Read Ebook: Travels of an Arab merchant in Soudan (the Black Kingdoms of Central Africa) by T Nis Mu Ammad Ibn Umar Perron Dr Nicolas Translator St John Bayle Translator

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 759 lines and 87781 words, and 16 pages

Parentage of the Sheikh -- His Grandfather starts on a Pilgrimage -- Adventures -- Mekka -- Jeddah -- A Man from Sennaar -- Departure for that Country -- Reception -- Fate of his Family -- Omar -- His Pilgrimage -- A Meeting in the Desert -- A Rendezvous -- Omar is deceived by his Father -- Journeys to Sennaar -- A Quarrel -- He returns towards Egypt -- The Desert -- Return to Tunis -- Birth of the Sheikh -- His Father settles in Egypt -- Goes again to Sennaar -- The Sheikh at Cairo -- Ahmed-el-Bedawee -- Preparations for Journey to Darfur -- Departure

Page 1

Fostat -- The Nile -- Reflections -- Minieh -- The Mamlooks -- Siout -- Departure of the Caravan -- The Oases -- Kharjeh -- Abyrys -- Boulac -- Maks -- Arid Desert -- Wells and Rivers -- Musical Stones -- Selineh -- A Courier -- Death of the King of Darfur -- Natron Lakes of Zaghawy -- Halt -- The last Stage over the Desert -- Kind Treatment of the Sheikh -- Confines of Darfur -- Separation of the Caravan -- Congratulations of the People -- Visitors -- Arrival of Strangers -- Zarrouk, the Sheikh's Uncle -- Obligations of Ahmed-el-Bedawee to Omar of Tunis -- Departure for Aboul-Joudoul -- Kelkabieh -- The Marrah Mountains -- Meeting of Father and Son -- Feast -- The Sultan and his Vizier -- Visit to Tendelty -- Interview with Kourra

Omar plans a Visit to Tunis -- The Sheikh is established at Aboul-Joudoul -- Unfairly deserted by his Father -- Insurrection of Mohammed Kourra -- His Death -- Gallant Fight -- Sketch of the History of the Kings of Darfur -- Tyrab -- Anecdote of the Birguids -- A Strange Dowry -- Story of the Sultan Abou-Bekr -- True Love -- Another Story of Passion -- Rise of Kourra -- A black Economist -- Expedition to Kordofal -- Its Origin -- Designs of Tyrab -- A Conspiracy against his Life -- Death of Ali Bargou -- Diplomacy -- Kourra and the chief Wife of Tyrab -- Plot -- Death of Tyrab -- Elevation of the Orphan

New Sultan -- Anecdotes of the Orphan -- Death of Izhak -- Just Administration -- The Ulemas -- A Mamlook Refugee -- Conspiracy -- How it was defeated -- The Reward of Kinaneh -- An ignorant Vizier -- Mohammed Kourra -- Instance of his great Wisdom -- He is appointed Ab -- Death of Abd-er-Rahman -- Fadhl succeeds to the Throne

Line of African Kingdoms -- Takrour -- Description of Dar-el-Four -- Wandering Arabs -- The Barajoub -- The Forians -- North-western Provinces -- Dajo and Bijo -- Birguids -- Marrah Mountaineers -- Division of the Country -- Cavern Prisons -- A Visit to the Marrah -- Strange Inhabitants -- The Sheikh of the Mountain -- Genii -- Gathering of Guides -- An Oratory -- Wild Savages -- The Prisons -- Women -- Curious Customs -- Spirits called Damzog -- Stories of them -- Prophetic Drum

Philosophy of Geography -- Absolute Authority of Princes -- Order of Succession -- Old Women Counsellors -- Strange Customs -- Public Audiences -- Servility -- Barbarian Etiquette -- Clothing of the Buaso -- Superstitions -- Festival of the Sowing -- Court of Tendelty -- A Perilous Office -- Taxes -- King of the Buffoons -- Birds of the South -- Music and Songs -- Abd-er-Rahman and the Ulemas -- The Yakoury -- Queen Mothers

The Fasher -- The Ligdabeh -- A Race -- Audience on Horseback -- Tendelty -- Fountains -- Huts -- The Palace -- Police Regulations -- Costume -- The Litham -- Materials of Clothing -- Women's Dresses -- Ornaments -- Lovers -- Jealousy -- Intercourse of the Sexes -- A Story of Love -- The Sultan's Interference -- War against Drunkenness -- Marriage Expenses -- Strange Customs -- Buying a Wife -- Betrothal

