assistance in the work from Mr.
\V. P. Hiern, a botanist of repute and particularly well versed in the
tropical African flora.
A definitive examination of these plants has necessarily been de-
layed, as it was necessary to com pare them with the specimens preserved
in various museums of Europe, and I can therefore only furnish here a
few notes, the result of a first survey made by Mr. IJiern and myself,
300 West and Central Africa.
and which are of a nature to give a merely cursory idea of the impor-
tance of the collection made by Messrs. Capello and Ivens.
That collection contains approximately 140 different species, re-
presented mostly by examples susceptible of rigorous determination,
and which, apart from certain corrections that a more careful examina-
tion will entail, may be distributed by their natural families in the
following manner : —
Banunculace.e — A few species of the genus Clematio, one of which is
probably new.
Menispermace^e — A species of the genus Stephania.
NymphjeacEjE — A species of the Nymphcea genus, obtained from the
Cubanzo.
Capparidace^e — A species of Cleome.
Polygale^e — A species of the genus Polygala and one of the
Securidcea.
Malvaceae — Species of the Sulci and Hibiscus. The large malvaceae,
as for instance the imbondeiro, do not exist at great altitudes. From
Quilengues upwards it is very rare, and at 3200 feet it disappears com-
pletely, according to a note of the explorers.
Filiace^e — A species of Triumfetta.
Malpighiace^e — A species of Sphedamnocarpus.
Ochnace^e — A species of Oclina, probably undescribed.
Meliace^e — A species of Ekebergia.
AMPELiDEiE — Species of Vitis. One of them, met with pretty fre-
quently, and to which the natives give the name of Quinjuanjiia,
produces an edible fruit, and is used in the preparation of a fermented
liquor.
Anacardiace^e — A species of Rhus.
Legttminos.e — Species of the genus Crotalaria, Indigo/era, Tephrosia,
Sesbania, Herminiera, JEschynomene, Erythrina, Eriosema, Sivartzia,
Cassia, Banhinia, Brachystegia, and Acasia. The species of Brachy-
stegia come from the Dombe, where they form the staple of the forests
traversed by the explorers. The Herminiera was gathered in the same
region, and no doubt on the bank of some river.
Rosacea — A species of Parinarium.
Melastomace,e — Species of the Dissotis and Antherotoma.
Samyde^e — A species probably belonging to the Homalueno genus.
Passiflore^e — A species of Paropsia, probably new.
Cucurbitaceje — A species probably appertaining to the genus
Zehneria — a very imperfect specimen.
UmbelliferyE — Incomplete specimens, apparently belonging to the
JFceniculum and Caruno.
Floi'a. 301
Rubiace.e — Species of the geuuses, Mussaenda, Oxyantlius, Tricalysia,
Vtmgneria, Fadogia, Ancylanthos, Grumilea, and Spermacoce; some of
these species being very interesting, and undoubtedly new.
Com rosiT^r. — Species of the gennses Vernonia, Conyza, Helichrysum,
Aspilia, Coreopsio, Bidens, Emilia, Berkheya, Peiotaris, and Dicoma,
some of which are nndescribed.
Ebenace^e — A species ofDiospyros, and one of Euclea.
Asclepiade.e — Species of the genus Asclepias.
Gentiane.e — A species of the genus Chironia.
SoLANACEiE — A species of Datura.
Scrophularine.e — Species which seem to belong to the gennses
Striga and Sopubia.
Pedaltne^e — A species of Sesamothamnus.
AcanthaC'E/E — Species of Barleria.
YerbenaceyE — Species of the Lantana, Vitea, and Clerodendron.
Labiut^e —A species of Tinnea.
PolygonaceyE — A species of Polygonum.
Proteace/E — Imperfect specimens, apparently belonging to this
family.
Thym.eleaceyE — Species of Guidia and Lasiosiphon ; probably new.
EuphorbiaceyE — Species of Bridelia, Phyllanthera, Manihot,
Acalypha, and Ricinus.
Orchideve — A species probably of the genus Habenaria.
Iride^e — Species of Gladiolus and Moraia, some of which are pro-
bably new.
Smilace.e — A species of Smilase.
Liliacejs — Species of Asparagus and Bulbine.
CyperaceyE — Species of Cyperus.
Gramine^e — Species, among others, of the genuses Panicum, Andro-
pagon, and Elensine.
Filices — Species in small number, about four.
This list, the result of a first and very rapid review, is subject to
various corrections and alterations; it will suffice, however, to give an idea
of the value and interest of the collection. In a subsequent and closer
description we shall avail ourselves of the notes upon the common
names and uses of some of those plants which accompanied the speci-
mens, and that will be found of considerable interest to science.
Count de Ficalho.
Lisbon, June, 1881.
30:
West and Central Africa.
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Various Dialects.
PRONOUNS IN SIX AFRICAN DIALECTS.
90
To
□
c3
a
I
Erne
Thou
Eie
He
Iana
We
Etu
You
Enu
They
Ene"
Bi
lun-
he or
bundo.
Ame
Obe
Eie
Etu
Ene
Obo,
Bi
Cabin da.
O c3
i?3
Mine- jNa
•Teei Oeua ...
N'andi Ilena ...
Befo Runa ...
Behenu Quimina
Bao, Ba-bonse Quibdna
08 a
Quioco.
Oane ...
Jame
Guiobe
Baia...
Vona-lua
Anasso
Obone . . .
_
Men e
Oene
Declension of the Pronouns of the N'Bunda Tongue.1
Plural.
Norn. — etu.
Oen. — i-etu.
Dat. — cu-etu.
Abl. — etu.
Singular.
SNom. — emc.
Gen. — ia-me.
Dat. — cu-me.
Abl. — me.
!Nom. — eie.
Gen. — i-e or ri-e.
Dat. — cu-i-e.
Voc. — eie!
Abl. — e, ie.
/' Nora. — ene or munee.
Third N Gen. — oe or ie.
Person, y Dat. — cu-ene or cu-muene.
V Abl. — oe or ie.
Norn. — enu.
Gen. — i-enu.
Dat. eu-euu
Voc. — enue !
Abl. — enu.
Nora. — ene.
Gen. — iene.
Dat. — cu-ene.
Abl. —ene.
Conjunctions.
And— No. That— Na. Also— Oe.
Interjections.
Of pain ... Ai ! ^ | Of grief, terror Mame !
Of wonder . Ao-ah! E-o-ah! O-ah! Of silence T'chibia !
Uf affliction Ai-o-e ! Of applause Qui-o-ah !
Of fear He! I By way of call ... ... Che!
1 The greater part of the elements constituting the vocabulary of the N'Bunda
tongue were supplied us by our distinguished aud intelligent friend Sr. A. Urbano
i Monteiro de Castro.
304
West and Central Africa.
N'BUNDA VOCABULARY.
Portuguese.
Abaixar
Abalar
Abalroar
Abanar
Abcesso
Abel ha
Abel has
Abobora
Aborrecer
Abortar
Abracar
Abraco
Acabar
Acabou-se
Acabou-se
Accender
A char
Acompanhar
Acordar
Acostumar-se
Adiantar-se
Adivinhar
Adoecer
Afastar
Afogar-se
Agradecer
Agua
Agua doce
Agua salgada
Aguia
Ajudar
Ajuntar
Alegre
Aleijado de nascenca
Aleijado por molestia
Aleijao
Algodao
Aloes
Altercar
Alto
Alumiar
Amadurecer
Amamentar
N'Bunda.
Cu-butalala, Cu-butama
Cu-cumuna
Cu-balacanha
Cu-buquirila
Qui-jimbo
N'hique
Ji-nhique
Ri-nhango
Cu-zemba
Cu-secula
Cu-zibubala
N'dand'o
Cu-azuba,cu-assuea, cu-bua
Iabo, masc. and /em.
Cw.-2iho,neut.
Cu-bia, Cu-uica
Cu-quimona, Cu-sanja
Cu-batessa
Ca-toma
Cu-irila
Cu-rianga
Cu-suma
Cu-eata
Cu-songoloea
Cu-fua-mu-menha
Cu-tondela
Menha
Menha-matome
Menha-malula
N'jinji
Cu-cuatessa
Cu-cucula, Ou-bongolola
Lela
N'gonga
N'mana
Qui-nema
Mujinha
Quicalango
Cu-richinga
Leba, Zangura
Cu-muica
Cu-bia
Cu-amuissa
English.
To lower
To decamp
To contend
To fan
An abscess
A bee
Bees
A gourd
To hate
To miscarry
To embrace
An embrace
To finish
It was finished
To kindle
To find
To accompany
To awake
To inure oneself to
To hasten
To foretell
To sicken
To drive away
To drown
To thank
Water
Fresh water
Salt water
An eagle
To help
To assemble
Gay
Crippled, from birth
Crippled hy a hurt
Lameness
Cotton
Aloes
To dispute
High
To light t
To ripen'
To suckle
N' Bunda Vocabulary.
i05
Portuguese.
Amanhecer
Am ante
Amargo
Amigo
Anciao
Andar
Andar de pressa
Andar de vagar
Andorinha
Animal
Anno
Anoitecer
Apagar
Apalpar
Apanhar
Apertado
Apertar
Apontar
Approximar-se
Aprender
Aquecer
Ar
Aranha
Arco-iris
Arder
Areia
Arm a
Arrancar
Arrecadar
Arregacar
Arriar
Arvore
Aspirar
Assar
Assentar-se
Assoar-se
Assustar
Atar
Atirar
Atmosphera
Atravessar
Atrazar-se
Atrever-se
Atrevido
Atrevimento
Aturar
Aurora
Avarento
Ave
Avistar
Avo ou Ava
Aza
Azas
Azedo
vol. jr.
N'Bunda.
Cu-cuaque
N'bassa
Lula
Ri-camba
Qui-culacaje
Cu-enda
Cu-longa
Cu-riomba
Piapia
Qui-ama
Muvo (?)
Cu-le'mbeca
Cu-jima
Cu-babata
Cu-bonga
Colo
Cu-colessa
Cu-riquiza
Cu-sueta e Cu-zucama
Cu rilonga
Ca-temessa
Mulengbe
Qui-jandanda
Congolo
Cu-t'chicbima
Qui-sequele
Uta
Cu-catula
Cu-luca
Cu-zacular
Cu-tuluca
Mu lemba (?)
Cu-feuta
Cu-ribia, Cu-zuza
Cu-t'chieama
Cu-bemba
Cu-atucumuca
Cu-cuta
Cu-tacula
Cu-cama (?)
Cu-cangalala
Cu-n'guenica
Cu-buma
Mucu-an'ganje.
N'ganje
Cu-amburila
Cii-guia
Ca-coria
N'jila
Cu-amutala
Cuco
Ri-zaza
Ma-zaza
NVan<jama
English.
To dawn
A lover
Bitter
A friend
An elder
To go, to walk
To make haste
To walk slowly
A swallow
An animal
A year
To become niirbt
To put out a light
To feel, to touch
To take, to catch
Tight, urgent
To bind, to press
To point at, to note
To draw near
To learn
To grow hot
The air
A spider
A rainbow
To burn
Sand
A weapon
To pull, to root up
To collect (taxes)
To tuck up
To slacken (a rope)
A tree
To breathe
To roast
To sit down
To blow the nose
To frighten
To tie
To shoot, to throw
The atmosphere
To cross
To linger
To dare, to venture
Daring, inconsiderate
Boldness, effrontery
To suffer, to bear
Dawn of day
Covetous
A bird
To descry, to see afar off
Grandfather, or grand-
A wing [mother
Wings
Sour, harsh
X
3o6
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
English.
Azeite
Maji
Oil
Azeite de dendem
Maji-ma-dende
Cocoa oil
Azeite doce
Maji-ia-puto
Sweet oil
Azeite de ricino
Maji-ma-mono
Castor oil
Bab a
Zeza
Foam, saliva
Babar
Cu-riuzila
To foam, to drivel
Bacia
Ri-longa
Basin
Baco
Candjila
Brown, swarthy
Baile
N'goma
A dance
Baixa ou varzea
Honga
A fall, or low ground
Baixo (adjectivo)
Abuto
Low (adjective)
Banana
Ri-conjo
Banana
Bananeira
Ma-conjo (?)
Ban ana- tree
Banhar-se
Cu-rissulula
To bathe
Banquete de carnehumana Congo, ou Di-congo
A banquet of human flesh
Bao-bab
Imbondo
Bao-bab
Barba
Muezo, ou olongeri (?)
The beard
Barrete
Cajinga
A cap
Barriga
Ri-vumo
The belly
Barroca
Ri-cungo
A gutter made by floods
Basso
Mu-toto
Spleen
Bastao
M'bassa, ou M'bassi
A stick
Bater
Cu-bunda
To beat
Bebado
Colua
Drunken
Beber
Cu-nua
To drink
Beico
Mu-zumbo
A lip
Beliscao
Qui-n'jonjo
A pinch or nip
Beliscar
Cu-jangona
To pinch or nip
Bello
Euaba, Uaba
Fair, beautiful
Bexiga
Qai-sut'chino
A bladder
Bexigas (variolo)
Quin'gongo
Pits of smallpox
Bezerro
Mona-ia-n'gombe
A bullock
Bico
Mu-sungo
The beak of a bird
Bobo
Qui-tanga
A buffoon
Boca
Ri-cano
The mouth
Bocal
Mu-zenza
Rude, ignorant
Boies
N'zalazala
The lungs
Bofetao
Hutche
A slap in the face
Bofetdes
Ji-hutche
Blows
Boi
N'gonibe
An ox
Bom
M'bote
Good
Borboleta
Qui-m'biambia
A butterfly
Borbulha
Bulo
A pimple
Bom-far
Cu-sassa
To sprinkle
Bosque
Mu-chito
A wood
Bracelet e
Ma-lunga
A bracelet
Braco
Qui-cuaco
The arm
Branco (adjectivo)
Izela
"White
Branco (homen)
Mu-n'dele
A white man
Branco (pleben)
Ca-n'gundo
White people
Brando
Lenduca
Soft, gentle
Bravo
Tenia
Wild
Braza
Ri-cala, Ri-tubia
Live charcoal
N" Bunda Vocabulary
Portuguese.
Brazas
Brigar
Brincar
Brin co (adorno)
Buraco
Buscar
Cabaca
Cabeca
Cabello
Cabo
Cabra
Caca
Cacador
Cacar
Cadeado
Cadeia ou Corrente
Cadeira
Cadeira de bauibu
Cair
Calar a boca
Calcar
Cal calar
Caldo
Calor
Calva
Cama
Camaleao
Caminho
Campo
Canbamo
Canoa grande
Canoa pequena
Cansado
Cansar-se
Can tar
Cantiga
Cao
Capim
Capinar
Capital
Cara
Caranguejo
Caravan a
Careca
Carga
Carne
Carneiro
Caroco
Carrapato
Carregar
Carvao
Casa de palha
N' Bund a.
English.
Ma-eala, Ma-tubia
Live cbarcoal (jplur.)
Cu-zoca
To fight
Cu-toneca
To frisk
Qui-n'guerenguele
An ornament
Ri-zungo
A gap, a hole
Cu-tocana
To seek, to search
Ca-binda
A gourd
Mii-tue
The head, a chief
N'deinba
Hair
M'binhe
An end, a handle
N 'combo
A she-goat
N'hanga
Chase, game
Ri-nhanga, Ri»congo
A hunter
Cu-losa, Cu-nhanga
To chase, to hunt
Ri-cumba
A padlock
Ri-bambo
A chain
Qui-alo
A chair, a seat
N'benza
A bamboo seat
Cu-ribala, Cu-noca
To fall
Cu-richiba
To hold the tongue
Cu-bata, Cu banda
To tread upon
Cu-ricanda
To reckon
Mu-zongue
Broth
N'bema
Heat
Ri-bala
Baldness
Ri-londe
Abed
Ri-muguena
A chameleon
N'jila, Coca
A way, a road
Ri-canga
Afield
Ri-ambu, ou Li-amba
Hemp
Dongo
A large canoe
Qui.-m'bola
A Miiall ditto.
N'buila
Tired
Cu-buila
To tire oneself
Cu-imba
To sing
Mu-imbo
A song
I in boa
A dog
lango
Tall grass
Cu-eombela
To mow the u capim
N'banza
Capital
N'polo
The face
Qui-ala
A crab-fish.
Qui-buca
A caravan
Ri bala
Scurfy
M'hamba
A load, a burden
T'ehito
Flesh, meat
M'buri
Sheep, mutton
N'tendo
Stone (of fruit)
Ri*bata
A tick
Cu-ambata, Cu-loga
To load, to burden
Cu-tuta
Ri-cala
Coal
Cubuta
Straw hut
x 2
3o8
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
English.
Casa de pedra
Lumbo
Stone bouse
Casar
Cu-socana (?)
To marry
Casca de arvcor
Quibato
Bark of trees
Casca de frutoe
Qui-ango
Rind of fruit
Caspa
Qui-biache
Scurf
Castigar
Cu-beta, Cu-muba
To chastise
Cauda
Mu-quila
A tail
Cavacos
Jibato
Chips
Cavar
Cu-canda
To dig, to hollow
Caximbo
M'peiche
A pipe
Cego de nascenca
Qui-lembo
Blind from birth
Cego por molestia
Qui-fofo
Blind through accident
Ceremonia
N'sonhe
Ceremony
Certo
Tend
Certain, sure
Cesto
Qui-nda
A basket
Ceu
Inlo
The sky
Chamar
Cu-ambela, Cu-cola
To call
Chamma
Qui-lecuea
Flame
Chegar
Cu-bichila, Cu-zucuma
To draw near, to arrive
Cheia
Izala
An overflow
Cheirar
Cu-fenha
To smell, to scent
Cheiro
Ei-zumba
Scent
Chibo (cabrito)
N'combo
A kid
Chorar
Cu-rila
To cry
Chover
Cu-noca
To rain
Choviscar
Cu-sucomuca
To mizzle
Chovisco
Suco-suco
Light rain
Chuco
Mu-songo
A spear
Chupar
Ca-t'cbiba
To suck
Chuva
N'vula
Rain
Cigarra
M'bangarala
A cicada
Cinto
N'ponda
A belt
Cintura
Canhonga
The waist
Cinza
Otucua
Ashes
Circumcisao
Saia
Circumcision
Circumcisar
Cu-saia
To circumcise
Ciume
Ri-fuba
Envy, jealousy
Clarear
Cu-n'zela
To dawn
Claro
N'zela
Clear, bright
Cobra
Nhoca
A snake
Cobre
Londo
Copper
Cobrir
Cu-futa
To cover
Cocar
Cu-asa
To scratch "
Cocega
Hugota
Tickling, longing
Cola (fructo)
Ri-queso
Cola (fruit)
Colher
N'guto
To gather
Comecar
Cu-mateca
To begin
Comecou o luar
M'begeia tetama
The moon shone out
Comer
Cu-ria
To eat
Comilao
Qui-riacaje
A glutton
Commercio
Uendji
Trade, traffic
Compatriota
Mu-cuache
A fellow-countryman
Compor-se
Cu-ricoteca
To agree with
Comprar
Cu-sumba, Cu-senga
To buy
Comprido
Seba
Long
N' Biinda Vocabulary.
