Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 1 (of 2)Caillié, René
History
Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo; and across the Great Desert, to Morocco, performed in the years 1824-1828, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Caillié, René
Sahara -- Description and travel; Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
The inhabitants of Baléya were subjected to the laws of the Prophet
by the Foulahs, since which they annually present some cattle to
the almamy of the Fouta. They are warriors and husbandmen, and
have abundance of the necessaries of life, which they obtain by
the cultivation of the earth, while their cattle supply them with
butter and milk. They manufacture white cloth, which they exchange
with their neighbours for salt. Earthenware is made in almost every
village. The people of Baléya are Dhialonkés. Though Mahometans,
they are, by no means, so zealous as the Foulahs, and drink in
private a sort of beer made of millet and honey. Lamfia told me that
formerly they possessed Fouta-Dhialon. The women are lively, pretty,
and coquettish, and bestow much attention on dressing their hair,
which is arranged in two tufts, one on each side of the head: many
have four tufts. They ornament their heads with coloured glass beads,
tastefully disposed; they wear necklaces of small black glass beads,
interspersed with a few gilt glass ornaments. The necklaces, which
are about three inches broad, encircle the neck like a cravat. The
head-dress of these women would be becoming, if their hair was not
covered with a layer of butter, with which they also grease their
bodies: it renders their skin glossy, but gives them an unpleasant
smell. Most of the females have no other dress than a piece of cloth,
five feet long and two wide, which they fasten round their waists. On
holidays they throw another piece of cloth over their shoulders, and
cover their bosoms: they also wear sandals. This is nearly the general
costume of the women of Negroland. Their dispositions are gentle and
cheerful; their colour is very black; their features handsome, with
curly hair, noses slightly aquiline, thin lips, and large eyes. They
do all the household work, and are obedient to their husbands.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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