The Raymer enterprise., 1921-11-10

tPrsparsd by the NatioAai Geographic 10.
cisty. wAshinsteA. D. c.,
The natives Of the interior Of Africa
are very different from those Of the
coast regions who have absorbed the
worst that civilization has to offer,
yet many q traveller. touching only
the fringe Of the Dark Continent.
builds his ideas Of its people on those
corrupted By alcohol, European NOR.
ala, and the passion for gain either
by fair means or foul. In the Bel.
ran Congo for example, where are
to be INST typical negroes Of the trop.
lcs, one 6pds people who are frankly
savages, to be sure, with customs dis,
gusting to the westerner but who
possess good traits for all that. II
the tribes are approached properly
hardly one will be found which Il not
naturally good-tempered, and In most
instances hospitable and trustful.
Stanleyville the chief station In
nortl-centrxl Congo, was few years
ago 4 strange mixture Of an Arab,
European and negro town. Whatever
harm the Arabs may have done to the
natives, and there u no doubt that II
their slaye-raiding expeditions they
have slaughtered them by the thou
sands. they certainly have taught them
many a good thing. It was the Arabs
who introduced rice, Madagascar po-
tatoes, beans and many useful plants.
They have taught the natives Glenn.
llness and established schools In many
centers.
The town is much used as an out.
fitting point for expeditions but at
times It ls dlsappolntingly short Of
supplies. In making trips up the
Congo river from Stanleyvllle one
must cross the river below the falls
and have his luggage carted to u
point on smooth water above the
cataracts.
Queer Dambala Customs.
Among the people Of Congo few
possess stranger customs or present
more curious contrasts than the BAN,
bala tribe, who live 10 numerous vi.
lagos on the banks Of the Kwilu Jumbs
river In the southwestern part ot
the country. Each village IL under
Its own chief, who holds the position
by virtue Of his wealth and Is sue.
ceeded at his death by the next richest
man Of the tribe. His principal func.
tiOn Ia to act as noney-lender to his
subjects. No tribute Is paid to the
chief, but he has q right to the ribs
Of every human being killed for food
and to the hind legs Of each animal
killed during the great hunts. II a
chief 10 young enough, he acts as
leader In war; otherwise one Of his
sons takes his place.
intermediate between the chief and
the ordinary freeman is an hereditary
class called muri, who may not eat
human nesh nor yet the meat Of fowls.
They are distinguished by an iron
bracelet and q special headcoverIng of Z
cloth. which may not be removed by
any one under penalty Of death, even
II the offender did not intend to touch
II.
The bracelet OF q muri passes at
death to the nephew sisters son),
who succeeds to the dignity, and the
heir must steal the skull Of his uncle.
The corpse 10 buried for some two
months, then the skull 10 exhumed,
painted red. and placed In the house
IT'D owner used to occupy. The
nephew must gain possession Of
Il at night without being observed,
and, after hiding 1t for few days In
the bush, take It home to his hut
II q muri Is killed In war, his brace.
let b sent home, but the skull has to
be stolen a. before from the hostile
village. The chief privilege Of
member Of this class ID the right to
portion Of each animal killed in hunt
ING.
Ordeal BY peleen.
In disputes. where two people Of
the same village are concerned, a
poison ordeal is employed AZ Judge.
Whether man 10 accused Of witch.
raft. parricide or Il some minor Of.