The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-05-06
African superstltIons -RoOndah.

To the members of almost every FAM
ily, the flesh of some particular species
of animal-OX, swine, crOckOdile, mon
key, or boa constructor, perhaps--is for
hidden, abominable, RO0Rd0h. They
will not even eat what has been in con-
tact with it. The cause of this abstem-
inousness is the belief that some fe-
male ancestor once gave birth TO an
animal of the forbidden kind. To this
practice they adhere most vigorously,
and claim that a departure from it
would induce series of similar unnat-
uraI births in the family besides other
caIanlities. They can behold the con-
sumption of such an animal by their
neighboTs, however, with the utmost
eon9Diacency. None of those feelings
naturally incident to such close conSan-
ouinitv are involved. Now we come
ia n direct contradiction in their no.
tions. and one which serves to show
how reflection forms but little part OF
African spiritual life. They explicitly
,lisavoNV any belief in metemysychOsis,
vet hold that the spirits of the departed
Sometimes pass into the bodies of go
rilIas, birds, etc. They declare that
death is a complete humiliation, yet
beliez.s that the ghosts of the dead walk
. Of malignancy anS potent
4 tribe of Bakatai, moving
tllTs Al the forest, were seen to gather
around their camp-fires, at twilight,
exhibiting the utmost terror. That
peculiarly sacred hour, with us so red
oient of peace and rest, to them brings
all the horror Of ghOul and demon
aunted regions. The low, subdued
Whisperings of evening, so sweet and
soothing to US, are the murmurings Oi
of devils and the creaking of dead
mems bones-chilling the very soul
with agony. The rosy glow of sunset
which thrills us with co grateful q rap
ture, is to them the red and wrathful
1 blazonry of demOniac hate; and the
holy HespeIs of Europe are accompa'
MED in the wild Africa by the vail
ings of children,lthe stifled moans o.
woman, and the itftiVc giances anC
bIanchetl q faces of strong men. DU
HC65illu 6l0tices these Inconsistencies
1andsattmpts an explanation by stating
tbaftitis the spirits. of the receltZy de,
4fDarted NhicllSthey fear, and which
s make these and dire
ful wanderings.. This, however, doe:
mot remove thiScontratiom. There re
mains the stubborn fact that Ate
death, all is dOne,N to use their owl
proVerb. This mOurnful holds the Al
Fican under an influence more blight
ing and destructive than the shade o
Z the Upas. 1t forms the burthcn ant
refrain of every religious chant, 1t i
the foundation of every one of thei
crude dognlas. 1t throws over thei
entire existence Il darkness unknown
to the Christian, and surrounds TIN
grave with horrors only equalled b,
the baleful fumes of eternal damnatiOn
So powerful Il sway does their reall.
insane dread of death exert oyer them
that one or two deaths suf1ices to driv
the inhabitants from any village. Til
first detracts much from their sense g
i of security in the place, and gives it
eligibility a serious shock in their esti
nation. y second produces Il terribl
commOtiOn. The spot is declared Id
witchcd and deadly. From one to hal
a dozen uniOrtJpAsheS are made to dTinl
DlbouRTOH, az maps are murdered
and even esirabic locality
prccipit ~ -
- - NJ