Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 3.djvu/243

 was a Su-Su tribe that in the thirteenth century seized Timbuktu, whence they were driven westwards a hundred years later. Then it was that they overran the regions between the Upper Niger and the sea, after which the limits of their domain frequently fluctuated during their struggles with the neighbouring peoples. Thus they have ceased to hold the Nuñez basin, while the Fulahs pressing forward from the east, have dispossessed them of many districts in the Futa-Jallon uplands, When the French acquired the political supremacy in the Rio Pongo and Mallecory basins, most of the Su-Su kings had already become tributary to the Fulah chief of Futa-Jallon. At present these petty states are practically independent, their

vassalage towards France implying little more than the acceptance of a nominal protectorate.

The Su-Sus are a powerful, broad-shouldered people of distinct Negro type, combined with a certain softness of expression. The women especially are noted for their graceful carriage and great love of finery, paying great attention to the toilette, decking themselves with gold earrings and. coral necklaces, and dyeing their teeth, nails, and palms with the red juice obtained by chewing the leaves of native plant. Although required to work with the slaves in the fields, they are better treated than most of their African sisters, are excellent housewives, and bring up their children with great care. A rare phenomenon in African society are the old maids frequently met in the Su-Su country — women who have declined the husband intended for them, and whose decision in this matter is always respected.