Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/434

 864 WEST AFRICA. one of fresh tlie other of intensely salt water. All the towns of the Munio district are built on the model of those of Mauritania. On the trade route leading from Kuka south-west to the lower Benue one of the chief stations is Mayommeri, residence of one of the great dignitaries of the empire. Here Rohlfs saw an ostrich farm, probably the only one in Sudan. Farther on the road traverses Mogodom in a cotton -growing district, and Gujba, partly inhabited by pagans. The southern extremity of the lake, here skirted by the historical highway between Wadai and West Bornu, also contains numerous towns, such as Yedi, regarded as the cradle of the Yedina islanders ; Marte, on the ethnological frontier of the Kanuri, Makari, and Arabs ; Missene and Ngala on the route to Wadai, and in the Shari delta, Afade and Gufe'i. Elf {Alfii), said to be the oldest place in the country, is carefully avoided by wayfarers, owing to the magic power attributed to its inhabitan-ts. Logon-Karnak, capital of the Logon territory, is the chief station for the traffic between Bornu and Baghirmi, to both of which conterminous states its Mohammedan sultan is tributary. The vassal states in the basin of the Mbulu have also some large places, such as the stronghold of Dikoa, which was often the residence of the Bornu kings ; the aeighbouring Ala, formerly capital of a state ; Mai-dug-eriy inhabited by many thousands of the Gomergu nation ; Mahani and Kastikula, large markets in the Uje territory where the Mohammedans of the north and the southern pagans exchange their commodities. Farther on at the foot of the Mora mountains stands the city of Boloo, divided into two quarters by a winding stream. This extensive place, which is encircled by modern ramparts, is the capital of the Mandara state, now tributary to Bornu. Here Yogel was held captive for a month, and was frequently in imminent danger of his life. South- west of Doloo are seen the ruins of the former capital. Mora, standing on the escarpment of a rock over 650 feet high. Administratiox. The Mai, or Sultan of Bornu, usually designated by the title of Sheikh, is an absolute despot, "the Lion, Conqueror, Wisdom," who nevertheless condescends to be assisted by a council including, besides the members of his family, the Kokenawa, or military chiefs, and the official representatives of the various races inhabiting the State. Most of the high offices are held by slaves, and even under the previous dynasty the commander-in-chief, ranking above the prince royal, was always a slave. The permanent army, which is of considerable strength, is partly distributed along the frontiers, partly attached to the person of the sovereign for purposes of parade and prestige. The sultan possesses some artillery, and the elite of the troops are armed with rifles, some companies even wearing European uniforms, although of the most varied and fastastic fashions. The cavalry still wear armour, as in the Middle Ages, sometimes coats of mail, sometimes thickly wadded cover-