New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-12-23

prepared by the National Geog aphic So
ciety. Washington, u, @
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,
set many a traveller, touching only
the fringe of the Dark Continent,
GUILDS 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
slan Congo, for example, where are
to be met typical negroes of the trop-
les. n finds people who are frankly
sayages, to be sure, with customs dis
gushing to the westerner but who
possess good traits for all that. If
the tribes are approached properly
hardly one will be found which is not
naturally g0od-tempered, and in most
instances hospltable and trustful.
Stanleyville, the chief station In
%lorth-central Congo, was a few years
ago a 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 liz
their slave-raidlng expeditions they
nave slaughtered them by the thou
sands, they costainly have taught them
many a good thing. II was the Arabs
who introduced rice Madagascar po-
%tatoes, beans and many useful plants.
They have taught the natives clean
.iness and established schools in many
centers.
The town Is much used as an out
itting 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 Customs.
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 Kwllu 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 a 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 is young enough. he acts as
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 h~eadcovering Of
cloth, which may not be removed by
any n under penalty of death. even
II the offender did not intend to touch
Il.
The bracelet OF a muri passes at
to the nephew Sisters SOM,
who succeeds TO the dignity, and the
must steal the skull of his uncle.
The corpse Is buried for some two
then the skull Is exhumed,
red. and placed In the house
is owner used to occupy. The
must gain possession Of
{ at night without being observed,
md. after hiding 1T for a few days in
he bush, take 1t home to his hut.
IL a muir is killed in war, his brace
ct Is sent home. but the skull has to
We stolen as before from the hostile
illage. The chief privilege Of a
Of this class is the right to a (
OF each animal killed in hunt '
ng. 1
Ordeal by Poison.
In disputes, where two people Of I
he same village are concerned, a {
ordeal Is employed as judge. G
Whether a man is accused Of WITCH I
raft parrfcide or of soma mfnor az. \