Africa . f roast slave. These are succeeded by the Apono, the Ishogo, andlastly, by the Ashango, and Nshavi, the most remoteinland tribe that has been visited by M. du Chaillu in18 6 5 in this part of Equatorial Africa. Like the Ashango,the Apono belong to the Ashira family, all of themspeaking the Ashira language; whereas the Ishogo are 494 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL. quite distinct, and speak a different idiom. On thelower Ogoway and the Gaboon the prevailing languageis the Mpongwe, or Gaboon, which serves as the mediumof intercourse amongst all the coast tribes and far intothe inter
Africa . f roast slave. These are succeeded by the Apono, the Ishogo, andlastly, by the Ashango, and Nshavi, the most remoteinland tribe that has been visited by M. du Chaillu in18 6 5 in this part of Equatorial Africa. Like the Ashango,the Apono belong to the Ashira family, all of themspeaking the Ashira language; whereas the Ishogo are 494 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL. quite distinct, and speak a different idiom. On thelower Ogoway and the Gaboon the prevailing languageis the Mpongwe, or Gaboon, which serves as the mediumof intercourse amongst all the coast tribes and far intothe interior. It is neither disagreeable to speak, nordifficult to learn. Both banks of the Gaboon itself are inhabited by theShekianis, the Bulus, and Mpongwes, the first two nowfar from numerous, and living a savage life in the to the most grovelling superstitions, they aredespised by the other Negroes, and especially by theMpongwes, who are unquestionably tlie most civilised tribeof tliis HEAD-DRESS OF THE ISHOGO. 5. The MpongwS: their Vices and Vanities. All the more surprising is it that no trace of anytradition has been detected amongst the recollections go no farther back than their lastgeneration; nor do they bear a very good reputation in THE OGOWAY REGION. 495 other respects. The Christian religion has heen longintroduced amongst them; but the only commandmentthat they have submitted to with genuine zeal is thatenjoining the observance of the Sabbath, Their intensevanity shows itseK especially in the ridiculous finery withwhich they trick themselves out on Sundays. As soon as anative of the Gaboon earns a few pence, he forthwithinvests them in a bimch of keys, which he wears roundhis neck, to make people believe he has got a lot of boxesand coffers worth locking up. On growing rich he reallyprocures such objects, placing them in the most conspicuouspart of his house, to give the impression that he is ownerof a vast amount of property. His
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