COUNTRY OF THE BRAKNAS. 
97 
the deceased was a person of consequence, the grave is lined 
with mats ; when it is filled up, an inscription is placed upon 
it ; the marabouts perform the salam and return to the camp. 
The hassanes and zenagues do not bury their own dead, 
but have recourse to the marabouts, who undertake the 
business for a small remuneration. The women are not 
present at the interment of a man, nor the men at that of a 
woman. 
: When a child is born its body is rubbed all over with 
fresh butter, which is also given to its mother to take ; her 
face is likewise rubbed with it ; she eats nothing but meat till 
her complete recovery. The husband takes care to be ab- 
sent himself when his wife is in labour, for no sooner does a 
woman feel her pains coming on, than she screams in the 
most frightful manner, and assails her husband in the most 
abusive and indecent language. This is another of their 
customs ! When the child has acquired a little strength, it 
is slung in a pagne, tied at the four corners to serve as a 
hammock. The mother usually suckles the child herself. 
The country of the Braknas is situated about sixty 
leagues E. N. E. of St. Louis ; it is bounded on the south by 
the Senegal ; on the east by the country of the Douiches 
on the N. E. by that of the Koonts ;t and on the north, by 
the tribe of Oulad-Lame,J which is united with another 
neighbouring tribe ; these two compose a nation formidable 
on account of the depredations which they commit; they 
are not Mahometans. The tribe of Labohs§ is on the N. E., 
and to the west of the Trarzas. This nation is composed 
of several tribes, some hassanes, and others marabouts. 
* Or Douichs, see the Map of the Course of the Senegal below 
Moussala. 
t Perhaps the Teja-Kants, or Takants, reputed to dwell further east- 
ward. 
X Or Ouled-Douleeme. ; 
§ Perhaps the Abou-Sebahs. 
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