The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-11-10


ciety, Washington. d. CO.
The natives of the Interior Of Africa
are very different from those of the
coast regions who have absorbed the
worst that civilization has 10 offer,
yet many a traveller, touching only
the fringe Of the Dark Continent,
builds his ideas Of Its people on those
corrupted by alcohol, European NOR
ais, and the passion for gain either
by fair means or foul. In the Bel
gian Congo, for example, where are
to be met typical negroes Of the trop-
les, one finds people who are frankly
savages, to be sure, with customs dis
gusting to the westerner but who
possess good traits for all that. III
the tribes are approached properly
hardly one will be found which Is not
naturally good-tempered, and in most
instances hospitable and trustful.
Stanleyville, the chief station In
north-central Congo, was a few years
ago q strange mixture Of an Arab,
European and negro town. Whatever
harm the Arabs may have done to the
natives, and there Is no doubt that In
their slave-raiding expeditions they
have slaughtered them by the thou
sands, they certainly have taught them
many a good thing. 1t was the Arabs
who introduced rice. Madagascar po-
tatoes, beans and many useful plants.
They have taught the natives clean
illness and established schools In many
centers.
The town Is much used as an out
fitting point for expeditions but at
times It Is disappointingly short Of
supplies. In making trips up the
Congo river from Stanleyville one
must cross the river below the falls
and have his luggage carted to a
point on smooth water above the
cataracts.
Queer Bambala customa
Among the people Of Congo few
possess stranger customs or present
more curious contrasts than the Bam-
bala tribe, who live in numerous vii
lagos on the banks of the Kwilu Jumba
river In the southwestern part or
the country. Each village is 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.
ton Is to act as money-lender to his
subjects. No tribute Is paid to the
chief, but he has right to the ribs
OF every human being killed for food
and to the hind legs of each animal
killed during the great hunts. If a
chief Is 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 flesh nor yet the meat Of fowls.
They are distinguished by an iron
bracelet and a special headcovering of
cloth, which may not be removed by
any one under penalty Of death, even
II the offender did not intend to touch
II.
death to the nephew Sisters son),
who succeeds to the dignity, and the
heir must steal the skull Of his uncle.
The corpse is buried for some two
months, then the skull is exhumed,
painted red, and placed In the house
its owner used to occupy. The
nephew must gain possession Of
II at night without being observed,
and, after hiding 1t for a few days In
the bush, take II home to his hut.
II a muri Is killed In war. his brace
let is sent home, but the skull has to
be stolen as before from the hostile
village. The chief privilege Of a
member Of this class is the right to a
portion Of each animal killed In hunt
ing.
Ordeal by Poison.
In disputes, where two people Of
the same village are concerned, a
poison ordeal Is employed az judge.
Whether q man IL accused Of witch
craft. parricide or Of some minor Of