90 
the pronunciation of some of them differs from that 
of the Arabic. 
The Ombiasses are their learned men, and are 
divided into two orders, the Ombiasses Omparorats, 
and the Ombiasses Omptisiquili; the former are 
writers, teachers of Arabic, physicians, and magicians. 
They are a very cunning people, and make a great 
profit by writing small billets, or talismans, which 
they sell to the people, who believe them to be pre¬ 
servatives from the various evils which afflict human 
nature : and such is the credulity of the latter, amongst 
the lower classes, that the evidence of their senses 
weighs nothing against them. Many of the chiefs, 
however, are superior to this delusionand comply 
with these sorcerers, in order to retain their influence 
with the people. Thus they are consulted on every 
occasion, as well public as private, and their decisions 
are always respected. 
The Omptisiquili are blacks of the Anacandrian 
race, and also study the art of divination and 
geomancy; but they do not practise teaching or 
medicine. 
* They always consult these impostors before they go to 
war. On one of these occasions it was necessary to fell a 
tree, and according as it fell to the east or west, the fortune 
of the war would be decided. Unluckily, by some mistake, 
it fell the wrong way; upon which the chief who presided, 
laughed, and said it was a sad blunder: he, however, charged 
the few who were permitted to attend the ceremony, to say 
that it fell right , and accordingly the battle was successful. 
