Liberia ^•- 



The native porters prefer to carry their loads in the kinja^ 

 a wicker " pottle " or long hamper slung on the back (see Index), 

 but European boxe^ are carried on the head. In many districts 

 the women readily proffer themselves as porters, and carry all 

 loads poised on the head. 



On the rivers in their navigable stretches dug-out canoes (see 

 p. 496) are much used for transport and travel. Horses and 



163. WOMEN PORTERS 



donkeys are employed as pack animals by the Mandingo beyond 

 the forest zone, but never within the region of dense vegetation. 

 The Americo-Liberians are keen traders, fonder, indeed, 

 of trade than of agriculture. Most of them, however^ carry 

 on their business as the agents or employes of European 

 firms. Mr. S. Harmon, of Grand Basa, is an important trader. 

 Attia, a Moorish Jew, came to this country a long while ago, 

 and, on the strength of his African nationality, was able to 



428 



