342 
THE PAPELS — THE BAL ANTES. 
the purpose of sacrificing oxen to their gods. On the death 
oi" their relations the women cover their heads, which are 
ahvays shaved, with earth moistened with water. Several less 
numerous tribes are inclosed in the territory of the Papels ; 
among others, the Birames and the Mandiagos, who hire 
themselves to the Portuguese as sailors, and work till they 
have earned sufficient to marry and return to their own 
country to settle. All these tribes clothe themselves with the 
skins of beasts or with cotton cloths ; their wretched appear- 
ance gives them a savage look ill calculated to induce the 
traveller to visit their country, which js almost always inun- 
dated. Not having any horses, they ride upon their small 
oxen, the strength and docility of which are surprising. The 
Papels have withstood the power of the Portuguese longer 
than any other nation in this part of Africa. The valuable 
presents they have received from them have softened their 
naturally ferocious character. 
On the frontiers of the Papels dwell the Balantes, whose 
language is entirely different. A girdle of reeds, some inches 
broad, is worn by the men to cover their nakedness. The 
Portuguese have little communication with these cruel and 
savage people. Their industry is confined to the sale of salt, 
from which their ignorance prevents their deriving much 
profit. The Balantes are still more ugly than the Papels ; the 
features of the women are as coarse as those of the men. The 
Bisagoes eat dogs ; the Balantes regard rats as so exquisite a 
