Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-09


Of believers in sort Of feticism, founded on the
pagan rites and Ceremonies Of Africa. From
All that We have been able to learn this 10 sim
ilar II not Identical With the
voUDooIsM
OF which accounts have been given from time
10 Tine in the New Orleans and Charleston
extent Voudooism Ii inter woven with the vari-
Gus religious organization with which these
uned ucated colored people are connected is not
known, but enough has become apparent in
certain localities, especially in the southeastern
and southwestern portions Of the city, and In
localities across the Eastern branch and In
show that there Is class who entertain . strong
belief in the wonderful powers Of an Obi man,
or priest who at periods performs certain ser
vices among them
THE oBI-MAN.
Many will doubtless recollect seeing occasion
ally rather odd looking co,ored man Walking
about in out Of the-way places In this District.
He lie nearly six feet in height, straight, full,
Dushy air dark copper color, long mustsche,
eurled mp at end large gold loops In ears, wears
leather wiser, dark clothes, long, threadbare
cape, carries q very crooked stick, like q rams
horn, and has nothing to say to anyone; not
even so much as to return a salute fro n those
of his own color. Tins 10 the Obi priest, who
travels from place to place. and, so far as can be
sscertainsd, confines his circuit between Balti-
more on the north and Norfolk and Richmond
on the south, although Ii Is known hat he came
from the neighborhood Of Charleston, South
carolina, and he claims to be native of Brazil.
whenever he appears in this vicinity it is said
mat his presence IL quickly known to his fol-
lowers, who hail his advent with joy, and that
both men and women confer secretly with him
fCr the purpose Of getting relief from certain
disabilities. both of ply steal and moral char
acter. Diseases which have baffied the skill OF
physicians are believed to be readily cured by
his charms; jusfihcations of adultery, and of
other immoral and criminal weaknesses, are
obtained; safe delivery OF women in preg-
nancy; relief from tricks and spells; finding of
lost property; yorchiDg of good luck, and in
Vulnerable other services are vouchsafed
for q consideration. Charms are also fur
nlshed I for keeping AVA away ,n al sorts Of
pOssessors. He is called by some
"TBR WISE MAN OF THE EAST"
and by others the seventh son Of the seventh
son, or one whose knowledge Is absolute intelli-
gence, inherited only IN the line Of the priest
hood. He is never without his crooked stick
which he is sometimes seen to seize in the mid
Ole and shake as he mutters some kind OF out
landish gibberish to himself ending with cit is
WELL" So profoundly secret do these devotees
keep their counsels that little can be learned as
to the forms and ceremonies which they 60
through in their meetings. 1t Is, however,
known that the Obj man has recently visited this
District, that some OF his disciples have met
him, and that he has gone away south and will
not return this way for some time. Having
learned that an old colored woman named
who lives In the northeast norton Of the CITY.
and was formerly slave in Virginia, had Wis
tied the Obi-man, STAR reporter sought an
interview with her yesterday.
asked If she had seen the Obi man. She re-
Piled; "No chile, love de Lord, it were too fur
of, way over the river"
Q.-"Where did you say?"
A.-"Wsy over to Freedmen's Village, in
Virginia..
Q.-"why did he not come nearer to town."
He never do have meetings In the CITY,"
Q.-"Why not?''
A.-"Laws, chile. L dunno; there's too many
bad cullered people who think they know so
much-that Obi-man don't like EN-"
O.-sWhere did he fOrmerly hold his meet.
insso" '' D'1 -' i'' -'' -''- i''' -'''V
A.-"Cross de branch, over yonder.''
Q.-"You mean the Eastern br Anch?"
Ayes, chile; but can't tell no more"
Q.-"why so much secrecy, auntie?'
A.-"Ah! chile. Obi-msn say don't talk too
much-White folkes are too cnrius, and want to
know everything. He say they don't like him.
and want to drive him away; so never mind
talkin' no more bout it,"
Here the conversation turned to other mat
tiers for time, but was resumed as follows:
O." Auntie, how many go to meet the Obi
man, and what house do they meet in over the
A" Lordyi how much more dye want to
know? He don't meet in no house."
O." In q church, / suppose?
A.-"N No, they don't meet in no church,
nuther."
O." Where then, Auntie 2,
A" III tell you nuthIn more. They meet in
the woods in a sort of cave; now, that's all
know"
Q-"Are you not afraid to 60 there?"
A" No, indeed; plenty more 60 together"
O." How many 90 there 2"
A" Dunno; never saw more than six or eight
there"
A" There amt gwine to tell no more.'
O." breaches and sings, suppose ?"
A" No, he don't do that"
Q.-"Dlnces, maybe?"
A.-''Well, sometimes he do. but he take of
the tricks Of the devil what ge.s on us some
times"
Q-"How does he do that?"
A.-"NOw, how duz 1 know? Obi-man,
don't give away his knowledge to me-"
ONO, but he says something queer, and
does some queer things, don'the?"
A.-"That he do, and puts something in that
iron pot over the fire that smell 90 funny; most
makes ye feel sleepy, and then he make all
dance around the fire, while he play what he
Q-"what is the tam-tam ?'
A:-"Its crooked stick, with a heap Of
QS"Ana now tell me, what good does all
this do?"
Ale say it makes good luck, and keep
away the devil tor a whole year."
this ?" Nv" MUM '' ~ ''' s' A'''' '''
A.--"None, but we give him money for the
charms"
Q.-"what are they ?"
A.-"'Can't tell that; it would spoil them"
Here the conversation was interrupted, aud
after obtaining the address of other believers in
the obi-man the reporter took his leave.
Route OF THE PROCESSION ON ST. PAT
KICKS DAY.-The societies participating in the
Louisiana and Indiana avenues at 10 o'clock a.
m. on that day, with the right of the line rest
ing about midway the square on Louisiana av-
enue, between 9Th and It'll streets northwest
The procession will move at II o'clock a. m,
countermarching to the left up Louisiana av.
enue to 4th street west, to I street north to LIST
street west, to New Jersey avenue, to B street
north, to LIST street east, TO East Capitol street.
to 4th street east, to Pennsylvania avenue. to
b street south, around the south side of the
Capitol grounds into Pennsylvania avenue, to
the Executive Mansion, where the President
and cabinet will review the procession; con-
tinuiDg the march along Pennsylvania avenue
to Georgetown, along Bridge street to High
street, to Gay street, 70 Green street, to Bridge
street, returning to Washington over the M
street bridge, will march along M street to oath
street, to X street, to 18th street, to street.
TO 9th street, to Pennsylvania avenue, to Lou
isisna avenue, where the procession viii be dis
missed. Fifteen societies have already signifed
their intention OF parading on that day be re-
porting TO the chief marshal. In passing St
AIMS Infant Asvlum each man will contribute
10 the support Of ths little ones.
The VETERANS OF THE MKxIc AN WAR meton
Saturday evening at Masonic Temple, General
j. w. Denver, president, IN the chair, and Mr..
A. sec A