INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 279 
the great actions of their ancestors, to awaken in them a spirit 
of glorious emulation. The other class, are devotees of the 
Mahomedan faitli, who travel about the country, singing devout 
hymns, and performing religious ceremonies, to conciliate the 
favour of the Almighty ; either in averting calamity, or insur- 
ing success to any enterprize. Both descriptions of these 
itinerant bards are much employed and respected by the 
people, and very liberal contributions are made for them. 
The usual diet of the Negroes is somewhat different in 
different districts; in general, the people of free condition 
breakfast about daybreak, upon gruel made of meal and water, 
with a little of the fruit of the tamarind to give it an acid 
taste. About two o'clock in the afternoon, a sort of hasty 
pudding, with a little Shea butter, is the common meal ; but 
the supper constitutes the principal repast, and is seldom ready 
before midnight. This consists almost universally of kouskous, 
with a small portion of animal food, or Shea butter, mixed with 
it. In eating, the Kafirs, as well as Mahomedans, use the right 
hand only. 
The beverage of the Pagan Negroes, are beer and mead ; of 
each of which they frequently drink to excess. The Maho- 
medan converts drink nothing but water. The natives of all 
descriptions take snuff" and smoke tobacco; their pipes are 
made of wood, with an earthen bowl of curious workmanship. 
But in the interior countries, the greatest of all luxuries is salt. 
It would appear strange to an European, to see a child suck a 
piece of rock-salt, as if it were sugar. This, however, I have 
frequently seen; although, in the inland parts, the poorer class 
