ON THE KINGDOM OF DARFOUR. 351 Shala, Gulla, Binga,* Bergu,f the latter was conquered by the Sultan of Darfour, in the year 1833, and includes the small provinces of Bachermi,:}: Kugo, and Niero ; and further, the small, but independent states of Berti, Domurky, Birget, Gimmer, Fellata, Forga, and Bandala. Gimir, Sachaua, Bego, Yambusa, Dama, IVIasalit, and Midol, are small republics, which formerly had no superiors beyond a magistrate, or sheikh, in each village, who exerted no executive power, but was obeyed as the head of a family.

All these states were subjected to Darfour by force of arms. Their respective sultans inherit the right of throne as heretofore, but are now tributaries to that countrj" ; the contribution conbelieve in the existence of an invisible deity who produces water, namely rain, and makes their fruit to grow. They pay, further, great respect to persons afflicted with fatuity, and believe them to be prophets of the invisible God. They build peculiar huts for these beings, more like birdcages than houses, where they are confined, and provided with food. Before sunset the populace visits them to consult them for advice, and every answer, be it ever so nonsensical, is regarded as an oracle, and firmly believed. The same ideas are said to prevail in Banda, Wuanga, Binga, and Gulla.

* In Binga a large quantity of copper ore is found, which is met with in commerce in Kordofan, and converted into anklets for the women, weighing about one pound each ; it has not the same characteristics as the European copper, but bears a nearer resemblance to brass ; its colour is pale yellow.

f A caravan leaves Bergu annually for Tripoli. The distance from Bergu to Kobbe, the chief commercial town of Darfour, is twenty days' march. Since Bergu has become tributary to Darfour, European goods have found their way into the latter country from Tripoli by way of Bergu.

\ Bagermi. Tr.