The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-02
POWER OF THE TAssO MEN.
Chiefs of Sierra Leone Bend 20 tn,
Will Of This Secret Order.

Philadelphia Telegraph.
At the recent browning OF the Sokong. or
bro. in the colony of Sierra Leone. West
Africa, q curious native custom was OBJ
served. one which very few. IL any, Eu-
of great rarity, and had not been performed
for many years. IL consisted OF the APP
pearance OF certain members OF a secret
society known as the "Tasso," about which
great deal of mystery exists, as they
belong to a brotherhood that is regarded
with veneration amounting TO awe by
vested in these Tasso men is immense,
and gives them precedence next to the
Sokong, and even entities them to raise
objections, II they see fit, to laws proposed
by that chief
Tasso is purely a Sherbo institution. Pc
c e,l to Imperri TIA Tassos are practically
masons; each big chief Of a town has his
Tasso man. and upon very important oc-
Tassos, with their chiefs, formed part OF
the bodyguard to the Sokong. and took A
prominent part in the ceremony
1t is necessary to observe carefully the
costumes worn by these men, more particu-
larly their enormous headgear, which is
about three feet in height. 1t is a great
weight, and Is consequently removed when
These head pieces are erected on a founda-
tion of plated cane. The human skulls
and the thigh bones Immediately above the
part fitting the head those of defunct
Tassos, which can only be renewed from
other departed members Of the brotherhood.
quet of feathers. gathered from ali kinds
of birds, these bouquets being quite three
is Of the usually barbara Description. e made
up of a network over the body, from which
hang various skins of animals: lunches OF
while attached to the knees are several
pieces Of followed native iron. from which
depend rings of similar metal that jingle as
the men move about, making considerable
noise.
The Tassos do not dance. that part of the
and his Followers Who are s sub S nate to tie
"Laga"' to be present in attendance upon
shield and has his black body bedaubed
with large white spots; grouped at the back
of him are his boys, TO the number of about
the town, headed by the .:Laga." TO notify
the people of what is about TO take place,
to call them together. or warn them to get
If Tasso dies In a town he must not be
inferred there. but in the bush. az the law is
Tasso and when m one aes IN dead
''Poro." or law. is Immediately placed
upon that town compelling the women to
''Poro" law is so imperative that the in
habitants OF town can be sent into the
bush in few minutes. but IL occasionally
happens that natural curiosity will induce
woman to secrete herself and thereby in
disobedience to the 'Poro" law. become
qualnted WIFI some OF the external myS-
teres OF the "Poro." The superstition in
such cases is that sickness follows. and
during her illness the lady confesses what
she done and seen: she Is then carried
into ne "Poro" bush and initiated into the
"Poro'' rites. and henceforth all such wom-
en- are regarded in the same light as
"Poro'' men. and are practically native
Freemasons.
The coronation ceremony was performed
uncer the supervision of the governmental
treaty chief, Beh Sherbro of Yonni Sher-
bro. who upon this occasion wore the beau-
it'll, large and massive silver medal which
had been presented TO his ancestors by k.ng
George III. bearing the date 1916.