309
Portuguese,
N'Bunda.
English.
Compriinentar
Cu-menequena
To compliment
Comprimeuto (medida)
Cu-leba
Length
Concha
Qui-quesse
A shell
Concha (moeda do Congo)
N'jimbo
A cowry
Conhecer
Cu-ijia
To know
Conselheiro
N'punga
A counsellor
Consent ir
Cu-amburila
To consent
Consorte (f.)
Mu-caje
Wife
Consorte (m.)
Mu-lume
Husband
Contar
Cu-tangar
To count, to relate
Copado
N'zanda
Tufted, bushy
Coracao
N'zundo
Heart, spirit
Cor da
Mu-colo
A cord, rope
Cordao
Qui-bo
A lace, a string
Coroa
Qui-landa
A crown
Corpo
Mu-cuto
A body
Correr
Cu-lenga, Ca-songuela
To run, to flow
Cortar
Cu-batula
To cut
Coruja
Ca-coco
A screech owl
Corvo
Qui-lombe-lombe.
A crow
Coser
Cu-tunga
To sew
Costas
Ri-cunda
The back
Costellas
M'banje
The ribs
Costume
Quifa
A custom
Cotovello
Qui-pomuna
The elbow
Couro
Qui-ba
A hide, skin
Cousa
Qui-ma
A thing
Cova
Ri-cungo
A pit, ditch
Coxa
Ri-catacata
The thigh
Coxear
Cu-tengunha
To limp
Coxo
Qui-nema
Lame
Cozinhar
Cu-ulamba
To cook
Creanca
N'dengue
An infant
Crear
Cu-sassa
To produce, to bring up
Creoulo
Buchilo
A home-born slave
Crepusculo
N'goioche
Twilight
Crer
Cu-t'chicana
To believe
Crescer
Cu-cula
To increase
Crime
Qui-tuche
A crime
Crista
Qui-coacoa
A cock's comb, a crest
Critical'
Cu-longolola
To criticize
Crocodilo
N'gando
A crocodile
Cuidar
Cu-fica
To think of, care for
Cultivar
Cu-rima
To till the ground
Cunhado
N'uere
Brother-in-law
Cunhados
Ji-uere
Brothers and sisters-in-law
Curandeiro
Qui-n'banda
The medicine-man
Curar
Cu-vissaca
To cure, heal
Curral
Qui-banga
A cattle enclosure
Curto
Buto
Short
Curvar-se
Cu-bolama
To bow down
Cuspir
Cu-tamate
To spit
Dansa
Qui-na
A dance
Dausar
Cu-quina, Cu-belela
To dance
IO
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
Dansar (batuque)
Dar
Dar bo
Dedo
Deitar-se
Deixar
Deixar passar
Dente
Dentes
Depositar
Derradeiro
Desagradar
Desatar
Desbocado
Descansar
Descansar a earga
Descarregar
Descascar
Descer
Descobrir
Desdobrar
Desfazer
Desgostar
Desgraca
Desrnanchar
Despedir
Despedir-se
Despejar
Desperto
Desprender-se
Destinar
Destruir
Deus
Devastar
Dever
Dia
Diarrhea
Dinheiro
Dinheiro de conchas
Direccao
Direito
Distrahir-se
Diurno
Dividir
Dizer
Dobrar
Doce
Docil
Doe 119a
Doende
Doente
Doer
Dono
Dor
N'Bunda.
Cu-semba
Cu-ubana
Cu-ta-ribumbo
Mu-lembo
Cu-zeca, Cu-zendalala
Cu-ambula, Cu-rechissa
Cu-bitessa
Ei-jo
Ma-jo
Cu-tutula
Suquinina
Cu-ibila
Cu-jituna
Qui-sebuisso
Cu-nhoca
Cu-tula
Cu-longorala, Cu-tu-turula
Cu-tela
Cu-tuluca
Cu-rifolumuna
Cu-futumuna
Cu-sangunuma
Cu-zemba
Cu-t'chichima-lamba
Cu-bula, Cu-sangumuna
Cu-zula
Cu-t'chalessa
Cu-lundulula
Chiche
Cu-sutumuca
Cu-t'ciiinda
Cu-jimonuna
N'zambi
Cu-bunda
Cu-levala
Qui-zua
Mala-Manhinga
Qui -tare
N'jimbo
Muchinda
Lulama
Cu-laleca
Ia-luanha
Cu-uana
Cu-amba
Ca-burijica
Tola, Toalela
Lenduca
Cu-cata
Cu-zumbi
Ache, Ucate
Cu-cata
Mu-are
N'gongo
English.
To dance {batuque)
To give
To tie a knot
A finger
To lie down
To leave, to let
To let pass
A tooth
The teeth
To deposit, to set down
The last
To displease
To untie
Hard mouthed, unruly
To rest
To set down a load
To unload, to discharge
To strip off bark
To descend, to come down
To uncover, to discover
To unfold
To undo, to loosen
To dislike, to disgust
Misfortune
To take to pieces
To dismiss
To take leave
To clear away
Awake
To detach oneself
To devote, to design
To destroy
God
To lay waste
To owe
The day
Diarrhoea
Money
Cowry money
Direction
Eight, straight
To amuse oneself
Daily
To part, to share
To say, to speak
To fold, to bend
Sweet
Docile
Sickness
Sickening
Sick, ill
To ache, suffer
A gift
Grief, pain
N'Bunda Vocabulary.
ii
Portuguese.
Dormir
Duro
Duvida
Duvidar
Dysenteria
Echo
Elephante
Elogiar
Em bora
Einprenhar (v. n.)
Emprenhar (v. a.)
Empurrar
Encalhar
Encantamento
Encker
Encolher
Encontrar
Encoutrar-se
Endireitar
Enfeitado
Enfeitar
Enfeite
Enganar
Engasgar-se
Engordar
Engulir
Enrolar
Ensinar
Entender
Enterrar
Entornar
Entrar
Envenenar
Enxada
Enxadas
Enxugar
Errar
Escama
Eseamar o peixe
Escapar
EsGapar-se
Escarnecer
Escolher
Esconder
Escorregadico
Escorregar
Escorrer
Escravo
Escrever
Escripto
Escuridao
Escuro
Escutar
N'Bunda.
Cu-zeca, Cu-lambarala
Colo, Colocota
Pata
Cu-cachicana
Mala
Cu-dumina
N'zamba
Cu-chimana
Maie, Me
Cu-emita
Cu-emetina
Cu-t'chinguice
Cu cuaca
Qui buisa
Cu-izalessa [cunana]
Cu-riconha, Cu-coteca, Cu-
Cu-tacana
Cu-t'chainenena
Cu-rinica
Quembo
Cu-quemba
Cuquemba
Cu-t'umba
Cu-vimenha
Cu-netessa
Cu-minha
Cu-burica
Cu-longa
Cu-irna
Cu-funda
Cu-t'cbamuna
Cu-bocola
Cu-loa
Ei-temo
Ma-temo
Cu-cuta
Cu-tundala
Qui-beretete
Cu-banga-m'biji
Cu-laia
Cu-sentemuca
Cu-seba, Cu-muclela
Cu-nona, Cu-sola
Cu-suana
T'chanana
Cu-t'chanana
Cu-sonsumuna
M'bica
Cu-soneca
Mu-canda
Cumuda
N'vundo
Cu-bulacana, Cu-iverila
English.
To sleep
Hard, harsh
Doubt
To doubt
Dj-sentery
Echo'
An elephant
To i raise
It is wel!
To conceive
To impregnate
To thrust
To run aground
An enchantment
To fill <
To shrink, shrivel
To meet, to encounter
To meet one another
To straighten, take a direct
Adorned [road
To dress, deck out
Dress, ornaments
To deceive, to cheat
To get the throat stopped
To fatten, grow fat
To swallow-
To roll, to roll up
To teach
To understand
To bury
To pour out, spill
To enter
To poison
A mattock, a hoe
Tools
To dry
To miss, to wander
Scale of a fish.
To scale fish
To escape
To run away
To scoff, to rail at
To choose
To hide
Slippery
To slip, slide
To drop
A slave
To write
A writing, written
Darkness
Dark
To listen
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
Esfolar
Esfregar
Esfriar
Esmagar
Esmigalbar
Espaco
Espada
E>palhar
Espancar
Espantar
Esperar
Espernear
Esperteza
Esperto
Espetar
Espinheiro
Espinho
Espirrar
Esposa
Esposo
Espraiada
Espreguigar-se
Espremer
Espuma
Esquecer
Esquentar
Esquerdo
Estaca
Estar
Esteira
Estender
Estender a seccar
Esteril
Estiar
Estimar
Estomago
Estourar
Estrada
Estranho (forasteiro)
Estreito
Estrella
Estremecer
Estupido
Excellente
Expulsar
Extinguir
Faca
Fado (sorte)
Faisca
Falcao
Falliar
Fallador
Fallar
N'Bunda.
Cu-tala
Cu-t'chissa
Cu-talala
Cu-bonda
Cu-tutula
Bulubo
Mu-cuali
Cu-muanga
Cu-beta, Cu-muba
Cu-atucumuca
Cu-quinga
Cu-ribonda
Qui-muca
Muca
Cu-sona, Cu-soneca
Mu-banga
Man ha
Cu-gacbacha
Mu-caje
Mu-lume
Quin'zenza
Cu-visonuna
Cu-t'china
Quifulo
Cu-jamba
Cu-temessa
Quiasso
Ri-taoa
Cu-a, Cu-ala, Cu-cala
Richissa, Luando, Gando
Cu-sonuDa
Cu-aneca
M'baco, Cavale
Cunana
Cu-sola
Mu-t'cbina
Cu-baza
Njila
Qui-n'guanji
Sossa
Tetemboa
Cu-tequeta
T'chimba
Poena
Cu-lundumuna
Cu-lijimonuna
N'poco
Mut'chinda
Sosso
Olococo
Cu-burica
Asueri
Cu-zuela
. English.
To flay
To rub, scour
To cool
To crush, bruise
To crumble
Space
A sword
To scatter
To cudgel
To frighten, astonish
To await, to expect
To kick
Alacrity
Brisk, active
To put on a spit
A thorn-tree
A thorn
To sneeze, crackle
A bride
A bridegroom
A beach, strand
To stretch oneself
To squeeze, to wring
Froth, foam
To forget
To heat
The left
A stake, palisade
To be
A mat
To spread
To spread out to dry
Barren
To cease (rain)
To value, esteem
The stomach
To burst with a noise
A highway
A foreigner
Narrow, a strait
A star
To tremble, shudder
Stupid
Excellent
To drive out
To extinguish
A knife
Fate
A spark
A hawk
To mistake
A talkative person
To speak
N* Btinda Vocabulary.
3^3
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
English.
Fallar em segredo
Cu-feta
To whisper
Faltar (nao aparecer)
Cu-moneque
To be missing
Faltar (ter falta de
qual- Cu-camba
To want (something)
Fardo [quer
;osa)] Ri-cuba
A bale, a pack
Farinha
Fuba
Flour, meal
Farrapos
Ma-nhango
Rags
Fatigar-se
Cu-builla
To fatigue oneself
Fazer
Cu-banga
To do, to make
Fazer queixa
Cu-funda
To make a complaint
Fazer-se tolo
Cu-ritobessa
To make a fool of oneself
Fealdade
Cu-iba
Deformity
Fechar
Cu-jica
To shut
Feio
Tba
Ugly
Feiticeiro
Mu-roje
A fetish-man
Feitico
Uanga, Izango
Fetish
Feixe
Qui-ta
A faggot
Feliz •
Zeliia
Happy
Femea
Mu-hato
A female
Ferir
Cu-tua, Cu-cuama
To strike, wound
Fermentar
Cu-bota
To ferment
Ferro
Itari
Iron
Ficar
Cu-it'cbala, Cu-cala
To remain, to be
Figado
Izavo
The liver
Filho
Mona
A son
Filho ultimo
Ca-sula
The younger son
Filhos
A-ana
Sons, children
Fino
Atolo (?)
Fine, thin
Flexivel
Lenduca
Flexible
Fogao
Ri-jico
A stove
Fogo
Tubia
Fire
Folhas
Ma-fo
Leaves
Fome
N'zala
Hunger
Fomentar
Cu-jola
To foment
For^a
N'guzo
Force, strength
Formiga
Qui-t'cbiquinha
An ant
Formiga branca
Ri-talamena
White ant
Formiga grande
Qui-sonde
Great ant
Formiga preta
Findja-songo
Black ant
Fortaleza
Qui-m'baca
A fortress, fortitude
Forte
Colo-suina
Strong
Fraco
Berequete
Weak
Frente
Polo
The front
Fresco
Talala
Fresh, cool
Frigir
Cu-canga, Cu-canghala
To fry
Frio (adjectivo)
Talala
Cold
Frio (substaiitivo)
N'bambe
Cold
Frondoso
N'zanda
Leafy.
Froxo
N'zoza
Slack, remiss
Fugir
Cu-alenga, Cu-toleca
To flee, to run away
Fumar
Cu-uua
To smoke
Famo
Ri-t'chi
Smoke
Funeral
Itame
A burial
Furoar
Cu-tubula
To bore, pierce
Furoo
Ri-zungo
A hole, gap
3H
West and Central Africa,
Portuguese.
JV'Bunda.
English.
Furtar
Cu-n'hana
To steal, tbieve
Furunculo
Cazangambo
A boil, tubercle
Fuso
.N'zelele
A spindle
Gabar
Cu-t'chimana
To praise
Gafanhoto
Qui-n'jongo
A locust
Gallinha
Sanji
A hen, fowl
Gallo
Corombolo
A cock
Ganhar
Cu-vua
To gain, get
Ganho
N'ganiba
Gain
Garbo
Tolomba
Gallantry, grace
Garca
N'dele
A heron
Garganta
Qui-quelengo, Mu-ino
The throat
Gargantas
Mino
Trills
Gato do mato
T'chimba
Wild cat
Gemer
Cu-quema
To groan, to cry
Gemeo
N'gongo
A twin
Gemeo que nasce primeiro
Ca-culo
First-born twin
Gemeo que nasce segundo
Ca-baca
Second-born twin
Gengiva
Cufufunha
The gums
Genro
Glome
A son-in-law
Geute
Mun-tu
People
Giboia
Mu-ma
Large snake
Gorama
Oasso
Gum
Gordo
Neta
Fat
Gostar
Cu-nabela
To taste, to like
Governar
Cu-tumina
To rule, direct
Grande
Onene
Large, grand
Grandeza
M utala
Largeness, grandeur
Grelo
Ei-esso
A sprout, a shoot
Grelos
M'esso
Grelots
Grelo de aboboza
Mu-engueleca
Gourd-sprout
Grelo de mandioca
Qui-zaca
Manioc-sprout
Grillo
Ri-zenze
A cricket
Gritar
Cu-ricola
To shout, cry out
Grcsso
. N'jimba
Big, coarse
Guardar
Cu-lunda
To keep, to watch
Guela
Qui-quelengo
The throat
Guerra
N'jita
War
Guloso
Benga, Labuve
Greedy, nice
Habilidade
N'dungue
Skill, dexterity
Habitar
Cu-cala
To inhabit
Habituar-se
Cu-ijirila
To accustom oneself
Herva
M'boa
Grass, herb
Hervas
Ji-m'boa
Herbs
Hiena
Qui-malanca
Hyena
Hippopotarao
N'guvo
Hippopotamus
Hombro
Qui-suche
Shoulder
Homem
E-i-ala
A man
Hospede
Mu-sonbe
A host, a guest
Idolo
Qui-teque
An idol
Igual
Suquela
Equal, even
JV9 Bun da Vocabulary.
oAo
Portuguese.
JS'Bunda.
English.
Igualar
Cii-suquela
To level, to equal
Ilha
Qni-sanga
An island
Ilharga
]\Liocoto
The side, flank
Immundicie
Cut'chila
Filth
Impertinente
Tern an an a
Troublesome, exacting
Incendiar
Cu-barabuca
To set on fire
Inchado
K jimba
Swollen, inflated
In char
Cu-jimba
To swell, to inflate
Inclinar-se
Cu-betama
To bend the head or body
Incommodar
Cu-temanana
To molest
Infeliz
Mundama
Unhappy
Ingrato
N'gula
Ungrateful
Inhame
Qui-ringo, Quia, N'zamba
Inhame (yam)
Inimi^o
N'guma
Enemy
Insultar, com palayras,
Cu-rit'chinga
To insult
Inteiro
N'vimba
Entire, complete
Inveja
Lungue
Envy
Ir
Cu-enda, Cn-a
Togo
Ir-se
Cu-iamage-ia-me
To go away, leak
Ir-se para sempre
Cu-endezela
To depart finally
Ira
N'jenda
Anger
Iras
J-n'jenda
Outburst of anger
Irmao, a
Pangue
Brother, sister
Isca (engodo)
Qui-t'chica
A bait
Isolado
Ubeca
Isolated
Jangada
M'bimba
A raft
Joelho
Qui-pomuna
The knee
Jogo
M'bamba
Play, a game
Joven
N'zanga, N'zangala
A youth
Juraraento
Loca
An oath
Jurar
Cu-ricuba, Cu-loca
To take an oath
Justo (certo)
Tena, Suquela
Right, exact
Kagado
M'bache
Tortoise
Labio
Mu-zumbo
A lip
Labios
Ri-zumbo
Lips
Laco
Ri-bumbo
A snare
Lacraia
N'gueinga
Scorpion
Lado
M'banji
Side
Ladrao
Mu-ije
A thief
Ladrar
Cu-boza
To bark
Lagarta
M'bamba
Palmer- worm
Lagartixa
Ri-tende
A water-lizard
Lagarto
Sengue
A lizard
Lago
Ri-zanga
A lake
Lagosta
Qui-ala
A lobster
Lagrima
Ri-soche
A tear
Lama
Ri-cua
Mud, mire
Largar
Cu-ambula
To let go, loose
Largo
Sancomuca
Broad
Largura
Cu-sanzamuca
Breadth
Lavar
Cu-sucula
To wash
316
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
Leao
Hoje
Lebre
Cabulo
Lembrar
Cu-t'chinguenca
Lenha
Ji-ninhe
Levantar
Ca-balamuca, Ca-betula
Levantar-se
Cu-fundunioca
Levar
Cu-beca
Leve (ligeiro)
Lenguluca
Limpar
Cu-conda, Cu-sucula
Limpo
N'zela, N'conda
Lingua
Ri-mi
Linguas
Ma-rimi
Lobo
Qui-n'bungo
Lodo
Ri-lua
Lombriga
Ri-buca
Lou co
Lage
Louva-adeus
Capopolo, Mucondo
Louvar
Cu-t'chimana
Lua [nuvens]
Ri-ege
Lua (a) mostra-se sem Ri-ege iato
Luz
Luanha
Maca
Oanda
Macaco
Ima
Macbado
N'guimbo, Guitcbalo
Macho
Ri-ala
Macio
Lenducatete
Madrugar
Cu-rimeneca
Maduro
Iabi
Mae
Mama
Magia
Qui-lemba
Magro
N'bela
Maior (em idade)
Ri-cota
Mai
Iba
Maldizer
Cu-longolola
Mamar
Cu-amoa
Mandar
Cu-'tuma, Cu-zuela
Mandioca
Qui-ringo
Manha
Qui-menemene
Manilhas
Malunga
Mao
Maco
Mao direita
Maco-mu-curia
Mao esquerda
Maco-ma-quiasso
Mar
Lunga
Marca
M'bica
Mare
N'vula
Mare cbeia
N'vula iata
Mare vasia
N'vula iabo
Marrar
Cu-luica
Mastigar
Cu-janguta
Matar
Cu-jiba
Mato
Mu-chito
Mau
Tern a
Medir
Cu-zonga
English.
