And Here I May Remark That
Loss Of Time Is An Object Of No Great Importance In The Eyes Of A
Negro.
If he has anything of consequence to perform, it is a matter
of indifference to him whether he does
It to-day or to-morrow, or a
month or two hence; so long as he can spend the present moment with
any degree of comfort, he gives himself very little concern about
the future.
The fast of Ramadan was observed with great strictness by all the
bushreens, but instead of compelling me to follow their example, as
the Moors did on a similar occasion, Karfa frankly told me that I
was at liberty to pursue my own inclination. In order, however, to
manifest a respect for their religious opinions, I voluntarily
fasted three days, which was thought sufficient to screen me from
the reproachful epithet of kafir. During the fast all the slatees
belonging to the coffle assembled every morning in Karfa's house,
where the schoolmaster read to them some religious lessons from a
large folio volume, the author of which was an Arab of the name of
Sheiffa. In the evening such of the women as had embraced
Mohammedanism assembled and said their prayers publicly at the
missura. They were all dressed in white, and went through the
different prostrations prescribed by their religion with becoming
solemnity. Indeed, during the whole fast of Ramadan the negroes
behaved themselves with the greatest meekness and humility, forming
a striking contrast to the savage intolerance and brutal bigotry
which at this period characterise the Moors.
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