PILATAH OPPBESSION. 
107 
a general desire to rid themselves of the usurper. One 
of our interpreters, a Pilatah man, found out to-day 
that it was generally understood that Mamagia 
Ederisa, the chief of Egga, and a younger brother of 
Sumozariki had resolved to unite their powers to 
remove their common oppressor. It is even said that 
they seriously intend to attack the town of Rabbah 
next month. The Yarriba people, who are now also 
tributary to the Filatahs, are quite ripe to join any 
effort to obtain their former independence. 
The Pilatah power has been extending for many 
years in Africa : they obtained possession in ISTufi 
about twenty-three years since, on the occasion of the 
death of King Musa, when a dispute arose as to who 
should succeed him, — a case by no means uncommon 
at the demise of an African king. Ilis son, Mamagia, 
was the first claimant of the throne, and his nephew, 
(son of his eldest sister,) called Jematu, also became a 
candidate for this honour. Mamagia called in the 
Pilatah assistance (an unwdse measure). “Jematu” 
was killed, but “Isa''"” his sou, carried on the war, until 
* Lander’s account differs from this. He says that Ederissa and 
Mamagia are brothers : that Ederissa is the eldest, and is the proper 
claimant of the throne. In short. Lander says that Ederissa actually 
succeeded his father, and was acknowledged king by the nation. 
Magia or Mamagia, the younger brother, rebelled, and begged the 
assistance of Bello, the Sultan of Sokatu, who at once reinforced 
Magia’s rebel army by a body of soldiers. Ederissa was defeated, and 
obliged to leave Nufi. ^Magia reigned, paying Bello an annual tribute. 
Ederissa was again called to the throne, and was desirous of expelling 
