Publications of the Folk-lore Society . give theperson indicated by the Nganga as having bewitched the deadman, the so-called Ndotchi (witch), a powdered bark, which hemust swallow and vomit if he be really innocent. The barknamed Mbundu is given to the man who owns to being awitch, but denies having killed the person in question. That ofNkassa is given to those who deny the charge of being witchesaltogether. The witches or other persons who, having taken thebark, do not vomit are either killed or die from the effects ofthe poison, and their bodies used to be burnt. Since civilizedgovernment h
Publications of the Folk-lore Society . give theperson indicated by the Nganga as having bewitched the deadman, the so-called Ndotchi (witch), a powdered bark, which hemust swallow and vomit if he be really innocent. The barknamed Mbundu is given to the man who owns to being awitch, but denies having killed the person in question. That ofNkassa is given to those who deny the charge of being witchesaltogether. The witches or other persons who, having taken thebark, do not vomit are either killed or die from the effects ofthe poison, and their bodies used to be burnt. Since civilizedgovernment have occupied the country a slight improvementhas taken place, in that the relations of the witch are allowedto bury the body. If events turhs out as divined by the Nganga,he retains the cloth given to him by the relations or theirmessengers: otherwise he must return it to the family, whotake it to another Nganga. While all this is going on, a carpenter is called in to buildthe coffin; and he is paid one fowl, one mat of rushes, and one. FUNERAL SHIMBEC. To jace page 113. DEATH AND BURIAL OF THE PJOET. ||:; closely woven mat per day. Rum and a piece of blue clothare given to him on the day he covers the case with red , rum, and cloth are given to him as payment on itscompletion. And now that all palavers are finished, and thecoffin ready, the family are once more called together; and theprince of the land and strangers are invited to come and hearhow all the palavers have been settled. A square in front ofthe shimbec containing the coffin is cleared of herbs and grass,and carefully swept; and here, during the whole night previous tothe official meeting, women and children dance. Mats are placedimmediately in front of the shimbec for the family and theirfetishes (Poomba) : the side opposite is prepared for the princeand his followers; and the other two sides are kept for thosestrangers and guests who care to come. At about three oclockguns are fired off as a signal
Size: 1853px × 1348px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1878
