Travels in the Interior of Africa, vol 2 | Page 6

the
extent of which all the information I could obtain was that in crossing it
from west to east the canoes lose sight of land one whole day. From

this lake the water issues in many different streams, which terminate in
two large branches, one whereof flows towards the north-east, and the
other to the east; but these branches join at Kabra, which is one day's
journey to the southward of Timbuctoo, and is the port or
shipping-place of that city. The tract of land which the two streams
encircle is called Jinbala, and is inhabited by negroes; and the whole
distance by land from Jenne to Timbuctoo is twelve days' journey.
From Kabra, at the distance of eleven days' journey down the stream,
the river passes to the southward of Houssa, which is two days' journey
distant from the river. Of the farther progress of this great river, and its
final exit, all the natives with whom I conversed seemed to be entirely
ignorant. Their commercial pursuits seldom induce them to travel
farther than the cities of Timbuctoo and Houssa, and as the sole object
of those journeys is the acquirement of wealth, they pay little attention
to the course of rivers or the geography of countries. It is, however,
highly probable that the Niger affords a safe and easy communication
between very remote nations. All my informants agreed that many of
the negro merchants who arrive at Timbuctoo and Houssa from the
eastward speak a different language from that of Bambarra, or any
other kingdom with which they are acquainted But even these
merchants, it would seem, are ignorant of the termination of the river,
for such of them as can speak Arabic describe the amazing length of its
course in very general terms, saying only that they believe it runs TO
THE WORLD'S END.
The names of many kingdoms to the eastward of Houssa are familiar to
the inhabitants of Bambarra. I was shown quivers and arrows of very
curious workmanship, which I was informed came from the kingdom
of Kassina.
On the northern bank of the Niger, at a short distance from Silla, is the
kingdom of Masina, which is inhabited by Foulahs. They employ
themselves there, as in other places, chiefly in pasturage, and pay an
annual tribute to the king of Bambarra for the lands which they occupy.
To the north-east of Masina is situated the kingdom of Timbuctoo, the
great object of European research--the capital of this kingdom being
one of the principal marts for that extensive commerce which the
Moors carry on with the negroes. The hopes of acquiring wealth in this
pursuit, and zeal for propagating their religion, have filled this

extensive city with Moors and Mohammedan converts. The king
himself and all the chief officers of state are Moors; and they are said to
be more severe and intolerant in their principles than any other of the
Moorish tribes in this part of Africa. I was informed by a venerable old
negro, that when he first visited Timbuctoo, he took up his lodging at a
sort of public inn, the landlord of which, when he conducted him into
his hut, spread a mat on the floor, and laid a rope upon it, saying, "If
you are a Mussulman, you are my friend--sit down; but if you are a
kafir, you are my slave, and with this rope I will lead you to market."
The present king of Timbuctoo is named Abu Abrahima. He is reported
to possess immense riches. His wives and concubines are said to be
clothed in silk, and the chief officers of state live in considerable
splendour. The whole expense of his government is defrayed, as I was
told, by a tax upon merchandise, which is collected at the gates of the
city.
The city of Houssa (the capital of a large kingdom of the same name,
situated to the eastward of Timbuctoo), is another great mart for
Moorish commerce. I conversed with many merchants who had visited
that city, and they all agreed that it is larger--and more populous than
Timbuctoo. The trade, police, and government are nearly the same in
both; but in Houssa the negroes are in greater proportion to the Moors,
and have some share in the government.
Concerning the small kingdom of Jinbala I was not able to collect much
information. The soil is said to be remarkably fertile, and the whole
country so full of creeks and swamps that the Moors have hitherto been
baffled in every attempt to subdue it. The inhabitants are negroes, and
some of them are said to live in considerable affluence, particularly
those near the capital, which is a resting-place for such merchants as
transport goods from Timbuctoo to the western parts of Africa.
To the southward of