Inhabitants.—The inhabitants of Senegambia belong properly to the negro race. But the Moors have entered Senegambia in con siderable numbers, and mixed with the most populous tribes of the negro race. These tribes are known under the names of Foulahs, or Foolahs, Jalofs, or Jaloofs, Mandingoes, and Serravrollies ; and they occupy the more elevated part of Senegambia, leaving to the other minor tribes only the low country which extends along the sea from the mouth of the Gambia to Cape Verge.
The nations among which the Moors have settled have partly embraced the Mohammedan religion. The structure of their body differs also more or less from that of the true negro race. The inhabitants of Bondoo, who are a mixture of Feolahs, Mandingoes, Serrawollies, and Jaloofs, are described as of middle size, well-made, and very active ; their skin of a light copper-colour, and their faces of a form approaching nearer to the European type than any of the other tribes of Western Africa, the Moors excepted. The women vie in point of form with the handsomest women in Europe, and they have very delicate features. The different tribes speak different languages ; but that of the Foolahs and Mandingoes is generally understood by all of them. In respect of commerce and civilisation they are far more advanced than the other black tribes. There are schools in almost every town for the instruction of youths who intend to make the Mohammedan religion their profession, in which they are instructed in reading and writing Arabic from the Korth:. Their habitations are rather small, but they are kept clean and neat. Both sexes are dressed in a very decent manner.
The smaller nations, who exhibit in their bodily structure the true negro type of the Ethiopian race [Anima, vol. i., col. 1241 have remained in a low state of civilisation. They cultivate some rice, but n a very unskilful and slovenly way. They have plenty of pigs and fowls, but few cattle, and no other domestic animals. They generally wear only a piece of cloth about their loins. Their huts are extremely dirty. They are ferocious in their manners, treacherous, cruel, and oppressive ; and a tribe of the Bagoes are complete pirates.
Political State of appears that little authority has been introduced among the smaller tribes. They do not keep slaves, and have adopted the practice of selling their prisoners of war to the slave-traders. The larger tribes have established regular govern
ment, with a king and a hereditary nobility. Each town or district is under a chief. It would also seem that certain revenues—u, for instance, the presents received from the merchants who traverse the country with goods—are divided among theme petty chiefs. But the king has the power of making war and peace. All these nations keep a considerable number of slaves. The government of Foot-store is a kind of theocratical republic.
Political Divisions and whole country along the sea, from the mouth of the Senegal to Cape Verd, and as far inland as the western declivity of the table-land of the Jaloofa, is subject to the king, or Mine' of Kayor, who resides in the town of Alacaye. The inhabitants are Jaloofs. Within the boundary of this state is the town of Cove, which is • commercial place, as two roads unite here, one leading southward to the Gambia, and the other eastward to Footatore. It has 5000 inhabitants, and many Moors are settled there. The numerous villages on the rocky peninsula of Cape Verd constitute an aristocratical republic, governed by a senate, which is composed of the chiefs of these villages.
Between Cape Verd and the mouth of the Gambia are the small states of Baol, Sin, and Barra. The French have • commercial establishment at the town of Albreda, the residence of the king of Barra. East of Barr* is the small state of Badiboo.
North of Barra and Badiboo is the state of Salute, which extends westward to the sea, where It occupies both aides of the river Joombas. The capital Cabore is built on its banks, and small vessels can ascend as far as the town. It his some commerce with the French settle ment of Gore*. Among other small states situated ID the lower region, between the Senegal and are those of Yanimaroo, Itiatobl, Wooli, Wale, Burba, Jaloof, and Footatoro. The last named state, which is more extensive than most of the others, is divided among seven chiefs, who form a council, and elect a marabout, or priest, for their king, who however can do nothing without the consent of the council, and reigns only during its pleasure. It frequently happens that this chief of the federative aristocracy is changed two or three time. In • year. The capital of Footatoro is Chuloigne. Sedo and Caul are rather large towns. The inhabitants are chiefly Feeble.