SKETCH OF GABOON. 
449 
The music of Empoongwa is, generally, very inferior lo that I have 
before noticed. The enchambee, their only peculiar instrument, re- 
sembles the mandoline, but has only five strings, made from the root 
of the palm tree ; the neck consists of five pieces of bamboo, to 
which the strings are fastened, and, slipping up and down, are 
easily, but not securely tuned; it is played with both hands; the 
tones are sweet, but have little power or variety. Long stories are 
recited to the enchambee in the moon-light evenings, in a sort of 
recitative ; a favourite one, is an account of the arts by which the 
Sun gained the ascendancy over the Moon, who were first made of 
coeval power by their common father. 
No. 1, (which, I imagine, commences in F major, and ends in G 
major) is an Empoongwa air played on the enchambee. I do not 
know if the inversion of words, is common in their conversation as 
well as in their songs. A native envies a neighbour, named Enga- 
ella, who has ivory to barter with a vessel. 
Amorill injanja Engaella; impoongee m'adgillinjanja. 
A brass pan he has got Engaella ; ivory, I have got none. 
Here again we find me answers to the personal pronoun 1. 
No. 2, in G major, is a song in which the men sing the air alone, 
and the women join in the chorus. It is an old one, and the sub- 
ject the first appearance of a white man. One verse will be quite 
enough to satisfy others and exculpate myself. At least half a dozen 
followed it. 
Ma bengwoo ma bengwa baia. 
A fine strange thing, A fine strange thing, my mother. 
Deboonga sai camberwoona nayennee. 
Like the leaf of the fat tree,* true I saj, so it is, '"'"lll^ 
Sangwa moochoo, baia. 
1 make you look to-day, my mother, 
* The vegetable butter. 
3m 
