IN WESTERN AFRICA. 
287 
sons who will not join in the cry are considered 
not to be friends; but as a rule there is no want 
of criers, for the relatives of the deceased person 
must supply drink, which usually consists of rum, 
gin, or palm-wine. Where the friends are able 
all of these are provided, and food also for per- 
sons from distant villages. The crying is kept 
up night and day as long as drink is supplied. 
This woman died Tuesday night. On Thursday 
she was taken to Tassoh, three miles distant, for 
interment. She was carried by four men, who 
were frequently relieved by others. On arriving 
at Tassoh, a small present is made to the head- 
man of the village, and he consents to the inter- 
ment. The grave is then dug. By this time the 
mourners arrive, and the coffin is lowered into 
the grave. And now begins another indescribable 
scene of bidding the corpse good-by and of send- 
ing messages to departed friends, — such as Tell 
daddy how do,’’ or ‘^Tell mammy how do.” Some 
/ery strange messages are sent to the other world. 
The crying at this point is most distressing. After 
the grave is filled up the mourners throw them- 
selves on it and roll in the dirt. The party now 
return to Shengay, and continue crying, drum- 
ming, dancing, and firing guns all night. Maiiy 
of the more civilized people in Shengay com- 
plain they can not sleep. The chief, George 
