The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-01-03
AN txrnAORDINARYP PEOPLE.

AT the meeting of the British Association
at Sheffield, the well-known African explor-
er, Commander Cameron, said Urua was
one of the largest native States of Africa
The great chief was Kasonga, and the race
was perhaps the most civilized in Central
Africa. The chief claimed divinity. On
his death all his wives but one were slaugh-
tered at the grave, and the one whose life
was not taken was handed oyer to his sue
cessor. 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 a
great jungle, and it had for wife one of
the sisters of the reigning sovereign. Under
the principal chief were smaller chiefs, who
had collected and paid over to the sovereign
tribute. He had seen this tribute come in,
and some of it had come from distant parts
of the country. There was numerous class
Of wizards in the country who did large
trade in idols and charms. Many of the
wizards were ventriloqusts, and in this way
the idols were made TO give answers TO the
questions put to them. Cast was very clear
ly defined In the race. No one dare sit down
in the presence of the chief without permis.
sion, which was very seldom granted. In
one case, where, in 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, and
the natives did not seem to mind it much.
One woman had cut off her own ears. This
woman was one of Kasonga's wives he had
about 700 of them. She asked permission
TO mutilate herself and did il at once. The
body guard of ihe chief was composed TO a
great extent of mutilated people, whose af-
fection for the chief seemed in no way de-
creased; indeed it would appear that mutt
latlon strengthened their regard for their
chief The name Of the idol was Kunge a
Banza, and profound reverence was shown
TO it. Fire was obtained by friction from O
fire block, and in one case the chlefused the
shinbone of one of the other chiefs whom he
had conquered. The dress of the people was
very simple, consisting of an apron. Men,
bers of the royal family wore three large
skins, and junior members of the family
wore aprons of green monkey skins.
The hair dressing of the people was curl
GUS, varying more with districts than with
rank. In some cases it was worked up into
four ring plaits crossing at the top of the
head like crown, and surrounded at the
bottom by band of cowries or other shells
| Skewers were inserted in the hair, one OF
which could be used in tatooing. The peo-
pie were not a hairy race, but they man
aged to grow their boards long, and plated
them like a Chinaman's pigtail, usually
putting at the end Of each a lump Of mud
to weight it. Some Of the boards reached L
the waists. The women not having beardi
10 amuse themselves with were tatooed ex
tensively. Tatooing generally commenced
at the age Of seven and might be completed
at the age Of twelve or fourteen, which wal
the age Of marriage. Beautiful PATTERN
were used, and the tatooing was done il