CALBARY, CALBARI, or CALABAR, iS a district ly ing on the west coast of Africa, between the Rio Real, and the river Forcades. The river Calbary, which wa ters the district, and from which it takes its name, though large, is very shallow, and is only navigable by small vessels. The principal place of the country, which is likewise called Calbary, is situated on the north bank of the western arm of the river, and is the place with which the Dutch had formerly established a very considerable trade, which is now transferred to Bani. The other towns are Wyndorp, or Fokhe, situated near the coast, on the west bank of the river ; Belli, situated about twelve leagues west of the town of Calbary ; and Culeba, the capital of the province of Bani.
The face of the country is almost entirely covered with thick woods, and is inhabited more by wild beasts than by the human species. Though the rains are very frequent, yet the earth is so sandy, that no mark of hu midity remains after the rain has ceased. According to
Grazilhiers, who wrote in 1699, about 30 or 40 tons of ivory were annually exported by the Dutch, who also carried on a very extensive traffic in slaves, which they received in exchange principally for bars of iron, copper, and brass.
The cannibal Negroes, who inhabit the eastern banks of the Calbary, circumcise all the marriageable women ; they sell their captives, and cat only those who are slain. The canoes which they use are sixty feet long and six broad. The rowers are seated on cross benches ; and near each of them hangs a quiver of arrows. Reed mats spread upon poles, and fixed like tents, protect the mas ters during the night, while the slaves are exposed to all the rigour of the weather. A full account of the trade in slaves, which was formerly carried on in Calhary, will be found in Peuchet's Dictionnairc d• is G coign Commer ce:nee, vol. iii. p. '250. (w)