£06 
DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 
Nubia continued Christian down to the 12th and 
13th. centuries, and long after the Moslem faith 
had been established in Egypt.'* When or how 
its conversion was effected, we are not informed. 
Captain Light found the CachefF of Nubia at 
Ooffeddounee, where he had come to visit two of 
his thnly wives. He received our traveller on a 
carpet under a shady palm-tree, surrounded by 
some dirty half naked attendants. He shewed a 
fiiendly disposition, and instead of that avidity for 
presents usual with African princes, shewed even 
surprise at receiving any. His son did the ho- 
nours at Deir, which was found a long straggling 
village of mud cottages, with a considerable po- 
pulation. Ibrim, the highest point to which Cap- 
tain Light ascended, presents only a castle which 
is considered strong against the Arabs, but would 
be demolished in an instant by artillery, as it is 
commanded by the neighbouring mountains. 
The inhabitants of the district through which 
Captain Light travelled are under nominal sub- 
jection to the Pacha of Egypt ; but the authority 
of the CachefF, being present, is more felt. In 
fact, however, the country exhibits few traces 
either of law or government. The Arabian sys- 
tem of revenge, or blood for blood, is fully esta- 
* Hartraan's Edrisi, p. 72. Notices des MSS. du Roi II. 
38—396. 
