Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/399

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MURI.—LOKO.
335

the same district are two other noteworthy places, Buri-Buri in the south-west, also inhabited by Kanuri, and Duku in the east, with a mixed population of Kanuri, Haussawa, and other elements.

On the north side of the main stream below the Gongola confluence stands Muri (Hamarawa), capital of the Muri vassal state, inhabited chiefly by zealous Fulah Mohammedans. On the opposite side of the Benue lies the city of Zhiru, enclosed on the south by the Adamawa Mountains. Wukari, capital of the Kororofa state, which is separated from Bautchi by the main stream below the Kaddera junction, was visited for the first time by a European (Flegel) in 1883, Like Muri, it lies some distance from the bank of the river, where the neighbouring ports of Tcharo, Shibu, Ibi and Anyashi are now frequently visited by explorers

Fig. 162. — Yakoba and Mount Saranda.

and traders. Dansofa, lying higher up on the same side, is noted for the mines of lead, wrongly said to be of antimony, which are situated two or three days' march in the interior.

In the basin of the Sungo, which joins the Benue near the southernmost point of the great bend, are some important places, such as Lafia, Beré-Beré, a Kanuri settlement 60 miles north of the main stream; Alabashi, more to the west, and Keana, on the route between Lafia and the Benue, capital of a petty state tributary to Wurno.

Loko, on the right bank of the main stream, 90 miles above the Lokojo confluence, is the busiest place in the Benue basin. It is the largest ivory market in West Africa, exporting annually from fifty to sixty tons of this commodity. Midway between Loko and the confluence the Benue is joined by the Okwa