Origin of Marriage -- Apologue -- Dowries -- Ceremonies -- Dances -- Songs -- Formalities -- Festivals -- Domestic Etiquette -- Zikrs -- Jealousy -- Eunuchs -- A Miracle -- Impious Ab-Sheikh -- The Sultan's Wives -- A faithful Woman wanted -- Arab Fidelity -- The Queen Mother -- An Adventure -- Beautiful Women -- Qualities of Black Women

Mixed Marriages -- A Malady in Darfur -- Story of the Small-pox -- Diseases -- Medicine -- Birth -- Education -- Climate -- Cause of Depopulation -- Food -- Weykeh -- Food of Poor -- Hunting -- Classes of Hunters -- Bedawin Arabs -- Speculation in Ostrich Feathers -- Milk -- Gold -- Money -- Salt -- Apology for Money -- Curious Money

Productions of Darfur -- Fruit -- Trees -- The Thlyleg -- Nebks -- The Ochan -- Horse-stealers -- Medicinal Plants -- Seasons -- Wind and Rain -- Wonderful Plants -- Herbalists -- The Narrah -- Its Magical Properties -- Strange Roots -- Robbers -- Buried Sacred Books -- Sorcerers -- A wonderful Foulan -- The Temourkehs -- Strange Stories -- A Slave-hunt in Dar-Fertyt -- Sand Diviners -- Prophecies that came to pass

Long Residence of the Sheikh in Wada? -- Message from his Father -- The Sultan opposes his Departure -- He is Imprisoned -- His Slaves begin to desert him -- His hard Case -- The Sultan going his rounds -- He returns to his Land -- A King's Journey -- The Sheikh receives permission to depart -- Annoying Delays -- March of an Army in the Desert -- The Travellers are abandoned -- Night in the Wilderness -- Wada?ans -- Safe Arrival and Reception

Page 143

People of Wada? -- Historical Facts -- Sultan Seleih -- How his Dynasty was founded -- Abbaside descent -- Boundary Mark in the Desert -- Wars between Darfur and Wada? -- A wise Vizier -- Youth of Saboun -- His Schemes -- How to win a Throne -- A Sea of Blood -- Fratricidal Battles -- The Victor and the Vanquished -- Ferocious Conduct -- The Afrits or Robbers -- A Brother still at large -- He is taken and killed -- Pacification of Wada?

The Sultan of Bagirmeh -- A Court of Birds of Prey -- Saboun determines to make a War -- March over the Desert -- Encounter with a Rhinoceros -- Punishment of Cowardice -- Veneration for Sultans -- A White Beard -- The Crown purifies -- Sultan Arous -- Anecdote -- Attack on the Birny of Bagirmeh -- Victory -- Act of Cruelty -- A Bedawin Traveller -- A new Route to the Mediterranean -- Schmed-el-Fari -- The Sheikh's Father at Fezzan -- Caravans -- Want of Water -- Price in the Desert -- An obdurate Sheikh -- Death of Saboun

Beauty of Wada? -- Compliments to its Fertility -- Comparison with Darfur -- The two Capitals -- Contracted Characters of Fadhl and Saboun -- Inhabitants of Wada? -- Beautiful Women of the Koukah -- The Goran -- White and Black Women -- Government of Wada? -- Language -- Recent Civilisation of Wada? -- Punishment of Adultery -- A Bornouese Army -- Love of Peace -- The Fasher of Warah -- The Osban Guard -- Gates of the Palace -- The Town

States of Soudan -- Women of Bagirmeh -- The Jenakherah -- The Idolatrous Tribes -- Their vast Numbers -- A Slave-hunt -- A great River -- Manners -- Manufactures -- Peculiar way of going to bed -- Marking Cattle -- Cannibals -- Origin of the Fullans -- Meaning of "Soudan" -- A Tempest -- Thunder-bolts -- Darfur and Wada?

The Fellatahs -- Their Religious Theories -- Rise of Zaky, or Dam-fodio -- He undertakes a Reform -- The first Battle -- Zaky becomes King -- Conquest of Kashna -- Laws -- The Wahabites in Arabia -- Mohammedan Protestantism -- State of Dar-Niffy -- Anecdote of Wealth -- The Fullans conquer Niffy -- Zaky's first Defeat -- Muslim Civilisation -- Characteristics of Nations

Trade, by whom followed -- Exports of Darfur -- Price of Slaves -- Imports -- Value of Metals -- The Tallari -- Commerce of Wada? -- Pledges of Love -- A lost Moudraah -- Value of Salt -- Manufactures -- Interchange of Services -- Burials -- A Happy Country -- Counting Prayers -- Forian Character -- Occupations of Women -- Government of Wada? -- Offices -- Audiences -- Kabartou -- Servility -- Punishments -- Prisons

