The Sherbro and its hinterland . when within a few paces they stop,and the devil points one of the bunches of twigs which shecarries straight at him, and then reverses the action andpoints to the bush. This is called giving the palaver,signifying that he must follow them ; which he speedilydoes, so efficacious is the medicine, and so great the fearand fetish superstition in connection with these medicinewomen. The cortege proceeds to the barri, where thepalaver is given over to the tender mercies of the chief,who begins by imposing all kinds of court fees ; anddamages are claimed on behalf of
The Sherbro and its hinterland . when within a few paces they stop,and the devil points one of the bunches of twigs which shecarries straight at him, and then reverses the action andpoints to the bush. This is called giving the palaver,signifying that he must follow them ; which he speedilydoes, so efficacious is the medicine, and so great the fearand fetish superstition in connection with these medicinewomen. The cortege proceeds to the barri, where thepalaver is given over to the tender mercies of the chief,who begins by imposing all kinds of court fees ; anddamages are claimed on behalf of the head medicinewoman of the Bundu. In the event of the defendantnot paying the demands made upon him, he is stocked,and formerly would have been sold into slavery. Butthere is always a loophole through which to escapethese extortionate demands. If he were a wise man andhad the means he would go quickly to the head womanand settle matters with her for the value of a head ofmoney. Girls who have misbehaved themselves are flogged. Fig. 48.— I)i;\ii. with A 11 knuant XIV SECRET SOCIETIES 143 in the Bundu unless their parents or guardians pay toprevent it; generally small presents of cloth or tobaccosuffice to get them off. As I have said, the devil nevertalks, but gesticulates with the bunches of twigs; butwhenever it is necessary to explain anything, it is aDigba who does it. When the devil comes out to arresta person she does not bring any music with her, but onfestive occasions she is accompanied by women shakingthe sehgura. CHAPTER XVSECRET SOCIETIES—{continued) THE YASSI The Yassi Society belongs both to the Sherbro andMendi countries. Apparently in a measure it works con-jointly with the Bundu Society ; but while it is professedlya society for women, it does not object to the admission ofmen of the social Poro order at some of its meetings. Undercertain conditions, indeed, it becomes even imperativ^e thatthey should be initiated into the mysteries surrounding itb
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