The Foulahs In General (As Has Been Observed In A Former Chapter)
Are Of A Tawny Complexion, With Small Features And Soft Silky Hair;
Next To The Mandingoes, They Are Undoubtedly The Most Considerable
Of All The Nations In This Part Of Africa.
Their original country
is said to be Fooladoo (which signifies the country of the Foulahs);
but they possess at
Present many other kingdoms at a great distance
from each other; their complexion, however, is not exactly the same
in the different districts; in Bondou, and the other kingdoms which
are situated in the vicinity of the Moorish territories, they are of
a more yellow complexion than in the southern states.
The Foulahs of Bondou are naturally of a mild and gentle
disposition, but the uncharitable maxims of the Koran have made them
less hospitable to strangers, and more reserved in their behaviour,
than the Mandingoes. They evidently consider all the negro natives
as their inferiors; and, when talking of different nations, always
rank themselves among the white people.
Their government differs from that of the Mandingoes chiefly in
this, that they are more immediately under the influence of
Mohammedan laws; for all the chief men, the king excepted, and a
large majority of the inhabitants of Bondou, are Mussulmans, and the
authority and laws of the Prophet are everywhere looked upon as
sacred and decisive. In the exercise of their faith, however, they
are not very intolerant towards such of their countrymen as still
retain their ancient superstitions.
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