16 HISTORY.

the greater part fell victims to the climate, and but

few survived who could withstand its pernicious in-

fluence, and thus escaped with their lives.

Kordofan, excepting the free Nuba, is now divid-

ed into five districts ; a Casheff, or captain, presid-

ing over each ; a colonel, resident in Lobeid, is

governor of the province, and no pen can describe

to what oppression the country is now subjected

;

all signs of wealth have entirely disappeared, and it

is, as it were, drained by the Turks, who will not

suffer any private person to attain the slightest

degree of opulence. Many of the natives, tired of

this oppression, have emigrated with all their pos-

sessions, and sought refuge either in Darfour, or in

Takeli; and even as lately as the year 1838 the

inhabitants of six villages have left the country.

Nothing is now discernible but poverty and misery

;

inhabitants of even moderate means are not to be

met with, if we, perhaps, except some few Djelabi.*

The various tribes inhabiting the country at pre-

sent are the following : Hadejat, el Giomme, Bede-

rie, Shiswaba, el Etoman, Ogendiab, Birget, Dombab,

Almakaita, Elberiab, Hassenie, Hawara, Felata,

Denagle or Dongolavi, Darhammer, Abusanun, Dar-

hami, Serauy, Freseh, Basaue, el Maramera, Volet el

Angon, Czahalin, Kubbabeesh (Sheikh Sale), Bene-

cira, Hababin (Sheikh Abdel Mahmud), Elhauwas-

* Slave Merchants ; Merchants in general ; called, also, Dje-

labs, Gelabs, and Jelabs. Vid. " Legh's Narrative of a Journey

in Egypt and the Countries beyond the Cataracts ;" and, also, the

Journal of Captain Light.—Tr.