354 Travels through the 



province of Porguhomat, which in maps is called Ofila. 

 Bamberger's fellow-travellers belonged to this nation, and 

 refided at a place half a day's journey further to the north. 



This province lies at the diltance of four clays' journey 

 from the boundaries of the kingdom of Congo ; it is exceed* 

 ingly fertile, and abounds with productions of various kinds. 

 The people are warlike, and defend their territories with great 

 bravery. Our traveller was told, that they could bring into 

 the field from 18.000 to 20,000 men ; but he believes this 

 account to be exaggerated one half, as the population ap- 

 peared to be only very moderate, This nation-was formerly 

 fubject to the king of Bengue'.a, who procured from it his 

 beft foldiers; but as thefe foldiers were often fold for Oaves 

 when the prince ftoocl in need of money, the people rebelled 

 in the year 1776, and, putting to death, the eld king Khignan, 

 declared themfelves independent. The fon of the murdered 

 king was afterwards placed on the throne ; but in every thing 

 that relates to public affairs he is obliged to be guided by the 

 advice of the oldelt of the inhabitants, who are afligued to 

 him as counfellors. Difputes and quarrels among thefe 

 people are fettled by the oldelt perfons in each family; and 

 the offending party, when the caufe has been determined, is 

 punifhed out of doors. Many of their cuftoms are fimilar to 

 thofe of the neighbouring nations, but they have fome pecu- 

 liar to themfelves. There are fewer women here than in 

 fpmc of the other African nations, and it is even not un- 

 common for two men to have only one wife, and yet to live 

 together in perfecl: harmony. The women arc highly rc- 

 fpeeled, and treated much better than among the furrounding 

 nations. Male phildren immediately after birth are circum- 

 cifed, and great rejoicings take place on fuch occafions, bc- 

 caufe boys are much more valued than girls. As foon as a 

 child can fpeak, he is taught by his grandfather, or, if he has 

 none, by his father, to know thofe vegetables and fruits 

 which can be ufed as food, and to guard again ft thofe which 

 are pernicious. He muft learn alio to make mats of long 

 grafs, and, when he becomes older, to take a fhare in the 

 management of the domeltic concerns of the family : his 

 chief attention, however, is directed to hunting, in which it 



