94 
CUSTOMS IN COURTSHIP. 
avoid the lady's relations ; on this subject we had a long 
conversation, the substance of which is as follows. 
When a young man becomes attached to a girl, and 
wishes to marry her, he seeks her in secret, and obtains her 
consent. That point secured, he commissions a marabout to 
treat with the girl's relations, as to the presents which he is to 
make, the number of oxen he is to give to the bride's mother 
&c. This being arranged, the marabout who has undertaken 
the negociation informs the other marabouts, when they 
are assembled to prayer, the lover himself being present. 
From this moment the lover is not to see the father and mo- 
ther of his future bride; he takes the greatest care to avoid 
them, and if by chance they perceive him they cover their 
faces, as if all the ties of friendship were broken. I tried in 
vain to discover the origin of this whimsical custom; the 
only answer I could obtain was, " It is our way." 
I did not like to suppose that a connexion of this kind 
could destroy the esteem and affection which had previously 
subsisted between the two families, and I took some pains to 
ascertain whether it was so or not; I often talked to a father 
of his son-in-law and vice versa ; and I found that the indif- 
ference was only feigned, that they felt the same affection as 
before, and in conversation extolled one another's merit. 
The custom extends beyond the relations; if the lover 
is of a different camp, he avoids all the inhabitants of the 
lady's camp, except a few intimate friends whom he is per- 
mitted to visit. A little tent is generally set up for him, 
under which he remains all day, and if he is obliged to come 
out, or to cross the camp, he covers his face. He is not 
allowed to see his intended during the day, but, when every 
body is at rest, he creeps into her tent and remains with her 
till day-break. This indiscreet method of courtship lasts 
for a month or two ; after which the marriage is solemnized 
by a marabout. The mother of the bride gives a feast, and 
kills an ox if she can afford it; providing abundance of cous- 
