416 AFRICA SPEAKS 



man — let him work out his own destiny under the 

 supervision of as few white men as practical." We 

 found the natives employed in every kind of industry 

 and profession, and they seemed to get things done 

 somehow. 



The plateau is the home of the Pagan and his rights 

 in the land are protected by the British government, 

 it not being possible for any outsider, white or black, 

 to purchase land. Even in the town of Jos, the 

 buildings are standing on sites which have been leased 

 and cannot be bought. The Fulani and Hausamen 

 were brought into this part of Nigeria by the white 

 man, and now have a firm footing as traders and work- 

 men, clerks and servants. The Borroroje, or Bush 

 Fulani, has become the cattle and stock owner of the 

 highlands, while the better class, the Filanen-Gidda 

 and the Hausamen, are to be found in towns and 

 settlements acting as servants and performing all 

 those multitudes of tasks below the white executive. 



One striking thing in West Africa is the attitude of 

 the natives toward the white man, for, although you 

 find them acting as station masters on the railroad, as 

 postmasters, and holding other responsible positions, 

 with some of them assuming an attitude of equality 

 with the whites, the great majority look upon the 

 European as a superior being. They refer to him as 

 *' the Hon" and, when he approaches, fall upon their 

 knees, bowing their heads in the dust as he passes. 

 It is their form of salute and no poUshed Fulani or 

 Hausaman considers it good manners to stand in the 

 presence of a white man, always remaining on his knees 

 during the course of a conversation, only arising when 

 you indicate that the talk is finished. He will never 



