First Footsteps in East Africa or an Exploration of Harar - Softcover

Burton, Richard Francis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140680097X ISBN 13: 9781406800975

Publisher: Echo Library, 2006

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ...of his days; but "the world is uncertain "--" Fate descends, and man's eye seeth it not "--" the earth is a charnel house ": briefly his many wise old saws give him a kind of theoretical consciousness that his bones may moulder in other places than his » fatherland. To describe my little caravan. Foremost struts Raghi, our Isa guide, in all the bravery of Abbanship. He is bare-headed and clothed in Tobe and slippers: a long, heavy, horn-hilted dagger is strapped round his waist, outside his dress; in his right hand he grasps a ponderous wire-bound spear, which he uses as a staff, and the left forearm supports a round targe of battered hide. Being a man of education, he bears on one shoulder a Musalla or prayer carpet of tanned leather, the article used throughout the Somali country; slung over the other is a Wesi or wicker bottle containing water for religious ablution. He is accompanied by some men who carry a little stock of town goods and drive a camel colt, which by-the-by they manage to lose before midnight. My other attendants must now be introduced to you, as they are to be for the next two months companions of our journey. First in the list are the fair Samaweda Yusuf, and Aybla Farih,1 buxom dames about thirty years old, who presently secured the classical nicknames of Shahrazad, and Dunyazad. They look each like three average women rolled into one, and emphatically belong to that race for which the article of feminine attire called, I believe, a " bussle" would be quite superfluous. Wonderful, truly, is their endurance of fatigue! During the march they carry pipe and tobacco, lead and flog the camels, adjust the burdens, and will never be induced to ride, in sickness or in health. At the halt they unload the cattle, dispose the...

About this title

Book Description:

In this book, published in 1856, the British explorer Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890) recounts his journey to Harar, notorious for its slave trade. Burton's visit was believed to be the first by a European, and it resulted in this fascinating glimpse into a then unknown city and culture.

About this edition

• Publisher: Echo Library
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 140680097X
• ISBN 13: 9781406800975
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248