ANGOY, or Goy, an independent kingdom of Africa, situated on the west coast, between the rivers Cabinda and Zaire. It is bounded on the east and north by Ca congo, and on the south by the kingdom of Congo. The country of Angoy was formerly tributary to the king of Cacongo. This king was dependent on the king of Lo ango, who was under the power of the king of Congo; but a general revolt having taken place among these vassal monarchs, the mani, or prince of Angoy, incited by his father-in-law, a Portuguese merchant, succeeded in throwing off the yoke of dependence. In the year 1631, the count of Sonho, a province south of the Zaire, entered Angoy with an army, vanquished the king, and placed his own son upon the throne. This son, inhe riting the valour of his father, afterwards assisted him in gaining several 'victories over the king of Cacongo, and in pillaging the capital of his enemy. Since that time the counts of Sonho and the kings of Goy and Loango, have lived in amity with each other. The king of Congo arrogates the sovereignty over Cacongo and Goy ; but the princes of these kingdoms are completely absolute and independent. The kingdom of Angoy is covered with woods and thickets; and has no town of consequence but Angoy the capital, which is both popu lous and agreeable. The gulf of Cabinda, situated about 5 leagues north of Cape Palmerino, has excellent anchor age, and is very convenient for the Portuguese ships, who, in their way to Loando San Paulo, in Angola, refresh themselves at the port of Cabinda, where they find a. sufficient supply of provisions and water, and a good market. The English have established a factory here, and the Portuguese have a magazine for holding cer tain stuffs, fabricated by the inhabitants. of Angoy, which
are called Jianos sanzbes, and which they carry to Loan go. In exchange for these stuffs, the Portuguese give them the finest red wood of Majumba, and articles of European merchandise. The country, which is in some places flat and marshy, rises gradually into a chain of hills, about 3 miles from the coast. On this declivity stands a small town belonging to the Portuguese mer chant, already mentioned, who always kept piles of wood for the supply of foreign vessels. A number of fishermen's cabins are scattered along the coast, on each side of a small stream, which falls into the bay,. and furnishes water to the shipping. The indolence of the inhabitants has left the country in an uncultivated state. The tame animals are destroyed by the wild beasts, which swarm in the woods; so that nothing but hogs are bred for the sustenance of the inhabitants. The sea and the rivers are full of fish, which are caught by drag-nets,. made of a root which can be spun like hemp. Polygamy prevails in Angoy, and the ladies of the royal extraction have the privilege of selecting a husband from any class of their subjects, and have the power of life and death over those who are unfaithful, Females of the lower orders are compelled to resign their chastity to every stranger whom they receive. The religion of the Angoyese resembles that of other savage tribes. On the 1st day of the moon, they sprin kle the dust of red wood upon their idols, and offer a species of worship to the moon. The people are ex tremely wicked and insolent' to strangers ; and the smallness of their territory does not prevent them from disturbing the tranquillity of the neighbouring tribes. (o)