THE NEGRO RACE. 



201 



CENTRAL AFRICA. 



Natives of Central Africa, were chiefly seen in Egyj)t; where, 

 through the assistance of Dr. Gasparino, I was enabled to learn the 

 history of a number of individuals selected from the Negro regiment. 

 On inquiring for ' Shilluk,' several were at once pointed out; but it 

 appeared, that the term as here used, had reference to height of sta- 

 ture, rather than to the river tribe bearing the name. Tlie persons 

 designated, called themselves Janga. ; and one very tall man, "came 

 from the mountains, and spoke the Denkavvi language." Three other 

 Janga, one of whom was short, were from the plains. 



Three individuals called themselves Nubawi : the name of the class 

 of Negroes who have been already mentioned as well known at Mocha, 

 and in Southern Arabia. 



One Negro from Kordofan, termed himself an Arab, and said that 

 his language was the Arabic; and the same account was given by 

 three other natives of that country; although they were all manifestly 

 of unmixed race. Another Negro, styled his nation Hamajauwi. And 

 two individuals, were from Fazoglo. 



It appeared, that all present, without exception, came from the Bahr 

 el Abiad or the White River; and as late accounts place Darfour 

 within the valley, it is quite possible that no Negroes may reach 

 Egypt from countries beyond the waters of the Nile. 



I did not find in Egypt, the scars and marks on the skin, or the 

 filed teeth, which usually distinguish aboriginal Negroes. In the 

 slave-market, I remarked among the females, considerable variety in 

 the mode of dressing the hair; and much pains had been often taken 

 to form it into rolls, or in other instances, into numerous slender 

 braids. I once observed the eyelids coloured with blue paint, as a 

 substitute for 'kohhl;' which latter material, would hardly in this 

 instance have been conspicuous on the complexion. The Negroes 

 seen in Egypt, appeared to me unusually slender, even after making 

 every allowance for the style of dress. 



The following extract from Leo Africanus, which is borne out in 

 some measure by Bruce's account of the Shangalla, refers to the pri- 

 mitive condition of Central Africa; prior to the visits of the Mus- 

 lims. "The land of Negroes was then inhabited by men living in 

 the manner of beasts: without kings, lords, senates, government, or 



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