# XIX: Ignosi's Farewell explained — King Solomon’s Mines

> Chapter companion for King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

After recovering from their ordeal in the treasure chamber, Allan Quatermain, Sir Henry Curtis, and Captain Good prepare to leave Kukuanaland. Ignosi, now king, is heartbroken at their departure and tries to persuade them to stay, offering wives, land, and power. When they insist on returning to their own land, Ignosi bitterly accuses them of valuing the diamonds more than his friendship. He decrees that no other white men shall enter Kukuanaland and that their names shall be honored like those of dead kings. The trio depart with a heavy escort, leaving behind the treasure chamber and Foulata's grave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Wealth

Ignosi accuses the white men of valuing the diamonds over friendship; Quatermain admits to filling his pockets with gems, yet they leave the bulk of the treasure behind.

### Loyalty and Brotherhood

Ignosi's heartfelt farewell and decree to honor their names forever; the bond forged in battle is deeply felt by all.

### Colonialism and Imperialism

Ignosi's determination to keep Kukuanaland closed to white influence—no traders, guns, gin, or missionaries—reflects anti-colonial sentiment.

## Character check-ins

### Allan Quatermain

Narrates the farewell; reflects on the treasure and the impossibility of returning to the chamber; fills his pockets with diamonds before leaving.

### Sir Henry Curtis

Addressed as Incubu; praised by Ignosi for his bravery in battle; part of the farewell.

### Captain John Good

Addressed as Bougwan; mourns Foulata's death; part of the farewell.

### Ignosi

Now king; heartbroken at the departure; accuses the white men of loving diamonds more than friendship; decrees no other white men may enter and that their names be honored.

### Infadoos

Escorts the party with a regiment; heartbroken at their departure.

### Foulata

Mentioned as deceased; Good is deeply affected by her death; Quatermain reflects on the impossibility of a relationship between them.

### Gagool

Mentioned as dead, crushed under the rock; her flattened fragments lie in the Chamber of the Dead.

## Key lines

> Can the sun mate with the darkness, or the white with the black?

Quatermain reflects that a relationship between Good and Foulata would have been impossible due to racial differences.

_Illustrates the racial attitudes of the era._

> Cursed for your sake be the white stones, and cursed he who seeks them. Death shall it be to him who sets foot in the place of Death to find them.

Ignosi curses the diamonds and declares that anyone who tries to enter the treasure chamber will die.

_Ignosi's anger at the perceived greed of his friends._

> I will see no traders with their guns and gin. My people shall fight with the spear, and drink water, like their forefathers before them.

Ignosi vows to keep out white traders and missionaries, preserving traditional Kukuana ways.

_Ignosi's determination to resist colonial influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/xix-ignosi-s-farewell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters