FIRST JOURNEY TO USAMBARA

 FIRST JOURNEY TO USAMBARA

I should visit the countries to the south and southwest of Mombaz, to preach the Gospel in a region near to Zanzibar, and to explore its capabilities for being made the seat of missionary-stations. As regarded Kumari, or Kumari, king of Usambara, I knew well that he would soon learn to respect any European missionary, and give him leave to reside in his country; adopting such measures for his protection, that he would always have access to him by way of Tanga and Pangani, both in his dominions, without fear of molestation from the Suahili, an object of the greatest importance for spreading the Gospel in East Africa. Accordingly on the 12th of July 1848 I left Mom baz having engaged Bana Kheri, Rebmann's guide to Jagga, for the sum of fifteen dollars, as guide on my journey to Usambara, and seven Suahili as baggage-bearers at the rate of five dollars per man. I had with me also the needful articles: calico, beads, knives, &c. for presents, and for the purchase of provisions. We left the harbour of Mombaz at 9 a.M. and landed at the Mohammedan village of Mtongwe, to the south of Mombaz. Ascending the higher ground we reached the hamlet Lunguma, inhabited by the Lungo tribe, a branch of the Wadigo tribes of the Wanika. The Wanika, who live to the south of Mombaz, are called, as formerly mentioned, Wadigo, and their country Udigo; those to the north-west and north-east are called Walupanga. Muaje Kuku, the chief of Lunguma, gave us a friendly reception and presented us with fresh cocoanuts, the pleasant milk of which revived me much. Next day, we presented the chief with twenty ells of American calico manufactured at Lowell, in return for his hospitality; and proceeded on our way, gradually ascending as we went. Our road became now steeper and more difficult for the ass which I had brought with me from Mombaz. After continuing the ascent for about three leagues we reached the fine plain of Shimba, where I felt so cold that I longed for warmer clothing. The prospect towards the lowlands, towards Mombaz and its bays, and towards the western mountain-chain of the Wanika-land, was magnificent. After a march of two leagues over the plain we came to the jungle in which the village Kwale lies, the chief of which, Mualuahu, gave us a very friendly reception. The village contains about seventy huts, of which very few are inhabited, as the people generally reside upon their plantations. At Kwale I was not a little astonished to see men and women, old and young, smoking tobacco and making use of a pipe not unlike our European ones, the bowl being neatly constructed out of clay and fastened to a stick some feet in length. Not only do the Wadigo grow a great deal of tobacco, but also buy it in quantities in Usambara, in small, round, dried cakes, which they dispose of in Kiriama and Emberria, to be sold to the Galla. As regards religion the Wadigo appear to be as indifferent and dull as the Walupangu, and to this their intercourse with the deceptive Mohammedans has much contributed. Nevertheless, I had sometimes interesting conversations with Wadigo people, who at first took me for a Mohammedan.

BOOK NAME: TRAVELS, RESEARCHES, AND MISSIONARY LABOURS IN EASTERN AFRICA.

By: E. G. RAVENSTEIN, F.R.G.S.

PUBLISHED: 1860