This Is An Exhibition Very Common In All The Mandingo Countries. The Spectators Arranged Themselves In A Circle, Leaving The Intermediate Space For The Wrestlers, Who Were Strong Active Young Men, Full Of Emulation, And Accustomed, I Suppose, From Their Infancy To This Sort Of Exertion.

Being stripped of their clothing, except a short pair of drawers, and having their skin anointed with oil, or

_Shea_ butter, the combatants approached each other on all-fours, parrying with, and occasionally extending a hand for some time, till at length one of them sprang forward, and caught his rival by the knee. Great dexterity and judgment were now displayed; but the contest was decided by superior strength; and I think that few Europeans would have been able to cope with the conqueror. It must not be unobserved, that the combatants were animated by the music of a drum, by which their actions were in some measure regulated.

The wrestling was succeeded by a dance, in which many performers assisted, all of whom were provided with little bells, which were fastened to their legs and arms; and here too the drum regulated their motions. It was beaten with a crooked stick, which the drummer held in his right hand, occasionally using his left to deaden the sound, and thus vary the music. The drum is likewise applied on these occasions to keep order among the spectators, by imitating the sound of certain Mandingo sentences: for example, when the wrestling match is about to begin, the drummer strikes what is understood to signify _ali bae see_, - sit all down; upon which the spectators immediately seat themselves; and when the combatants are to begin, he strikes _amuta amuta_, - take hold, take hold.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 64 of 546
Words from 16857 to 17143 of 148366