The old men who wore the red mantles had evidently taken a pattern from the almamy’s. The music of the festival consisted of two large drums, exactly resembling those used at Cambaya, which I have already described. The almamy repeated the prayer with an air of sincere devotion. It was a solemn spectacle to behold so numerous an assembly all kneeling in adoration of their God. The prayer being ended, the old men in the red cloaks formed a canopy with some white pagnes; beneath the canopy a seat was placed for the almamy, who, having taken his allotted station, read a long prayer in Arabic, of which, certainly, none of his auditory understood a word. After this prayer, the chief, Mamadi-Sanici, harangued the people, and a man standing by his side repeated in a loud voice what he said, that every one might hear. I was told that he exhorted his subjects to transfer their trade to the Wassoulo, Baléya, and the Fouta-Dhialon, adding that the road to Bouré was so extremely dangerous, that all dealings in that quarter must be suspended until further orders. After this short harangue, the crowd hastily retired. So rapid was their movement, that the gates were not large enough to allow the people to pass; men and horses mingled together in the rush. Women attended the festival, but they kept at a respectful distance from the men. They likewise joined in prayer. As soon as the ceremony was over, the paschal lamb was slaughtered, and the people regaled themselves during the rest of the day: feasting is indeed the greatest enjoyment of the negroes. Lamfia attended the festival arrayed in my woollen wrapper, and, being determined on making a grand display, he held my umbrella over his head the whole time, under the pretence of shading himself from the sun. Before we left his home, he had asked me to attire myself in this manner, but I declined it, and told him that he might have the use of the umbrella for the occasion. This was market day, and I did not perceive that it was more thinly attended on account of the festival. I went thither to get a little cassava for my guide, who began to be less attentive than heretofore; probably because I had no more fine presents to make him, he had given me no breakfast. By way of excuse for this neglect, he told me, that as it was a festival, and market-day, his women were busy; but we had two who had nothing else to do but to prepare the food of the family, and they were supplied with wood by the slaves, who pick it up in the fields.