Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/416

 intervened in the appointment of religious ministers; now the mufti, the secondary imams, and some subordinate religious agents, are selected by the governors from amongst men of letters well disposed towards the French. Not only does the administration interfere in the religious affairs of the Mussulmans by these appointments, but it also violates the constant practice of all Mohammedan societies, according to which it is forbidden to pray and teach the Koran "for wages." Hence strict Mussulmans hold in small account the salaried official set preferring to the French imams the free marabuts who pray by the

shrines of the saints, or the shorfa of the religious orders, who perpetuate the "chain" of teachers from the time of the Prophet.

Although unofficially connected with the French Government, the marabuts (marâbot) are a source of little danger to the new régime. Belonging for the most part to old families, whose genealogies go back to a remote past, accustomed to live on regular alms of the faithful, residing always in the vicinity of the holy places of pilgrimage, the marabuts are all well known to the French officials, with whom it is to their interest to live on the best of terms. Many even accept service under the Government, allowing themselves to be appointed aghas or kaids, and even intriguing for honours and decorations. Amongst the marabut tribes, one