CHAP. V. THE FESTIVAL OF THE NEW YEAR. 127 



menced, and all kinds of work were interdicted for tliree 

 days. In the afternoon, as I was walking on the plain to 

 the northward of the village, I saw a number of chiefs 

 passing along, each reclining in an open palanquin, borne on 

 men's shoulders, and surrounded by a large retinue of at- 

 tendants. One or two men with assagais, or spears, in their 

 hands ran along in front shouting out the name of the chief; 

 then followed the bearers of the palanquin with a number 

 of persons on each side, many of them carrying spears, 

 sticks, or fans, while relays of bearers and others followed. 

 All moved along at a quick, trotting sort of pace, causing 

 a good deal of dust as well as noise on the road. I re- 

 cognised among them the son of the chief judge, and the 

 Chief of Hivondro. On inquiring, I found they were going 

 to the residence of the governor, to present their homage 

 to the sovereign's representative, according to the custom of 

 the country at this season. 



In different parts of the village, I jDassed great numbers of 

 the people in holiday costume. The hair of the women, which 

 is jet black and glossy, was in some cases elaborately dressed, 

 and arranged in a number of small braids and knots, giving 

 a stiff and formal aspect to the contour of the head and face. 

 The greater portion of the people were clothed more or less 

 in articles of European manufacture, the men in white 

 lambas, or large flowing scarfs, the women in coloured cotton 

 dresses. They seemed to be generally in family groups ; and 

 I found on inquiry that the day was devoted to the inter- 

 change of visits amongst relatives and friends. 



Later in the evening, as I returned home, I saw numbers 

 of persons bathing, or washing themselves, in different parts 

 of the village. Parents especially were bathing their children 

 outside their houses, or near the doors. I had seen through 

 the day slaves bringing in fire-wood ; and towards evening 

 small fires were kindled in every direction outside of the 