A lion
A hare
To remind
Wood, fire-wood
To raise, to lift
To rise
To carry away
Light, slight
To clean
Clean
A tongue
Tongues
A wolf
Clay, loam
A mawworm
Mad
Insect so called
To praise
The moon [from the clouds
The moon appears or breaks
Light, brightness
A hammock
A monkey
A hatchet
Male
Smooth, sleek
To rise early
Ripe
A mother
Magic
Lean
Older
Evil, mischief
To curse, to defame
To suck
To order, send
Manioc
The morning
Bracelets
A hand
The right hand
The left hand
The sea
A mark, a token
The tide
High tide
Low tide
To butt with the head
To chew
To kill
A wood, thicket
Bad, wicked
To measure, survey
N* Bunda Vocabulary,
3l7
Portuguese.
N'Bund
Medo
Moma
Meio
]\Iachacbe
Mel
Mique
Menina
Ca-quiiito
Menino
Ca-iala
Mentir
Cu-tamacuto
Mentira
Macuto
]\[ercado
Qui-tanda
Mergulhar
Cu-ta-m'fimba
Mergulho
M'fimba
Mestre
Messene
Metade
Cacbache
Metter
Cu-ta
Mez
M'beje
Miar
Cu-rila
Mi jar
Ca-sassa
Mijo
Masso
Milho
Ri-sa
Milho miudo
Massa-m'bala
Miolo
Hongo
Misturar
Cu-funga
Mo
Muisso
Moeda
M'bongo
Moedas
Jim-bongo
Moer
Cu-nocona
Molhado
N'zula
Molhar
Ca-zula
Molle
Nengana
Mondar
Cu-sonzuela
Monte
Mu-lundo
Monturo
Ri-cbita
Morar
Cu-cala
Morcego
Qui-m'biambire
Morder
Ou-lumata
Morno
Lubuca
Morrer
Cu-fua
Morte
Ciifua
Morto (fem.)
Iato
Morto (raasc.)
Uafo
Mosca
N'je
Moscas
Jin-je
Mostrar
Cu-riquiza
Mover
Cu-tengueita
Mudo
Ri-bubii
Mugir
Ca-zila
Muito
Duraba
Mulher
Mu-bato, X'casi
Mulher casada
Mu-hato
I\Iulher que trabalha
Mu-ocana
Multidao
Qui-pucbe
Mundo
]\Iugongo
Muro
Lumbo
English.
Fear
The middle, half
Honey
A little girl
An infant
To lie
A lie
A market
To dip, to dive
A dip, a dive
A master
Half
To put. to place
A mouth
To mew
To make water
Urine
Maize
Millet
Pith
To mix, to blend
A mill-stone
Money, coin
Coins
To grind
Wet, moist
To wet, moisten
Soft
To weed
A hill, mountain
A dung-hill
To dwell, inhabit
A bat
To bite
Lukewarm
To die
Death
A corpse (fem.)
A corpse (masc.)
A fly
Flies
To show, point out
To move
Dumb
To low
Much, very
A woman
A married wcman
A work woman
A multitude
The world
A wall
Nadar
Cu-coquea
To swim
v»
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
Nadega
Nadegas
Namorar
Namoro
Nariz
Nascer a planta
Nascer o homein
Negar
Negocio
Negro (adject.)
Negro (subst.)
Nevoa
Ninho
N(5
Noite
Nome
Nora
Novo
Nu
Nua
Nuca
Numeroso
Navem
Obrigado
Obscenidade
Obscenidades
Obsceno
Obseryar
Offensa
Officio
Officios
Oiro
Olhar
Olho
Olho do pe
Olhos
Onca
Orelha
Osso
Outono
Ouvir
Ovo
Ovos
Pae
Pagar
Paiz
Palavra
Palha
Palma
Palma da mao
Palmas
Palineira
N'Bunda.
English.
Ri-taco
The buttock
Ma-taco
Haunches
Cu-ta-ribassa
To woo, court
Ri-bassa
Courtship
Ri-suno
The nose
Cu-sabuca
To grow, to spring
Cu-rivala
To be born
Cu-rituna
To deny, refuse
Uenje
Trade, business
Itchi-querela
Black
M'bundo
A black
Ri-mume
A fog, mist
Qai-anzo
A nest
Ri-bumbo
A knot
O-suco
Night
Ri-jina
A name
Bal'acaje
A water-wheel
lobe
New
Uazula
Naked
Iazula
Naked (fem.)
Ri-cuche
The nape of the nee'
Dumba
Numerous
Ri-tula
A cloud
Saquirila
Obliged
N'daca
Obscenity
Jin-daca
Obscenities
N'daca
Obscene
Cu.-tongueinica
To observe
Malebo
An offence
Mnfumo
An office
Mifuino (?)
Offices
Ulo
Gold
Cu4ala, Cu-tongue:nina
To look at
N'isso
An eye
Qui-nama
Plant of the foot
Ma-isso
Eyes
Hingo
A panther
Ri-tue
An ear
Qui-fuba
A bone
Cu-samano
The autumn
Cu-ivua
To hear
Ri-caque
An egg
Ma-iaque
Eggs
Tata
Father
Cu-futa
To pay
Coche
A country
Mu-longa
A word
T'chita
Straw
Mu-soco
The palm
Ri-cunda-ria-macu
Palm of the hand
Mi-soco
Palms (of the hands)
Dende, Rie
Palm-tree
N ' Bunda Vocabulary.
Portuguese.
Panella
Pan no
Panno tecido de vegetaes
Pao
Papagaio
Papo
Papyro
Parar
Parasita
Parir
Partir (ausentar-se)
Partir (dividir)
Partir de noite
Passar
Patria
Pau
Paus
Pe
Pedaco
Pedir
PeJra
Pegada
Pegar
Peito
Peito (seio de mulher)
Peixe
Peixe fresco
Peixe mulher
Pellado
Pelle
Pendurar
Peneira
Peneirar
Penna
Pensar
Pequeno
Perder
Perdiz
Perguntar
Pern a
Perse vejo
Pesudo
Pesar
Pescar com anzol
Pescar com rede
Pescoco
Pessoa
Pessoas
Pezar
Pilao
Pimenta
Pingar
Pintar
Piolho
N' Bund a.
Imbia
Mulele
Mabella
M'bolo
N'cusso
Ri-colocumba
Mabu
Cu-imaca
Lua
Cu-avala
Cu-catuca
Cu-uana
Cu-lembaca
Cu-bila
Coche
Mu-chi
Mi-cbe
Qui-nama
Qui-chinbe
Cu-binga, Cu-bomb*
Ei-tave
Ri-canda
Cu-cuata
N'tulo
Ri-ele
M'bije
M'bije-ia-lelo
Qai-anda
Cunuca
Qui-conda
Cu-nhingue eneca
Qui-sessalo
Cu-sessa
Qui-sala
Cu-banza, Cu-fica
Ofele, Tete
Cu-jimberila, Cu-ful
K'gnare
Cu-ibula
Qui-nama
Qui-isso
Eneme
Cu-eneme
Cu-16a
Cu-tamba
Ri-t'chingo
Mun-tu
A-to ou Bantu
Mahuio
Qui-no
IS'dungo
Cu-buba
Cu-t'cbissa
Ina
English .
A pipkin
Cloth
Vegetable cloth
Bread
A parrot
Maw (of a bird)
Pap3'rus
To stop, to hinder
A parasite
To bring forth young
To depart, go away
To divide, to sever
To flit
To pass, to carry over
Native country
Wood
Sticks
A foot
A bit, a piece
To ask
A stone
A footstep
To take hold of, to stick
The breast
The bosom
A fish
Fresh fish
A mermaid
Without hair
Skin
To hang
A sieve
To sift
A feather
To attend on, to think
Small, little
To lose _
A partridge
To ask
The leg
Bug
Heavy
To weigh
To fish, with a hook
To fish, with a net
The neck
A person
Persons
Grief, repentance
A mortar for pounding
Pepper
To drip
To paint
A louse
320
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese
N'Buhda.
English.
Pisar com o pe
Cu-riata
To tread, to bruise
Plantar
Cu-cuna
To plant
Pobre
Ri-arna
Poor
Poco
I-t'chima
A well
Pode ser (talvez)
T'chila, Cu-cala, N'go
Perhaps
Poder
Cu-atena
To be able
Podre
N'bolo
Rotten
Polvora
Fundanga
Gunpowder
Pomba
Ri-embe
A female dove
Ponta
Ri-sun
A point
Por
Cuta, Cutula-cu-ata
To place, put
Por de parte
Cu-mughenga
To put aside .
Por id ra
Cu-teche
To put out
Porco
N'gulo
A pig
Porco espinho
Qui-saca
A porcupine
Porco niontez
lanvo
A wild pig
Porrinho
N'ghimbo
Wart
Porta
Ri-bito
A door
Portas
Ma-bito
Doors
Possuir
Cu-ava
To possess
Posta de peixe
Tumba
A slice of fish
Pote
Ri-sanga
A pitcher
Pouso (de viagem)
Hundo
A halting-place
Povo
Mun-tu
The people
Povocao
Sanza, Banza
A town, village
Prato
Ri-longa
A plate, dish
Preceder
Cu-rianga
To go before
Precipitar (depositar)
Cu-quenzama
To precipitate
Precisar
Cu-messena
To want
Preguica
Usuri
Laziness
Preguicoso
Suri
Lazy
Prender
Cu-Cuica
To take hold of, seize
Prensa
Calaquelle
A press
Preparar
Cu-banga
To prepare
Presenca
Polo
Presence
Pvecenca (na) de alquera.
Mu-polo-ia-muntu
In some one's presenc
Preso
Cuica
A prisoner
Pretender
Cu-acana
To claim
Primavera
Cu-tano
Spring
Primeiro
Ri-anga
First
Primo
Panghe
A cousin
Principe
Mani, Muene
A prince
Principiar
Cu-mateca
To begin
Privacao
Obunga
Privation
Privado
Quibunji
A favourite
Procurar
Cu-sota
To search, ask for
Produzir
Cu-ima
To produce
P romp to
Longo
Ready
Provar
Cu-161a
To prove, taste
Proximo
Zucama
Next
Publicar
Cu-fumanena
To publish
Pular
Cu-tumbuca, Cu-subuca
To leap, bound
Palga
Ina-ia-imboa
A flea
Puro
Cu-cuto
Pure, untainted
N'Bunda Vocabulary.
321
Portuguese.
jS'Bunda.
English.
Puxar
Cu-sunga, Cu-mana
To draw, to pull
Quarto
Inzo, Monzo
A room
Quarto de dorinir
Monzo-ia-quile
A sleeping-room
Quebrar
Cu-burica, Cu-bula,
Cu-tulola
To break
Queda
Cu-ribala
A fall, declivity
Queimar
Cu-bia, Cu-sumica
To burn
Queixada
N'gandelo
Tbe jaw-bone
Queixo
Mu-ezo
The jaw
Quente
Teino
Warm
Querer
Cu-andala, Cu-t'chicana,
Cu-Messeua
To will, to like
Quiabo
Qui-n'gonibo
Quiabo (a plant)
Quitandeira
Mubare
A market-woman
Quitandeiras
A-bare
Market-women
Ra
Qui-n'gololo
A frog
Rachar
Cu-bassa
To cleave, crack
Raia (peixe)
Papa
A ray (fish)
Raio
N'zaje
A ray (of light)
Raiva
N jenda
Rage, fury
Raivas
Ji-u'jenda
Rabies
Raiz
N'danje
A root
Ralbar
Cu-basela
To bluster, to scold
Ramo
N'tango
A branch, bough
Rapariga
Qui-luemba
A girl
Rapaz
N'zanga, N'zmgala
A boy
Rapido
Mulgengo
Rapid
Raposa
M'bulo
A fox
Rasgar
Cu-tandula
To tear, to rend
R as par
Cu-colola
To scrape
Rato grande
Ri-bengo
A rat
Rato pequeno
Mundongo, Ca-mundongo
A mouse
Rato do mato
N'puco
Field-mouse
Rato de palmeira
Chit-n'jangkele
Tree-mouse
Rebentar
Cu-basa
To burst
Receber
Cu-tatnbulula
To receive
Recent ar
Ca-tau^ulula
To tell, relate
Recostar-se
Cu-sendalala
To lie down
Rede (maca)
Panda
A net
Relampago
Cuteluca
Lightning
Reined io
Milons^o
Remedy, cure
Renielia
Qui-pota
Rheum of the eyes
Repugnancia
N'ghenghe
Reluctance
Re sin a
Coco to
R.-sin
Respirar
Cu-buima
To breathe
Res ponder
Cu-cumbulula.
To answer
Revirar
Cu-bilula
To turn again
Revistar
Cu-ongola
To review
Ri bom bar
Cu-cumina
To resound, re-echo
Ribombo
Omnina
Re-echo
Rico
N'vama
Rich
Rio
Mu-guije
A river
VOL. IT.
Y
22
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
jS'Bunda.
English.
Eiqueza
Cu-viia
Eicbes
Eir
Ca-elela
To laugb
Eiscar
Cu-canda
To stripe
Eisco
Ma-canda
A stripe
Eisonho
Mu-eina
Gay
Eivaes
A-cajina
Eivals
Rival
Mu-cajina
A rival
Eoca
Qui-fuco
A rock
Eocar mato
Cu-sola
To fell timber
Eocas
A-rimo
A clearing
Eoda
Conda
A wbeel
Eoer
Cu-cunha
To gnaw, to nibble
Eogar
Cu-bomba
To intreat
Eola
Ei-embe
A turtle-dove
Eolar
Cu-cundumuna
To coo
Eoncar
Cu-cona, Cu-mucona
To snore
Eua
N'zunga
A street
Eugir (o leao)
Cu-rila
To roar
Saber
Cu-ijia
To know
Sacerdote
N'ganga
A priest
Sacudir
Cu- cum una
To sbake
Sair
Cu-tunda
To go out
Sal
Miingua
Salt
Saltar
Cu-tuuibuca, Cu-somboca
To jump, spring
Sangue
Manhinga
Blood
Sanguesuga
Ei-zaie
A leech
Sanguesugas
Ma-zaie
Leeches
Sapo
Ei-sundo
A toad
Sarampo
Cafife
The measles
Sarna
Cahana, Ji-cabana
The itch
Saudar
Cu-menequena
To salute
Seccar
Ca-cucuta
To dry
Secco
Cucuta
Dry
Sede
Einbota
Thirst
Segredar
Cu-cufeta
To secrete
Segredo
Feta
Secret
Segurar
Cu-cuata
To secure
Semente
M'buto
Seed
Sementes
Ji-mbuto
Seeds
Senhor
N'gana, Famo, Muave
Master, Sir
Senhora
N'ga-muato
Mistress, Madam
Sentar-se
Ou-t'chicama
To sit down
Sentar-se de pernas
cruza-
das
CQ-tcbicama macata
To sit cross-legged
Sentir
Cu-rinsa
To feel
Separar
Cu-mughenga
To separate
Sepultar
Cu-funda
To bury
Sequestrar
Cu-bunda
To attach
Sertanejo
Mucu-ia-tuuda
An inhabitant of the woods
Sertao
Tunda
Back-woods
Silencio
Eit'ohibiena
Silence
Sino
N'gunga
A bell
Soebrbo
Ei-tula
Proud
N'Bunda Vocabulary,
3*3
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
English.
Sobrar
Cu-subuca
To overflow
Sobrinho
Muebo
A nephew
Socar, pilar
Cu-sula
To cram, to bruise
Soffrer
Ou-n'tfonjja
To suffer
Soffrimento
Sogro
"NT* °
iN gongo
Ocue
Suffering, patience
A father-in-law
Sol
Ricumbe
The sun
Sol (0) poz-se
Ricumbe-riafo
The sun sets
Soltar
Cu-iituna
To set free
Soltereio
•
Ki-cure
A bachelor
Solucar
Cu-t'chucomuca
To sob, hiccup
Soluco
Qui-t'cbuco-t'chuco
A sob, hiccup
Sombra
Qui-lumbequeta
Shade
Somno
Quilo
Sleep
Sonhar
Cu-anda-n'zoje
.N'zoje
To dream
Sonho
A dream
Soprar
Cu-bussa
To blow, to puff
Sorte
Muchinda
A lot, chance
Sovaco
JVlu-cabia
Arm-pit
Subir
Cu-banda
To mount, to 2:0 ud
Dirt *
Suja
lat'cbire
Sujar
Cu-chiriosa
To befoul, to stain
Suj0>
Uat'chire
Dirty, impure
Suinir-se
Surdo
Cu-jiquinina
Mu-cbilo
To disappear
Deaf
Surra
Muchinga
A whipping, beating
Surrar
Cu-cbinga
To whip, beat
Suspender
Cu-betula
To hang up
Susto
U6ma
Fright
Tabaco
Macanha
Tobacco
Taboleiro
Qui-tanda
A board, plank
Tabua
lii'baia
A plank
Tamarindeiro
Mu-tamba
A tamarind- tree
Tamarindo
Ki-tamba
Tamarinds
Tanibor
N'goma
A drum
Tanque
It'chima
A tank
Tapar
Cu-futa
To cover, to stop a hole
A tortoise
Tartaruga
Qui-covo
Tecer
Cu-leca
To weave
Tecto
Hongo, Iauzo
The ceiling, roof
Teimar
Cu-n'jiza
To be obstinate
Teimoso
X'jisa
Obstinate
Tempo
Iti-cumbe
Time
Tenda ou barraca
Cnsassaniba
Tent or hut
Tenro
N yeta, Tete
Tender, soft
Terminar
Cu-assuca
To finish
Terra
Mapo, Dunda
Earth
Tigela
Ili-tamina
Porringer
Tingir
Cn-teca
To dye
Tio, tia
Seculo
Uncle, aunt
Tirar
Cu-catula
To draw, pull
Tirar do solo
Cu-lola
To dig up
To touch
Tocar
Cu-t'chica
324
West and Central Africa.
