The Language Of The People Of Manna Is The Same That Is Spoken All
Over That Extensive And Hilly Country Called Jallonkadoo.
Some of
the words have a great affinity to the Mandingo, but the natives
themselves consider it as a distinct language.
Their numerals are
these
One, Kidding.
Two, Fidding.
Three, Sarra.
Four, Nani.
Five, Soolo.
Six, Seni.
Seven, Soolo ma fidding.
Eight, Soolo ma sarra.
Nine, Soolo ma nani.
Ten, Nuff.
The Jallonkas, like the Mandingoes, are governed by a number of
petty chiefs, who are in a great measure independent of each other.
They have no common sovereign, and the chiefs are seldom upon such
terms of friendship as to assist each other even in war-time. The
chief of Manna, with a number of his people, accompanied us to the
banks of the Bafing, or Black River (a principal branch of the
Senegal), which we crossed upon a bridge of bamboos of a very
singular construction. The river at this place is smooth and deep,
and has very little current. Two tall trees, when tied together by
the tops, are sufficiently long to reach from one side to the other,
the roots resting upon the rocks, and the tops floating in the
water. When a few trees have been placed in this direction, they
are covered with dry bamboos, so as to form a floating bridge, with
a sloping gangway at each end, where the trees rest upon the rocks.
This bridge is carried away every year by the swelling of the river
in the rainy season, and is constantly rebuilt by the inhabitants of
Manna, who, on that account, expect a small tribute from every
passenger.
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