CALBONGOS, or CALIIONGAS, the inhabitants of a country on the coast of Guinea, in Africa, lying between the river Rio del Rey and the river Gabon, but princi pally upon the banks of the funnier. The country is low and marshy, and the village where the commerce is car ried on is situated on the east point of the embouchure of a small river, which discharges itself into the Rio del Hey, and which is navigable for• chaloupcs. The trade was altogether in the hands of the Dutch, who exported annually front the country about" 400 or 500 slaves, and from 1000 to 120D tons of ivory, which they received in ..
exchange for bars ol•tron, necklaces, bracelets, &c. As the Calbongos are little known, it is customary to stop at the Prince's Island and the island of St Thomas to take Portuguese guides. The greatest inconvenience in the country of the Calbongos is, that there is no fresh water but what is collected on the tops of the houses during wet weather, and the air is constantly loaded with fogs.
A people called the Ambozes belong to the country of the Calbongos. They have several villages to the cast of Cape Camarones, which Barbot calls Serges, Bodi, and Bodiva. The land produces all kinds of plants and fruits known in Guinea, except palm trees. In this place vessels may be furnished with cattle, poultry, fruit, and other refreshments. No palm wine is to be obtained ; but in place of this the inhabitants use a very agreeable beverage, which is made of roots called Guiandas, boiled in water.
Upon the coast there are three islands called the Ambozcs Isles, about seven leagues from the river Ca marones, and six leagues from Cape Ambosinc, towards the south cast. The most eastern of these is the great est and the most populous. Vessels may pass between the three islands, and sometimes cast anchor below the greatest, to traffic in elephant's teeth and slaves. Though these islands appear rocky at a distance, yet they are fruitful and populous. Palm trees are found here in abundance, though there are none on the opposite conti nent. 'Wine of palm is made in great quantities, and the sea produces much fish. The inhabitants understand the Portuguese language, and are reckoned the most dan gerous negroes in Guinea.
The Calbongos are represented as filthy, wicked, and deceitful. They are insincere in their dealings, and des titute of natural affection. Parents will sell thei• chil dren, husbands their wives, and brothers their sisters. They go almost naked, and bedaub their bodies with va rious colours. All criminals arc said to be declared in nocent, who make an incision in their arms and suck out the blood. (To)