THE GIAGAS — ZINGHA. 
93 
utmost limit of European discovery, till the far- 
ther progress made by the recent expedition. 
The missions which we have now noticed, were 
sent to the northern part of Congo, and to the 
countries situated along the great river, by which 
that country is watered. But some others, which 
were sent into the southern part of the interior, 
may also deserve notice. The mo^t remarkable 
was that despatched in 1653, at her own request, 
to Zingha, queen of Matamba.* Some account 
may here be necessary of that remarkable per- 
sonage, and of the people over whom she reign- 
ed. The Giagas are a race painted by travellers 
in such frightful colours, that it is difficult to 
avoid the suspicion of exaggeration, and even of 
fable, though the eye-witnesses agree, without a 
single exception, in the most revolting features of 
the picture. This people are said to have or- 
ganized into a species of religious system, every 
atrocity of which human nature can be conceived 
capable. As they are continually employed in 
war and plunder, children would be a burden- 
some encumbrance ; these are therefore regular- 
ly murdered, or exposed after birth : the glory 
of the parents consists in perpetrating this savage 
deed with the most frigid indifference. Their 
slaughtered enemies, and the captives taken in 
* Labat, IV. 1, &c. 
