SETTLEMENTS OF THE ARABS. 41 



came from the remotest regions. Its sovereign was ac- 

 knowledged as supreme by all the neighbouring princes ; 

 while his court displayed a splendour, and was adorned 

 with objects, hitherto unexampled in Central Africa. 

 Among its ornaments were painting, sculpture, and glass 

 windows, which, being before unknown, excited the sur- 

 prise and admiration of the natives. The king is said to 

 have rode out attended by elephants and camelopards, 

 tamed by an art then first introduced, and since lost. The 

 natives were also dazzled by the display of a mass of solid 

 gold, weighing thirty pounds, with which the throne was 

 embellished. This prince is reported to have made a great 

 profession of justice, going out twice every day, and pre- 

 senting himself to all who wished to oflTer petition or com- 

 plaint. The vicissitudes of fortune have subverted the 

 kingdom of Ghana, and made its territory successively sub- 

 ject to Timbuctoo, Kashna, and Sackatoo ; but our late 

 travellers found it, under the changed name, or rather or- 

 thography, of Kano, still extensive and populous, and con- 

 tinuing to be the chief seat of the interior commerce of 

 Africa. 



Tocmr, about twenty-four days' journey north-west of 

 Ghana, was a kingdom inferior indeed to the other, yet 

 powerful and independent. It carried on an extensive 

 traffic with the people of the " remotest west," who brought 

 shells (cowries "?) and brass, for which they received gold 

 and ornaments. Mention is made of the fine cotton cloths 

 which still form the staple manufacture. Tocrur appears 

 evidently to be Sackatoo or Soccatoo, now the capital of 

 an empire which comprehends Ghana and all the neigh- 

 bouring countries. Indeed, in an official document com- 

 municated by Major Denham, we find this called the empire 

 of Takror. 



Kuku, to the eastward of Ghana, fonns another kingdom, 

 on whose power and extent the Arabian writers largely 

 dilate. The sovereign is said to have a very numerous 

 train of attendants, and the people to be uncommonly war- 

 like, though rude in their manners and attire. The mer- 

 chants, however, are represented as very richly dressed, and 

 accustomed to visit and converse with the governors and 

 nobility. This country is manifestly Bornou, named from 

 its capital, which bears still the same appellation. Twenty 

 D2 



