Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/224

 relieved from the encroachments of the inland Fulahs. In the Casamanza basin the Mandingans form petty oligarchic states administered by two dignitaries, the alcaty (cadi), military chief, and the almany, spiritual head of the people.

Beside the Mandingans dwell the Fulah pastors and the Sarakolé agriculturists, who had both accompanied them on their advance from the interior, and who afterwards founded numerous settlements about the French stations. Here they contracted alliances with runaway female slaves, thus giving rise to the present half-castes.

Other districts were occupied by the Balanta intruders from the Geba basin, who, after laying waste certain parts of Budhié and Yassin on the north, have settled down on the south side of the Casamanza below Sedhiu, driving the

Bagnun aborigines farther west. A branch of the Bagnuns are the Cassa or Cassanga tribe, who give their name to the river, and whose former capital, Brikam, nearly destroyed by the Balantas, is still seen on the left bank, above the Songrogu confluence.

The Bagnuns are of middle size, much smaller than the Wolofs, but taller than the Felups, with very broad Negro features, large mouth and depressed nose. Like certain: American tribes, they might be called Orejones, or "long-eared;" for they pierce the lobe in several places, introducing bits of bamboo which gradually distend the cartilage down to the shoulders. They also file their teeth to a point, like most of the coast tribes, and deck themselves with copper bracelets and other ornaments of that metal. From the Mohammedan marabouts they procure