Portuguese.
N'Bunda.
English
Tolice
Cu-toba
Folly
Tolo
Toba
Foolish
Tomar
Cu-tambula, Cu-zama
To take
Tomar sentido
Cu-aluca
To take care
Tom ate
Mate
Tomato
Tomates
Ji-mate
Tomatoes
Tornozelo
Risso-ria
The ankle
Torrar
Cu-canda
To toast
Torto
N'hunga
Hurt, wrong
Tossir
Cu-cocona
To cough
Tosse
Qa-chinda
Cough
Trabalhar
Ou-calacala, Cu-socana
To work
Trapo
N'bomba
A clout, rag
Trapo de " toilette "
N'zumbi
Cloth, dress
Travesseiro
N'peto
A bolster
Trazer
Cu-beca, Ca-tema
To fetch, bring
Tremer
Cu-tequeta
To tremble
Trilho
Pambo (?)
Track, path
Tripa
Mu-ria
Tripe ^
Tripas
Mi-ria
Intestines
Tronco
Muche
Trunk
Trope9ar
Cu-ribucana
To stumble
Trovao
N'vula
Thunder
Trovejar
Cu-tonoca
To thunder
Tubarao
Mu-ando
A shark
Tumulo
Qui-bila
Tomb
Ubre (de vacca)
Qui-ele
Udder (of a cow)
Ultimo
Su-quinina, Quinguinina
Last
Umbigo
N'gombo
Navel
TJnha
Qui-ala
Nail, claw
Universe-
Mugongo
Universe
Untar
Cu-t'chissa
To grease
Utero
Qui-saje
Uterus
Vaccinar
Cuta qui n'gongo
To vaccinate
Vadiar
Cu-laleca
To loiter
Vadio
Qui-lalo
A vagrant
Vagaroso
Qui-muanho
Lingering
Vallada
N'bamba
Intrenched
Valente
Qui-n'danda
Vigorous
Vara
Ri-bamba
Rod, yard
Varrer
Cu-comba
To sweep
Vasar
Cu-baba
To empty
Vasio
Cucuto
Empty
Vassoura
Qui-ezo
A broom
Vela
Mu-tchiba
A candle
Velbo (adj.)
Ociilo
Old
Velho (subst.)
Qui-culacaje
Old man .
Vender
Ou-sumbissa
To sell
Veneno
Oanga
Poison
Vento
Qui-tembo
Wind
Ventosa
M'zungo
A cupping-glass
Ventre
Ri-vuino
Belly
N'Jenji Vocabulary
3^5
Portuguese.
Ver
Verdade
Verde
Vergonha
Verme
Verruga
Vestir
Vida
Vinho de niilho
Vinhode palnieira
Vingar-se
Vir
Virar
Viscosidade
Visitar
Viuvo
Viuvos
Viver
Voar
Voltar
Vomitar
Vou por terra
Voz
Portuguese.
Apodrecer
Apparecer
Aprender
Arder
Areia
Arm a [latra]
Anna de carregar pela cu-
Arvore (pau)
Assar
Assentar
Atar
Avarento
Azeite
Beber
Comer
Correr
Dormir
X' Bund a.
English.
Cu-mona, Cu-tanghilila
To see
Qui-ri
Truth
Uisso, Acansa
Green
Sonhe, Ei-jino
Shame
M'bamba
Worm
T'cbirabolocoto
Wart
Cu-zuata
To dress
Muenho
Life
U-ala
Maize wine
Maruvo
Palm wine
Cu-rifuta
To avenge oneself
Cu-iza
To come
Cu-biluca
To turn
N-zeza
Stickiness
Cu-acumunequena
To visit
Mu-ture
Widower
A-ture
Widowers and widows
Cu-muenha
To live
Cu-luca, Cu-nhunga
To fly
Cu-vutuca
To turn
Cu-lussa
To vomit
N'ghia-cu-tunda
I am going by land
Eizue.
Voice
N'JENJI.
N'Jenji.
English.
Cu-porire
To rot
Cu-tamobona
To appear
Cu-liluta
To learn
Cu-t'cbiza
To burn
Messeque
Sand
Toboro
Arm (weapon)
Toboro-ia-cutoani
Breech-loader
Cota
Tree
Cu-bessa
To roast
Cu-na
To seat
Cu-tama
To tie, to bind
Afani
Avaricious
Mafura
Oil
Cu-Doa
To drink
Cu-t'chia
To eat
Cu-titama
To run
Cu-lubala
To sleep
Li-tou
Elephant
Elephante
1 The N'jenji and Ca-luiana dialects are those spoken, as far as we could judge, in the vast
region of the Baroze, the latter being probably used by the ancient Mu-cololo.
326
West and Central
Africa.
Portuguese.
N'Jenji.
Engl
Fugir
Fumar
Cu-saba
Cu-zuba
To fly, to run
To smoke
Haver
Cu-tabona
To have
Ir ou andar
Cu-zamaia
Togo
Parar
Cu-luquema
To stop
Querer
Cu-abata
To wish
Saltar
Cu-tura
To jump
Vestir
Cu-apara
To dress
GARANGANJA.
Portuguese.
Garanganja.
Engh
Alegre
Liatocu
Gay, lively-
Algodao
Muleeana
Cotton
Alma
Va-mufo
Soul
Alto
Cu-leha
High
Alumiar
Cu-miniea
To light
Amanhecer
Uaquere'oa
To break (day)
Amante
Mu-cut'chia
Lover
Amargo
Ussoca
Bitter
Amarrar
Mu-uba
To fasten
Ami go (meu)
Cuno-oame
Friend (my)
Andorinha
Cafifa
Swallow (bird)
Anno
Muaca
Year
Anoitecer
Lili-cu-fucula
To grow right
Apagar
Ou-zima
To extinguish
Apanhar
Cu-tola
To handle, touch
Apartar
Ulaja-niculitulila
To divide
Apertado
Liacossa
Narrow
Apodrecer
Cu-iabora
To rot
Apontar
Cu-inica
To point out
Apparecer
Cu-mobona
To appear .
Aprender
Cu-libula
To learn
Aquecer
Cu-tumessa
To heat
Arco (setta)
Cu-cassa
Bow (weapon)
Arder
Cu-ratema
To burn
Areia
Masseque
Sand
Arma
Tobola
Arm (weapon)
Arranhar
Cu-suenha
To scratch
Arremessar
Cu-ela
To throw away
Arrependido
Nalipupa
Penitent
Arvore (pau)
Qui-ti
Tree
Assar
Ou-soca
To roast
Assentar
Cu-icara
To seat
Quioco Vocabulary
3*7
Portuguese.
Garanganja.
Eih
Atirar
Avarento
Azas
Azeite
Cu-era
U-latana
Ma-cara
Ma-futo
To shoot
Avaricious
Handles
Oil
Beber
Cu-toma
To drink
Comer
Ou-virioa
To eat
Despir
Dormir
Cu-rula
Cu-lala
To strip
To sleep
Fugir
Fumar
Cu-fiuca
Cu-peha
To fly, to rui
To smoke
Haver
Cu-lobassi
To have
Ir ou andar
Cu-jia
Togo
Saltar
Cu-zomboca
To jump
Ver _
Vestir
Cu-lola
Cu-apara
To see
To dress
QUIOCO.
Portuguese.
Quioco.
English
Abelhas
Ma-pnca
Bpes
Agua
Meia
Water
Alma
Uafa f
Soul
Arco-iris
Congolo
Rainbow
Arm a
Uta
Arm (weapon)
Arvore (pau)
Mi-tondo
Tree
Assentar
Cu-tuama
To sit
Avo
Caca
Grandfather
Avo
Cuco-mama
Grandmother
Banco
Mu
Bench
Barbas
Uenvo
Beard
Barriga
D'jimo
Belly
Beber
Cu-noa
To drink
Beicos
Ni-vumbo
Lips
Boca
Canoa
Mouth
Boi
N'gombe
Ox
Bonito
M'pema
Nice
Bran co (cor)
T'chitoma
White
Branco (homem)
D'jungo
White man
Bracos
Moce
Arms
Cabeca
Mutoe
Head
28
West and Central Afi
rica.
Portuguese.
Cabellos
Cabra
Oachimbo
Cadella
Calor
Cama
Cao
Capim
Cara
Carneiro
Casas
Cavallo (marinlio)
Cbapeu de sol
Chuva
Cobra
Comer
Coracao
Deus
Dentes
Dia
Doente
Dormir
Elerhanfce
Estrellas
Farinha
Feio
Filha
Filho
Fogo
Formiga
Frio
Fumar
Gallinha
Gatlo
Homem
Ir ou andar
Irma
Irrnao
Lado direito
Lado esquerdo
Leao
Lua
Luz
Mae
Mandioca
Mao direita
(vluioco.
En
N'cambo
Hair
M'pembe
Goat
M'peixe
Pipe
Boloa-caoa
Bitch
Matocota
Heat
Mu-gbele
Bed
Caoa
Dog
Muhando
High grass
Maquille
Face
M'panga
Sheep
Mu-n'zuo
House
N'guvo
Horse (sea)
Cafuanda
Hat
N'vula
Rain
Luloca
Snake
Cu-via
To eat
Bungue
Heart
N'zambi (?)
God
Ma-se
Teeth
Tang via
Day
Canaindje
III, sick
Cu-pomba
To sleep
N'djamba
Elephant
Tugonocbe
Stars
Lupa
Floor
Mupi
Ugly
Cuemba
Daughter
Camique
Son
Caghia
Fire
Tunguenba-guenha
Ant
T'cbica
Cold
Cu-ma
To smoke
Cassumbi
Hen, fowl
Demba-cassumbi
Cock
Sunga
Man
Cu-enda
Togo
])um-boame
Sister
Pueto
Brother
Cut'chi-zume
Right
Cut'chi-meso
Left
Tamboe ou Temboe
Lion
Cacuje
Moon
Deia
Light
Ma-ma
Mother
Mucamba
Manioc
Zume
Right hand
Lunda Vocabulary
329
Portuguese.
Quioco.
English.
Mao esquerda
]\Iessi
Left hand
Maos
Minue
Hands
Mar
Calunga
Sea
]\Ieio dia
Nonga-eimoala
Midday, noon
Mel
Mulher
Uit'chi
Po
Honey
Woman, wife
Nariz
N'zulo
Nose
Olhos
Messo
Eyes
Orelhas
Ma-t'chi
Ears
Pae
Tala
Father
Peito
Pambo
Breast
Pernas
Molo
Legs
Pes
Mi-uoe
Feet
Pescooo
Cota
Neck
Kio
N'guije
River
Eola
Catelia
Turtle-dove
Sal
Sangue
Miingua
Manhenga
Salt
Blood
Sova
Sol
Muene-n'gana
Mualua
Petty king
Sun
Sul
Culuanda
South
Tabaco
Macanha
Tobacco
Terra
Mutifut'chi
Earth
Tia
Tata-po
Aunt
Tio (
Mat'cho
Uncle
Tipoia
Trovao
Uanda
Palanquin
Thunder
Trovoada
Fundji
Thunder-clap
Unhas
Djala
Nails, claws
Vacca
N'bolo
Calf
Veias
Ma-chaha
Verdade (E)
T'chaquene
True (It is)
Portuguese.
Agua
Agulha
Amanha
Am ante
Amigo (meu)
Amigo (teu)
LUNDA.
Lunda.
Meme
Catumo
Diamachica
Mucaje (plu) Acaje
Mu-run'ame
Mu-run'ei
English.
Water
Needle
To-morrow
Lover
Friend (my)
Friend (thy)
3o
West and Central Africx.
Portuguese.
Lund a.
English.
Amigos (meus)
Arun'ame
Friends (my)
Amigos (teus)
A-run'ei
Friends (thy)
Anoitecer
Cu-t'chuco
To grow night
Arco (seta)
Djirian
Bow (weapon)
Arraa
Uta (pi. Muta)
Arm (weapon)
Arvore
Mu-tondo
Tree
Arvore (pan)
Mi-tondo
Pole
Boi
N'gombe
Ox
Boi (silvestre)
M'bau
Buffalo
Branco (homera)
Mena-Cu-m*me
White (man)
Cabellos
D'ji-n'suque
Hair
Cabra
M'pembe
Goat
Caca (empostis)
Dji-riama
Chase, hunting
Caca
Nam a
Game, venison
Cama
Ulalo
Bed
Camas
Ma-lalo
Beds
Caneca
Lu-passa
Jug
Canecas
Dji-en'passa
Jugs
Canoas
Ma-oato
Canoes
Cao
Cabo (pi. A-tubua)
Dog
Capim
Massuco
High grass
Carneiro
Mu-coco
Sheep
Carneiros
Ama-coco
Sheep (pl.V
Carregador (tipoias)
T'chimangata
Carrier
Casa
T'chi'cumbo
House
Casas
I'cumbo
Houses
Cavallo (marinho)
N'guvo
Horse (sea)
Copo
Lu-sumo
Cup, glass
Copos
Dji-sumo
Cups, glasses
Corca
N'cai
Doe
Corpo
Mu-djumba
Body
Closer (com agulha)
Ca-t'chima
To sew
Cosido (esta)
Uassuca
Sewed
Cozinhar
Cu-suca
To cook
Dia
Dichuco
Day
Dias
Ma-cbuco
Days
Dormir
Cu-langala
To sleep
Elephantes
N'zovo
Elephants
Euxada
Lu-casso
Hoe
Euxadas
Djincasso
Hoes
Faca
N'passa
Knife
Facas
Dji n'passa
Knives
Fazendas
Ma-suma
Goods
Feijao
N'zengo
Bean
Feiticeiro
Mu-ladji
Fetish-man
Fogo
N'casso
Fire
Folhas
Ma-iji
Leaves
Fumo
Cunanga
Smoke
Gallinhas
A-n'zollo
Fowls
Ca-Ltiiana Vocabulary
oo
Portuguese.
Lund a.
Engh
Horn em
Icungue
Man
Horn ems
Ama-cungue
Men
Hon tern
N'galoche
Yesterday
Infundi
Ruco
Dish so called
Lenha
N'cunhe
Wood
Longe (h)
Palepe
Far (it is)
Machado
Ca-sau
Hatchet
Machados
Tu-sau ?)
Hatchets
Mandioca
Candinga
Manioc
Mao
T'chi-cassa
Hand
Maos
Ma-cassa
Hands
Mulher
Mi-n'banda
Woman, wife
Mulheies
N'banda
Women, wives
Nuima (oryx)
M'chilla
Numia (oryx)
Nuimas
Ama'cbilla
Nuimas
Nuima gazella
M'ceifo
Gazelle
Nuimas
Ama'ceifo
Gazelles
Olho
Di-ce
Eye
Olhos
Me-ce
Eyes
Orelha
Di-to
Ear
Orelhas
Ma-to
Ears
Palanca antelope
T'chi-fembe
Palanca
Palancas
I-fembe
Palancas
Pe
Mu-nto
Foot
Pes
Mi-ento
Feet
Rio
U-ita
River
Rios
Ma-uita
Rivers
Setas
I)ji-ineu
Arrows
Sim, senhor
Muan-ini
Yes, sir
Sol
Mutenhe
Sun
Tabaco
Ruanda
Tobacco
Terra
Divo
Earth
Tipoia
Moa
Palanquin
CA-LUIANA.
Portuguese.
Ca-Luiana.
English
Cavallo (marinho)
N'gufo
Horse (sea)
Dormir
Cu-langana
To sleep
Feio
Oatama
Ugly
33*
West and Central Af,
rzca.
Portuguese.
Feiticeiro
Feitico
Feixe
Femea
Filho
Flor
F lores
Fogo
Folha
Folhas
FolJes
Fome
Fore a
Formiga
Fraco
Fresco
Frio
Fugir
Fumar
Fumo
Furar
Furtar
Fuzo
Gafanhoto
Gallinha
Gallo
Gallos
Gato do mato
Gemeos (primeiro)
Gemeos (segundo)
Gemer
Gengiva
Giboia
Gordo
Grande
Grilo
Gritar
Grosso
Guardar
Guella
Guloso
Guerra
Herva
Hombro
Ho mem
Hyena
Ilha
Ilhas
Inchado
Infeliz
Inimicro
Ca-lutatw.
Urot'chi
N'ganga
Icundi
M'banda
Moana
Li-cumbi
Mia-cumbi
Quesse
Li-fo
Ma-fo
Miniba
N'dala
N'gofo
Tumoe-moe
Gufone
T'chassosoma
T'chissica
Cu-temoca
Cu-feba
T'chisse
Cu-furula
Cu-combe
T'chitina
Bimba
N'zolo
Li-corombollo
Ma-corombollo
Caronzo
Nhana-ca-cu-sema
Nhana-ca-cu-atame
Cu-ima
Caluvira
Boma
Oanuna
Oenene
Canzenzi
Cu-moanga
Chacatambi
Cu-succa
Caraca
Oassupa
N'jita
T'chicoco
T'chi-peoca
N'jara
N'ganga
Li-seque-iatunda
Ma-seque-iatunda
T'chanana
Oabindamoa
Oatama
English.
Fetish-man
Fetish
Faggot, bundle
Female
Son
Flower
Flowers
Fire
Leaf
Leaves
Bellows
Hunger
Force, strength
Ant
Weak
Fresh
Cold
To fly, to run
To smoke
Smoke
To bore
To rob
Spindle
Locust
Fowl, hen
Cock
Cocks
Wild cat
Twin (first)
Twin (second)
To groan
Gum
Boa
Fat
Great, large
Cricket
To cry out
Thick
To keep, guard
Throat
Gluttonous
War
Herb, grass
Shoulder
Man
Hyena
Island
Islands
Swollen
Unhappy, unlucky
Enemy
Ca-Luiana Vocabtdary.
Portuguese.
Ca-luiana.
English.
