The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-10
Manners and Customs Of Peculiar People
in Africa.

is taken from article in the London
Stdnddrd on the German annexations
on the coast between Senegal and Sier-
ra Leone, which was written by Ger
man officer who lived for some time in
the country.
The natives, we are told, belong to
the Su-su tribe. They are tall and
handsome, in this respect contrasting
strongly with the natives of the Congo
region and Damaraland. The women
are very nice looking, and they appear
TO be scrupulously clean. The Su-sus
are exceedingly polite, never passing
each other without passing a gooj-day,
with wish that they may respectively
do their work well. The men wear a
kind of coat, somewhat after the style
of the Arabs, and pagnai, or cloth of
a gay hue, about two and half yards
long and yard and half wide fast
ened around the waist. They inva-
riably have their head covered. gener-
ally with a nice clean-looking cap.
The women wear bright. colored robe,
with a silk or other fancy kerchief
around the head. Their family life is
remarkably pure. A Su.su will keep
bis wife and children wherever they
are, even though they be hundred
miles away. Their religion is Moham-
mechanism, but, apparently, of corrupt
sort. The marriage ceremony is per-
formed at the age of sixteen. Polyga-
my is practiced within the limits pre-
scribed by the koran, but no woman is
forced to marry man against her will,
and it she cannot get the man of her
choice she is at liberty to remain single.
The marriage ceremony is analogous
in most respects to that of the Arabs.
A man wishing to espouse damsel
sends presents Invariably consisting
of European goods) to her parents. If
the parents agree, the suitor visits the
young lady with another load of pre-
sents. After making each others &C.
quaintance the lady informs her par
ents Of her decision, who in turn com
municate it to the young man. If it
be favorable he proceeds forthwith 20
build his house, and returns TO claim
his bride with yet third lot of pre-
sents for the parents. Should a case
arise in which the parents object to the
union, the couple settle the matter by
eloping, and, according to the eti-
quette of the people, every village
will give them shelter and protec-
tion
Slavery is an established institution,
and an extensive trade is carried on
Slaves are worth from $40 to $40, ac-
cording to age and ability. A good
healthy slave who has learned trade
will fetch twice as much. The slaves
are well treated, and appear to be a
great deal better off than servants 10
Europe. They work five days for their
owners, and the rest for themselves aud
their families. Domestic slaves very
rarely run away, and if they do they
are quickly caught and sold into the
interior by way of punishment. A slave
will protect his master with bis life.
They seem to be very happy in their
slavery, for they are we'll cared for,
well fed, and well dressed. Frequent
ly the chiefs or kings go up the river
on slave hunting expeditions. AS
rule, the slaves they bring down do not
regret their capture, for by coming
down to the sea they have less field
work to do, and have altogether bet
ter time of it. If slaveis determined
to obtain his freedom, he makes for the
Isles de Lois, which are British terri
tory. While the writer of tne article
was there native trader was passing
close to the Isles de Los with slave
crow. No sooner did he come near the
shore than his crew 10 man Jumped
overheard and swan ashore. He went
after them, but the English collector of
customs took them under his protec.
tion and refused to deliver them
up.
The chief articles of food among the
Su-sus are fish and rice. They eat only
once day, just before going tc bed.
They consune an astonishing meal,
but it does not appear to interfere with
their slumbers, for you might discharge
a rifle beside a sleeping Su-sus without
awakening him. Their huts are wat
tied, mud plastered, and rooted with
bamboo. They are cleanly, and furn-
ished with chairs, tables, ard bedsteads
made by native carpenters. The Su-
sus have acquired the rudiments of
civilization, presumably from the Por-
tugese. A proof of this is TO be found
in the fact that they are adopts in soap
boiling.
The local potentate is a parsonage
styled King John. His majesty is said
to be a drunken old reprobate. He re-
ceives an allowance of 5000 per annum
from the French government. He is
the judge of all disputes, and gives his
decisions on good old simple plan
namely, in favor of the side that pays
him best. The political power he has
handed over to his clever brother King
Ben, in exchange for rum. King Ben
was educated at st. Louis (Senegal),
and displays his French education by
thwarting the commandant to the ex
tent of his ability. The king is not a
pure Su-su, for his grandfather was
white man. While the German off.
Ger was on the Pongas river a great
war was going on among the natives
The martial character may be Judged
by the fact that during the entire cam
paign the casualties amounting to no
more than seven men, and these are be-
lieved to have been killed by accident. |
Their usual method of fighting is to
skulk behind bushes and fences. When |
a safe opportunity occurs they rush out |
and, after discharging their pieces wild
ly, scamper back TO shelter. Their
lighting, such as it is, is confined to
daylight. AT sunset truce is natural
ly proclaimed, and in the evening the
forces fraternize, so that it is by no
means uncommon to see friend and foe
cooking their daily meal and eating
together. If the month OF Ramadan
should come around before the con-
clusion of hostilites, a truce is i'm
posed during the month of fact.
ing.
Who can blame the seekers after fat
offices when we read in the newspapers
Shnppnat haa "A & 1