Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo
And across the Great Desert, to Morocco, Performed in the Years 1824–1828

Published in 1830, this two-volume work documents the pioneering expedition of the French explorer Réné Caillié (1799–1838) to Timbuktu.

René Caillié (Author)

9781108061001, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

490 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

French explorer Réné Caillié (1799–1838) was the first European to document a successful expedition to Timbuktu, Africa's elusive 'city of gold'. Europeans were not welcome there, and until Caillié's expedition no explorer had returned alive. Encouraged by the 10,000 francs offered by the Société de Géographie to the first non-Muslim to bring back information on the city, he set out in 1824 from Senegal and eventually reached Timbuktu in 1828, remaining there for a fortnight before returning to France. His travels are recounted here in this two-volume work, first published in English in 1830. Volume 1 covers his outward journey, with detailed accounts of his travels through Saint-Louis, Kankan and other exotic waypoints, and the people, customs and commerce he encountered in the course of his trip. Vividly written, Caillié's work remains a landmark in the history of African exploration and adventure.

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Introduction
1. Pedestrian journey from St Louis to Neyreh
2. The author is forced to turn physician
3. Method of cultivating and using millet
4. Difficulty in going to market
5. Disappointments experienced at St Louis
6. Departure of the author on his great expedition
7. Popoco
8. Bridge over the Tankisso
9. Description of Baleya
10. Further account of Kankan and its environs
11. Wassoulo
12. Abode at Timé
13. Description of Timé and its environs
14. Departure from Timé
15. Cultivation of tobacco
16. Oulasso
17. Dwarf cotton
18. Crossing the Dhioliba.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]