CHAP. V. 
THE FESTIVAL OF THE NEW YEAK. 
127 
menced, and all kinds of work were interdicted for three 
days. In the afternoon, as I was walking on the plain to 
the northward of the village, I saw a number of chiefs 
passing along, each reclining in an open palanquin, borne on 
men’s shoulders, and surrounded by a large retinue of at¬ 
tendants. One or two men with assagais, or spears, in their 
hands ran along in front shouting out the name of the chief; 
then followed the bearers of the palanquin with a number 
of persons on each side, many of them carrying spears, 
sticks, or fans, while relays of bearers and others followed. 
All moved along at a quick, trotting sort of pace, causing 
a good deal of dust as well as noise on the road. I re¬ 
cognised among them the son of the chief judge, and the 
Chief of Hivondro. On inquiring, I found they were going 
to the residence of the governor, to present their homage 
to the sovereign’s representative, according to the custom of 
the country at this season. 
In different parts of the village, I passed great numbers of 
the people in holiday costume. The hair of the women, which 
is jet black and glossy, was in some cases elaborately dressed, 
and arranged in a number of small braids and knots, giving 
a stiff and formal aspect to the contour of the head and face. 
The greater portion of the people were clothed more or less 
in articles of European manufacture, the men in white 
lambas, or large flowing scarfs, the women in coloured cotton 
dresses. They seemed to be generally in family groups; and 
I found on inquiry that the day was devoted to the inter¬ 
change of visits amongst relatives and friends. 
Later in the evening, as I returned home, I saw numbers 
of persons bathing, or washing themselves, in different parts 
of the village. Parents especially were bathing their children 
outside their houses, or near the doors. I had seen through 
the day slaves bringing in fire-wood; and towards evening 
small fires were kindled in every direction outside of the 
