The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-05-12
SAVAGE GRIEF.
Paying the Last Honors to a
West African Potentate.
Five Weeks Of Native "Play-
ing," Feasting and Dancing.

1ng, roasting ana Dancing.
At time when we read of the
funeral rites of several great men
who have been prominently before
the English people, it may be of in
terest to know something of the last
honors paid by his people to one who
in his time received no small share of
attention both in his own country and
here-the black King Ja-Ja of Opobo,
West Africa. 1t will be remembered
that he died'at Teneriffe when return
ing to his own country, whittier he
had been permitted to go by the Gov
ernment. His people urgently asked
for his body, which there was much
difficulty in obtaining, as he was
buried in place under Spanish juris-
diction, which does not permit the re-
moval of the dead under a consider
able interval. By the efforts and in
f1uence of the Consul General of the
Oil Rivers Protectora,e, Major Mac
donald, this rule was set aside, and
the steamer Benin brought the Kings
remains to Opobo.
The body was in four cases, two of
wood, one of tin and one of lead. AS
soon as it was known the steamer had
arrived all the chiefs of the town and
district came with their followers in
their big canoes, attired in their best,
and with streamers and flags flying
from their boats. The outer case was
removed from the coffin, which was
then wrapped in many folds of costly
silk brocade and placed in a large
canoe, with Ja-Ja's brilliant state UNI
brella erected over it, and guarded by
two chiefs of his house. The big
canoe then headed the crowd of others
and proceeded up the river. Allnative
trade was stopped, and the last five
weeks have been devoted to native
'.plays," feasting and dancing, and
numbers of fowls and goats were killed
for food. In the town and its neigh
borhood continuee cannon firing has
gone on day and night, about 500 kegs
of gunpowder being consumed in this
way. To the final .'great play"
all the white residents on
the river were invited. The
town was decorated with numerous
flags. The cannon and gun firing
kept up, and native music from TOM
toms drums followed out of tree
trunks) and various strange instru-
ments was rendered with vigor. Ja-Ja
is buried within the courtyard of his
palace, which stands in the centre of
square of small houses, having gal
leries fronted with glass. The room
containing the vault in which lies the
coffin was draped round with silk
brocade and hung with photographs
and pictures of the late King, one
large painting in oil being well exc
cuted. At one end of the room was
large mirror; at the other end a
broad couch, on which reclined hia
wives, who have watched the body
night and day since its arrival.
The vault is cemented over, and at
its head plate of food and large
jar of rum stood, the latter of which
every day had been poured over the
grave. Much treasure is buried with
The body. Time was when the lives
of even 100 slaves, openly sacrificed,
would not have sufficed on such an
occasion that the spirit of the king
might proceed on its journey with due
state; but under the wise and firm
government now existing this terrible
custom has been abandoned. Inc
funeral feast was laid in large room
adjoining the one containing the
vault; and long table, laid with
white cloth, knives, forks, glasses, and
dinner napkins, supported a profusion
of food. A splendid roast turkey
was carved by the head chief, who,
wise man, removed his most super
huous garment for the good work.
There were roast and boiled meats,
yams, palm-oil "chops" and "fu-fu,"
which latter is dough-like substance
made from pounded yam. The proper
method of consuming this delicacy is
to roll piece into ball the size of a
hens egg, dip il into palm-oil "chop."
open the mouth wide, shut the eyes