Magic -- Public Opinion -- Story of an Elephant -- A bold Orator -- Too much of a Good Thing -- Anecdote -- Three Presents -- A huge Pipe -- Milk-drinking -- Dress of the Wada?ans -- Music -- Frontlets -- Amchinga -- Dress -- Duties of Women -- Love -- A Turguenak and a King's Slave -- Intrigues -- Their cause -- A Story of Passion -- Unfaithful Women -- Afrits or Devils -- A violent Lover -- Morals in Soudan

Arms in Soudan -- Tactics -- Emulation on the Field -- Materials of Weapons -- Archers -- War-Song -- Breeds of Horses -- Education -- Food -- Price of Horses -- Story of a Tamahan -- Winged and Speaking Horses -- Metempsychosis -- Poets -- Kings in War -- Slave-hunts, manner of -- The Firman -- Collecting Capital -- Recruits -- Sultan of the Hunt -- Sharing the Spoil -- Other Regulations -- Grain-Nests -- Treatment of Slaves -- Mortality -- Justification of Slavery -- Savage love of Country -- Manners

Stay in Darfur -- Sheikh desires to depart -- Presents of Saboun -- Inspectors -- A Fair in the Desert -- A Guide -- A Blood-feud -- The Well of Daum -- Hostile Tribe -- A Flag of Truce -- Attack -- An Interview -- A Camel for a Camel -- A Murder -- Harassing March -- The Tibboo-Reshad -- An Odd Sultan -- Fresh Persecution -- Hungry Majesties -- Loss of Three Slaves and an Ass -- The Sheikh in Love -- Departure -- Tibboo Camels -- Killing the Devil -- Character -- Thirst of the Desert

Mourzouk -- A beggarly Court -- An Ulemah -- A miserable Country -- Why the City flourishes -- A Man of Good Faith -- The Beni Seyf and the Bischr -- Departure for Tripoli -- A grave Assembly -- Agreeable Conversation -- Arrival at Gharian -- Infidel Bedawins -- Tripoli -- Journey to Tunis -- Sheikh arrives at his Father's House -- Paternal Honesty -- Omar sets out again for Wada? -- The Sheikh's Marriage -- Death of his Father -- Other Journeys -- He goes to Egypt -- Conclusion

Parentage of the Sheikh -- His Grandfather starts on a Pilgrimage -- Adventures -- Mekka -- Jeddah -- A Man from Sennaar -- Departure for that Country -- Reception -- Fate of his Family -- Omar -- His Pilgrimage -- A Meeting in the Desert -- A Rendezvous -- Omar is deceived by his Father -- Journeys to Sennaar -- A Quarrel -- He returns towards Egypt -- The Desert -- Return to Tunis -- Birth of the Sheikh -- His Father settles in Egypt -- Goes again to Sennaar -- The Sheikh at Cairo -- Ahmed-el-Bedawee -- Preparations for Journey to Darfur -- Departure.

My father, says the pious Sheikh Mohammed of Tunis, beginning his narrative--may God overshadow him with the clouds of his mercy and goodness!--has related to me that my great-grandfather was one of the most important personages of Tunis; that he was steward of the Sultan of Barbary, the perfect prince, the victorious king, the shereef Mohammed El-Hosny. In the exercise of his functions he became wealthy, and died, leaving three sons, who divided the heritage, and sold the house, which had been their first refuge, so that each remained alone with his wife and his children.

My grandfather was a man of letters, and wrote a beautiful hand. The books he copied sold for double the price of others. He had also learned the art of dyeing, and from the beginning was better off than his brothers, and better dressed than they. It happened one day that the desire came upon him to make a pilgrimage to the Sacred House, the Kaaba, and to visit the tomb of the Prophet. He sold a portion of his property, and prepared for his journey in the character of a trader, providing himself with good store of blankets and tarbooshes. Many persons also confided to him a certain quantity of merchandise, that he might trade to their advantage, for his good faith and probity were well known. He started in a vessel with a good cargo, his brothers accompanied him to the shore to bid him adieu, and a favourable wind at first accompanied him; but the weather suddenly changed, and he was driven in the direction of Rhodes, where a violent tempest overtook him. The vessel began to leak, the timbers to crack, the waves to leap over the bulwarks,--in short, they were wrecked upon the coast, and a few only escaped. Among these was my grandfather, who contrived to reach the city of Rhodes.

"Thy head," says the poet, "being saved from destruction, wealth seems of no more value than the pairing of a nail."

