CHIEF TOWNS AND RESIDENCES OF THE INDEPENDENT SONGHAY, BETWEEN THE NIGER
AND MY ROUTE BY YÁGHA AND LIBTÁKO.
Kúlman, a large place, the name of which has already become known in
Europe through the information of other travellers, in consequence of
its great importance as a well inhabited and strong town, as also as a
frequented market. The chief part of the inhabitants belong to the tribe
of the Kóizé, with the chief (koy) Foní, the son of Árkosú (Árkosú
izze), or, as the Tawárek call him, ag Árkosú. It may now be laid down
in the map with tolerable accuracy, being said to be distant from Tongi
(see p. 245.) thirty miles to the west.
Téra, the town mentioned already by Áhmed Bába, said to be even larger
than Kúlman, and the very largest of the ksúr of the free Songhay,
equalling the city of Timbúktu in size, four days from Tongi S.W., two
from Dóre E.N.E. The inhabitants wear their hair in long tresses, and
possess a good many horses; they are totally independent.
Darghol, residence of the Songhay princes, the descendants of the Áskíá,
or Síkkíá, the chief of whom, at the present day, is koy Kálmia; the
inhabitants very warlike, armed with shield, spear, and sword, like the
Tawárek. But the energy of these Songhay is counterpoised and baffled by
the disunion which prevails among themselves, the inhabitants of Darghol
waging war with those of Téra, who do not acknowledge their supremacy.
The position of this important town, I am sorry to say, I am not able to
determine even approximately. It is very desirable that a European
traveller should explore this whole region.