The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-12
BECEITED HIM IN STYLE
A B,r African King Welcomes tho First
Hnvoy from the Congo State.

About two years ago tho Congo State sent
Lieut.. Dbanis far up the Kuango River one OF
the largest afIluents OF tho Kassai tributary
OF tho Congo. for tho purpose Of occupying
these new territories In behalf OF the State.
He has recently sent q report to the Depart
ment OF tho Interior OF his progress. and has
given some curious details about tho great
native King OF the Kuango region. whose
name has long figured on the maps. though
no one has known much about him. He is tho
Kamvo Mueno Putu Kasongo and lives upon
the right bank OF the Kuango River about "
80 south latitude.
It Ia about forty years since the warriors Of
the great central empire of Lunda marched
northwest into this country and took 1t for
their own. They were led by n brother of the
powerful Muata lamvo OF Lundn. Tho pres
ent King is ono Of tho successors OF the ;'rst
conaueror. and he still holds absolute power
The chiefs OF all the villages are ALWAYS
named by him. The Kiamvo gave Lieut..
Dhnnis most friendly reception. The Lieu
tenant established one OF the state posts at
the Kings residence. and secondary posts
have been scattered up and down the country.
Steamboats, connect this region with Leopold
The King heard that the white man was
cGG,m,ing several weeks before nj arrival ,,
boon sent to meet him. suddenly appcared;
Many OF these men wore musician and
rhanted the praises of the Kiamvo and sang OF
the greatness of the white man. one OF the
chiefs said the armed men hSd bsGn sent as
please them he had his Zanzihar attendants
m"rrh I'd II a. TIE renr while ne Rhvaneed nr
intermediaries in the white mans. relations
Numerous s Villages tho chiefs e arpearei with
hospitable presents OF palm wine. fowls. goats.
On arriving at the Kings town the white
visitor was allowed to rest Tor three days be-
fore the ceremonies in honor OF his arrival be-
moncd the warriors. and on. the NTH day
Dhanis was introduced to the King The XII
amN0 was seated with his Legs crossed upon
panthers skin, In his LETT hand lie held a
modern improved rifle. and at his right was
circle around the King were about 800 men
armed i;,h, WITH guns or bows and arrows nnd
chiefs seated upon skins or woven mats. (
dozen musicians played on sort Of string in
strument made by stretching wires oyer hol,
their guns IN honor OF the stranger, and after
short talk, with the Kiamvo his dusky
majesty was horne ne, on his platform by eight
At the, second interview the, King asked
Dhanis I he did not wish to see the war dance.
The white man said b" would be happy to wit
ness this interesting spectacle. and at once the
drums began TO sound and the warriors were
soon engaged in a fren2ied dance. As the
music became louder and more rapid. they
shouted at the ton Of their lungs and INDUCED
in the widest eontortions. They would rush
forward brand ishing their spears at the
kiamvo. and when II seemed as though they
were about to transtix him. they would bury
their spear POINTS in the earth. They made
the same demonstration before Dhanis. and
one OF His Zanzibar attendants suddenly ap-
peared before the astoniShed white man and
Il Geiieyc." he said. THAT these men are
so crazy that we shall all he killed unless we
have the means Of defence In our hands"
Dhans says that very likely thore was
thought there was danger. for he abruptly or
dered the suspension of the dance. Since
then one OF the warriors. during a war dance.
In moment OF perfect frenzy. fired his gun
directly at the King himself who fortunately
escaped injury. Since that day no war dances
have been performed in the country
The King Is nudge. without appeal. in all
cases OF dispute between the chiefs. and he
inficts all penalties for wrongdong Half OF
the prizes OF war belong to tn" King. Every
big animal killed is the personal property Of
the kiamvo. All large beasts that fall in the
chase are brought TO him. the hunters receive
ing in return small presents Of cloth and pow
der II any one kills an elephant and does not
give both it's meat and its tusks to the King
he is fined three slaves. He has to pay two
slaves IL he keeps the body Of a hippopotamus
Tor his own purposes.