Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21
South African Doctrine of Souls.

From Nature.
In the second Of two interesting papers on
the manners customs, superstitions and re-
ligions of South African tribes Journal Of the
Anthropolpgical Institute. vol. xix, No. 8, and
vol. Ky, No - the Rev. James Macdonald, who
has had ample opportunities Of studying the
subject, Mas u good deal to say about the doc
tripe Of souls which prevails among the
aborigines Of South Africa 1t is extremely
difficult: he explains, to discover what the peo-
pie really believe about the spirit world, 30
many and varied are the traditions relating ~
1t There are, however, certain outstanding
facts common to all, and Of these Mr.. Macdon-
aid gives clear and instructive account
AL human beings are supposed to have souls,
but their souls are not believed to be entirely
confined to the body. mans soul may. it is
thought, occupy the roof of his hut, and. il he
changes his residence, his soul does 80 at the
same time. Mr.. Macdonald takes this 10 be q
loose and indefinite way Of expressing the
belief that mans spirit may have influence at
a distance from the place where he is himself at
any time" The people often use the word
"Zitunzols from '.izi,unzi," shadows-to ex-
press their ideas of human spirits and the un-
seer world generally, and this is the nearest
description that can be obtained" A man is
constan ,ly attended by the shadows or spirits
of his ancestors as well as his own, but the
spirit of one who dies without speaking to his
children shortly before death never visits his
descendants except for purposes Of evil. In
SUCH cases magicians priests offer costly sac
rifices to prevent misfortune and death.
Great importance Is attached TO dreams or
visions, which are supposed to be due to spirit
influence. When the same dream comes more
than once the dreamer consults the magicians
who profess to receive revelations through
dreams. II the dreamer has seen "a departed
relative" the magician says, He is hungry
Then q beast is killed, the blood is collec ted
and placed in weasel at the side of the hut
furthest from the door; the liver is hung up in
the hut and must not be eaten until all Il 2
flesh has been used The ''essence" of the food
lis withdrawn" BY the spirit during the night,
and after a specified time all may be eaten eX-
cept the portions which the magician orders to
be burned.
Ancestor worship is no. only professed by
the South African tribes, but "they actually
regulate their conduct by it.
IF man has a narrow escape from acct
dent and death he says: my fathers soul
saved me-, and he offers q sacrifice Of thanks
giving accordingly. In cases Of sickness pro-
pitiatory sacrifices are offered to remove the
displeasure OF the ancestors and secure a re-
turn of their favor. Should any one neglect
national custom in the conduct OF his affairs
he must offer sacrifice to avert calamity as the
consequence of his neglect When offering
propitiatory sacrifices the form of prayer used
BY the priest is: 'Ye who are above, accept our
Offering and remove our trouble In free viii
offerings, as in escape from danger, or at the
ripening OF crops, the prayer takes the follow
ing form: fe who are above, accept the food
We have provided; smell our offering nov burn
ing and grant US prosperity and peace"
Animals are nos supposed 70 have souls.
neither are inanimate objects. But spirits may
reside in inanimate objects. Although man
is guarded by the spirits of his ancestors. they
do not protect him from demons or from wiz
ards and witches. A certain measure of pro-
lection can. however, it is supposed, be OBJ
tanned by the use OF charms provided by ma
ing carried ON with England, the masisisns
gave the soldiers charm against English bull
lets. 1t vas the blue flower Of Q species OF rho
dodendren. 'Those who carried this talisman
rushed forward against columns OF infantry
only when men began TO bite the dust la ell
directions did the nature Of the dslusion break
upon the army and panic ensus."