Title
The Songhay's cows flee frightened by the Moroccans' rifles
Short description
A herd of cows, positioned by the Songhay army as a protective shield, flees at the sound of gunfire, causing the death of many soldiers.
Text on source
ولما دنى منهم رجلية الرماة جثّوا على ركبتهم يرمون بالرصاص وقد ساق الف بقرات معه حين صفّ قتالهم وجعلها بينه وبين القوم وينزل عليهم الرصاص ويتبع رجاله البقرات حتى تخالطوا بهم فلمَّا احسِّ البقرات باصوات مدافعهم ولّوا على اصحاب اسكي حازمين متحيرين وصدم منهم كثيرًا ومات اكثرهم [ص. ١٤٧]
English translation
When they were within range of the Songhay army, the Moroccan foot soldiers dropped to their knees to fire their bullets. [The askia] had brought one thousand cows with him, and, once combat positions were taken, he placed these cows between his [army] and
the enemy, so that the bullets would hit them rather than his foot soldiers. But when the cows heard the sound of the rifles, they became frantic. They stampeded back towards the soldiers of the askia, crushing a great number between them, the majority of whom died.
Folios/Pages
264
Date
1591 circa
Observations on the events description
In the description of this event, the author highlights the Songhays' complete alienation from firearms and how they underestimate them.
The dots on the map indicate the places where sound and music events were described. They don't represent travel stages.
Participants
No other participants in this event description.
How to quote
Pintimalli A., "The Songhay's cows flee frightened by the Moroccans' rifles" (Event description), Echos. Sound Ecosystems in Travelogues. Published 2024 09 19.doi: 10.25430/echos.travels.137
This work is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 