Inveja
Ulinoa-ca-noquenje
Envy
Ir ou andar
Cu-enda
To go
Irma
Mana-oaiala
Sister
Irmao
Mana-cueto
Brother
Joelho
Mendo
Knee
Labio
Cano
Lip
Laco
Luobi
Noose
Lacraia
Oarique
Scorpion
Lado direito
Sinarui
Right
Lado esquerdo
Cambau
Left
Ladrao
U-cpmbe
Thief
Lagartas
Ma-cubi
Caterpillar
Lagarto
Cambo
Lizard
Lago
Cana-ca-calunga
Lake
Lagrimas
Ma-zossi
Tears
Lama
lloba
Mud, mire
Largo
Clucatambe
Broad
Lavar
Cu-cussa
To wash
Leao
Mu-nhime
Lion
Lebre
Oalumba
Hare
Leite
Mai ere
Milk
Lenha
Itiabo
Wood
Leve
T'chapepera
Light (not heavy)
Limpar
Cu-combora
To clean
Lingua
Lilaca
Tongue, language
Lobo
Quimbo
Wolf
Lodo
lloba
Mud, loam
Lombriga
Caboba
Worm
Louco
Oassaluca-coloba
Mad
Lua
KHzoro
Moon
Luz
Moera-cuessi
Light
Macaco
Buia
Monkey
Machado
Sirepe
Hatchet
Macho
Iara
Male
Macio
T'chassenena
Smooth
Maduro
Quia
Mature, ripe
Mae
Ma-mae
Mother
Magro
Oago-cama
Thin
Maior
T'chicatampe
Elder
Maniar
Cu-atama
To suck
Mandioca
Macamba
Manioc
Manha
Tete-mena
To-morrow
Manilha
M'baro
Handle
Mao direita
T'chaculida
Right hand
Mao esquerda
Quimosso
Left hand
Maos
Ma-cassa
Hands
Mar
Calunga- munene
Sea
Massar
Cu-cassa
To beat
Mastigar
Cu-polocot
To chew
Matar
Cu-t'cha
To kill
Mato
Micula
Wood (thicket)
OJO
334
West and Central Africa,
Portuguese.
Medir
Medo
Mel
Menino
Mentira
Mestre
Metade
Mez
Milho
Miolos
Molhado
Monte
Morcego
Morto
Mosca
Mosquito
Querer
Ver
Ca-luiana.
En
Cu-ess3ca
To measure
Uoma
Fear
Ut'chi
Honey
Cauzi
Little child
Oalimba
Lie
Gangura
Master
Cat'chibele
Half
N'zolo
Month
C abaca
Maize
Quipuji
Brains
Chazula
Wet
Pide
Hill, mount
Capapa
Bat
Mutb
Dead
Cadeane
Fly
Camama
Mosquito
Cu-t'chinga
To wish
Cu-bona
To see
00
35
INDEX.
Abba- Alta- Azimuth, i. 84, ii. 26, 189.
Abelmuschus esculentos, i. 358, 367.
Acacia farnesiana albida, i. 253, 281.
Acacias, i. 45, 49, 224, 281 ; ii. 22.
A-cajes, i. 387.
Acantaeeas in Quicongo, ii. 89.
Adansonia (genus), i. 16; ii. 88. A.
diuitata i. 278, 367 ; inner bark of, i.
16, 278, ii. 266.
Africa, difficulty of studying, xxii.;
nations labouring in, xxv ; considera-
tions respecting slavery in, i. 165.
Ahnandrilha, i. 8.
Aloes, Liliacea, i. 103 ; ii. 266.
Arnbaca, ii. 187; productions of, ii. 189.
Ambaquistas, remarks upon, i. 194, ii.
39, 188.
Ambassi, Ambaca guide, i. 123, 132.
Ambris, ii. 82, 147.
Ambrizette, ii. 149.
Arnbuella country, i. 93.
Angola, province of, i. 59.
Anna, district of, i. 60.
Anona muricata, i. 371.
Antelopes, varieties of, i. 67.
Ant-hills, i. 51, 81, 329.
Anthropophagy, fears that it inspires, i.
248; where exercised, i. 81, 165,248;
ii. 125, 217.
Ants, bi-so?ides, i. 82, 95, 118, 241 ; red,
284; stinking, ii. 19.
Apocinaceas, i. 223, 303.
Aquilonda (Lake), remarks upon, ii. 145.
Arabs, their influence in Central Africa,
ii. 262.
Arachis hypogea, i. 74, 366.
Arachnidios, ii. 30.
Arms, native names, i. 166.
Arundo phragmites, on the Lui, ii. 11.
Assagais, i. 53, 94.
Asses, i. 49, 58, 85, 124.
Asphalt, ii. 233.
A-topa, pipe, i. 393.
Athene perlata, owl, ii. 187.
Authors, general idea concerning the, i.
xxiv ; become explorers, i. xxvi ;
tributes of gratitude, xxxi ; speech
made by them to the Ma-hungo, ii.76.
Avelino Fernandez, ii. 229.
Ba-bihe people, i. 108.
Baboons (G-alago Senigalensis) (galago
monteiri) nat. fcldcafo, i. 241.
Ba-cano, among the Bangala, i. 324.
Baccari river, ii. 125.
Ba-congo, tribes of the, ii. 88, 135.
Ba-cuando tribes, i. 108.
Ba-cuisso tribes, i. 108.
Ba-cundi tribes, ii. 125.
Ba-ganguella people, i. 108.
Bagre, clarias anguillaris, i. 253, 301,
358 ; ii. 107.
Bai-lundo, district of, i. 42, 102 : people,
i. 13, 191.
Baker, Sir S., i. 113.
Bale, dangerous rivulet, ii. 13.
Balearia regulorum, i. 67.
Ba-lunda people, i. 385.
Banana, Musacea, i. 25, 103 ; ii. 255.
Ba-nanos people, i. 80, 81 ; incursions of,
i. 39, 80.
Ban-bonda, territory of, i. 108.
Ban-cumbi tribes, i. 81.
Ban-dombe tribes, i. 10, 25.
Bandua, lofty barrier in Luimbi, i. 145.
Ban-gala tribes, i. 263 ; general features
of, i. 323 ; wars, adultery among them,
i. 324 ; their drunkenness, i. 325 ; am-
bition, dwellings, their construction,
i. 326; industry, wives, &c. i, 327; their
establishment in the territory of
Cassange, chronological data, i. 333 ;
trouble caused by, i. 346 ; meeting a
caravan of, ii. 217-
36
Index.
Bangaloango, nat. JErythrina, h (?),i. 146.
Bango, i. 38, 167.
Bango, mountain of Cassange, ii. 11 ;
ascent of, ii. 42.
Bangueolo, i. 17, 102.
Ba-nhaneca tribes, i. 112.
Ban-sumbi, Otubo chief of the, i. 76;
their sufferings, ii. 111.
Banximba territory, i. 66.
Banza, village and sova, i. 314.
Banza e Lunda, i. 344 ; tempest in, i.
346 ; disputes with, i. 347 ; aspect of
the sova, interview with him, i. 349.
Banza Dalango, ii. 233.
Banza N'Borungo, territory of, i. 247.
Bao-babs, Malvacea, nat. Imbundeiro, i.
35, 47 ; ii. 12, 185, 190, 195, 214,
225.
Barraguenho, rivulet of, i. 215.
Barros, guide, i. 20, 70 ; dismissal of, in
Bihe, i. 131.
Basalts in the Serra Hengue, ii. 190.
Ba-songo people, i. 108.
Battue, grand, i. 245.
Batuque (dance), description of, i. 70.
Beards, of the authors, sensation caused
by, i. 83, 114, 169.
Bees, i. 95, 197, 214, 230, 359.
Beisas, antelopes, i. 67.
Belmonte, description of, i. 98.
Bembe, road to Encoge, ii. 149.
Bengo, valley of, ii. 226.
Benguella, city of, i. 10 ; description of,
i. 11 ; salubrity, i. 14; population, i. 14;
trade, i. 16 ; departure from, i. 20 ;
southern track, i. 21.
Berengella, mad apples (Solatium melon-
gena or ovigeram), i. 366.
Bernardino Antonio Gomes, his influence
in this mission, i. xxv.
Bi-cumbi, wooden shackles, i. 143.
Bihe, general description, i. 102; district.
connected with, i. 102; population of
102 ; productions, i. 103 ; wonderful
development of vegetation, i. 104 ; in-
habitants, i. 106 ; traditions, i. 107 ;
people settled in, i. 108 ; women of, i.
110 ; religion, i. 112 ; native industry,
i. 115; capital and sova of, i. 116;
people, i. 103, 191.
Bihcnos people,i. 103, 195 ; iron trade of,
i. 115 ; mode of making war, i. 142.
Bin-bonzo, sweet potatoes, i. 74.
Bin-bundo people, i. 108; ii.17; fetishism
among, i. 112.
Binda, calabash, i. 83; ii. 107.
Bin-delle, white men, i. 83; strange
stories of, i. 168, 181.
Birds of ill-augury, i. 234 ; intheN'guri,
ii. 214.
Bi-sonde ant, i. 82; attack of, in the Bihe,
i. 118.
Boar, wild, i. 274 302.
Boat, Malhet, i. 312, 345; human, i. 332.
Boceta, native box, ii. 23.
Boerhavia sjo. (?), i. 371.
Bombax, i. 243.
Bombo, process of obtaining it, i. 364.
Bondo-ia-quilesso, site of, ii. 185.
Bondos, tobacco of, ii. 27; entomology of,
ii. 28.
Bongo serra, ii. 22.
Bonze, i. 167.
Borassus, in Quioco, i. 224; in the
Hungo, ii. 88.
Borbulo, Mount, i. 38.
Brachystegia tamarindoide, nat. ossasa
and ucuba, i. 82.
Brazza, M. de, ii. 142.
Bread, nat. jimbolo, i. 365.
Brig ham Young, African, i. 265.
Bucorax coffer (?) in the N'guri, ii. 214.
Bucephalus tyj)iis,quile?>go-lenqo,\.'do7 .
Buchner, Dr.' Max, i. 395; ii. 43.
Bucusso, district of, i. 93, 102.
Bucusso, sova of the Cubango, i. 93.
Buffalo, Bubalus coffer, nat. mpacaca,
i. 48, 59, 67, 127, 312 ; ii. 132.
Bulimus rucifex, nat. t'chiqiiecula,'\. 284.
Bulo Jango, site of, ii. 185.
~Bxim\>a,,Jagga of Cassange, i. 329; ii. 11.
Bumbo, musical instrument, i. 62, 88,
94, 138.
Bundo serra, i. 66.
Bungo, ii. 223.
Bwphaga erythrorrhyncha, ii. 215.
Burseraceas, i. 45 ; in Quioco, i. 223 ;
in Quicongo, ii. 89.
Burton (P. R.), Captain, ii. 247.
But a, Echdina arietansf i. 357.
Butessa, i. 167, 171.
Butterflies, i. 95.
Cababa, rivulet, i. 59.
Cabaje Mutomba, vassal of the Yanvo,
i. 389.
Caballo, cascade, ii. 199.
Cabbage, i. 103, 358.
Cabeba, supreme chief of the Lunda,
385 ; mode of punishing his subjects,
i. 390.
Cabenda-Candambo, village of, ii. 152.
Index.
OJ/
Cabeto, site of, ii. 212.
Cabindas, i. 25.
Cabindondo, river of, i. 30.
Cabulo, cataract, ii. 225.
Cachellangues people, i. 317.
Cachinge, serras of, ii, 192.
CacolCalombo, grottoes in. ii. 207
Caconda, district of, i. 10, 59.
Caculo- Jabaca, ii, 164.
Cadoehe, river in Quioco,"i. 229.
Cadotcha, sova ot'Quiteque, i. 137.
Caembe-Camungo, cataract of the Cassai,
i. 247.
Caembo Muculo, sova, i. 389.
Caengue (Muene) lands belonging to
that sova, journevs to, i. 217, 308.
Ca fires, i. 109.
Cafnchila, first sova of the Hungo, ii.
69; confusion respecting, ii. 70.
Ca-jagga, title of chief, i. 134.
Cajingu, i. 53, 331 ; ii. 54.
Calachingo, family of i. 329.
Oalae, river, i. 85.
Calahari. desert of, i. 109.
Calala, i. 387.
Calumus, florus,\\. 86.
Calandula, sova, i. 345; ii. 45.
Calaei, title in Quioco, i. 174.
Calfele, title in Quioco, i. 174.
Caluculla, i. 33.
Calundo, track of, ii. 191, 207.
Calunga, family of the, i. 329.
Calunga, or great water, the sea, i. 113.
ii. 162, 196.
Calunga, river, i. 34, 38.
CWw??^«-Canjimbo, sova, ii. 153.
Calunga N'bando, compulsory present
of, ii. 6Q.
Calunga (N'dombo Acambo), king of
Jinga, ii. 52.
Caluquembe, district of, i. 48.
Camassa, sova of the Quembo, i. 311.
Camassamba, senzala, road from Cha-
Quilembi, i. 197.
Camaxe, rivulet, a terrible mishap at,ii.] 54.
Camba, territory of, i. 66.
Camba, rivulet, ii. 141.
Cambamba, sova, i. 314 ; redemption of
a prisoner, i. 315.
Cambamba, libata of, ii. 89.
Cambambe, ii. 225, 223.
Cambaxe, sova, ii. 64.
Cambo, river, its source, its course, ii.
27, 61.
Cambollo, banza of Cassange, i. 316, 335,
ii. 7.
VOL. II.
Cambolla (Cangonga),;^^, ii. 9 ; ban-
za of, description of his residence,
remarks upon the jagga, presents, ii.
10.
Cambundi Catembo, the senzala of, i.
331.
Cameron, i. 130 ; ii. 250, 261.
Camicungo, river of, ii. 38.
Camoaxi, river of, ii. 38.
Camp, v. Encampment.
Campanjili (Muata), vassal of the
Yanvo, i. 389.
Canda-ia-Canzella, dispute at, ii. 58.
C^Hcfo-ia-Legho, ii. 50.
Ccmofa-ia-Lumbombo in the Jinga. ii .
60.
Candanje, river, ii. 65.
Cancfa-ria-Massaugo in the Jinga, ii. 58.
Candas in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Candeeira, sova, i. 155.
Candimba, merchant, i. 16.
Candumbo, lands of, souives of the
Cunene, i. 90 ; senzala of, ii. 199.
Cane (sugar), Saccharium officinalis, i.
22, 58, 60, 366 ; ii. 149,
Canena Steatomys edulis, i. 68.
Cangombe, capital of the Bihe', i. 116,
118; description of the n/C ball a and
mu-icanzo, i. 120.
Canguanda, senzala on the Lu-lua, i.
247.
Cangumbe, Ganguella libata, i. 126.
Canhica (Muene), i. 390.
Canhumgamua, river, i. 86.
Canica, site of, i. 196.
Cants aureus in the Minungo, i. 271.
Cants mesomelus (?), i. 369.
Canjamba serra, i 301, 308.
Cannabis &ativat i. 334; its effect, ii.
28.
Cannibalism, v. Anthropophagy.
Canoes in Porto Real, ii. 185.
Cantalla (Muene), sova, i. 187, 191, 311.
Canunguessa, market, i. 17, 102.
Capaimbo, senzala of Quioco, i. 160.
Capambo (Tabanus), ii. 19.
Capanda track, via, ii. 211.
Capangombe, i. 81.
Caparanga, cataract, of the Cuango
(Louisa falls), i. 274.
Capata-ieu, nests of the, ii. 29.
Capelles in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Capitango in Quioco, i. 190.
Capricornios, ii. 29.
CaprimulgidcE, family of the, ii. 183.
Caprimulgos Shelleyi, ii. 183.
Z
OJ'
Index.
Capulca, the cook, i. 34. 75, 90, 173,
308, 347, 351 ; ii. 30, 55, 80, 180.
Capullo Dionzo, river, i. 33.
Caputo, libata, i. 87 ; dispute with the
natives, i. 87.
Caquilla, island of, ii. 199.
Caquinda, war in, i. 95.
Caravans, their mode of march in g, i. 77;
quibucas and nbacas i. 37 ; meeting
with, i. 369 ; ii. 207, 222.
Caric a papaya, fruit, ii. 257.
Carimba, senzala, energetic protest, i.
282.
Cariombo, river, ii. 185.
Carriers, difficulties in engaging, i. 3 ;
contracted at Novo Redondo, i. 9, 24 ;
death of one i. 240 ; ii. 151 ; number
who died on the journev, ii. 157 ; list
of, ii. 160.
Cassai, river, i. 102, 191, 197, 247.
Cassai, the faithful bitch, i. 175 ; her
pups, crime committed by, i. 342.
Cassalla, mount, ii. 11.
Cassange, i. 200, district and subdi-
visions, i. 320; fair, decline and pano-
rama, i. 321 ; commercial activity, i.
32^ ; interior territories with which it
is connected, i. 322; climate, i. 328 ;
form of termite hills therein, i. 329 ;
jaggado, reigning families, i. 329;
indecision at, i. 335 ; fever, i. 336 ; de-
finite project, i. 337 ; return to, i . 373 ;
troubles with the men at, i. 375 ; last
day of residence in, ii. 3.
Cassango, senzala, i. 197.
Cassanhe, senzala, i. 91.
Cassanje, cambambu, diviner, i. 383.
Cassanje, hamlet, ii. 181.
Cassanza, river of the Quembo, i. 286.
Cassasio, serra, ii. 220.
Cassia Occident alis, nat. il stinking,"
i. 275.
Cassongo-Calombo, territory of that
sova, i. 18, 102.
Cassoque, village of, ii. 222.
Cassungo of various colours, i. 8, 393.
Castor-oil plant, Ricinns communis, i.
28.
Catalla Canjinga, lands of, ii. 27.
Catanga, important market of, i. 17,
102, 138; copper-mine at, ii. 233.
Catanha, territory of, ii. 15.
Catanha, serra, i. 49 ; ii. 15, 27, 55.
Catao, chief of the ban-sumbi, treachery
and dishonestv, protests and flight, i.
130, 131.
Catape, river, i. 59.
Cateco, the guide, ii. 50 ; in the Jinga,
ii. 64; disputes with, ii. 66, 75.
Catenda, serras of, ii. 192.
Catende, district of, i. 180, 191, 197.
Catenha, mount, ii. 201.
Catete, lake, Songo, i. 154.
Catonga, site of, i. 58.
Catoplebas taurina, antelope, i. 43.
Catraio, the assistant, i. 192 ; night of
his wife, ii. 4 ; his forgetfulness, ii. 19 ;
carelessness, ii. 177.
Catuchi (Muene), sova, i. 297 ; aspect
of the inhabitants, i. 299 ; tobacco and
salt, want of, i. 300; sport, i. 302.
Catucua, serra, ii. 64.
Catuma Caimba, sova, ii, 152:
Catuma Cangando, sova, ii. 14-9 ; recep-
tion and an amusing incident, ii. 150.
Catumbella, district of, i. 10.
Catunga, senzala, abundance in, i, 257.
Catupo, serra, i. 129.
