The Sherbro and its hinterland . seless, as native bridges usually are. The waterwas just outside the large town of Kukuna, which had amud wall fifteen inches thick around it, with several distinctcompounds also separated by mud walls, having lanesbetween them. The houses were well and substantiallybuilt, and the town generally was laid out with a degree oftaste such as hitherto we had not met with in this part ofthe country. The chief of this town was the Alimami Bassi, who issitting in the middle of Figure yy^ in a white gown. Infront of him sits his yele man, or musician, with hisbalenjeh,
The Sherbro and its hinterland . seless, as native bridges usually are. The waterwas just outside the large town of Kukuna, which had amud wall fifteen inches thick around it, with several distinctcompounds also separated by mud walls, having lanesbetween them. The houses were well and substantiallybuilt, and the town generally was laid out with a degree oftaste such as hitherto we had not met with in this part ofthe country. The chief of this town was the Alimami Bassi, who issitting in the middle of Figure yy^ in a white gown. Infront of him sits his yele man, or musician, with hisbalenjeh, as Mandingo chiefs when visiting on specialoccasions are always accompanied by these musicians, whocarry the balenjeh in front of them, suspended from theneck and resting against the body, so that the arms andhands are free to use the beating sticks. One great advan-tage of this instrument is that it can be played in anyposition, and whether the person is stationary or walking. Mandingo men run very tall ; it is indeed quite the. XXVI SIR F. CARDEWS TOUR 299 exception to find a short Mandingo ; their flowing robesand high close-fitting caps, which are country-made andfrequently most elaborately embroidered in colours upon awhite ground, tend to increase the effect of height. In this picture will be seen several people wearinggree-gree charms hanging from their necks. The moreenlightened Mohammedan carries his string of countingbeads called the tassa bea. These beads are used at theirprayers, and in ordinary calculations. Whatever theMohammedan religion may be its tenets appear to be verystrictly observed, at least outwardly, for I have seen asingle follower of the Prophet at a large place where therewas no other Mohammedan, go out at sunset into themost prominent position, and perform his evening devo-tions. In all places where there are Mohammedans theirdaily devotions are never omitted. It will be noticed that two of the men are carryingumbrellas. Umbrellas would appear to be
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