22 
TRAVELS IN THE 
Britain) which they decorate with a species of coral, brought 
from the Red sea by pilgrims returning from Mecca, and sold 
at a great price. 
In the construction of their dwelling houses'the Mandingoes 
also conform to the general practice of the African nations on 
this part of the continent, contenting themselves with small and 
incommodious hovels. A circular mud wall about four feet high, 
upon which is placed a conical roof, composed of the bamboo 
cane, and thatched with grass, forms alike the palace of the king, 
and the hovel of the slave. Their household furniture is equally 
simple. A hurdle of canes placed upon upright stakes, about two 
feet from the ground, upon which is spread a mat or bullock's 
hide, answers the purpose of a bed : a water jar, some earthen 
pots for dressing their food, a few wooden bowls and calabashes, 
and one or two low stools, compose the rest. 
As every man of free condition has a plurality of wives, it is 
found necessary (to prevent, I suppose, matrimonial disputes) 
that each of the ladies should be accommodated with a hut to 
herself ; and all the huts belonging to the same family are sur- 
rounded by a fence, constructed of bamboo canes,split and formed 
into a sort of wicker-work. The whole inclosure is called a sirk, 
or surk. A number of these inclosures, with narrow passages 
between them, form what is called a town ; but the huts are ge- 
nerally placed without any regularity, according to the caprice 
of the owner. The only rule that seems to be attended to, is 
placing the door towards the south-west, in order to admit the 
sea breeze. 
In each town is a large stage called the bentang, which an- 
