The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-07-11

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given of the origin of the Gallas, or, as would
call them, the 0rmas; but whatever it may have
been, it Is certain that on their first appearance
in Abessinia they were very wild and warlike
people, who, being united under one head, might
have conquered not only Abessinia, but the whole
of Africa After having occupied, however, the
finest provinces of Abessinia, they began to
make war upon each other, which checked their
further progress, and made it easy for the Abes-
snians to subugate one tribe after another. With
their horsemen, notwithstanding their numbers
the Gallas found it difficult to conquer the noun
famous highlands of Abessinia.
In general, the Gallas have a manly appear
anee; are large and powerfully built but with
savage features, made still more savage-looking
and fierce by their long hair, worn like name
over the shoulders. They are principally of a
dark brown color by which, no less than by in
tellectual capacity and teachableness they are so
adyantageously distinguished from all other
East-Africans, that the Gala slaves, especially
the young women, are much sought after by the
slavedealers, and in Arabia fetch from 100 to
$50 dollars each. Their bodies and long upper
IL lplli AiAt AAoilld4l NlN W
smearad with thick crust Of butter, giving an
unpleasant odor, which strangers scent from
niar The women wear a short gown of leather,
fastened round their loins by a girdle, on the
ski.t of which u number Of pieces of coral are
hung by way of ornament The more wealthy
wear also large upper garment over this gown,
which gives them the appearance Of European
women. The weapons Of the Gallas are a spear,
sword, and shield, and they all ride on horse
back; even the women galop beside or behind
their husbands; for among them il is considered
degrading to go on foot.
The Gala horses are very small but beautiful /.
in color, anl extremely swift, though horseshoes |
arc unknown The Gallas in the neighborhood |
Of Abcssnia are tillers of the soil as well as
breeders Of cattle, while their brethren under
the Equator are merely pastoral, and lead a no
made lfc. Those Of the Equator, moreover,
have no horses, and are altogether far behind /
the other, presenting tho genuine type of the
original GallaS especially in their religious no.
tons. Where the Gallas follow agriculture, the
men plough, SOW, and reap while the women
look after the oXen cows, horses, sheep, and
goats, and take care Of the house and its con-
Germs. Rye wheat barley, and Indian corn
grow in such great abundance in the Gala coun-
tries, that for dollar you may buy almost more
barley or rye than a cams can manage to carry
The climate of most of these countries is re
markahly beautiful and healthy; the average
Temperature being 5G deg. Farenhet the highest
20 deg, and the lowest 4G deg The Gallas oc-
cupy vast and noble plains, which are vcrdant
almost the year round and afford nourishmcnt
to immense herds Of cattle Their houses and
hnts are round and conc-shapcd, covered with
roofs Of grass, and mostly enclosed by low
stone wall flr security against sudden attack;
The villages or hamlets arc for the most part in
groves or woods, on heights, or on the sides Of
mountains and rivers The land is rich in
springs and brooks, well supplied by the tropi- !
cal rains which last for three months; besides |
which there is second short rainy season. I
Wooded mountains and hills also abound, which ,
serve for places Of refuge to the inhabitants in +,
time of waT; and the tall juniper is among the !;
most remarkable Of the trees which adorn these
forests What noble land would 0rmania be
if it were under the influence Of Christianity and "
European culture! What a pity that the
course of our emigration is not directed to these II
regions. No doubt the time will come when the n
stream OF European enterprise, which now flows "
towards America and Australia, shall be cx- a
hausted. Abessinia win then attain the cosmo- n
politan standing to which it is entitled by its geo.
graphical position. .
Like most savage tribes the Gallas are great
takers, and for hours together they can make
speeches, with an expression and play Of gcs Il
ture which are very amusing to a European. The {,
language is very harmonious and reminds one
Of Italian TN the wnOIe nvc chief dialects G.
may be distinguished in Orman.l, although the c
difference between them is not great that the it
most southern Gala cannot pretty easily under VI
stand his most northern brother. W
The Gallas have priests, called Lubas, as dis Il
from the Kalijas, who are their ma VI
sicians, exorcists, and medicnc-men As in the Ii
case Of most heatheas, so with these people n
tree has an important place in their religious e
ceremonies. Under tho shadow of the Wola, Q,
sacrifices and prayers are offered up higher t.
spirit even is supposed to dwell within it, on nj
which account the Woda is esteemed holy, and "
no one dare fell or harm it without losing his life II
Of the greatest sanctty is the tree Wor1a (F3cvs w
,ycamorys, Woda Nab, by The river IIawash, II
where the Gallas every year offer up great n
.ifcc, and pray to their highest deity, Waia, y
sacrificing oxen and sheep to him, and drinking #
plenty of beer and smoking tobacco In their =,
PRAYERS. which have no fixed formula, they say, ii
O Wax, give us children tobacco, corn, COWS, ar
,xen. and sheep. Preserve us from sickness, h,
md help us to say our enemies who make war AZ
ipon us. the Sidama Christians, and the Islami
o Wax, take US to thee, lead
Is into the garden lead not to Setan and not Is
nto the fire." On this occasion, the Lubas, or &C
,rests augur from the entrails of goats whether NJ
Iictory ordefeat is 10 accompany the Gallas in le
he coming year. The Luba LET'S his hair float q
wildly, carries bell in his hand, and copper dc
fontlet encircles his brows, y hen he performs os
his rite, which reminds one of that Of the an
;ient Romans. If the entrails arc very red the st
IaIlas are to be conquered by the S:darna The "
Kalias cast out spirits and devils from the sick, Of