The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-04
TaE DoCrRINE OF soULs.
Curious Beliefs OF the South African
Tribes.

In the second of two interesting papers on
the manners, customs. superstitions and
religions Of South African tribes journal
of the Anthropological Institute, vol. xix.
No. 8, and vol. ~. No. p, the Rev. James
Macdonald. who has had ample opportuni-
ties OF studying the subject. has a good
deal TO say about the doctrine Of souls
which prevails among the abOrigines Of
South Africa It is extremely difficult, he
explains, to discover what the people
really believe about the spirit world, so
many and varied are the traditions relating
TO 1t. There are, however, certain out
standing facts common to all; ard of these
Mr. Macdonald gives a clear and instrucs-
i've account
All human beings are supposed to have
sous, but their souls are not believed to be
entirely confined 10 the body. 4 mans
soul may, 1t is thought, occupy the roof Of
his hat, and If he changes his residence his
soul does SO at the same time. Mr.. Mac
donald takes this to be loose and indefinite
way of expressing "the belief that a mans
spirit may have influence at distance
from the place where he is himself at any
time" The people often use the word
''Htunzelan-from "izitunzi," shadows-to
express their ideas of human spirits and
the unseen world generally; and that is
the nearest description that can be
obtained" A man is constantly attended
by the shadows or spirits of his ancestors as
we'll 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 or priests offer costly sacrifices
TO prevent misfortune aud 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 maglcians, who profess to receive revela-
tions through dreams, If the dreamer has
seen "a departed relative" the magician
says, "He is hungry" Then a beast is
killed; the blood Is collected, and placed in
vessel at the side of tie hut furthest from
the door; the liver is hung up in the hut,
and must not be eaten until all the flesh Of
the animal has been used. The ''essencen of
the food is withdrawn" by the spirit during
the night. and after specified time all may
be eaten except the portions which the magi.
clan orders to be burned.
Ancestor worship is not only protested by
the South African tribes, but ''they actually
regulate their conduct by it." Says
Macdonald:
IF man has narrow escape from acct
dent and death he says, My fathers soul
saved me- and he offers sacrifice accord
AASAJs Al CuoCo VI SiChu6sb,
sacrifices are offered to remove the dis
pleasure of the ancestors and secure a re-
turn to their favor. Should any one neg
lect 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 re-,
move our trouble In free will offerings,
as in escape from danger, or at the ripening
Of crops, the prayer takes the following
form: s4e, who are above, accept the food
| we have provided for you; smell our offer>
ings now burning, and grant US prosperity
and peace. J"
Animals are not supposed to have souls !;
neither are inanimate objects. But spirits
may reside in inanimate objects, and their
presence has an influence on many customs
and habits. striking example Of such in
tiuence was offered during the rebellion of
1879, when Umhlonhlo, after the murder of
tue British resident, was one day marching
in a leisurely manner across country with
his whole army. The forenoon was hot,
and not cloud was to be seen. Presently
the rnagicians noticed on the horizon a
peculiarly shaped cloud: st rose rapidly
| in one mass and rolled upon ITSELF Its
| movements were intentlY watched till 10 ap-
| preached the zenith and passed over the
sun. This was an evil omen. For some un.
known cause the spirits were MORALLY Of
Tended, and had come over the army in
| shadow at monday. In grief and sorrow
their backs were turned upon their
! children, and the result of this would
| be certain defeat and disaster. There
| was, however, no immediate danger. That
mornings scouts had reported that there
were no troops within many miles of their
line of march, and they could repair to
some sacred place to offer sacrifices and
make atonemsnt. While they were dis
cusSing which place to repair to for this
purpose, the van Of small column of
cavalry appeared Unexpectedly over a
rising ground Dismay struck into every
I heart. The war minister urged his men to
| form into order of battle. No one an
| swered his summons. He did his best to
organize an orderly retreat, but in vain;
| not blow was struck, aud every man took
to his heels, making for the nearest hiding
place in mountain or forest. That army
never reassembled. Black hearted fear
| utterly demoralized it,
Water or river spirits play great part
| in South African mythology. They inhabit
| deep pools where there are strong eddies
and under-currents. They are dwarfs and
are of malignant disposition, which they
display by greedily Selling on any one who
comes within their reach. They are, OF
course, greatly feared, and the popular
| dread Of them is shown in a way which has
| been known in many different parts Of the
world. Mr.. Macdonald gives the following
example:
"Some years ago q number of Gcaleka
girls were, on a fine summer day. bathing
in the Bashee. One of them got beyond her
depth, and began to struggle in the water
and cry for help. Her companions promptly
raised the alarm, and two men working
close by ran to the waters edge SIZE was
still struggling feebly, but to the onlookers
it was clear case of being called by the
river, and they made no attempt to save
her. The body was recovered by the
magicians the same day, when it was found
she had been drowned in less than five feet
of water. All this came to the ears OF G. G.
H. Bell, ESQ.,, the English resident and he
cited the parties, magicians and all to APP
pear before him in court. %he two men
not only admitted that they could have
waded to the spot where they saw her
struggling, but also said the water would
not be more than breast Deep They had
made no effort to save her, as it would be
improper end dangerous to interfere when
one Is called by the river Mr.. Bell tried
to argue them out Of snch absurd notions,
but 10 little purpose, and finally came TO the
conclusion that six months hard might be
more effectual in Graduating superstition
than ali his philosophy, and SIX months
hard it accordingly was"
Mr.. Macdonald says there is no periodical
process OF purging or driving away spirits.
Without che presence and aid Of magicians,
= - I,,~, frrax 4.