Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-04-24
African Arts aud Manufactures.


Travellers in Africa all coincide in ono
important particular, namely, that the nativts
of TINT continent exhibit n remarkable de-
gree Of genius, and display in their numerous
manufactured articles such knowledge Of
mechanics MS 10 agreeably surprise all who
have heard Of or been privileged TO behold
their handiwork.
Iron ore Of superior quality is found in
immense quantities, mud from il nre made
by the untaught natives, ornamental and use-
iul articles, such MS spears arrows, rings,
chains, hoes bracelets, &c. snnll but
regular amount of this material, made into
n peculiar shape, is called bat, and mp
pears 10 he the standard of value by which
their currency is regulated.
They ure exceedingly skillnl IN the tan
ming and manufacture of leather. Their
amulet cases, dagger and spear sheaths,
whips, brides, pouches, powler.fnsks, san
dnls, boots, &C., nre mudo with remarkable
neatncss
In addition to these muy he named, their
war-horns made of the tusks of elephants
and other nninnls; their musical instru.
mcnis the strings OF tie banjo being
formed from the fbres of trees. Their bags
for carrying materials, and baskets OF uN
sizes mud descriptions, are wrought will,
| great beauty and symmetry from sen-grnss
and the leaves OF their innu,nerabe and
useful trees Sc. The palm tree, says a
traveller is applied 10y them to three hun
| dred and sixiy-ive uses. lluts are iIIatched
with palm leaves; its fibrcs ure used for
| iishiug-tnckles, ropes, sicvcs, twine, &c.
n rough cloth is made from the inner bark;
the fruit is roasted, md is excellent; the
oil serves for butter; and the wine is ia
/ vorite drink.
L.. r al.
cecdingly skillul in making canoes. These
are dug out of uees, aud are amazingly
lnrge. Some nre capable of carrying from
iily to one hundred aud ffty persons be-
sides ten or twelve hands TO pull Mats in
abundance, of all kinds, sizes, aud qualities,
are manufactured chiefly by the women.-
These mats are used for many pnrposcs-to
sleep on, partition otfToonis, for bcd.curtnins,
bags, carpets, Be; the fine ones make nico
table covers, mud are used for cloihing.-
| They look az IT they were wovcn---arc soine
times eight feet wide, aud fifteen or twenty
feet long.
Cloths are made in abundance they arc
spun (wihnut any wlcel from the native cot
ton, and woven in u strip from five to ten
inches wide, then cut to the length :hcy
want the cloth, aud scwed together. Vuri-
ons figures are made in weaving The col
ors handsome and permanent Pottery
nude of clay is very common, and stands
the fire as well ns any other the vessels are
of all sizes, from n quart TO twenty gallons.
! Hats, similar To the American palm-leat
summer hats, are made in various styles, and
nre much superior TO the American article
more durable and fine.
In making cloths, the Mundingoes are ve-
| ry expert To cut and make shirts aud other
kinds of garments, and in making their caps
and robes.
Wooden spoons, OF neat, fine quality,
are also produced; aud bowls, fine aud su-
periOr, from pint to half-barrel, neat and
cheap. Wooden fish-hooks are made, aud
much used. large ish-buskeis, also, for
catching fish, Many of their gree -grees dis
play much skill in their manufacture. Soap,
good and cheap, is abundant. Jugs, bottles,
bowls, are mnde (earlhen,) aud multitude
of other little things we cannot now mention,
very ingenious and skiiul.
The native African, il is TO he understood,
is naturally indolent; and although tho var-
Gus articles of labor here mentioned would
convey The impression that they are an in
dustrious people, yet the contrary is the fact.
What a market is here opened for the sale
of our manufactures? Who can rightly
calculate the amount Of employment II
would afford the operatives and workmen of
our land TO colhe her unnumbered millions,
aud the enormous trade she could afford us
in the luNuries, and whit we consider tho
neccsssaries Of life, from her prolific tropcal
soil?
Well might the poet, speaking Of Africa,
cXclaim:-
"Rccions immense, unscarchable, unknown.
Bask in the splendors of the solar zone;
a world of wonders-where creation seems
No more the work of Nature, but her dreams"
- Christian Statesman.