ADEL, or ADF.A, a kingdom of Africa, bounded on the east by the Indian ocean; on the north, by the Red Sea, the straits of Babelmandcb, and Cape Guardalti; on the south, by the kingdom of Nlagadoxa ; and on the west, by the country of the Gana, or the kingdoms of Dancali, Dawaro, Bali, Fatigar, and other districts of Abyssinia. Its extent, though not exactly ascertained, is supposed to be about IGO leagues front cast to west, and about 72 from north to south. Adel, the capita!, from which the kingdom has received its name, is situ ated near the river Ha•ash, about Soo mil's south of Mocha in Arabir.; N. Lat. 5'. E. Long 2t/. This kingdom cs sometimes called ZOia, irom en eminent sea-port of that name. It is said to have been erected into a separate kingdom, about the beginning of the 16th century, by Salatru, a prince of Abyssinia, who, having escaped from the prison, in \I hich the royal la wily, according to the custom of that country, was con fined, took refuge in Add, then an Abt ssinian province ; and niarrying the daughter of the king of Zeila, became independent sovereign of these united kingdoms. The kings of Adel are the most formidable enemies with whom the monarchs of Abyssinia have to contend. As the Adelians are Mahommedans, and the Abyssinians profess Ch•istianity., their mutual jealousy of each other's power is heightened by the rancour of religious zeal ; and the wars, in which the two nations are almost perpetually engaged, are marked with every atrocity, which might be expected from the rivalship and enthu siasm of savages. For their hatred against the Chris tians, and their zeal in the cause of the Prophet, the kings of Add arc in great favour with the Grand Sig nior, to whom they are tributary, and are dignified with the appellation of saints. In exchange for this flattering title, the sultans have appropriated to themselves the most considerable maritime towns of the Adclians; so that all their ports, except Zeila, are now occupied by the Turks.
The interior of this kingdom is little known to Euro peans. Towards the south-east, the whole coast is a de sert : but in the rest of the country, the soil, composed of rich black earth, washed down by torrents from Abyssinia, is extremely luxuriant. It produces wheat, barley, and millet in abundance ; and pastures numerous flocks and herds. We are informed by Hamilton and Barthema, that sheep are found at Adel entirely white, with the head of a brilliant black, and with very small ears. The sheep of Adel are said to have their neck swollen by a kind of dewlap hanging down to the ground, which demonstrates the identity of the species with the ram upon ancient marbles represented by Fabroni, and proves that this species exists in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some of these sheep are remarkable for the size of their tails, which sometimes weigh 25 pounds, and their wool is almost as hard as the bristles of a hog. The principal articles of commerce are gold-dust, ivory, frankincense, and negro slaves, which are ex changed for the merchandise of Arabia and the In dies.
The inhabitants, called Gibbertis, are a stout and war like people ; those on the northern coast are of a tawny brown complexion; and those towards the south are of a deeper black. Their principal towns, besides Adel and Zeila already mentioned, are Barbara, a place of considerable trade ; Meta, on the northern coast, near the river Soal ; dssem, on the east, which supplies the mariners with provisions; and Cape Guardajiti, to the north of Assent. It seldom rains in this country ; but the soil is irrigated by many rivers and canals. The climate is intensely hot, feverish, unhealthy, and gene rally fatal to strangers. \Valknaer's Grog. notes. French edit. t GI. vi. p. 413. (k) (w)