Note 442 — Chapter V · LUNAR SUPERSTITIONS AND FESTIVALS

The Mendi of the hinterland of Sierra Leone are said to hold a new-moon festival and at it to abstain from all work, “alleging that if they infringed this rule corn and rice would grow red, the new moon being a ‘day of blood.’” Ellis, who cites this instance without giving his authority, adds the further fact that the Mendi recognize no weeks (Yoruba-speaking Peoples, p. 146).