Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa
Performed under the Direction and Patronage of the African Association in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797

A bestselling 1799 account of the first western expedition to the River Niger and the interior of West Africa.

Mungo Park (Author)

9781108025973, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 February 2011

532 pages, 6 b/w illus. 3 maps
29.7 x 21 x 2.7 cm, 1.26 kg

Mungo Park (1771–1806) was a Scottish surgeon and explorer. Encouraged by Sir Joseph Banks, he was sent by the African Association, in 1795, to explore the interior of Africa, forbidden to western traders. He is believed to have been the first European to reach the River Niger. His return was delayed by imprisonment and illness, and he did not arrive back in Scotland until December 1797, having been thought dead. He later went on a second expedition to Africa, and died there in 1806. This account of his earlier travels, published in 1799, was an immediate best-seller, with three editions in the first year. Park presents a straightforward account of his journey, together with observations about daily life in West Africa, with none of the arrogant superiority so often expressed by European travellers. The book includes a vocabulary of Mandinka words, plates and maps, and a geographical appendix.

Preface
1. The author's motives for undertaking the voyage
2. Description of the Feloops, the Jaloffs, the Foulahs, and Mandingoes
3. The author sets out from Pisania
4. Some account of the inhabitants of Tallika
5. Account of Kajaaga
6. Arrival at Teesee
7. The author admitted to an audience of the King of Kasson, whom he finds well disposed towards him
8. Journey from Kemmoo to Funingkedy
9. Some account of Jarra, and the Moorish inhabitants
10. Various occurrences during the author's confinement at Benowm
11. Occurrences at the camp continued
12. Containing some further miscellaneous reflections on the Moorish character, and manners
13. Ali departs for Jarra, and the author allowed to follow him thither
14. The author feels great joy at his deliverance, and proceeds through the wilderness, E.S.E., but finds his situation very deplorable
15. The author proceeds to Wassiboo
16. Departure from Sego, and arrival at Kabba
17. The author returns westward
18. Inhospitable reception at Taffara
19. Government of Manding
20. Of the climate and seasons
21. The account of the Mandingoes continued
22. Observations concerning the state and sources of slavery in Africa
23. Of gold-dust, and the manner in which it is collected
24. Transactions at Kamalia resumed
25. The Coffle crosses the Jallonka wilderness
26. The caravan proceeds to Konkodoo, and crosses the Falemé river. A vocabulary of the Mandingo language
Appendix James Rennell: 1. Concerning the ideas entertained by the ancient geographers respecting the course of the river Niger
2. Concerning the geographical discoveries of Mr. Park
3. Construction of the geography of Mr. Park's expedition into Africa
4. The construction of the geography continued
5. Construction of the new map of north Africa
6. The subject continued
7. Observations on the physical and political geography of North Africa.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]