INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 269 
able occurrence. Thus, my landlord at Kamalia, was called 
Karfa, a word signifying to replace; because he was born 
shortly after the death of one of his brothers. Other names are 
descriptive of good or bad qualities; as Modi, a good man;" 
Fadihba, *' father of the town," &c. : indeed, the very names of 
their towns have something descriptive in them ; as Sibidooloo^ 
the town of ciboa trees ;" Kenneyetoo, " victuals here ;" Do&itat 
" lift your spoon." Others appear to be given by way of re- 
proach, as Bammakoo, " wash a crocodile ;" Karrankalla, " no 
cup to drink from, &c." A child is named, when it is seven or 
eight days old. The ceremony commences by shaving the 
infant's head ; and a dish called Dega, made of pounded com 
and sour milk, is prepared for the guests. If the parents are 
rich, a sheep or a goat is commonly added. This feast is called 
Ding koon lee, " the child's head shaving." During my stay 
at Kamalia, I was present at four different feasts of this kind, 
and the ceremoliy was the same in each, whether the child 
belonged to a Bushreen or a Kafir. The schoolmaster, who 
officiated as priest on those occasions, and who is neces- 
sarily a Byshreen, first said a long prayer over the dega; 
during which every person present took hold of the brim 
of the calabash with his right hand. After this, the school- 
master took the child in his arms, and said a second prayer; 
in which he repeatedly solicited the blessing of God upon 
the child, and upon all the company. When this prayer was 
ended, he whispered a few sentences in the child's ear, and 
spit three times in its face; after which he pronounced its 
name aloud, and returned the infant to the mother. This 
