At The Distance Of Two Days More, The River
Spreads Into A Considerable Lake, Called Dibbie (Or The Dark Lake),
Concerning 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.
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