tions, and d iet; their arts and manufactures, with some other subordinate objects, are now to be noticed. O f their music and dances, some account has incidentally been given in different parts of my Journal. On the first of these heads, I have'now to add a list of their musical instruments, the principal of which are,— the koonling, a sort of guitar with three strings ;— the korro, a large harp, with eighteen strings;— the simbing, a small harp, with seven strings;_ the balafou, an instrument composed of twenty pieces of hard wood of different lengths, with the shells of gourds hung underneath, to increase the sound;— the tangtang, a drum, open at the lower end ; and lastly, the tabala, a large drum, commonly used to spread an alarm through the country. Besides these, they make use of small flutes, bowstrings, elephants’ teeth, and bells; and at all their dances and concerts, clapping of bands appears to constitute a necessary part of the chorus. With the love of music is naturally connected a taste for poetry ; and, fortunately for the poets of Africa, they are in a great measure exempted from that neglect and indigence, which in more polished countries commonly attend the votaries of the Muses. They consist of two classes; the most numerous are the singing men, called Jilli kea, mentioned in a former part of my narrative. One or more of these may be found in every town. They sing extempore songs, in honour of their chief men, or any other persons who are willing to give “ solid pud- “ ding for empty praise.” But a nobler part of their office is to recite the historical events of their country : hence, in war, they accompany the soldiers to the field ; in order, by reciting the great actions of their ancestors, to awaken in them a spirit of glorious emulation. The other class, are devotees of the Mahomedan faith, who travel about the country, singing devout hymns, and performing religions ceremonies, to conciliate the favour of the Almighty ; either in averting calamity, or insuring success to any enterprize. Both descriptions of these itinerant bards are much employed and respected by the people, and very liberal contributions are made for them. The usual diet of "the Negroes is somewhat different in different districts; in general, the people of free condition breakfast about daybreak, upon gruel made of meal and water, with a little of the fruit of the tamarind to give it an acid taste. About two o’clock in the afternoon, a sort of hasty pudding, with a little Shea butter, is the common meal; but the supper constitutes the principal repast, and is seldom ready before midnight. This consists almost universally of kouskous, with a small portion of animal food, or Shea butter, mixed with it. In eating, the Kafirs, as well as Mahomedans, use the right hand only. The beverage of the Pagan Negroes, are beer and mead ; of each of which they frequently drink to excess. The Mahomedan converts drink nothing but water. The natives of all descriptions take snuff and smoke tobacco ; their pipes are made of wood, with an earthen bowl of curious workmanship. But in the interior countries, the greatest of all luxuries is salt. It would appear strange to an European, to see a child suck a piece of rock-salt, as if it were sugar. This, however, I have frequently seen; although, in the inland parts, the poorer class
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