A RACE WITHOUT RELIGION.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1578, 25 February 1887, Page 3

A RACE WITHOUT RELIGION.

The Rcvuc d'Anthropolojie contains a paper by Dr Colin on the population of B.itnbouk, on the Niger, an extensive, but very imperfectly - known, region of Western Soudan, exclusively inhabited by a branch of the great Manding race, known as the Mali-nbe*. The Bambouk territories, more thau GOO kilometres in length, and from 80 to 120 in width, are divided into numerous little States, most of which enjoy a complete autonomy. Their want of consolidation, and the indifference of the people to all forms of religion, have made the Mali-nkes objects of contempt to their Mussulman black neighbours, but according to the narrations of the Griotes, or itinerant bards, who are to be met with in every part of Western Africa, they had at one time extended their dominion over ail the tribes on the right banks of the Niger, aud were preparing to invale Saigon when the advance of the French forced them to fall back within their original limits. For a time they submitted to the restrictions o i Mohammedanism, but now they appear to have absolutely no religion. They prepare an intoxicating drink from honey, called "do'o," in which women as well is men indu'ge to excesi. The men are indolent, hunting only to avert starvation, and working their extensive gold mines imperfectly, and chiefly by the help of the women, to whom falls the chief share of providing for the wants of the community, but who, after marriage, enjoy great freedom, although the young girls are kept under strict supervision.