[Footnote 395:  The chief of Mocaranga is named Monomotapa, which latter is often used as the name of the country.  His residence is said to be at Zimbao near the northern frontiers, between the Portuguese forts of Sena and Tete.—­E.]

The servants within the palace, and those without, are commanded by two captains or high officers, resembling the Alcalde de los Douzeles, or governor of the noble youths, formerly at the court of Spain.  The principal officers of the crown are, the Ningomoaxa or governor of the kingdom, Mocomoaxa or captain-general, Ambuya or high steward, whose office it is to procure a successor, when the Mazarira or principal wife of the king dies, who must always be chosen from among the sisters or nearest relations of the king.  The next great officer is the Inbantovo or chief musician, who has many musicians under his charge; the Nurucao, or captain, of the vanguard; Bucurumo, which signifies the king’s right hand; Magande, or the chief conjurer; Netambe, or chief apothecary, who has charge of the ointments and utensils for sorcery; and lastly, the Nehono or chief porter.  All these offices are discharged by great lords.  They use no delicacy in cookery, having all their meats roasted or boiled; and they eat of such articles as are used by the Europeans, with the addition of rats and mice, which they reckon delicacies, as we do partridges and rabbits.

The king has many wives, nine of whom only are reckoned queens, and are all his sisters or near relations; the rest being the daughters of noblemen.  The chief wife is called Mazarira, or the mother of the Portuguese, who frequently make presents to her, as she solicits their affairs with the king, and he sends no messengers to them but accompanied by some of her servants.  The second queen is called Inahanda, who solicits for the Moors.  The others Nabuiza, Nemangore, Nizingoapangi, Navembo, Nemongoro, Nessani, and Necarunda.  Every one of these lives apart in as great state as the king, having certain revenues and districts appointed for their expenses.  When any of these die, another is appointed to her place and name, and they have all the power of rewards and punishments, as well as the king.  Sometimes he goes to them, and, at other times they come to him; all of them having many female attendants, whom the king makes use of when he thinks proper.

The principal nation of Monomotapa is called the Moearangi, and of which the emperor is a native.  They are by no means warlike, and their only weapons are bows, arrows, and javelins.  In regard to religion, they acknowledge one only God, and believe in a devil or evil spirit, called Muzuco, but they have no idols.  They believe that their deceased kings go to heaven, and invoke these under the appellation of Musimos, as the saints are invoked by the