The Fan plant their
own tobacco, which is described as a low, spreading plant, and
despise the imported weed; they neither snuff nor chew. All
manufacture their own pipe-bowls, and they are not ignorant of
the use of Lyamba or Hashish. They care little for sugar,
contrary to the rule of Africa in general, but they over-salt all
their food; and they will suck the condiment as children do
lollipops. Their palm oil is very poor, as if they had only just
learned the art of making it.
After the daily siesta, which lasted till 3 P. M., Mr. Tippet
asked me to put in an appearance at a solemn dance which, led by
the king's eldest daughter, was being performed in honour of the
white visitor. A chair was placed in the verandah, the street
being the ballroom. Received with the usual salutation,
"Mbolane," to which the reply is "An," I proceeded to the
external study of Fan womanhood. Whilst the men are tall and
elances, their partners are usually short and stout, and,
"Her stature tall, I hate a dumpy woman,"
is a matter of taste upon which most of us agree with his
lordship. This peculiar breadth of face and person probably
result from hard work and good fare, developing adipose tissue.
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