, 1860-11-30

n NAAAUN VIZ ~ IL
the south Of Kaifa aud Susa there is q very
sultry and humid country, with many BAN
boo woods, inhabited by the race called
Dokos, who are no bigger than boys Of ten
years old that is, only -four feet high
They have a dark, olive-colored complex
ion, and beasts; having neither houses, TEN.
Piles, nor holy trees, like the Gallus, yet
possessing something like an idea Of high
er being called Yer, and to whom, in mo-
ments Of wretchedness and anxiety, they
pray-not in an erect posture, but reversed,
with the head on the ground, and the feet
supported upright against a tree or stone.
In prayer they cay: Yer, il thou really
does exist, why dost thou allow Us thus to
be slain 7 We do not ask thee for foOd
and clothing, for we live on serpents, ants,
and mice. Thou hast made MS and why
dost thou permit us to be trodden under
foot 7" The Dokos have no chief, no laws,
no weapons. They do not hunt nor till the
ground, but live solely on fruits, roots, mice,
serpents ants, honey, aud the like, climbing
trees and gathering the fruits like monkeys,
and both sexes go completely naked. They
have thick, protrudiDg lips, fat noses and
small eyes; the hair is not woolly, and is
worn by the women over the shoulders -
The nails on theihands and feet are allowed
10 grew like the talons or vultures, and are
used in digging for ants, and In tearing to
pieces the serpents, which they devour raw,
for they are unacquainted with Ere. The
spine Of the snake is the only ornament
worn round the neck, but they pierce the
ears with sharp pointed piece Of wood.
The Dokos multiply very rapidly, but
have no regular marriages, no settled home,
each in perfect Independence, going whittier
fancy leads. The mother nurses ber child
only for o short time, accustoming Il as
soon as possible TO the eating Of ants aud
serpents; and as soon ns the child can help
itself the mother let's it depart whittier 10
pleases. Although these people live In
thick woods, and conceal themselves
amongst the trees, yet they become the
prey Of the slaVe-hunters Of Susa, Kafa,
Dumbato, and Kulla; for whole regions Of
their woods are encircled by the hunters, So
that the DokOs cannot easily escape. When
the slave hunters come in sight Of the poor
creatures they hold up clothes Of bright
colors, singing and dancing, upon which the
Dokos allow themselves to be captured
without resistance, knowing from experience
that snch resistance is iruitlesa, and can
lead only 10 their Destruction. 10 this way
thousands can be captared by a small band
Of hunters; aud once captured they become
quite docile In slavery the Dokos retain
their prediction for feeding on mice, ser
pents and ants, although often on that ac-
count punished BY their masters, who IN
other respects are attached 10 them, as they
are docile and obedient, have few wants,
aud enjoy good health, for which reasons
they are never sold as slaves beyond Ena-
rea. As diseases are not known among
them, they die early Of old age, or through
the assaults Of their enemies.
II cannot be decided whether these Do
kos are the pigmies who, according to He
rodolus, were discovered near great river
in the vicinity OF Central Africa by two
youths dispatched by Etearch, King Of the
Oasis Of Ammon; yet / can bear witness
that heard Of these little people not only
In Shoe, but also 10 Ulkambani, two de-
grees ii the south, and 10 Bavaria, a degree
and a half to the north Of. the equator
tIn Baravia slave was shown 70 me who
accorded completely with the description Of
the Dokos. He was four feet high, very
thick set, dark complexioned, and lively,
aud the people Of the place assured me that
he was Of the plgny race OF the INTERIOR
It is not impossible too, that circumstances,
such as continued rains from May % Janu-
ary, aud other means, may contrioute 70
produce diminative people Of stunted de
Laelopment 10 the interior Of Africa. A
priori, therefore, the reports collected from
different aud mutually Independent points
Of Africa cannot be directly contradictedi
only care must be taken TO examine with
caation the fabulous element mixed up with
what may be true BY native reporters. In
the Suahil dialect ''dogO" means small,
aud 10 the language Of Anarea, "dokop i
Indicative Of an ignorant and stupid person