Luckily the traveller had round his waist a belt full of gold, which sufficed for his expenses. He bought a stock of provisions, and, re-embarking, set sail for Alexandria. It was the season of the departure of the pilgrims to join in the great ceremonies celebrated near Mount Arafat. He set out on his journey, and having safely arrived in the Sacred Countries, performed his pious duties with all the zeal and devotion of which he was capable. But when he had fully enjoyed the happiness of saluting the Prophet and his two companions, Abou-Bekr and Omar, who are buried near him, he recovered from his bewilderment, and began to reflect on the loss of his fortune and the uncertainty of the future. He was ashamed to return to Tunis in a state of misery and distress--he who had lived there in so much comfort. How would he be received by his countrymen? Upon this he began to repeat to himself these words:--

"I will travel in the countries of the East and of the setting sun. I will win wealth, or I will die far from my country. If my soul depart from me, God will call it to himself; but if I survive, it will be easy to revisit the place of my birth."

He reflected, also, that even the Jew is honoured on account of his gold, and that the shereef is humiliated by poverty. The very dogs wag their tails at sight of a well-dressed man, but bark at those that are in rags. In consequence of these reflections, my grandfather left Mekka, and went to reside at Jeddah, where he gained his living by copying manuscripts. In the course of time he formed an acquaintance with some people from Sennaar, one of whom became his intimate friend. Now, this man said to him one day:--

"From what country art thou?"

He replied--"I am from Tunis."

"And how does it happen that thou hast come to live at Jeddah?"

Then my grandfather related to him the history of his misfortunes.

"Why shouldst thou not make up thy mind," said the man from Sennaar, "to come with us to our city? Thou wilt find there honour and well-being. Our mek is a man with an open hand, caring neither for gold nor for silver, loving merit, and honouring shereefs. I answer for it, he will revive thy fortunes, and bestow upon thee riches, honours, slaves, and camels."

So my grandfather allowed himself to be persuaded, and, setting out, arrived in safety at Sennaar, and was presented to the mek in these words:--

"This man is a learned man from a foreign country; his ship was destroyed upon the seas, and he has lost all he possessed."

The mek received my grandfather with hospitality, saying, "Be welcome!"--and treated him with great deference, giving him a lodging and abundant presents.

Among these presents was a young girl of charming aspect, and of great price, named Halymah. Fascinated by her beauty, my father took her as his concubine, and had by her a son and a daughter, as beautiful as their mother. The king, moreover, assigned to him a fixed income; so that he utterly forgot his family, which had remained in Tunis, and the three young children he had left under the charge of their mother.

Now, of these children, my late uncle, named Mohammed, was about that time nine years old; the second--may God save his soul!--was called Omar, and was six years old--this was my father; the third, Mohammed Tahir, was three years old. They were all placed under the guardianship of their maternal uncle, Seyd Ahmed, son of the learned Sulieman-el-Azhary. This was a man of high character and immense learning, author of many esteemed books. On account of his great knowledge of theology, the functions of Kady of Tunis had been offered to him, but he had refused. He occupied himself in giving lessons, at first in a college, but afterwards--on account of ill-health--in his own house, where all the great people came to listen to his lectures.

My father remained with him until he came to man's estate, and profited much by his instruction. But, then, the desire moved him to perform the pilgrimage, and he laid the subject before his uncle, who was at once stirred by the same laudable wish, and gave up his lectures and prepared for departure. They embarked and proceeded to Alexandria, and thence to Cairo; and afterwards started for Cosseir, some months before the season of the pilgrimage. As they were crossing the desert, they beheld approaching another caravan, composed of Magrebyns, coming from Sennaar. When they drew nigh they began to shout out questions one to the other; and those coming from Sennaar cried,--

"Ho! ho! is there any one amongst you from Tunis?"

"Yes," replied my father, "we are from Tunis."

"Do you know one Ahmed, son of Suleiman?"

"Yes," said my father; "and who art thou?"

"I am his brother-in-law. I left Tunis a long time ago--my children and all my family--and I know not whether they are dead or alive."

Now the uncle of my father was under a kind of palanquin, covered with cloth; but had overheard this conversation.

"Omar," said he, "go and salute thy father. It is he; and tell him I am here."

So Omar jumped off his camel, and, running to his father, kissed his hand, and told him that the brother of his wife was under the palanquin.

My grandfather hastened and saluted the son of Suleiman, and when they were somewhat tranquillised, Omar said to his father,--

"How comes it that thou hast left us so long, without any resource, young as we are? If God had not awakened the bounty of my uncle, we should have been lost."

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet