INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 39 
hunger and thirst, and generally to conciliate the favour of su- 
perior powers under all the circumstances and occurrences of 
life* 
In this case, it is impossible not to admire the wonderful con- 
tagion of superstition ; for, notwithstanding that the majority 
of the Negroes are Pagans, and absolutely reject the doctrines 
of Mahomet, I did not meet with a man, whether a Bushreen 
or Kafir, who was not fully persuaded of the powerful efficacy 
of these amulets, The truth is, that all the natives of this part 
of Africa consider the art of writing as bordering on magic ; 
and it is not in the doctrines of the Prophet, but in the arts 
of the magician, that their confidence is placed. It will here- 
after be seen that I was myself lucky enough, in circumstances 
of distress, to turn the popular credulity in this respect to good 
account. 
On the 7th I departed from Konjour, and slept at a village 
called Malla (or Mallaing) ; and on the 8th about noon I ar- 
rived at Kolor, a considerable town ; near the entrance into 
which I observed, hanging upon a tree, a sort of masquerade 
habit, made of the bark of trees, which I was told on inquiry be- 
longed to Mumbo Jumbo. This is a strange bugbear, common 
to all the Mandingo towns, and much employed by the Pagan 
natives in keeping their women in subjection ; for as the Kafirs 
are not restricted in the number of their wives, every one marries 
as many as he can conveniently maintain ; and as it frequently 
happens that the ladies disagree among themselves, family 
* I believe that similar charms or amulets, under the names of dom'ini, gn'gri, 
fetich, &c. &c. are common in all parts of Africa. 
