98 
WESTERN AFRICA 
change., which change they say does not 
take place until some time after death. 
Because of this belief they cook rice, and 
whatever else they eat themselves ( mostly 
rice and palm oil), and place upon the graves 
of their deceased friends. I saw this done 
at York Island, at the time of my visit to 
that place. They believe that the spirits of 
the deceased come out of their graves 
and eat the food put there. The country 
abounds with birds and fowls ; and many 
hungry children are always on the alert 
for something to eat, and hence the food 
disappears in a short time, and those stupid 
creatures take this as evidence that their 
departed friends eat it. They think they 
are conferring quite a favor upon them in 
furnishing them food. 
