366 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



upon, was said to be sacred to the Chenoo, the touching^ 

 of which by the foot of a common person is death or sla- 

 very. From the cataract downwards, the ridiculous cast- 

 oflf dresses of French and Portuguese generals, form no 

 part of the native costume of Congo, which, with the ex- 

 ception of an apron, anklets, bracelets, and necklaces, 

 may be presumed to be neither more nor less than sheer 

 nakedness. 



The members of the Chenoo's family are his councillors, 

 by whose advice he acts in all matters of importance ; and 

 it is remarkable, that their consultations are generally held 

 under the boughs of the Jiciis religiosa. In case of war, 

 the elders remain behind to take care of the village, while 

 the brothers, sons, or nearest relations of the Chenoo are 

 usually selected to conduct, under him, their warlike 

 expeditions. 



The Mafooks are the collectors of the revenues, which 

 are chiefly derived from trade; towards the lower part of 

 the river, they begin by acting as linguists or interpreters 

 between the slave dealers of the interior, and the EiUropean 

 purchasers; buthaving made a fortune, which was frequently 

 the case in this once lucrative employment, they purchase 

 the rank of Mafook, and from that moment are said to be 

 dumb, and utterly unable any longer to interpret. 



The Foomos are composed of that class of the society 

 who have houses and lands of their own, two or three wives, 

 and perhaps a slave or two to work for them ; they are in 

 fact the yeomanry of the country. 



The fishermen, coolies and labouring people appear to. 



