| | 1 | Author: | Gronniosaw, James Albert Ukawsaw | Add | | | Title: | A narrative of the most remarkable particulars in the life of
James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African prince, written by
himself.  | | | | Published: | 1995 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | I WAS born in the city of Baurnou, my mother was the eldest daughter of the
reigning King there. I was the youngest of six children, and particularly
loved by my mother, and my grand-father almost doated on me. I had,
from my infancy, a curious turn of mind ; was more grave and
reserved, in my disposition, than either of my brothers and sisters, I
often teazed them with questions they could not answer ; for which
reason they disliked me, as they supposed that I was either foolish or
insane. 'T was certain that I was, at times, very unhappy in myself : It
being strongly impressed on my mind that there was some GREAT
MAN of power which resided above the sun, moon and stars, the
objects of our worship. — My dear, indulgent mother would bear
more with me than any of my friends beside. — I often raised
my hand to heaven, and asked her who lived there ?
Was much dissatisfied when she told me the sun, moon and stars, being
persuaded, in my own mind, that there must be some SUPERIOR
POWER. — I was
frequently lost in wonder at the works of the creation : Was afraid, and
uneasy, and restless, but could not tell for what. I wanted to be
informed of things that no person could tell me ; and was always
dissatisfied. — These wonderful impressions began in my
childhood, and followed me continually till I left my parents, which
affords me matter of admiration and thankfulness. To this moment I
grew more and more uneasy every day, insomuch that one Saturday
(which is the day on which we kept our sabbath) I laboured under
anxieties and fears that cannot be expressed ; and, what is more
extraordinary, I could not give a reason for it. — I rose, as our
custom is, about three o'clock (as we are obliged to be at our place of
worship an hour before the sun rise) we say nothing in our worship, but
continue on our knees with our hands held up, observing a strict silence
till the sun is at a certain height, which I suppose to be about 10 or 11
o'clock in England : When, at a certain sign made
by the Priest, we get up (our duty being over) and disperse to our
different houses. — Our place of meeting is under a large palm
tree ; we divide ourselves into many congregations ; as it is impossible
for the same tree to cover the inhabitants of the whole city, though they
are extremely large, high and majestic ; the beauty and usefulness of
them are not to be described ; they supply the inhabitants of the country
with meat, drink and clothes ; * the body of
the palm tree is very large ; at a certain season of the year they tap it,
and bring vessels to receive the wine, of which they draw great
quantities, the quality of which is very delicious : The leaves of this
tree are of a silky nature ; they are large and soft ; when they are dried
and pulled to pieces, it has much the same appearance as the English
flax, and the inhabitants of BOURNOU manufacture it for clothing,
&c. This tree likewise produces a plant, or substance, which has
the appearance of a cabbage, and very like it, in taste almost the same :
It grows between the branches. Also the palm tree produces a nut,
something like a cocoa, which contains a kernel, in which is a
large quantity of milk, very pleasant to the taste : The shell is of a hard
substance, and of a very beautiful appearance, and serves for basons,
bowls, &c. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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