Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-30
THE Eeso SOCIETY.
Strange Secret Order on the West Coast Of
Africa.

Ous"yV OeCuct UtueT ON the west COaSt Of
Africa.
In the Niger Coast protectOrate on
the Quo-lboe riverat least thirty miles
inland, there exists an African secret
society called the Egbo. 1t belongs to
the 1bibio tribe. the language of which
Is 1bibio, and which is situated be-
tween the Quo and Iboe tribes. The
Egbo society is partly religious and
possesses many peculiarities that are
almost Masonic; but its tenets are very
much those Of the Thugs of India. only
perhaps less well defined 1t possesses
three grades. through which all those
VINO aspire to its highest grade must
pass. undergoing strange proofs of their
qualifications paying certain sums to
the priests of the society on entering
and passing from grade to grade. It's
principal festivals are on the occasions
of the planting and digging UP of the
yamS: these customs as they arc. in
November and in the summer. and dur
ing their continuance PROFESSIONS.
dances, and the consumption of trade
gin manifest the presence of the E,gbo
society. AT these times they will at
tack and even kill people in the BUSH
but leave unmolested the white man.
watchers are placed on the paths. and
il one of the latter is seen the mer,
bcrs of the society are warned and hide
themselves In the thickets beneath the
mighty trees. but woe to any native
passing that way. Black wooden masks
with horns, some Of them possessing
~
by the leaders, and no woman dare
look upon these masks. whether in use
or not. for if she sees one of the society
wearing the mask she dies instantly.
and. if nature does not thus allow her
To fall in with the prescribed results of
seeing the said anagic mask. she is
promptly killed as an example to
others. When the members of the so
ciety are out in their feather and
grass dresses. with their bows and ar
rows. which they always carry on these
occasions. they progress in sort of
dancing step. Those wearing masks
alter the sound Of their Voices and ut
ter squeakinE tones. and even use a
different dialect. 1t will he remem-
bered how. In the carnivais in Europe.
masqueraders speak in falsetto voices,
and raise curious cry. Men with
whips make way for the procession.
which comes along dancing and shout
ing. and all the women and children
keep inside their dwellings.
In the ''iu- ju'' houses Of worship are
wooden statues, To which great venera-
lion is paid. A spirit is supposed To
inhabit them. and skulls. eggs. food
ard other objects are placed in front OF
them. Through these idols divination
IS nracticcd by the Egbo society: ques-
lions regarding stolen goods and the
fidelity Of wives are those to which they
AaGe constantly to give replies. The
statue invariably answers correctly. |
hGVe TWO of these useful heads: Mr.
Van dc Pocl. who has lived twenty
three years in the West of Africa, and
.esides on his coffee plantation among
these people. lost three guns. He APP
piled to the consul without success. he
lhGn appealed tn the native King.
equally without success: and then he
sent for one Of the E,gbo chiefs. gave
him a fee, and asked him to find the
Guns. A ceremony with the statues
took place. and the thief and the guns
q
faces each. which are painted white,
This being the religious. fetish" or
jt-iu" color: their eyes are metal. and
ore mouth shows the tip of a tongue.
while the other is carved to exhibit
IN rely row nf teeth. signifying the I
raaie and female: or the center of the
forehead and on the side of the face
are tattoo marks, denoting the family |
~ the Worshipper on the cheek are I.
jhTce on fourpaint marks such as those !
with which he equally adorns his own !
face. Councils are held in the "ju-ju' |
lt uses. The ldiong society meets here; |
Ley are not necessarily F,gbos. but !
ley grant degrees in chieftainshtp /
sd enact laws. The government is /
- deaVoring TO suppress the Egno So |
fiajy: but yea it has its uses. as with |
nut it lahorers could not be obtained |
i,Y the young men all wish to enter it, /,
ara for this reason are willing 80 work |
ttd earn money till they can buy |
Themselves i1gbo degrees.-The Sketch |