Guillaume Lejean
Reize in Taka (Opper-Nubië)
De Aarde en haar Volken, 1873
"Reize in Taka (Opper-Nubië)" by Guillaume Lejean is a travel account written in the mid-19th century. The work chronicles the author's explorations through Taka, a somewhat mysterious and intriguing region of Africa, detailing his encounters with local tribes, the landscapes he traverses, and the socio-political dynamics of the area during his travels. The opening of the book sets the stage for Lejean's journey, beginning with an introduction to his previous explorations and thence detailing his arrival in Fillik, the main settlement of the Hadendoa tribe. After describing the barren landscape and the tribe's cautious lifestyle due to wild predators, Lejean meets a local chieftain and provides insights into the political turmoil following Egyptian rule. His narrative blends observations of local customs, such as the practice of taking a tribal host for safety, with historical references to earlier travelers in the region, creating a rich tapestry of adventure that sets the tone for the rest of his journey into more treacherous parts of Nubia.