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MISSION TO ASIIANTEE. 
CHAPTER V. 
Customs. 
Th e Yam Custom is annual, just at the maturity of that vegetable, 
which is planted in December, and not eaten until the conclusion 
of the custom, the early part of September. All the caboceers 
and captains, and the majority of the tributaries, are enjoined to 
attend, none being excused, but such as the Kings of Inta, and 
Dagwumba, (who send deputations of their principal caboceers,) 
and those who have been dispatched elsewhere on pubhc business. 
If a chief or caboceer has offended, or if his fidelity be suspected, 
he is seldom accused or punished until the Yam Custom, which they 
attend frequently unconscious, and always uncertain of what may 
be laid to their charge. The Yam Custom is like the Saturnalia ; 
neither theft, intrigue, or assault are punishable during the con- 
tinuance, but the grossest liberty prevails, and each sex abandons 
itself to its passions. 
On Friday the 5th of September, the number, splendor, and 
variety of arrivals, thronging from the different paths, was as 
astonishing as entertaining ; but there was an alloy in the gratifica- 
tion, for the principal caboceers sacrificed a slave at each quarter 
of the town, on their entre. 
In the afternoon of Saturday, the King received all the caboceers 
and captains in the large area, where the Dankara canons are 
