File:Africa and its inhabitants (1899) (14780393141).jpg

Identifier: africaitsinhabit02recl (find matches)
Title: Africa and its inhabitants
Year: 1899 (1890s)
Authors: Reclus, Elisée, 1830-1905 Keane, A. H. (Augustus Henry), 1833-1912
Subjects: Ethnology
Publisher: London : J.S. Virtue
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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, and who is enthroned in the clouds. To this god theyoffer bloody sacrifices of cocks and goats in shrines from which women and childrenare excluded. The wise men interpret to the vulgar the decrees of the deity,reading his will in the blood of the victims, in their last spasms, or the position ofthe dead bodies. They also denounce the wicked wizards, their rivals in know-ledge of the occult science. When a young man dies two wise men take his body,which then drags them, as they say, irresistibly to the hut of the murderer.Then blood is shed for blood, and the property of the culprit is shared betweenthe chief and the injured family. Amongst the Saras a tuft of grass or foliageplaced upon the magicians head throws him into a divine frenzy, during whichhe reels, bounds, capers about, staggers as one overcome with drink, falling at lastbefore one of the audience, who is forthwith devoted to death. Amongst theNiyillems, on the right bank of the Shari, young maidens are said to be buried
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«5 O •< 5 o w o -: u iM«n:iii. BAOUIRMI. 3C7 alive in the grave of the chief, and the epileptic are slain as being possessed bythe evil one. Polygamy is general among the wealthy classes in Upper liaghirmi, wheresome remains of matriarchal institutions arc also said to survive. Tlius one ofthe petty states below the Ba-Busso and Bahr-ul-Abiad confluence is known bythe name of Beled-el-Mra, or Womens Land, because the government is herealways entrusted to a queen. Although nominal Mohammedans, the Baghinni make no effort to spread Islamamongst their pagan subjects. Tliey even look askance at the proselytisingfervour of the Fulahs, the reason being that, once converted to Islam, the peoplesamongst whom their gangs of slaves arc recruited could no longer be rcgardetl usvile heathens whom it is lawfid to plunder aiul enslave. The supplies of youngmen and women for the Sudanese markets are obtained especially from tlie Saratribes, who are usually designated by the name of Vile Slave

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