Folks,
This is a quote from a Travels into Inland Parts of Africa: a book on
the Gambia  by Francis Moore. Published 1730.

"In every Kindom and Country on each side of the River there are some
People of  a tawny colour, call'd the Pholeys, much like the Arabs;
which language they most of them speak, being to them as Latin is in
Europe, for it is taught in Schools, and their Law, the Alicoran, in
that Language. They are more generally learned in the Arabick, than the
Propleof Europe are in Latin, for they can most of them speak it, tho'
they have a vulgar tongue besides, call'd Pholey. They live in Hoards or
Clans, build Towns, and they are not subjected to any Kings of the
Country, tho' they live in their Territories; for if they are
ill-treated in one Nation, they break up their Towns and remove to
another. They have Chiefs of their own, who rule with so much
Moderation, that every Act of Government seems rather an Act of the
People than of one Man.This Form of Government goes on easily, because
the People are good and quiet Disposition, and so well instructed in
what is just and right, that a man who does ill, is the Abomination of
all, and noe will support him against the Chief."

A very interesting and meaningful last sentence. You wonder what
happened to these people, the Pholeys? Where they chased out or did they
melt into the crown? Any historians around?

Malanding Jaiteh

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