Cauali, river, ii. 146 ; basin of, ii. 153,
Caughi, villa of, ii. 212.
Cauandas, people of, i. 165.
Caueu, rivulet, i. 196.
Caueu, son of the sova of the Bihe, i.
126 ; nephew of the sova of Quioco. i.
176 ; ballet-daucer, i. 176, 226, 292.
Cauris, Cyprea moneta, cowries, i.
198.
Causus rhombeatus, nat. quibolobolo, i.
357.
Cavunje, river, vegetation on the banks
of, i. 338.
Caxita, rocks of, ii. 141.
Cazangaralla, mu-sumba of, i. 388.
Cazembe, caquinhata of, i. 199, 389.
Cazembe, origin of, i. 386.
Cazengo, ii. 208.
Celli or Celi, men of. i. 24, 248, 337.
Cemeteries, i. 160, 214; in Cassange, ii.
7, 37.
Cephalobus mergens, antelope, i. 43,
274.
Cervicapra bohor, antelope, i. 43.
Cha-cala, senzala of, ii. 128.
Cha-Calumbo, senzala of, i. 147, 243.
Cha-Cassingo, sova of Quioco, i. 160.
Cha-Cupinga, cemetery in Quioco, i.
160.
Chaduiji, river, affluent of the Cuango.
i. 252.
Cha-Landa, sova, ii. 38.
Chalucinga, i. 33.
Cha-Massango, track of, ii. 92.
Index,
j j'
Chamcerops, fan-pal in, ii. 88.
Cha-Nama, successor to the State in
Lunda, i. 180, 386.
Cha-Xende, sova of Quioco, i. 160.
Chanfana, sova, his residence &c , i.
238; presents; i. 239; death of a carrier
there, i. 240.
Chu-N'ganji, com plications, i. 155, 156;
pretensions, i. 157; his genealogic tree.
i. 158; visit to N'Dumba Tembo, i.
205; his reception,!. 297; flight, i. 208.
Cha-Qnessi, Muata of N'Dumba, i. 160;
guide, i. 163.
Cha-Quicala. a traveller, i. 217.
Cha-Quimmbe, senzda, i. 292.
Cha-Quilembe, senzalain Quioco, i. 197.
Cha-Tumba, sova, i. 24-7.
Chella, serra of, i. 33 ; cataract of the
Cunene, i. 66.
Chenopudium ambrosioides, i. 284, 371.
Chiboco. v. T'chiboco.
Cbicondi, v. T'chicondi
Circumlocution, native, i. 377 ; ii. 25.
Chicapa, v. T'chii-apa.
Children, reflections upon African, ii.
167.
Chili pepper, i. 364 ; ii. 9.
Chimbarandungo, sova, i. 53 — 57.
Chimbuioca, i. 94.
Chingolo, falls of the Cubango, i. 93.
Chromis mossambicus, ii. 201.
Chromis Sparmanni, ii. 201.
Chronometers, remarks upon, ii 205 ;
immense value of, ii. 206.
Chinje, territorv, v. Xinge.
Churasco, i. 88^ 367.
Cicadas, nat. m'banzarala, ii. 30.
Citrons, i. 103.
Clarias anguillaris, bagre, i. 301.
Clematis, i. 82.
Climatology of the flora, ii. 146.
Cloth (trade), (coast), i. 7 ; wholesale,
i. 325.
Coal, ii. 233, 266.
Cochlospermum angolensis, ii. 214.
Cocoons, silk, ii. 192.
Coffee, i. 60; ii. 266.
Coje (Muene), i. 229 ; his exigencies, i.
230; itambi, i. 231; batuques, i. 231.
Colobus angolensis, doubts as to its
origin, i. 258.
Cofobus palliatus, i. 369.
Co/ombolo, H/wgerrJtis trito&niaius, i.
357.
Colonization of Central Africa, ii. 26S.
Compana (Muata), sova, i. 309.
Z
; Condo, cataract of, remarks upon, ii. 203.
Conga, i. 169.
I Conflagrations, ii. 136.
| Congo, king of the, ii. 74.
I Congo, system of the, i. 102.
j Convolvulaceas in Quioco, i. 224.
j Copal gum, ii. 266.
\ Cope, Mount, i. 38.
Copororo, river of S. Francisco, Dombe,
i. 21, 22.
Copper, i. 22, 223 ; ii. 233, 266.
Cork, i. 224.
Goryihaix paulina, ii. 30.
Cosmetornis vexillarius, ii. 183.
Cosmogony (native), ii. 158.
j Cotton, i. 23, 60; ii. 149, 164, 266.
j Cowries, Ct/prea moneta, i. 198.
: Crane, i. 67.
Crocodiles, i. 67 ; ii. 157, 186.
j Cryptngamicaso in Cassange, ii. 7.
Cuafo, river in Quioco, i. 229.
Cu-amato, territory of, i. 66.
Cu-ando,. river, i. '61, 102; stepping-
stones or mupas of, i. 63.
Cuango, river, i. 102, 190 ; sources in the
territory of Muene Quibau, i. 196 ;
vegetation on its borders, i. 243 ;
sinuous course, i. 243, 253, 263, thorny
banks, i. 276 ; cataracts, ii. 141.
Cuango pequeno, or little Cuango river,
i. 299, 304.
Cuanja, cataract of the Cubango, i. 93.
Cuanza, i. .102, 122 ; origin, i. 128, de-
scription of, in N'jamba, i. 144, 145 ;
considerations respecting, ii. 199; fau-
na of, ii. 202 ; the basin of the, a few
remarks upon, ii. 226.
Cubango, river, course of the, i. 93 ;
cataracts, i. 93.
Cubunje, rivulet, i. 58.
Cucumbi, river, affluent of the Cuango,
i.312.
Cucus indicator, or honey -bird, i. 281.
I Cu-engo, river, ii. \'l6.
Cueniruare, stepping-stones (mupas) of,
i. 66.
! Cuj;ho, river, discovery of, and source,ii.
88 ; dispute on crossing, ii. 90.
Cugho, watermen, ii. 89.
Cuiji, river, southern limit of the Songo,
i. 191.
Cuji, river, ii. 35.
Cuilo, river, ii. 69; disemboguement into
the ( 'uango, ii. 134.
Cuilo munene, river, i. 309.
Cuiine, river in Quioco, i. 229.
)
34o
Index,
Cuio, town of, i. 22.
Cuiques, Pionias Meyerii, i. 358.
Cuito, river, i. 99, 102, 123; sacrifice at,
i. 131.
Cumaghia (senzala), i„ 238.
Cunene, river, i. 47, 66; fauna, i. 67;
bridge over, i. 90.
Cunga, journey to, ii. 227.
Cunga-ria-Cunga, cascade of, ii. 141.
Cuqueima, river, i. 119, 123; biidgeover,
i. 125.
Cuso, river, i. 61.
Cussique, affluent of the Luando, i. 160.
Cutapa (Muene), i. 387, 392 ; ii. 248.
Cutato, river, i. 95.
Cutieques, dwarfs in the north of the
Lunda, i. 248,317.
Cutota, rivulet, i. 51.
Cuverai, rivulet, i. 47.
Cuviji, river, ii. 94.
Cynocephalus sp. ?, in Luimbe, i. 146.
Cynocephalus porcarius, ii. 86.
Cyprea moneta, shells, i. 198.
Cyrena fluminalis, i. 24.
JDambis in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Dances, i. 70, 226, 258, 331 ; ii. 130,
Danguena, territory of, i. 66.
Danje, district of, subdivision of Jinga,
ii. 52 ; sources of the Cauali, Sussa,
and Luando in, ii. 146, 153.
Danje-ia-menha, site of, ii. 221.
Decamera-tonantis, ii. 213.
Deer, i. 67, 241.
Dembe {Mormyrus Lkuisi), ii. 204.
Dembei, river, i. 140 ; a funeral near, i.
140.
Dembo (Naboangongo), ii. 82.
Dembos, lands of the, ii. 154.
Dendrobates namaquus, i. 358.
Desertions, i. 24, 131, 144, 292; ii. 61.
Diary, extracts of, i. 123, 247 ; ii. 65,
66, 103, 123, 136.^
Discongo, banquet, i. 332.
Dlscorea alata (?) inhame, i. 58, 366.
JJiscoreas, i. 366.
Disnas (huts), i. 238.
Ditenda Yanva, i. 388.
D\jango,'\. 238, 300.
JJjengi, i. 17.
D'jindungo pepper, i. 364.
Dombe Grande, district of, i. 10, 80 ;
mineralogy, i. 22; aguardente in, i. 23;
geographical position, i. 24.
Dombe Pequeno, district of, i, 10.
Doiningos (N jinji carrier), ii. 3.
Dondo, ii. 208 ; arrival at, ii. 225.
Dongo, subdivision of Jinga, ii. 52.
Dongolo, falls of the Cubango, i. 93.
B)ti, i. 7.
Dove, i. 67.
Duque de Braganga, district of, ii. 46;
arrival at, ii, 161 ; position and es-
tablishment, ii. 163 ; fertility and
climate, ii. 164; departure from, ii. 180.
Drunkenness, ii. 256.
Dysentery, ii. 129, 136.
Ebande, Clarias anguillaris, i. 301.
Echdina arietans, nat. buta, i. 357.
JEdemonas on the Lui, ii. 11.
Egito, district, i. 10.
Eh ! Eh ! Oah ! exclamation, i. 55^ 164.
Elais, palm, ii. 88, 144.
Elemi, nat. mpafu, i. 223; ii. 86, 89,
267.
Eleotragus redunctts, antelope, i. 314.
Elephants, nat. rijamba, i. 107, 193.
Elotarsus, i 358.
Empacaceiros, ii. 215.
Encampment the first, i. 30; awakening
of, i. 172 ; ii. 31 ; construction of, ii.
8 ; breaking up of, ii. 31, 32; destroyed
by fire, ii. 173.
Encoge, pambo of, ii. 149.
Endoa, rivulet, i. 216.
Entozoario, noteworthy specimen, ii.
209. t
Eonga in the Bibe, i. 167.
Eriodendron anf., in Quicongo7 ii. 89,
145, 214.
Erythrina, i. 45 ; E. huillensis, nat,
ofuanganga, i. 82, 146 ; E. chriso-
carpa, nat. n'gombe, i. 82 ; in Quioeo,
i. 224 ; ii. 214.
Erythropklceum guincense, i. 382.
Eschinomenes on the Lui, ii. 11.
Esponjeira, Acacia farnesiana in the
Quembo, i. 281.
Ethnography, ii. 234,
Euphorbiaceas in Quicongo, ii. 89.
Euphorbias, i. 49. 82, 103, 224.
Euprepes Ivensi, ii. 201.
Euryotis Anchieta, nat. JJnberi, i. 68.
Expedition, remarks upon its organiza-
tion, &c, xxiv — xxvi.
Explorers, early days in Africa, difficul-
ties and troubles of, i. 1, 2 ; recent
works deficient in information, i. 6.
Extracts of the diary, v. Diary.
Faba, rapids, ii. 45.
Index.
4i
Fair, of Cassango, i. 286, 321.
Farofia, i. 304.
Fauna, African, ii. 283.
Feathers, ostrich and marabout, ii. 266.
Fendi, district, i. 60 ; mountains, i. 66.
Ferns, i. 105 ; ii, 5, 11.
Fetish, tortoise-shell, i. 90; against
musket-balls, i. 246 ; against rain, i.
251.
Fetishism, i. 112, 324 ; ii. 243.
Fevers, i. 99, 336, 342, 356, 359; ii.
132, 223.
Ficus elastica, i. 339.
Figueiredo (Antonio de), ii. 58.
Filippe, i. 192, 230, 240.
Finde, plateau of, ii. 147.
Firing the Forest, i. 277.
Fiscus capelli, i, 358.
Fish of the Calae, i. 84; of the Luando,
i. 154 ; of the Cnango, i. 301, 339 ; of
the Cuanza, ii. 200, 204.
Flea, Brazilian (pit lex penetrans), ii.209.
Flies, honey -making, attacks of, ii. 198,
212.
Flora, climatologic zones in the Hungo,
ii. 146; African, its wealth, ii. 265.
Fly (ox), ii. 19.
Food in West and Central Africa, ii.
254.
Forked log, punishment, i. 362.
Fortuna, mu-surabi, i. 151 ; ii. 98, 103.
Fortuna, river, discovery of, ii. 98; lost
on the banks of, ii. 99, 100.
Francisco, the model muzumbo, v. Mu-
zumbo.
Frogs, JRana ornatissima, (highly orna-
mented), ii. 205 ; strange noise made
by, ii. 5.
Fruit, native, danger of, ii. 35.
Fuba, manioc flour, i. 180; making of, i.
239; mode of obtaining, i. 364.
Fuche-ia-Cacalla, site of, i. 341, 358 ;
payment of a mu-cano at, i. 342.
Fugeras, in Quicongo. ii. 89.
Fuma in Quioco, 1. 174.
Fumaranga, sova, i. 248.
Fumbezo, small river, i. 284.
Funantes, i. 16.
Funda, libata on the Cu-bango, i. 92.
Funda-Imbi, senzala, ii. 152.
Funeral, ceremonies, i. 140, 379.
F ungo, fruit, i. 224.
Futa, territory of, ii. 88, 124.
Galangue, district, i. 60, 102.
Galengue, Oryx gazella, i. 67.
Gamba, rivulet, ii. 19.
Gandeeira, sova of Huamba, i. 169.
Ganga, rivulet, i. 33.
Gangas, Balearia regulorum, i. 67.
Ganguellas, i, 93, 102 ; industry of the
people, i. 93.
Garanganja, i. 17, 102 ; copper-mine at
ii. 233.
Garanhi, river, i. 388.
Garapa, native beer, i. 35, 58.
Gazelles, i. 67, 302, 355.
Gengi, i. 102.
Geology, i. 21 ; ii. 231.
Ginquba, Anachis hypogea, i. 58 ; ii.
163, 254, 266.
Gnats, i. 95.
Goitres, i, 148, 232.
Gold, ii. 266.
Golungo, ii. 208.
Gong 6, fruit, i. 39.
Gongolo (myriapodes), i. 329.
Goods, values and qualities of, in the
interior, i. 322.
Goose, i. 67.
Gramineous plants, i. 354.
Granite, i. 32, 43, 217 ; ii. 214, 231.
Grasses, Capim, Panicum and Andro-
pogon, i. 224; ii. 13; tiring of, i. 277.
Grave, a hunter's, i. 215.
Greenwich meridian adopted, ii. 271.
Grus carunculata, crane, wat. panda, i.
67.
Guingas, rocks of, ii. 194.
Gums, i. 16, 369.
JTarca, game, i. 375.
Hal/cet-boat, Macintosh, native de-
scription of, i. 312, 345.
Hallucination, strange, i. 374.
Hamba, river, ii. 61, 65.
Hango, territory of the, ii. 184.
Hartmann, R., ii. 250.
Head-dresses, i. 80, 111, 369 ; ii. 54,
71, 120, 123, 130, 219.
Heleji, river, ii. 191.
Htmichromis angolensis, ii. 204.
Hemp, ii. 266.
Hengue, serra, basalts in, ii. 190.
Herminieras in Quioco, i. 224.
Herminiera E., ii. 14.
Hippopotamus, nat. ixguvo, i. 67, 274;
snares for, i. 69 ; death of one, i. 249 ;
in Yacca, ii. 129, 199.
Ilippotragus equinus, i. 221.
Hippotragus niqer, antelope, i. 67.
Hives (bee) in Quioco, i. 197, 281, 359.
342
Inch
ex.
Holo, subdivision of the district of Cas-
sange, i. 320 ; track of, ii. 81, 149.
Honey, nat. uitcJii, in Quioco, i. 197;
fondness of the natives for, i. 281.
Honey-bird, C Metis- indicator, i. 281.
Honey-combs, i. 281.
Horary in Duque de Braganca, ii. 162.
Hottentot, natives, i. xxi.
Huambo. district of, i. 79, 81.
Huicumbamba {Caprimulgo Shell eyi),
ii. 183.
Huilla, district, i. 49, 81.
Hunga, port, ii. 196.
Hungo, territory of the, ii. 71 ; inhabi-
tants, colour, he-id-dresses, ii. 71, 72 ;
women, ii. 73; dwellings, &c, ii. 74.
Hunters in Quioco, i. 214; visit to en-
campment, i. 217 ; distrustful, ii. 108.
Huts, i. 96, 198.
Huta, bow of the Quiocos, i. 166.
Hydromel, v. Mead.
Hvenas, i. 21 ; H.fvsca, i. 271, 358.
Byplmne, i. 358; ii. 88.
Hypnosia, disease, native names and re-
marks upon, i. 136.
Jlyppotragus equinus, J\£a-lanea, i.
274.
Hyppolragusniger? v.dA..palanca,\.27&.
Ibari N'Kutu, ii. 141.
lea. i. 167.
Icollo, ii. 208.
Imbarri, i. 18.
Imbia, i. 167.
Imboa, boggy land in Cassange, i. 355.
Imbundeiro, v. Baobab.
India-rubber, i. 197, 303,322, 369, 394;
ii. 16, 89, 215, 266.
Iiijundi of maize flour or manioc root,
i. 31,61,75,339,363.
Inga, territory of, i. 66.
Inhame, Discorea, i.. 58 ; 366 ; ii. 255.
Instructions, first paragraph of, i. xxviii.
Inundated plateau, nat. anharas,
anhanas, \. 85, 93 ; ii. 11.
Iron (magnetic) i. 47 ; oligist, i. 223 ; ii.
233, 266.
Itambi, i. 26; among; the Ban-gala, i. 378
Ivory, i. 16, 322, 369, 394 ; ii. 215, 266.
Jackals, Canis aureus, i. 271, 358, 372.
Jaggado, i. 329.
Jaggas of Cassange, i. 320; disputes and
effects upon the fair at Cassange, i.
^2L; their tyrannies, i. 330; cere-
monies ot investiture, &c, i. 331.
Jatropha maniliot, manioc, i. 82.
Jau, district of, i. 36.
Jimbolamento, in. Africa, i. 179.
Jimbulo, bread, i. 365.
Jinga, project to cross the, ii. 49 ; the
road to, ii. 51 ; description of. ii. 52 ;
population, monarch and aristocracy,
ii. 52, 53.
Jingas, pockets, ii. 54; habitations, ii.
60.
Jinguengue, fruit, i. 366.
Jinguiji, river, affluent of the Cassai, i.
247.
Jinvunji, fetish influence, i. 380.
Joao de Andrade Corvo, i. xxvi.
Joao Baptista Ferreira, i. 18. .
Jose de Anchieta, i. 60, 67.
Jose de Seabra da Silva, ii. 195.
