have, however, the management of domestic affairs, and each in rotation is mistress of the household, and has the care of dressing the victuals, overlooking the female slaves, &c. But though the African husbands are possessed of great authority over their wives, I did not observe, that in general they treat them with cruelty ; neither did I perceive that mean jealousy in their dispositions, which is so prevalent among the Moors. They permit their wives to partake of all public diversions, and this indulgence is seldom abused; for though the Negro women are very cheerful and frank in their behaviour, they are by no means given to intrigue . I believe that instances of con- jugal infidelity are not common. "When the wives quarrel among themselves, a circumstance which, from the nature of their situation, must frequently happen, the husband decides between them ; and sometimes finds it necessary to administer a little corporal chastisement, before tranquillity can be restored. But if any one of the ladies complains to the chief of the town, that her husband has unjustly punished her, and shewn an undue partiality to some other of his wives, the affair is brought to a public trial. In these palavers, however, which are conducted chiefly by married men, I was informed that the complaint of the wife, is not always considered in a very serious lig h t ; and the complainant herself, is sometimes convicted of strife and contention, and left without remedy. If she murmurs at the decision of the court, the magic rod of Mumbo Jumbo soon puts an end to the business. The children of the Mandingoes are not always named after their relations ; but frequently in consequence o f some remarkable occurrence. Thus, my landlord at Kamalia, was called Karfa, a word signifying to replace; because he was born shortly after the death of one of his brothers. Other names are descriptive of good or bad qualities; as Modi, “ a good man Fadibba, “ father of the town,” &c. t indeed, the very names of their towns have something descriptive in them ; as Sibidooloo, if the town of ciboa trees Kenneyeto, “ victuals here Dosita, “ lift your spoon.” Others appear to be given by w'ay of reproach, as Bammakoo, “ wash a crocodile;” Karrankalla, “ no cup to drink from,” &c. A child is named, when it is seven or eight days old. The ceremony commences by shaving the infant’s head ; and a dish called Dega, made of pounded corn and sour milk, is prepared for the guests. If the parents are rich, a sheep or a goat is commonly added. This feast is called Ding boon lee, “ the child’s head shaving.” During my stay at Kamalia, I was present at four different feasts of this kind, and the ceremony was the same in each, whether the child belonged to a Bushreen or a Kafir. The schoolmaster, who officiated as priest on those occasions, and who is necessarily a Bushreen, first-aid a long prayer over the dega ; during which every person present took hold of the brim of the calabash with his right hand. After this, the schoolmaster took the child in his arms, and said a second prayer ; in which he repeatedly solicited the blessing of God upon the child, and upon all the company. When this prayer was ended, he whispered a few sentences in the child s ear, and spit three times in its fa ce; after which he pronounced its name aloud, arid' returned the infant to the mother. This
27f 60
To see the actual publication please follow the link above