Home1797 Edition

AJAN

Volume 1 · 146 words · 1797 Edition

a coast and country of Africa, has the river Quilmanci on the south; the mountains from which that river springs, on the west; Abyssinia, or Ethiopia, and the straight of Babelmandel, on the north; and the eastern, or Indian ocean, on the east. The coast abounds with all necessaries of life, and has plenty of very good horses. The kings of Ajan are often at war with the emperor of the Abyssins; and all the prisoners they take they sell to the merchants of Cambaya, those of Aden, and other Arabs, who come to trade in their harbours, and give them in exchange, coloured cloths, glass-beads, raisins, and dates; for which they also take back, besides slaves, gold and ivory. The whole sea-coast, from Zanguebar to the straight of Babelmandel, is called the coast of Ajan; and a considerable part of it is styled the Desert-coast.