Jose, the guide, ii. 3, 83 ; his system of
charnong a snake, ii. 14 ; his uncles,
ii. 35, 183 ; his valuable service, ii.
106.
Kete, i. 7.
Kitchen, novel, i. 35.
Lakes, i. 23, 66, 218; salt, ii. 15; 88,
126, 137, 145.
Landulphias in Qu'congo, ii. 89.
Languages and dialects, ii. 248.
Laula, rivulet, i. 126.
Lazarinas, fire-arm, i. 8.
Lemba (Mutu's wite), ii. 118.
Lemons, i. 103.
Leopard, Lepardus jubatos, i. 67.
Leucoryoc, antelope, ridit.nuima, i. 67.
Leva, river, i. 58.
Lhinica (Muene), i. 232; dangers and
disputes, i. 233.
Liamba, smoking, i. 393 ; ii. 27.
Lianzundo, cataract of, ii. 45.
Liba, river, i. 102.
Libata, v. Senznla; description, i. 61; of
the sova of Quingolo, i. 85.
Licomte, i. 16 ; ii. 266.
Limes., i. 103,
Limestone, ii. 231.
Liniani, i. 17.
Lion, ossi, i. 58, 47.
Livingstone, i. 18, 130; ii. 190.
Loanda /St. Paul da Assmnpoao de),
capital of Angola, seat of the govern-
ment, arrival at, ii. 227 ; reception
there, ii. 228.
Lobenda, senzala, ii. 129.
Locusts, i. 95.
Index
Lombe, river, point of affluence in the
Cuanza, ii. 194; atCaballo, ii. 207; do
Motta, ii. 207.
Londimba, river, i. 58.
Louisa falls, i. 273.
Lu-ache, river, ii. 65.
Lu-ajimo, river, i. 200, 322.
Lu-alaba, river, i. 102, 199.
Lu-ali, river in Quioco, i. 232.
Luatnba, territory of, ii, 153.
Luando, affluent of the Cuanza, i. 145;
146 ; description and source, i. 153 ;
ii. 157.
Luandos, i. 197.
Luango, senzala, ii. 11.
Luangue, river, i. 309.
Luba, i. 322 ; ii. 217.
Lu-bilachi, river, i. 248.
Lubiza, i. ]02.
Lubbock (Sir John), ii. 243, 216.
Lubuco territory, i- 369 ; 217.
Lu-buri, river, i. 248.
Lu-calla, river, affluent of the Cuanza, ii.
45 ; banks of the, ii. 49 ; source of the,
ii. 153, 184.
Lucano, i. 393.
Luce, river, eastern limit of Quioco, i. 191.
Luceque, district, i. 66.
Lu-chilo, river, ii. 181.
Luco, plant, employment of root in
making beer, i. 58, 365.
Lucoquessa, her importance in the Lun-
da, i. 190, 386.
Lu-culla, river, limit oftheSongo, i. 160,
229.
Lu-ejime, i. 247.
Lu-embe, river, i. 200.
Luena, serra, ii. 225.
Lughias, ii. 33.
Luinibe, territory of, i. 144.
Lu-ioto,salt liver, affluent of the Cuango,
i, 271, 283.
Lui, river, ii. 5. 11.
Lu-iza, river in the Lunda, i. 388.
Lu-lua, river, i. 247.
Lu-undo, i. 15.
Lu-me, river, i. 196.
Lu-nano, i. 15.
Lunda, of the Muata Yanvo, i. 18, 317 ;
difficultvof the Bihenos in crossing, i.
394; natives of, i. 394.
Lungue, division of the, ii. 191.
Lu-oje, river, ii. 147.
Lu-quengue, river, affluent of the Cassia,
i. 247.
Lu-quiche, river, ii. 126.
Ma-becos, Canis mesomelus (?), i. 369.
Mabel/a, Hijphcene guinensis, i. 53,
197, 239, 369, 394.
Mabu, Papyrus antiq., mats of, i.
197.
Macaca Acatumbo, sources of the Cu-
lango, i. 93.
Macalungo, road to, i. 211.
Ma-culla, iruit, i. 224.
Macolo, river, ii. 132.
Ma-cosa, tribes of the, i. 187, 191, 390.
Macotas, i. 53, 116, 119. 174.
Maculo, disease, treatment of, i. 371.
Macume-N'jimbo, territory of, source
of theCugho, ii. 88, 224^
Macundi, bean, i. 366.
Ma-eunhapamba, ii. 28.
Mafungo, senzaln, ii. 129.
Mad-apples, i, 366.
Maghia, arrows in Quioco, i. 169.
Mahabo, senzala, ii. 67.
^la.hur)go,jagga of Cassange, i. 329.
Mahungo people, ii. 72 ; surrounded by,
ii. 75 ; discourse of, ii. 76 ; exigencies
of, ii. 82; discussions with, ii. 83.
Maize, i. 103 ; ii. 149, 254, 266.
Malange, district of, i. 323 ; ii. 38, 191 ;
return to, ii. 207.
Malavo, name given to aguardente, i,
135.
JIa-/ibundo9 ii. 30.
Ma-lunga, i. 167; in the Jinga ; ii. 54.
Maluvo, palm wine, i. 366 ; ii. 88 ; pro-
cess of extracting it, ii. 144.
Malvaceas, i. 367 ; ii 89.
Manatus senegalensis, mermaid, ii. 202.
Ma-ricuha (ticks), i. 127.
Manioc, Jatropha manihot, i. 37, 103 ;
taste of, ii. 26, 254.
Mangongo, libata of, ii 89.
Mangos, i. 77, 348.
Ma-n'gula, Dendrobates namaquus, i.
358.
Ma-numa, i. 330.
Mantis, grass, ii. 28.
Maoanda, libata in Quioco, i. 232.
Maoungo, river, i. 247.
Mapemba, river, ii. 108.
Ma-puca, bee country, i. 197.
Ma- quioco, eastern designation, i. 191 ;
tribes of, i. 224 ; uses, customs, &c. in
Catuchi, i. 299.
March in the dark, i. 271.
JIar/anga, Penisetam (?) on the banks
of Cuango. i. 243 ; in Cassange, ii. 5,
124.
344
Index.
Maria segunda, beads, i. 8.
Market, nat. T'chitaca, i. 84, 197, 389.
Marimba, musical instrument, i. 62, 94.
139.
Marriage on the journey, ii. 118.
Marshes, in the Cuango, ii. 13.
Ma-shinge people, i. 345.
Ma-songo, principal carriers at the fair,
i. 322 ; caravan of, ii. 16.
Ma-sosso, ii. 124.
Massambala, Sorghum, i. 37, 103 ; ii.
254.
Massanqo, Penisetum typhoideum, i.
103 ; ii. 254.
Matamba, subdivision of the Jinga, ii.
52, 71.
Match imbo, rivulet, i. 217.
Ma-t'chobo, shaggv, amphibious goat, i.
129.
Mateba, TJyphosne guinensis, i. 358.
Matete, i. 365.
Matheus Gomes Pereira, i. 61.
Ma-tomuzumos in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Ma-vuvi, silk-weaving spider, ii. 30.
Maxim, i. 339.
Ma-yacca people, ii. 119 ; description of,
ii. 123.
Mazal (Muene), i. 229.
M'bacas, caravans in Africa, ii.. 18.
Mbala, i. 187, 209.
M'bambu, JErythrojjlceum guineense, i.
228, 382.
M'bangarala {Cicadas), ii. 30.
M'boellas people, i. 390.
M'briche, river, ii. 149.
M'chiri, sova of the Garanganja, musical
tendencies, i. 138 ; Quioco road, i.
197.
Mead, hydromel, nat. quingunde, in
Quioco, i. 186.
Mechow, Von, meeting with, ii. 223.
Merionis, Ai'rie. rat, i. 68.
Mermaid (Manatus senegalensis), ii.
202.
Metroxilon, poles of, ii. 93.
Mica, i. 21, 43 ; ii. 233. _
Micendeiras, sycamores in Belmonte, i.
98.
Mieji, river, northern limit of the Quioco,
i. 191.
Mienguelecas, description of, i. 367.
Milongo, i. 73, 286.
Minungo, lands of i. 262.
Missalo, sieve, i. 327.
Missions, ii. 262.
Moaza-n'gombe, river, i. 248,
Mocambe, serr.i, ii. 232.
Moenga, serras of the, i. 162, 243, 308.
Moi-Chandalla-Dicoata, female sova,
startling declaration, i. 237.
Moles, i. 68.
Moma, libata, i. 95, 128.
Mona-N'gola, denomination of the
Jingas, ii. 54.
Mongoa, sova of the Songo, i. 148;
complications, i. 149 ; nocturnal ex-
pedition, i. 150.
Monkeys, i. 146, 241 ; ii. 86.
Mornyrus Lhuisi, ii. 204.
Mortality in Malange and Cassange, ii.
37.
Mossamedes, i. 81 ; ii. 229. .
Mosquitoes, attacks of, i. 96,270,372;
mode of dispersing them, i. 270.
Moteha, ancient Yanvo, i. 338.
M'pacaca {Bubulus caffer), v. Buffalo.
Mpqfu in Quioco, i. 228 ; in the
Hungo, ii. 86.
M'peixe, i. 167.
Mpembas in the Jinga, ii. 54.
Mpuca, Quioco, i. 174 ; his discourse, i.
178.
Muaca (Ilemichromis angolensis), ii.
204.
Muaji, oath, i. 382.
Mu-anza, ii. 33.
Mutfta-Cha-Munji, vassal of King
N Dumba, i. 160.
Muata-Yanvo, i. 18, 289. 385.
Muata, title in Quioco, i. 160.
Muavi, oath, 382.
Mu-caje, i. 364.
Mu-canda, i. 166.
Mu-cano.t fine, i. 333 ; ii. 7.
Mucari, river, ii. 38.
Mucete, huts, i. 238.
Mu-cha, of salt, i. 285, 369.
Muchi, small sticks to guide cattle, i. 39.
Muchi la, i. 14.
Muchito in the Hungo, ii. 87; in Qui-
congo, ii. 94.
Mu-chinga, i. 102, 167._
Muco N'gola, denomination of the
Jingas, ii. 54.
Mu-coali, axe, i. 392.
Mucole-Maiale, senzala, ii. 152.
Mucole-Quipanzo, senzala,. ii. 87.
Mucuna yiritriens, i. 274.
Mucuna, river, almost lost in, ii. 67.
Mucunha, sova in the Bihe, i. 126.
Mu-curulumbia mantis, ii. 27.
Muene, lord in the Bihe, i. 160.
Index.
345
Muene Cantalla, sova, i. 187, 191.
Muene Caria. dignity in Quioco, i. 147,
190.
Muene Congo Tubinge, ii. 125.
Muene Puto, name of the Portuguese
monarch, i. 133.
Muene PutoCassongo, (Quianvo), ii. 120.
Muene-Songo, ii. 14] .
Muerficlie in the Jinga, ii. 54.
Mn-ghande, for fishing, i. 154.
Mu-hamba, i. 10, 74, 369 ; of the Amba-
quista, ii. 40.
Muhamba, river, ii. 12.
Muhungo in Quioeo, i. 228 ; ii. 141.
Muhungo, Jagga of Cassange, i. 329.
Muhunzo serra, ii. 42.
Muiji, river in Quioco, i. 229.
Mulondo, lands of, i. 66.
Mnluia, river, ii. 125.
Munda, serra, i. 33, 38.
Munda, senzala, ii. 153.
Mundambala, hatchet in Quioco, i. 167.
Muntalandonga (Euprcpes Ivensi), ii.
201.
Muntimbo, village, i. 283.
Mitpas, rapids of the Cuando, i. 63 ; of
the Cunene, i. 66 ; of the Cubango, i.
92 ; oftheCutato, i.95 ; of the Cuanza,
ii. 45, 220 ; of the Cuango, ii. 141.
Mussala. rivulet, ii. 123,
Muquiche in Quioco, dress, dances, i.
294 ; objects, i. 296.
3fuquisse, powder, i. 318.
Muropoe, empire of the, i. 386.
Mus ratus, dorsalis, and pumilio, nar.
ongueru, i. 67.
Mu-sumba in the Lunda, residence of
the cabeba, and position, i. 385; mode
of constructing, i. 389.
Mussombo, lake, sources of the Cuanza,
i. 122.
Muta, site of, ii. 220.
Mu-tala, bedstead, i. 327.
Mutemo-Ambuilla, ii. 153.
Midi a, i. 387.
Mutombo Muculi, sova, i. 389.
Mutopa, i, 166.
Mutu, carrier, fall into the river, i. 254;
his marriage, ii. 118.
Mutula, rapids of, ii. 198.
Mu-iopa, pipe, for the Liamba, ii. 27.
Muzumbo, interpreter, i. 188 ; aptitude
i. 211 ; flight and robbery, i. 212.
Mu-zumbo Tembo, first monarch of the
Songo, i. 107, 191.
Myriapodes, Spirosireptus gongo/o, i.
241; new species found in Cassange,
i. 329.
Naja riegricolis, remarks respecting the,
i. 65.
Nama-Muene, i. 267.
Nanja, suva, i. 35.
Nanos, v. Bananos.
Naoeji, Yanvo, i. 388.
N'baca, caravan, i. 37.
N'bije, i. 166.
N'bonzo, i. 58.
N'bunda, language spoken in Loanda, i.
15.
N'bundo, dialect of the Lu-nano, i. 15.
JV'bungo, wolf, i. 21.
JV'burututo, ii. 214.
N'cunha, i. 167.
N'cusso, ii. 126.
N'Dala Quissua, Jagga of the Bondos,
ii. 25.
N'Dala Samba, ii. 35 ; divisional line of
waters, ii. 38.
N'Darnba, sova, i. 58.
N'dengue, ii. 4.
N'djabite, hatchet, i. 115, 147; in
Quioco, i. 167.
N'dua, oath among the Ban-bondo, i.
382,
JV'dtti (Decamera-tonantis), as used by
the natives, ii. 213.
N'dulo, i. 102.
N'Dumba Cachilo-chilo, sova, i. 292.
N'Dumba Mughande, sova, i. 292.
N'Dumba T'chiquilla, sova, i. 211 ; de-
scription, i. 304; his drunkenness and
pretensions, i. 306.
N'Dumba Tembo, king of the Quioco, i.
174; first visit, i. 175; description, i.
177; his discourse ,i. 179; strange pre-
tension, i. 180; present sent, i. 181; re-
turn visit, i. 187 : a narrative, i. 190 ;
journey made in his company, i. 214.
N'dundje (Muene), sova of theMissungo,
i. 257, 332.
JVenvp/iares in Cassange, ii. 5.
Nephila braganiina, ii. 30.
Nests, ii. 29, 214.
N'gace, oath, i. 382.
N'gami, inundat d plains of, i. 93.
N'gana, lord, i. 160.
N'gana, n'zambi, fetish in Quioco, i. 113.
N'gana, N'zendo, sova, ii. 153.
N'gando, sova, i. 127.
2V ganga-ia-puio, ii. 45.
N'ganga n'zumba, sova, ii. 15.
N'ganga, rivulet, ii. 124.
46
Index.
N'gola, village, i. 51.
N'gola n'boles in the Jinga, ii. 53.
N'gola, Quituche, sova, ii. 198.
N'golas (Quilluanjes Quiassambas), ii.
52.
N'gombe, Erythrina eJirisecarpa,'\. 82.
N'gonga, family of the, i. 329.
N'guengue, libata, i. 58.
N'guenzi, i. 102.
N'gumbe, ii, 30.
JS'yunguachito, ii. 214.
N'guri, district of, ii. 13 ; journey to, and
difficulties on the road, ii. 14.
N'guri, serra, ii. 11.
N'guvo, sova of the Cassai, i. 247.
Nguvo, v. Hippopotamus.
N'nangae-ia-Pepe, ii. 220.
N'hembas people, i. 91.
N'hongos, district of the, ii. 220.
Niangue, i. 3 8.
JVicotiana tabacum rustica, ii. 72.
Niger, basin of the, ii. 238.
Nimia, Luco-em (?), ii. 236.
N'jamba. elephant, i. 107.
N 'jamba, libata in the Cuanza, i. 142.
N'jonubo, river, abundance of fish in, i.
229.
Nogueira (A. F.), ii. 245.
Nourse, river, i. 67.
Novo Redondo, district, i. 9, 10.
JS'poco coculula, i. 167.
Nu-eele, falls of the Cu-tato, i. 95.
Nunha, Bibe village so called, i. 123.
Nymphaceas in Quicongo, numerous
species of, ii. 89.
Nymphea stellata, nat. ebangue, i. 92.
N'zamba, falls of the Cuango, i. 345.
N'zare, designation of the Cassai, i. 247.
Oath, among the Ban-gala, i. 382 ; mode
of administering, i. 383 ; final result,
i. 385.
Obaba-Tenda, rivulet, i. 47.
Obongo, natives, i. 112.
Odonata, ii. 28.
Oca, a hundred men in the Bihe, i. 134.
Oeiras, ii. 233.
Ofuanganga, Erythrina huillensis, i.
82.
Olimbinda, libata, i. 141.
Olococos, ELotarsus, i. 3 )8.
Olumupa, i. 95 ; greatest altitude at-
tained, i. 98.
Ongue, panther, i. 21, 214.
Onguero, J\Tus ratus, dorsalis, and/w-
milio, i. 67.
Opabanganda, falls of the Cubango, i.
93.
Oranges, i. 60, 103 ; ii. 195, 198.
OrcJiideas epidendres, ii. 89.
Oreas carina, antelope, i. 43.
Oriungo, Rubiacea, i. 45.
Oryx capensis, gemsbok, i. 129.
Oryx gazella, nat. golengue, i. 67.
Ossassa, Brachystegia tamar, l. 82.
Ossi, lion, i. 48.
Otubo, chief of the Ban-sumbi, i. 76,
263; thievery, ii. 174; attempted
evasion, ii. 180.
Ovampo, district of, i. 93.
Oxen (saddle), i. 78, 84.
Ox-fly, ii. 19.
Pacaca Aquibonda, division of the Jinga,
district of, ii. 153.
Painting, i. 318.
Palanca, Rocks of, ii. 220.
Palanca, Hyppotragus n. (?), orequinus,
i. 274.
in Quicongo, ii. 110.
Palm oil, i. 394 ; ii, 266.
Palm-trees, ii. 88.
Palma christi, i. 103, 366 ; ii. 266.
Pamba (Atnbaca), visit to, ii. 187.
Pambo of Encoge, ii. 149.
Pambos in the Dondo, ii. 225.
Panda, Grus carunculata, i. 67.
Panicum, variety of capim, grass, i.
224.
Panthers, i. 21, 67, 275.
Papa, serras of, ii. 184.
Papaeira, Garrica Papaya, ii, 257.
Papyrus antiquorum, nat. mabu, i. 93.
