The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-05-06
African SupcrstitiOns-R0on ondah.

To the members of almost every FAM
lily, the flesh of some particular species
of animal-oX, swine, crocllOdile, mon
key, or boa constructor, pcrlaps-is for
hidden, abominablc, Rooadah. They
will not even cat what has been i'm con-
tact with il. The cause of this ab>tcm-
inousness is the belief that some fe-
male ancestor once gave birth To IN
animal of the forbidden kind. To this
practice they adhere most vigorously,
would induce u series of similar uinat
ural births in the family besides other
calamities. They can behold the COLI
sumption of such an animal by their
ncigllbors, however, with the utmost
complacency. None of those feelings
naturally incident TO such close consan-
guinity are involved. Now we come
to Il direct contradiction in their no
tiOns, and one which serves to show
how reflection forIIs but little part of
African spiritual life. They explicitly
disavOw any belief in metcmysychOsi>,
yet hold that the spirits of the departed
sometimes pass into the bodies of go
rillas, birds, etc. They declare that
death is II complete annihilation, yet
believe that the ghosts of the dead walk
the earth, full of malignancy and potent
for evil. A tribe of Bakatai, moving
through the forest, were seen to gather
around their camp-fires, at twilight,
IeXhibiting the utmost terror. That
peculiarly sacred hour, with us 50 red
Olent of peace and rest, to them brings
all the horror of ghOul and demon
haunted regions. The low, subdued
whisperings of evening, so sweet and
soothing to us, are the murmurings of
of devils and the creaking of dead
mems bOncs-chilling the very soul
with agony The rosy glow of sunset
which thrills Us with 60 grateful a rap
ture, is to them the red and wrathful
bIazOnry of demOniac hate; and the
holy Yespers of Europe are accompa-
MED in the wilds of Africa by the wall
ings of children, the stified moans of
woman, and the furtivc glances and
blanchcd faces of strong men. Du
Chaillu notices these inconsistencies,
and attempts AN explanation by stating
that it is the spirits of the rec.Hfiy de-
parted which they fear, and which
make these transmigrations and dire
full wandcringS. This, however, does
not remove this cOntration. There re
mains the stubborn fact that "After
death, all is dOnc," to Use their own
proycrb. This mOurnful holds the AZ
rican under an influence more blight
ing and destructive than the shade Of
the Upas. 1t forms the burthen and
refrain of every religious chant, 1t is
the foundation Of every one Of their
crude dognas. Ii throws over their
entire existence u darkness unknown
to the Christian, and surrounds the |
grave with horrors only equalled by |
the balcful fumes of eternal dtmnatiOn. |
So powerful u sway does their really |
insane dread of death exert oyer them, !
that one or two deaths sufliccs to drive !
the inhabitants from any village. The
first dctracts much from their >ciIsc of
of security i'm the place, and gives its
eligibility - seriOtl> shock in their csti- !
nation. A second produces "a terrible /
commotioil. The spot. is declared be- T
witchcd and deadly. From one to half ,
dozen unfortunate> are made to drink !
m6ountIoa, and perhaps are murdered; I
and even the most desirable locality is !
prccipitately abandoned.-H. Mtyes, |
m XI-iM Ctntay" Jor 1Narch.