A few days before this time a caravan had arrived at Rebeca from Kankan, with a large quantity of gold. I soon made acquaintance with the chiefs; they were not a little surprised when they heard the object of my journey, and congratulated me on my attachment to Islamism, assuring me that the chief of Tembo would be happy to see me, and anxious to forward my plans. I said prayers with my new friends, after which they received me as a true Musulman, and gave me part of their supper, which consisted of boiled rice.
As it was then the time of the Ramadan, I pretended not to eat before sun-set. I did not sit down to table till towards night, and took nothing but some dried beef, which a Mandingo brought to me. As it was late, I spent the rest of the night at Mr. Tudsberry’s, who was extremely polite, and promised to do all in his power to assist me in penetrating into the interior.
On the 6th, we went to see Mr. Bethman’s factory, situate at the foot of a mountain, not far from Mr. Tudsberry’s. Here are deposited the remains of Major Peddie and four of his companions, victims, as I have already mentioned, to the unwholesome burning climate. Their graves, which are on a little terrace near the house, are shaded by two superb orange-trees. A little to the east is a rivulet, the clear waters of which form a cascade, and keep up the freshness of the vegetation around them. The grounds, which are delightful, are planted with orange-trees, citrons, banians, and fine bombaces, which afford an agreeable shade. From the top of the mountain a great extent of country is visible; with the windings of the Rio Nuñez, the picturesque banks of which heighten the effect of the landscape.
After this little excursion, I returned to the Mandingoes. The kindness which these worthy people had shewn me made me forget the vexations I had endured at Sierra-Leone, and inspired me with the hope of travelling in safety, and accomplishing my object without any serious obstacles.
The Ramadan obliged me to wait a few days for the great caravans which were to arrive after the fast, and with which I hoped to penetrate more easily into the interior. To make the best of my time, I endeavoured to gain information about the manners and habits of the Bagos, a small tribe who inhabit the isles at the mouth of the river, and of whom I had heard some very curious particulars; but before I give any account of them, I must take some notice of the Landamas and Nalous, who live in the neighbourhood of Rio Nuñez.
These tribes are entirely idolaters, or worshippers of fetishes. The Foulahs of Fouta-Dhialon have subjected them to their dominion, but they have chosen rather to become tributaries to the almamy,[41] than to renounce their ancient superstition and adopt Mahometanism.
The tribute is received by the chief of Labé, who forwards it to Tembo. The chief of the Landamas receives himself the tribute which his subjects destine for the almamy, every one contributing according to his means. The sovereignty remains always in the same family, but the son never succeeds his father; they choose, in preference, a son of the king’s sister, conceiving that by this method, the sovereign power is more sure to be transmitted to one of the blood royal; a precaution which shows how little faith is put in the virtue of the women of this country.
Amongst the tribes on the banks of the Rio Nuñez there is a secret society, not unlike that of the freemasons. It has a head, who is called the Simo; he makes laws, and they are executed under his authority. This Simo lives in the woods, and is never seen by the uninitiated; he is attended by pupils who are partly initiated in the mysteries. Sometimes he assumes the form of a pelican, sometimes he is wrapped up in the skins of wild beasts, and sometimes covered from head to foot with leaves, which conceal his real shape.
Novices may be initiated at several different times of the year. The families in several different villages, who wish to have their children admitted, collect all the boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen, and send for the Simo. He comes to the place in disguise, to circumcise the children, none but candidates being present at the operation; the ceremony is accompanied by a great feast, at the expense of the parents, who contribute according to their respective means. The feast lasts sometimes for several days; after it is over, the Simo withdraws to the woods, and takes with him the boys who have been initiated; from this time forward, they have no further communication with their relatives. They lead a pleasant idle life; provisions are bestowed upon them in abundance, and they dwell in huts made of the branches of trees, with no other clothing than a few palm leaves skilfully arranged, from the loins half way down the thighs, the head and the rest of the body being quite naked.
I have often seen them go by with two calabashes of palm-wine slung at the two ends of a stick, which they carried on their shoulder. They walk at a prodigious rate, and seem afraid of being seen. When the Simo or his disciples meet a stranger in the wood, they ask him for the watchword of the order; if the answer is correct, the stranger is admitted amongst them; if not, the master and his pupils, all armed with sticks and rods, attack him, and, after beating him severely, exact a high ransom. If an uncircumcised boy falls into their hands, they circumcise him and keep him, for the purpose of initiating him. They have no mercy upon women, whom they beat most cruelly, and, as I have been told, they are sometimes barbarous enough to kill them.