EASTERN AFRICA. 



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the herds are made to stop at a whistle, being perfectly trained. In their wars, the women are 

 the heralds. The Betchuanas are superior to the Caffres, in intelligence and handicrafts. 

 They travel more than the Caffres, who, however, travel much. 



Education is neglected in the settlements, though schools have been recently established 

 The dominant religion of the colony, is the Calvinistic, and there is a church in every district. 

 There are several Episcopal churches, and many missions, under the direction of the London 

 Missionary Society, the United Brethren, and the Wesleyan Methodists. There are a few 

 Mahometans at the Cape, chiefly Malays. Circumcision is generally practised among the 

 tribes, though they give no reason for it, and have no tradition concerning it. There is, 

 among the natives, some indistinct conception of a Supreme Being, but not among the pagans, 

 any of a future state. They believe in sorcery and witchcraft, and that disease occasioned 

 by sorcery. There are rainmakers, who pretend to bring rain. The Hottentots have a hor- 

 ror of matrimonial infidelity, and have little polygamy. This, however, is common with the 

 richer class of Caffres. The general amusement is dancing, though the natives are less fond 

 of it, and have less music, than the tribes of Central Africa. The government is that of chiefs, 

 whose authority, however, is very limited. The Caffres punish offences by whipping with 

 rods, by exposure to clusters of black ants, by burning with hot stones, by inclosing the offen- 

 der in the cleft of a tree, and by death, inflicted by clubs, spears, or drowning. 



CHAPTERCXXXIII. EASTERN AFRICA. 



1. Boundaries, Extent, and Divisions. Under this head, we shall comprise all the African 

 coast, from the straits of Babelmandel to Caffi'aria. This territory is bounded north by Abys- 

 sinia and the straits of Babelmandel, east by the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique channel, 

 south by Caffiaria, and west by unknown regions. It extends from 12^ North, to 26° South, 

 latitude, and may be regarded under 5 divisions ; Monomotapa, Mozambique, Zanguebar, 

 Ajan, and Adel. 



2. Jllonomotapa. This district is the most southerly, and includes Sofala, Inhambane, and 

 Delagoa. It is watered by several rivers, the largest of which is the Zambeze, said by the 

 natives to rise from a great lake. The river Delagoa falls into a large bay and is navigable 

 200 miles for large boats. The soil is fertile, producing rice, maize, sugar-cane, and fruit. 

 Gold abounds in the interior, and Sofala is thought to be the Ophir of the scriptures. The 

 inhabitants carry on a trade in ivory, gold dust, and gums. The slave-trade was formerly 

 carried on here largely by the Portuguese, and has not yet entirely ceased. The country is 

 inhabited by various tribes, and the right by discovery to the whole territory is claimed by 

 the Portuguese. 



3. Mozambique. This district lies to the north of Monomotapa, and is traversed by the 

 Lupata mountains, but its interior, as may be said of all the territory described in this chapter, 

 is very little known. The city of Mozambique is the emporium of Eastern Africa, and was 

 rich and flourishing long before the appearance of Europeans in these parts. It has a good 

 harbor, and is still visited by European ships, but the immense slave-trade upon which it de- 

 pended for its support has declined, and it now affords hardly any articles of commerce. 

 Here are some manufactures of rope from the fibres of the palm tree. There is also a little 

 trade in gold dust. The shoals in the neighborhood of the city afford a vast variety of beau- 

 tiful shells. The inhabitants are Moors. The population is about 6,000. 



4. Zanguebar. The coast to the north of Cape Delgado is vaguely termed the Zanguebar 

 coast. It is well watered, fertile, and well timbered, and contains some excellent ports. Our 

 knowledge of it is extremely imperfect. The principal states seem to be Quiloa, Mombasa, 

 Melinda, and Magadoxo, so called by Europeans from their respective capitals, which are 

 petty towns. The whole of this coast belongs to the imam of Mascat. 



5. Jljan and Adel. The coast from Zanguebar to Cape Guardafu! bears the name o{ Jljan ; 

 it is dry, rocky, and barren. The want of harbors, the sterility of the country, and the fierce- 

 ness of the natives have prevented it from being much frequented by traders. North of this 

 from the Cape to Abyssinia is Mel, which is inhabited by the Somaulis, who also occupy the 

 coast of Ajan, and probably extensive regions of the interior. They are not negroes, but 

 have long hair, and an olive or blackish complexion ; and are probably either of the Cafire or 

 Breber race. They have ships of their own, and are active, enterprising merchants. Their 



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