243, 354 ; in Cassange, ii. 5.
Partridges, ii. 38, 192.
Paschoal (Narciso Antonio), ii, 3.
Patrulhas, ii. 181.
Pedras negras, the Black Rocks, ii. 193.
Peinde, district, parrots of, i. 258 ; back-
woods, i. 322 ; lands of, ii. 22.
Pelomys fallax, rat, i. 68.
Pelopceus spirifex, nat. maribundo, ii.
30.
Penisetum hyphoidcum, i. 224.
Pepper (chili), i. 364; ii. 9, 266.
Pereira de Mello, governor of Bengaella,
i. 20.
Pest o£ the woods, fly, ii. 19.
Petro, senzala, ii. 152.
Pezo (Muene), amusing intimation, i.
243.
Phacochcerus etliiup, wild boar, i. 274.
Index.
347
Pharmacies, allopathic, dosimetric, and
phenic, i. 73.
Phasianella Heddingtonensis, i. 24.
Pieapns, Dendrobates namaquus, wood-
pecker, i. 358.
Pigeons, wood, ii. 38. 192.
Pine-apples, i. 44, 103.
Pionias JMeijerii, i. 355.
Pipes, nat. quixibo, i. 74.
Pirao, i. 258 ; making of, i. 304.
Plantations, i. 58 ; ii. 78.
Plateaux (inundated), i. 85.
Populo, Diptero, fly, i. 52.
Potatoes, Sokxnum tuberosum, nat.
ribonzo, i. 37.
Potatoes, sweet, Convolvulus batatas, i.
58, 74.
Porto Real, ii. 185.
Praca Velha, ii, 187.
Ptyelus olrareus, i. 146 ; ii. 181.
Pulex Penetrans, v. Flea.
Pumpkins, i. 358.
Pungo N'Dongo, rocks of, ii. 190; geo-
logical formation, ii. 194; noteworthy
impressions upon, ii. 194, 195; town
of, ii. 195; return to, ii. 208 ; winds
at, ii. 210.
Puva, Mount, i. 58.
Quartz, i. 21, 22, 43, 135, 217.
Que, river, i. 51, 58.
Quembo, district of, i. 191, 313; fauna,
i. 313; Portuguese fair, i. 321.
Quendengongo, sova, i. 37,
Quiabos, Abelmoschus esculentos, i. 358,
367.
Quiambella, serra, ii. 200.
Quingala in the interior, i. 373.
Quiangolo, island of, ii. 199.
Quianvo (Muene Puto Cassango), ii.
120.
Quibau (Muene), his letter, i. 193.
Quibinda, village of, ii. 203.
Quibolo-bolo, Causus rhombeatus, i.
357.
Quibonde, lake in the Songo, i. 154.
Quibucas, organized in Cassange, i. 37 ;
in Africa, ii. 18.
Quibundo, senzala, i. 197.
Quicalla, site in the Bine, i. 126.
Quicanga, senzala of, ii. 152.
Qui co'os, ii. 199.
Quicongo. district of, ii. 88 ; aspect and
vegetation, ii. 88.
Quicuba, ganguella sova, i. 126.
Quicue, rivulet, i. 49.
Quicunji, falls of the Cuang<~», ii. 126.
Quifanjimbo, river, i. 388.
Quifanjimbo, internal lake, i. 248 ; ii.
218.
Quifucussa, sova, ii. 27.
Qui-jinga in the Jinga, ii. 54.
Quilau, Mount, in the Sambo, i. 86.
Quilemba, i. 18.
Quilemo, sova of the Bihe, i. 116, 120;
present, i. 121 ; visit and reception, i.
121, 124.
Quilengo-lengo, Bucephalus typus, i.
357.
Quileba serra, i. 66 ; divisional line of
the waters of the Atlantic and Indian
oceans, i. 81.
Quillengues, district of, i. 10, 36; geo-
graphical position, mountains, &t\, i.
36, 37, 38, 39.
Quillengues, people, i. 80 ; valley of, i.
46.
QuilJuanjes in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Quilolos, i. 390 ; ii. 123.
Quilombo, v. Encampment; of the Bihe
wars, i. 142.
Quilulo, serras of, ii. 192.
Quilul o-n sandi, Bihe, fetish, i. 112.
Qwmalanca, hyena, i. 21.
Quimana, village of, ii. 149.
Qnimangata, i. 374.
Quimbamba (Cosmetornis vexillarius),
ii. 183.
Quimbaxe, river, ii. 64.
Quimbimbe, Fiscus capelli, i. 358.
Quimbombo, beer, i. 365.
Quimbundo, i. 308.
Quin-bundo, erroneous designation, i.
108 ; idiom of the Bihe, i. 108.
Quinbandi, lands of, i. 121.
Quinbungo Quiassama, ii. 51.
Quinbanda, medicine-man, i. 26, 380.
Quindas, i. 63, 180, 364.
j Quingolo, district of, i. 79, 81, 85.
Quinqnnde, mead of the Quioco, i. 198,
366.
Qu/nguri, banquet of, i. 332.
Qui ni, i. 167.
Quioco (T'chiboco), notes upon the, i.
223 ; flora, fruits, i. 224 ; inhabitants,
i. 224.
Quionja, dwelling of the Coimbras in
the Bihe, i. 138.
Quioza, prisoners of war, i. 97 ; senzala
in the Cuanza, i. 97.
Quipangnla, site of, i. 14.
Quipundi, i. 167.
34»
Index.
Quipungo, district, i. 48, 49.
Quipungos, natives, i. 52 ; thug.*, i. 52.
Q.uipupa, chalybeate water in, i. 20;
geology, i. 21.
Quiquanga, confection of, i. 364.
Quissama, ii. 215.
Quissangua, beverage, i. 65, 185, 365.
Quissanja, small marimba, i. 173, 189.
Quissaquina Caboco, falls of, ii. 220.
Quissongo, military commander in the
Bihe, i. 142, 174, 206.
Quissongo, chief of the caravan, i. 132,
147; (old) of the Bihe, ii. 154.
Quitamba, Caquigungo, i. 335, 355.
Quitandas, i. 197 ; ii. 225.
Quitanguca, village of, ii. 152.
Quitaxe, falls of, ii. 203.
Qniteca N'bungo, lands of, i. xxix ; ii.
124.
Quiteque, site in the Bihe, i. 136.
Quitoche, rocks of, ii. 194.
Quitoeta, mountains of, ii. 201.
Quituche, i. 183 ; ii. 7.
Quitumba Caquipungo, banza, ii. 12.
Quitumba, sova, i. 317.
Qui-vuvi, silk spider, ii. 27, 192.
Quizau Malunga, senzala of, ii. 88.
Quizpngamo, quilolo of the Quianvo, ii.
123.
Quizumene, mu-sumba of, i. 388.
Quizunguelle, senzala of Quioco, i. 160.
Rafts at Porto Eeal, ii. 186.
Railway (Ambaca) projected, ii. 189.
Rainy season, i. 104.
Rauinas, fire-arms, i. 8.
Raphael Gorjao (Manuel), ii. 228.
Baphia vinifera, i. 21, 146.
Raphias, in the Hungo, ii. 88 ; zones
where it exists, ii. 144, 146.
Rapids, v. Mupas.
Rats, i. 67.
Resins, i. 223 ; ii. 89.
Religion, i. 112 ; ii. 243.
Rhagerrhis tritceniatus, colombolo, i.
357.
Rhinoceros, i. 218; horn, i. 221, 394;
varieties of, i. 222.
Rice, ii. 266.
Ricinus communis, i. 82.
Roberto Franco (Jose"), ii. 230.
Rubiaccas, in Quioco, i. 224; in Qui-
Sa da Bandeira, his map, ii. 203.
Saccharium officinalis, sugar cane, i. 23.
Saccostomus lapidarius, rat, i. 68.
Sala-le, termites, i. 95.
Salt in the Quembo, deficiency of, i.
285 ; its value in the interior, i. 285,
300 ; ii. 266.
St. Salvador, ii. 74, 126.
Samba, backwoods of, i. 199, 389.
Samba Cango, ii. 183.
Sambo, district of, i. 79, 91.
Santa Maria, herb, Chenopodium ambro-
sioides, i. 284, 371.
Sanza Manda, site of, ii. 38, 213.
Scarabeus, Cleopteros, ii. 29.
Schutt (Otto), ii. 12.
Schweinfurth, i. 112; ii. 186.
Scops capensis, i. 236.
Scops leucotis, ii. 187.
Scopus umbretta, ii. 214.
Scorpion, sting of, i. 352.
Scurvy, first symptoms of, i. 360 ; ii.
221.
Secula Binza, rivulet, i. 59.
Seculo of the sova of Bihe, i. 174.
Senegambia, country of, i. xxii.
Sengue, site of, ii. 220.
Senzala, villagp, i. 34; description of
interior, i. 362; deserted, ii. 78.
Serpa Pinto (Major Alexandre A. d i
Rocha), i. 73; first news of his return,
ii. 196 ; his opinion on inissionary
labour, ii. 261.
Sharpia angolensis, i. 358.
Shells, cowries, i. 198 ; ii. 80.
Shinge, v. Xinge.
Silk in Africa, ii. 192, 266.
Silk-weaving spider, ii. 27, 192.
Silva Americano, steamer, ii. 227.
Silva Porto, i. 17, 98.
Silver in the Jinga, ii, 58, 233, 266.
Silverio (Captain A), chefe of Duque de
Braganca, his residence, ii. 46 ; dinner
with, ii. 165; his pets, ii. 181 ; adieu
to, ii. 212.
Siminophis bicolor, nat. mu-zuzo, i. 357.
Slavery, ii. 260.
Snakes, i. 65 ; attack of, i. 357; meeting
with, fright caused by, ii, 14.
Soana Molopo, i. 386.
Snuff among the Hungos, ii. 72.
Social relations of the natives of West
and Central Africa, ii. 240, 258.
Socobala, site of, i. 38.
Solcmum melongena, sp., i. 366.
Soma-catito, subalterns, i. 142.
Soma-i a-can-d j a mba, sort of general in
the Bihc,i. 142.
Index.
349
Sombrero, Mount, i. 11.
Songo, lands of, i. 191, 201.
Sorq/io, Sorghum, nat. massambala, i.
37, 103.
Sovas, ceremonies at decease, i. 92 ; god-
fathers, ii. 166; blind, it. 197, 198.
Sovetas, disputes with, ii. 38.
Songanhe, village of, ii. 149.
Songo, territory of the, i. 160.
Sosso, natives of the, ii. 125, v. Ma-
Sosso.
Sousa (Antonio de), ii. 227.
Spaihodea vampanulata, ii. 148.
Speke, i. 113; ii. 259.
Spirostreptus gonqolo, ii. 29.
Spittle, i. 178; ii.'l52.
Spittoon (royal) i. 178 ; ii. 152.
Stanley (Henry M.), communications
with, i. xxx ; i. 130 ; ii. 229.
Stanley Pool, ii. 141.
Steatomys edulis, nat. Canena, i. 68.
Steel, native, i. 115.
Stork, i. 67.
Storms, i. 96, 298, 346, 359; ii. 62, 63.
Stramonium, Solanea, i. 36, 103.
fflrepsiceros citdu, antelope, i. 43.
Suco-ia-muquita, cataract of the Cuango,
ii. 27, 141.
Suco-ia-n'bundi, cataract of the Cuango,
ii. 27, 141.
Suele, river, i. 389.
Sulphur, i. 22 ; ii. 266.
Su-la Tebeles, i. 93.
Sumbo, Mount, i. 38.
Supa, pass of the, i. 37.
Sussa, province of the Jinga, ii 52.
Sussa, river, ii. 147.
Sycamores, micendeiras, i. 98, 118, 146;
in Ca^sange, ii. 2.
Synagris cornula, fly, its sting, ii. 19,
'28.
Taenia, i. 13 ; ii. 22, 163 ; in the Jinga,
uses of, ii. 59, 266.
Taenia s, bees in the, i. 359.
Tala-Mogongo, serras of, i. 191 ; north-
western edge, i. 261 ; elevation, i.
262 ; ravine of, ii. 5 ; grand view
from, and vegetation of, ii. 22.
Tama, serra, i. 33, 38.
Tamarinds, ii. 22.
Tamega, gun -boat, i. 9.
Tanagra erythnjrrhyneha, ii. 215.
Tango, river affluent of the Cassai, i.
247.
Taramanjamba, i. 33.
Tattooing (?), branding, i. 317 ; ii. 219
T'chabicua, lands of, i. 66.
TVhiboco, native pronunciation of
Quioco, i. 113, 160.
T'chibungo, mountains of, i. 196.
T'chica, tombs at, ii. 37.
T'chicanji (Muene), curiosity of the
chief, i, 241.
T'chicapa, or chicapa, river, i, 102, 196,
247.
T'chicondi, orChicondi, lake, i. 66, 68.
T'chigundo, small river in Quioco, i. 229
T'chimbarandungo, sova, v. Chimba-
randungo.
T'chimbolo, bread, i. 63.
T'chinbondi, lake, in the Quembo, i.
285.
T'chinbuvgo, wolf, i. 107.
Tchingando, leguminous plant, used for
fishing, i. 154.
T'chingolo, mupas of the Cubango, i.
92.
T'chinguri, minister of the sova T'chi-
quilla, i. 306.
T'chininga, or Chinhinga, serra, i. 48.
T'chiorola, river, i. 81.
T'chipocama, or chipocama, senzala in
the Bihe, i. 126.
Tehiqueeua, i. 167.
T chiquecula, Bulimus rucifex, in Cas-
sange, i. 284.
T'chiquilla, sova, v. N'Dumba T'chi-
quilla.
Tchisanga, marimba, i. 77.
T'chita territory, i. 301.
Tehitaea, market in Quioco, articles
met with, i. 184 ; general description,
i. 185.
Telphusa Anehietce, ii. 200,
Telphusa Bayoniana, ii. 200.
Tembo in Quioco, i. 177 ; N'Dumba,
Muzumbo, Cassange, limits of the
state, i. 191.
Tembo Aluma, sova, ii. 27.
Temo, i. 167 ; ii. 65.
Temperature, equable, ii. 270.
Tenga territory, i. 386.
Termites, Nevropteros, fam. Plani-
pennos, i. 95, 51, 81, 329 ; ii. 30.
Thugs (African), i/ 52.
Tiber, lake in the Hungo, ii. 78 ; medi-
tations on its banks, ii. 80; persecuted
by thieves at, ii. 81.
Tibesti, country of, i. xxii.
Tibu Tib, Arab of Imbarri, i. 18, 318.
Tiger Bay, ii. 232.
5o
Index.
Tipoia, palanquin, i. 21; ii. 178; danger
in using, ii. 191.
Tito (Pedro de Almeida), ii. 229.
Tiue, i. 33.
Toads, noise made by, ii. 6.
Toaza or Tuaza, falls of the Cuango, i.
345 ; ii. 141.
Tobacco, i. 103, 300, 358; ii. 27, 149, 164,
266.
Toccus elegaws, i. 236.
Tomatoes, i. 358.
Tongo, fruit, i. 224.
Trade, tendency of the natives to, ii. 17.
Transvaal, country of the, i. xxii.
Tribes, migration of, ii. 236.
Tui, rivulet, i. 34.
Tumba, lake, i. 23.
Tunda, backwoods of, i. 337.
Tundo, fruit, i. 224.
Tundo, sova, i. 247.
Tungo N'Dony:o, mountain, ii, 42.
Typhus in Quioco, i. 224 ; on the
Cuango, i. 243 ; in Cassange, ii. 5.
Vdlua, beer, mode of manufacturing, i.
365.
Ucha, fruit, i. 49.
Ucuha, Brachystegia tamar, i. 82.
Uitcki, honey', i. 197.
TJlemba, Z^rticacea, i. 49.
Ulondo, serra, of the Huambo, i. 79, 85*
Ulua, territory of, i. 18.
Umba (Domingos' innamorata), ii. 4.
Umenganga, fruit, i. 49.
Unberi, Murotys Anchieta, i. 68.
Undado in the Jinga, ii. 54.
JJnga, flour in Quioco, i. 309.
Unguiji, river, ii. 108.
Unicorn, abbuda, i. 16.
Uonde, hive, i, 197.
TJpanda, i. 7.
Vrglnea sp. (?) i. 283.
Ussamba, acacia, i. 49.
Usserem, river, i. 58.
Ussolu, Urticacea, i. 49.
Ula, ii. 14.
II tumba, immense bog, a fall into, ii. 34.
Vaseo Guedes de Carvalho e Menezes, ii.
227.
Veado, Cephalobus mergens (?), i. 43, 274.
Vegetation, rapid development, i. 104.
Venus, African, i. 147.
Victorias in Cassange, ii. 5.
Viduas paradiseas, ii. 183.
Vine, wild, Vitus hcraeltfolia, i. 82; ii.
255.
Vissecua, serra, i. 34, 38, 42.
Von Mechovv, v. Meehow.
Vvoida-'m-ByitaJn the Jinga, ii. 64; sova,
ii. 154; value of human life there, ii.
156.
Fttw«fa-ia-Cassanda, ii. 167.
Vu /ofa-ia-Ebo, burial at, ii. 157.
F^efo-ia-Mequenna in the Jinsra, ii.
74.
F&nofo-ia-N'golaQuilluanjein the Jinga,
ii. 64.
FwWa-ia-T'chirimbimbe, ii. 166
Fww^a-ia-Vunda-N'gola, important sova,
ii. 153.
Vundas in the Jinga, ii. 53.
Vunji, serra, ii. 185.
Walrus' teeth, i. 16.
Water, ferruginous, Quipupa, i. 20.
Wolves, i. 21, 107, 340, 358,
Wax (bees), i. 16, 197, 224, 322, 369 ;
ii255.
Woodpecker {Dendrobates namaques),
nat. Ma^ngtda, i. 358.
Women of the caravan, ii. 81, 116.
Xylojphages, ii.30.
Xinge (Shinge), territory of, ii. 22.
Yacca, territory of, limits of exploration,
i. xxix ; information respecting its
people, customs, &c, ii. 131.
Yanvos, their states, dynasty, i, 386 ;
ceremonies, i, 318.
Yondo, district and subdivision of the
territory of Cassange, i. 320 ; moun-
tains, i. 313.
Yula, rivulet, i. 304, 308.
Zamba, cataract, ii. 141.
Zambese, valley of the, i. 91, 102.
Zebras, i. 67.
Zombo, serras of, ii. 126.
Zuala-mavumo, tribes, i. 248.
Zitarte, cloth, i. 7.
Zumbi, i. 26.
i^njc/o-ia-Cassungo in the Jinga, ii. 60.
Zundo-ia-Faco, ii. 49.
Zttndos in the Jinga, ii. 53.
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