FESTIVAL OF THE SALAM. *267 
country, consisting of a coussabe^ trowsers, a pointed cap, and 
sandals. Several of them were bedecked in old scarlet coats 
of the English soldiers, which they had procured at Sierra- 
Leone, or the Gambia : others were wrapped in old European 
cloaks, of various colours, and had European hats on their 
heads. In short, they had bedizened themselves in all the 
rags and tatters they could collect ; and no doubt every one 
had put on his complete full-dress suit, in honour of the im- 
portant occasion. All the men were armed with guns, lances, 
bows, and arrows, which, during prayer, they laid on the 
ground. The old men in the red cloaks arrived, followed by 
crowds of people. The chief soon appeared on horseback, 
escorted by two or three hundred Mandingoes, forming a file 
on each side of him ; these Mandingoes were all armed with 
muskets. A flag of rose-coloured taffeta was borne before 
the chief. The almamy, or spiritual chief, followed Mamadi- 
Sanici, who may be called the chief magistrate : both were 
escorted by a guard, carrying white silk flags, which had in 
the centre a small piece of red, in the form of a heart. 
Mamadi-Sanici was dressed simply, but neatly. The 
almamy, however, was magnificently attired ; he wore a fine 
scarlet mantle, trimmed with gold-lace and fringe, which had 
been presented to him by Major Peddie, during his stay at 
Kakondy, on the Rio Nunez ; for, when the Major was setting 
out to explore the interior of Africa, he sent presents to the 
different chiefs, in order to conciliate their favour. 
The old men who wore the red mantles had evidently 
taken a pattern from the almamy's. The music of the festi- 
val consisted of two large drums, exactly resembling those 
used at Cambaya, which I have already described. The 
almamy repeated the prayer with an air of sincere devotion. 
It was a solemn spectacle to behold so numerous an assembly 
all kneeling in adoration of their God. The prayer being 
ended, the old men in the red cloaks formed a canopy with 
some white pagnes beneath the canopy a seat was placed 
