The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-06
0hinas Abroad.
AN ExrRAoRp1NARY People.

L
not having his paper prepared, but he did
not believe, 10 detailing the manners and
customs Of the people Of Urda, in Central
Africa, this would be drawback. Urua
was one of the largest native States IN
Africa. Ii was bounded on the east BY
Tanguuyika, on the north BY independent
tribes in Mauguema, on the west BY Ulan-
da, aud oa the south by mountains south
of tho lake Of BauguoolO. The great chief
was Kasongo, and the race was perhaps
the most civilized in Central Africa. The
chief claimed Divine honon. On his
death ali his wives save one were slaugh-
tered at the grave, and the one whose life
was not taken was handed over to the
chiefs successor. The spirit Of the de-
ceased prince was supposed 10 pass into
the body Of the successor. The centre Of
the religion Of the people was an idol,
which was held in great reverence.
The idol was placed in the midst of
dense jungle, aud it had for wife one Of
the sisters Of the reigning sovereign. Tn
der the principal chiefwer smaller chiefs,
who collected aud paid over TO the soyer-
eign tribute, lie had seen this tribute
come in, aud some Of il must have come
from distant parts Of the country. There
was numerous class Of wizards in the
country who did large trade in idols aud
charms Many Of the wizards were ven
triloquists, nnd in this way the idols we're
made to give answers to the questions put
to them. Caste was very clearly defined
in the race. No one dare sit down 10 the
presence of the chief without permission,
which was very seldom granted. 10 one
case where 10 the travellers presence, a
native had neglected etiquette, severe pun
ishment was about to be inflicted, but the
traveller saved the offender
Authority was maintained by mutilation.
Hands, feet, ears, noses were mutilated,
aud the natives did not seem to mind it
much. 0ne woman had cut Of her own
ears. This woman was one Of kasongo's s
wives; he had about 900 Of them. She
asked permission to mutilatc herself, and
she did it at once. The body guard Of
the chief was composed to q great extent
of mutilated people, whose affection for
him seemed in no way decreased; indeed,
it would appear that mutilation strength
ened their regard for their chief. The
name of the idol was Kungwe a Banza,
and profound reverence was shown to it.
Fire was obtained by friction from fire.
block, aud in one case chief used the
shin bone of one OF the other chiefs who
had been conquered. The dress of the
people was very simple, consisting Of an
apron. Members of the royal family wore
three large skins, aud junior members Of
the family wore aprons Of green monkey
skins.
The hair dressing of this people was
curious, varying more with districts than
with rank. In some cases it was worked
up into four ring plaits crossed at the top
Of the head like crown, and surrounded
at the bottom with a band Of cowries OF
other shells. Skewers were inserted in
the hair, one end of which could be used
in tat,oOing. The people were not hairy
race, but they managed to grow their
boards long, aud plated them like Chi
naman's PigIsil, usually putting at the end
of each lump Of mud to weight it, Some
Of the boards reached to the waist. The
women not having boards to amuse them
selves with, were tatoocd extensively
Tattooing usually commenced at the age
Of twelve or fourteen, which was the time
for marriage. Beautiful patterns were
used, and the tattooing was done in raised
cuts, Sometimes husband, when he was
displeased with his wife, cut of all these
raised pieces, aud the woman could not
appear in public again; she was not re.
eeiyed into society until she was retat-
tooed.
lie saw one Of their weddings, which
was very curious. The festivities lasted
several days. A ring was formed of the
natives, two men with biz drums being in
the middle. The drums we're played and
the people round danced. The bride was
brought out, dressed 10 feathers aud other
fuery, on the shoulders Of two or three
women; sba was taken into the middle Of
the ring, and was jumped up aud down on
the shoulders Of the women. The bride
threw shells aud beads about, for which
there was scramble, as the possession Of
them was supposed to confer luck. Ulti.
maiely the husband came into the ring,
and, putting the bride under his arm, ear
ried her of, The means Of communica-
tiOn was BY drum signals.
They had a call on the drum for every
body's name, aud they could ask questions
and convey intelligence over hundreds Of
miles and receive answers almost innedi-
ately. Ia war messages were constantly
sent enormous distances to bring up rein
forcemeets or to stop their coming. The
mass Of the people lived 10 huts on dry
land, but there were one or two exceptions
to this, He saw two lakes on which peo-
pie were living in huts. In one case the
people had covered over the long grass
growing in the water with earth, aud on
that had bnilt their huts; in the other the
huts were built on piles The language Of
the country belonged to ihe same broad
family which stretched across the large
belt Of Africa ,raversed BY him, and the
grammar Of the Swseii Loadom Times.
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