226 
KANKAN-FODEA. 
slaves, the women bring his dinner to him. When they sit 
down to their meal, it is their custom to invite all who are 
near, or who may be passing at the time, to partake with 
them. If the person invited does not sit down beside the 
calabash, the owner takes up a handful of rice which he 
turns about for a long time in his hand, then dips it in the 
sauce, and presents it to his guest ; after this act of politeness 
the offer cannot be refused without giving offence to the 
host. If strangers sit down to partake of the meal, the 
Mandingo plunges his hand into the dish, and stirs the rice 
to cool it. This also is an act of politeness. The master 
pours the sauce on the rice himself, eats the first handful, 
and invites his guests to follow his example. In beginning 
to eat they always say bismillah, (in the name of God &c)» 
People often leave these repasts only half satisfied, for a num- 
ber of idlers stroll about in every direction for the purpose 
of obtaining a share of their neighbours' dinners. I shall 
have occasion hereafter to speak more fully of the manners 
of the Mandingoes, which somewhat differ in every country. 
Kankan-Fodea, of which Cambaya forms part, is a 
small district, inhabited by Mandingoes subject to the 
almamy of Timbo. It is situated in an immense plain, 
composed of grey sand mixed with some gravel. The soil 
is fertilised by the inundations of the Tankisso, which makes 
a thousand meanders through this beautiful country. After 
winding to the south, it flows to the N. E., then turns 
to the N. N. E, and finally, after numberless sinuosi- 
ties, discharges itself into the Dhioliba. Boure is situated 
on the left bank of the Tankisso, at the distance of a day's 
journey from its junction with the Dhioliba. All the Man- 
dingoes of Cambaya concur in describing that country as 
being rich in gold mines, and possessing an extremely fer- 
tile soil, which however is not cultivated by the inhabitants, 
who purchase every thing, even pistacho-nuts, with gold. 
The plain of Kankan-Fodea is surrounded by mountains 
